Lift kit help

[Jacob Chapman]

My wife and I bought a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 crew cab yesterday, got the OK to start looking into lift kits/wheels etc. Never done anything like this before so could use some help. Looking for 2-3 inch lift, something that won't kill my mpgs and also won't wear out the CV joints n whatnot too bad. Any recommendations would be appreciated

 

[sk1]

I know back when I was going to do this with my silverado I was looking at a skyjacker 3 inch suspension lift kit. I have 265/70/17s and was going to go slightly larger but as you said didn't want to kill mpgs. 285/70/17s is what I was going to do. I have seen some trucks with this setup and it looks good.

It's been a few years since I've looked into it and didn't end up doing it because the military sent me to a new duty station
And I didn't follow through with it. So I can't remember why exactly but that's what I had chosen.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Unfortunately any change in tire size, and you will feel it at the pump. Just try to keep it conservative and it won't be so bad. To save the CV's get a bracket drop lift, stay away from the spacer kits.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

Any specific brands you guys prefer? I won't put 33 inch tires on I don't think. Just something to give a little more ground clearance. My wife and I got settled in Bozeman 2 weeks ago Friday and love driving back through Gallatin National Forest and plan on camping back there, plus I will do some back country hunting. No rock crawling or anything for me, but I'm not going to keep it strictly on pavement either

 

[realunlucky]

Probably has close to 33 on it now. 265? I would guess you could go up two sizes without a lift. Can't help on brands but get new shocks or you won't like the ride as much

 

[SDHNTR]

My advice, worth what you paid for it... Don't do it. The Chevy IFS front end has a lot of moving parts to it. Lifting will adversely effect the long term longevity of the entire front end. IMO, lifting is best suited for solid axle vehicles. Plus, once you start this process it snowballs quickly if you want to do it right. All of the driveline and suspension geometry needs to be adjusted with new driveshafts, or adapters, moving exhaust, new gearing for bigger tires, etc. It can get out of control quickly, when all you really wanted to do was put it up in the air a little. I say, invest in some good tires and shocks and call it good.

 

[Wrench77]

You could add a leveling kit to the front which will raise the front approximately 2" then you can get a larger tire like a 285/70/17. Leveling kits are much cheaper than a lift kit.

 

[fulldraw1972]

I put a 4" ruff country in my Dodge. I also went with 35 x 12.5 x 20 fires. My mpg went down by 5 miles to the gallon. if I had it to do over I would go 6" sky jacker. I would think you could go 2" and not affect much at all. Also stick with tires close to the original diameter.

 

[littlebuf]

I think theres whole web sites dedicated to trucks and 4x4s . you would probably be better suited posting on one of those for truck questions rather than a hunting site. im sure theres guys on here that know plenty about it but you'd be talking to a entire group that its all they do, bet you could get some real good info on some of those sites.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

If all you want is a 2-3" lift just put a body lift on it for $400 plus install throw some 33's (go with a 10.5 wide not 12.5) on it and call it a day. As already said the IFS is not a strong setup and will wear out fast from larger tires 35+ inches.

What ever you do......DO NOT go with a torsion bar leveling kit!

 

[sk1]

a body life to get 1" of actual lift from slightly bigger tires? just my opinion but definitely not worth it, unless all you want the lift for is purely looks

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

a body life to get 1" of actual lift from slightly bigger tires? just my opinion but definitely not worth it, unless all you want the lift for is purely looks

So spending three times the money of a Susp lift is a better idea?

I would bet its mostly for looks... i mean its a full size 1/2 ton chevy with IFS.... its not a wheeler.

 

[Shrek]

I'm with a small body lift and taller but not wider tires. I drive an old ford ranger stock and you would be amazed at where I can go with just a little for thought. If you think about what you are doing and carefully pick your path you can do a lot with stock 4 wheel drive truck.

 

[sk1]

So spending three times the money of a Susp lift is a better idea?

I would bet its mostly for looks... i mean its a full size 1/2 ton chevy with IFS.... its not a wheeler.

each of us is different, but i cringe when i see body lifts with big tires and all you see is vehicle frame....the only ones that look halfway decent is then someone that tries to cover up the frame with giant step bars.

it's definitely not a wheeler.....but i can tell you id love to have a 3" susp lift and then gain an extra 1" from slightly bigger tires---but decided against it for the IFS reasons. I can't tell you how many dirt roads ive been on that lead to where i park to go hunt that im praying i dont bottom out. hoping i chose a good line or angle, sometimes getting out and checking clearance, but still nervous. it's not a wheeler but those extra 4 inches would mean a lot to me in several scenarios just so i can safely get to my hunting spots. Thus far i always have, but man its been close more than a few times.

i just think if you're going to get a lift, get a lift....why get a lift that's not a lift....haha if that makes any sense. if it's totally cosmetic and you dont mind your ugly frame hanging out and not having anymore clearance, go for it.

he didn't specify but i took it as a wanting more ground clearance type of thing..

 

[Jacob Chapman]

Mostly for looks plus a little better ground clearance, I will not be rock crawling or anything like that. Mainly for driving around in winter and for getting me to the trails I wish to hunt.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

More ground clearance being key* and I'm 24 with this being the nicest vehicle ive owned, and never having put any type of after market lift etc on my previous vehicles before I'm not even sure where to start. A few less mpgs doesn't concern me as it gets an avg of 17/gallon as it is.

 

[Shrek]

I've been steadily progressing away from big lifted trucks. My first was a 4x4 '86 Bronco with a 4" lift , 38's and detriots front and rear. It would go anywhere but past a gas station or a tire shop ! Scaled back to 4x4'93 Bronco with just a posi rear and 32 x 11.5 's . Now I'm in a stock 4x4 ranger with a posi rear and I'm jones' n for something smaller. A '06 Subaru Baja would be all I need anymore. They have a cult following so prices are too high but I might jump on an old Forrester soon. Backcountry hunting gear doesn't take much room and neither does boned out meat. 25 mpg when gas is headed back to $4.00 a gallon means more cool gear in my pack and less in the tank. Might have to hike another 5 miles now and then but it's part of the attraction for me anyway. My self image has long since been decoupled from the pig iron I drive. I don't care much about how it looks or if it's cool as long as it gets me there.

 

[Vitals]

Don't do it! I have had two lifted trucks and its not worth it. I currently have a Chevy Tahoe with a Rancho 3'' lift on it with some monster Dick Cepek tires. The Rancho lift is a pretty good lift when you consider the way it rides and sits. HOWEVER, with most lifts that aren't on the body, you end up losing or keeping the same ground clearance. I have had to replace two CV joints and multiple half shafts due to the added pressure and torque put on so many parts. This will be the last lifted vehicle I own. With that said, Jeeps and such do much better with lifts. I have a '74 Bronco with a three inch lift and it gave me a lot more ground clearance on rocks. But even then it was a PITA after a while. Keep it at a minimum lift if your gonna do it, trust me.

NO BODY LIFTS

 

[sk1]

More ground clearance being key* and I'm 24 with this being the nicest vehicle ive owned, and never having put any type of after market lift etc on my previous vehicles before I'm not even sure where to start. A few less mpgs doesn't concern me as it gets an avg of 17/gallon as it is.

as someone suggested earlier, there are tons of forums with guys that live and breathe this stuff.....might be a good start. just need to decide if it's right for you or not, I avoided it because i wasnt sure how it would effect my IFS over the years. A body lift will give you the lifted look cheaply other than the new tires, but you dont gain any clearance other than the height difference from your old to new tires. So like an inch more clearance unless you're going from like 31s to 35s or something crazy. The body lift benefit is it won't cause added stress on things, the bad--no extra clearance other than room for bigger tires, and just my opinion....the frame showing doesnt look good.

if you want longevity out of this vehicle as you said it's the nicest you've ever owned, as others have said as much as it sucks to hear -- no lift kits........i bought my 05 ext cab z71 silverado new and almost 8 years later with 78k miles, not a single issue, and i plan to have it for many more. 4 wheelers are the best bet....

 

[Shrek]

Funny , the old guys who have been there and done that are mostly over it due to all the cost and hassle. Gas , tires , parts and down time start to wear on you. Chit breaking blows hunts , high operating costs take away from other loves. A few inches of ground clearance and being able to go just a couple of places more than everyone with a stock truck didn't come close to the negatives for me.