To Lift or Not?

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Hi All,

Looks aside, who has lifted their truck because they felt the need to on the roads/terrain they face hunting?

Any regrets to lift or not having lifted?

Has yours been able to stay reliable if I do lift 4” (without geometry/cv etc issues)?

fyi- my truck’s a 2011 Chevy 2500 Duramax and even driving slow bottomed out a few times this year and was starting to get a touch nervous driving some pretty deep rut roads in mud and snow.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[fngTony]

I would just do 2 inches, basically a leveling kit. You still need to adjust the alignment and head lights but it’s within factory tolerances. Adding shocks made for the slight increase would be wise with a heavy truck as you risk popping the upper mount off. I don’t think you get much more off-road ability going with a 4 inch as you become too top heavy and visibility suffers. Plus you it sucks to drive 90% of the time. A 2 inch lift is 3 with taller tires or equal to no lift should you have to air down. Also a 4 inch is going to be relocating the suspension further from the frame, torsion bars are now exposed hanging below your frame. If you don’t currently have skid plates, add them along with a rear diff cover.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Thanks. Considered leveling but as I tow a 25' travel trailer I want to keep the rake in the back, unless I went with air bags, which just means another mod and wasn't sure the level would get me that much more clearance.

Did consider simply skid plates and possibly avoid a couple roads, like I did this year, which were ok when dry but I would have been hard pressed to stay out of very deep ruts (likely stuck) on side of road if muddy or with snow/ice.

I really do prefer keeping things simple as I've done the big mods to previous cars and seemed like no matter the hype, they often became much less reliable.

So I guess most guys are not needing the extra clearance with the hunting roads...

 

[Carpenterant]

Always lift

 

[Mr.spencer]

My 2016 tundra does really well in most terrain. Why lift it?

 

[backcountry_hunter]

You’re sure it wasn’t just the def tank dragging? Those are stupid low on GM’s

 

[Billy Goat]

I wouldn't lift it.

If you have a full size you might just look at putting an ATV in the bed. That will get you places a full-sized lifted truck won't go.

 

[missjordan]

We did a 4” inch and put 37’s under our Dodge Cummins. Never owned a truck without at least having a leveling kit at the minimum. Depending on the type of roads you’ll be driving clearance can be an issue but it’s rarely an issue now with us.

Maintenance hasn’t been an issue

Chevys are tough though because even if you lift you’ll have clearance issues with your wheel wells if you decide to run chains and have bigger tires.


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[Iron pig]

Don’t lift, leveling kit if you need to justify. airbags in rear if you need to offset pulling a trailer.

Besides, lifting would justify the need to wear a cape.


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[whaack]

Leveling kit on most trucks will get you more then enough clearance.


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[IdahoElk]

I’ve never been on a bad road/trail while hunting where I wished my truck was still stock with small tires.

 

[wyosteve]

Depends on what 'bottomed out'. A lift doesn't get the differentials any higher and that's what limits travel most of the time. Only way to get differentials higher is bigger tires.

 

[greglitwak1]

That is a lot of hard work lifting a truck. Well, do what works for you.

 

[Squincher]

.... they often became much less reliable.

That's the part that taught me to just leave shit alone, whether it's cars, trucks, motorcycles, or guns.

 

[Qchunter]

I had a 2500 Sierra and did the 2” leveling lift and went with 33” tires. I pulled a toy hauler with a weight distribution hitch and never had an issue with the rear squatting.

 

[browning2480]

I did a leveling kit on an 03 Tahoe. Running almost 33” tires. It now has 282,000 mikes in it, so I am confident it didn’t cause any issues with reliability. This Tahoe makes the trip west sometimes twice a year.

You just have to find that magic spot where you are gaining height to run taller tires, but still keeping driveline components lined up.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

My 13 duramax sits pretty low, and I ended up STUCK on my skid plates this fall. I’m considering a 3” tough country lift to cram more rubber under it. It’s my daily driver, and I do haul trailers, so I’m interested in others experience as well.

 

[Billy Goat]

I did a leveling kit on an 03 Tahoe. Running almost 33” tires. It now has 282,000 mikes in it, so I am confident it didn’t cause any issues with reliability. This Tahoe makes the trip west sometimes twice a year.

You just have to find that magic spot where you are gaining height to run taller tires, but still keeping driveline components lined up.

That thing should easily go 350k.


Verdict still out on it costing reliability.

 

[browning2480]

That thing should easily go 350k.


Verdict still out on it costing reliability.

Haha yeah I hear that.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Really appreciate guys sharing if they lifted and liked it or lifted and had reliability issues. Thanks!

Yes, the rear differential sits pretty low (see pic), so one value of a 4” loft vs leveling would be to allow 35” tires to get a couple more inches clearance for it. Right now I run 285/70/17 which are something like 32.8” inflated.

pics- frame sits below body in pics for lowest point.