4" or less lift kits - Help (NorCalNick)

[btfarm]

285's will fit on a stock ride height truck..

Minor trim on the lower corner for GMC with cranked T-Bars



Chev doesn't need as much trim IIRC

 

[Mad Maxx]

I'd Look at the Zone 6".

If / when I Lift my Truck, I'm going with Zone.

They are Made by BDS, have a Lifetime Warranty, and Customer Service is Excellent.

Their 6" Lift can be Set as Low as 3" - 3.5" of Lift in the Front. The Kit comes with a 5" Block for the Rear, but you can just get a 2" or 3" Block for the Rear, so it won't have a Stupid amount of Rake.

Front CV Angles are VERY Good with this Kit too. ALOT better than most others. When Compared to other Kits, People always Say the Zone just Looks Overly Built and ALOT Stronger. They also Include the Compression Tubes with the Lift Kit for Free, whereas other Companies make you Pay Extra for them. Also, there is Minimal Cutting / Shaving on the Front Diff.

Out of All the Kits I've Looked at / Priced, the Zone is the Lowest Priced at $1295 / Shipped.

Not Knocking any other Companies or Suggestions, just Throwing this Brand out there for Consideration as well.

 

[Pepperidge]

I wouldn't lift it Forest...you can and will fit 285's with minimal torsion bar cranking...I've heard of larger than 285's clearing...I ran 285's for most of my trucks life...

if you have to trim it will be the corner of that air dam.... place something round there and trace a line in pencil and cut with a dremmel and cutting wheel or if you are pretty neat with a sawzall and fine tooth blade...that works too...

also don't forget to zip tie your fender liner back to the emergency brake cable on the drivers side...
1.push the liner back while looking behind the liner...
2.drill one hole on each side of where the liner will come into contact with the cable...
3.run your zip tie from behind and back through and cinch up tight around the cable...

 

[treegump]

When cranking the torsion bars, don't we loose travel one way and gain in the other? I'm just wondering... Same deal with leveling keys?

 

[Mad Maxx]

When cranking the torsion bars, don't we loose travel one way and gain in the other? I'm just wondering... Same deal with leveling keys?

Yea, you Lose Downward Travel and Gain Upward.

 

[Hunter]

I noticed that NorCal hasn't posted here for quite some time, and I've been away myself, so I don't know the back story. Thought I'd give it a try nonetheless.

So I'll still be able to use my truck for towing/hauling/whatever with the Tuff Country? (The only reason I question this is because out here where the money is flowing and there are trucks everywhere (oil boom), I've seen quite a few trucks that have huge lifts and with a load their front end is sticking up in the air.)

So this looks like its best? http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/14986.html And 285's should fit? Wouldn't 285's fit on a 2500hd with a leveling kit? I'm tempted on a 6" lift, but lifting the truck too high and your limiting yourself by branches and other debris from above.

And stick with Cognito for steering parts? Or Moog? Just by doing some searches, it seems like there are heavy duty steering/front end parts out there - recommend any?

Sorry I took so long to get back. I rarely log in anymore (probably cause I haven't got anything new to brag about), but I got your message via e-mail. Check out this thread I started sometime AFTER I did this whole lift and steering parts upgrade. It may help you decide some things.

http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/showthread.php?31220-Cognito-HD-tie-rods-ever-go-bad

Anyway, couple of things...yes I LOVE the 4" lift still. Very good Cognito parts. Lots of travel, and as you'll see from the other post, I now run 35's under there with only the Bushwacker cutout fender flares and my Cognito still set at 4" (2.5" blocks in the rear).

Yes, I did have to replace those HD tie rod ends after only a short time. I went with MOOG, and they're still bangin' away for me.

As everyone stated, you can get 285's under there with either cranking or a leveling kit, but they are the same difference and only increase torque to gain clearance, but you will lose travel. I did the same thing but only for awhile until I could afford the lift kit.

And yes, the higher you go with the lift, the sillier it can potentially look and squirrellier (not a real word) it will probably drive as you add more load to the tow. That's a big reason I only went with a 4". I needed more lift, more ground clearance and decent travel without drastically affecting towing capabilities, performance etc. I especially was worried about raising the CG as I do go on some pretty crazy trails sometimes.

Oh, and one more thing, all my other steering parts from that platinum package are still doing fine....don't know why I only had issues with the tir rod ends.

There's my 2 cents. Hope it helps!!!