Need Help Choosing Lift Kit

TStarkPC1500 · July 31, 2012

Hi Everyone,

Hoping someone can help me out as I seem to get different responses from each shop I talk with.

Here's the rundown:

My truck is a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 CC VMAX. I have some 285/70/17 tires i want to put on some Pro Comp Wheels (-6 offset, 4.75 backspace). I have a 2" level and currently cannot fit this tire/ wheel combo without major cutting. I had to revert back to the stock 265's. I want my bigger tires back, but not my stock rims.

Here are the options of kits i'm looking at:

- 1.5" Rough Country Body Lift- I believe this would give me the clearance i need with minimal cutting, but all the local shops advise against a body lift? Any issues from people with this setup? What wheel and tire combos are you using?

- 4" Rough Country Suspension Lift- This is the biggest lift I want to put on. I get different responses depending on who i talk to. Will my wheel setup work? Les Schwab told me that my backspace was too much for this kit and I would need new wheels. The 4x4 shop told me that i wouldnt have issue with fitment and wouldnt need to cut. Anyone use this and will my setup work? What wheel and tire combo do you use?

- 4" Fabtech Suspension Lift- Same issue as above.

All of these are similar prices (body lift obviously cheapest), so that's not the issue. I just don't want to lift the truck only to get new wheels again. Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks for the Help!

--TYLER

travishale84 · August 1, 2012

if all you are looking for is 4" of lift, I would swap out your 2" leveling kit for a 2.5" leveling kit, and throw in the 1.5" BL. im running RCX 4.75" lift with 285 70 17's the only rubbing i have is on the passenger mud flap. although im now wishing i went with the 3" BL not because im rubbing, but because I want to go higher.

Best thing to do, is install the wheels on the front of your truck measure your fenders, jack it up the 1.5" and then see if you are going to rub. if you do rub, you may have to go higher

97reddodge · August 1, 2012

you should be able to get away with a .25 wheel spacer on the lift kits with the back spacing you have now

TStarkPC1500 · August 1, 2012

Thanks for the comments! Those of you with the BL, any issues as far as towing goes? My local shop said payload and towing capacity would be diminished. They also said with the BL that the weight of the truck when cornering puts too much strain on the frame spacers and will eventually wear them down.

I really dont tow a ton, and really just want more clearance- are there any long term effects i should watch for with the BL?

Thanks again for the feedback.

--TYLER

blackout07 · August 1, 2012

No problems towing or hauling with a body lift. You will be towing from your hitch and not your bumper anyway. I would find another shop that knows their business. I've had a body lift since I bought the truck and I had one on my old K5, that I was not kind to offroad, and I've never had a problem.