4 Inch Fabtech Lift Kit?

Dirtbiker · December 20, 2013

Has anyone done a Fabtech 4 inch lift kit to a 2014 1500 yet?

While I am waiting for my all terrain crewcab Sierra I am researching it. I did a level kit and one inch taller blocks in the back on my 2010 and like it but thought I would try going with four inches this time. I put on about 60,000 km per year so I don't want any trouble with ball joints or any other things. I don't want to be replacing them twice a year. The dealership has done six trucks with these but they haven't been around long enough to see any issues they said.

I also want to try one size bigger Durotrac tire and go to a 295 65 R18. My 275 65 R18's never rubbed on my 2010 with after market rims but any bigger and they would have. I hate any rubbing of any kind so if there would be any, I will stick with the same size instead. Any help is appreciated! Thanks.

Tim99GT · December 20, 2013

I dont think anyone has done a 4" lift yet on this forum. I will be doing a 4" lift, but im going to go with BDS vs fabtech.

I know on GMFS a guy did the Fabtech 4" lift. His name is smooth72 on there.

blackout07 · December 20, 2013

BDS is a much better choice here. The Fabtech 4" is an overblown leveling kit, much like the RC 3.5" kit. You get a mild diff drop and new UCA's but you still have 4" of added stress on your LCA's and TRE's. This is not a kit I would ever consider, especially on a truck that will see higher mileage driving. I would look at BDS for a complete kit that will correct all of the front end angles.

LaserBlueZ71 · December 22, 2013

BDS is a much better choice here. The Fabtech 4" is an overblown leveling kit, much like the RC 3.5" kit. You get a mild diff drop and new UCA's but you still have 4" of added stress on your LCA's and TRE's. This is not a kit I would ever consider, especially on a truck that will see higher mileage driving. I would look at BDS for a complete kit that will correct all of the front end angles.

This.

BDS, or nothing.

Dirtbiker · December 25, 2013

Thanks for the help. I was going to go with BDS then I figured out the wheels that I bought last year will not work and if they need to be out even further than they are, that will mean fender flares as well. It got expensive real quick. I am getting rid of the truck in two years so dumping that kind of money into it doesn't make sense.

So leveling kit with one inch higher blocks in the back it is. That is cheap and looks ok and I know my wheels will work as they did on my 2010 with the same setup.

Dirtbiker · January 10, 2014

So. After seeing how low my new 2014 is, i changed my mind and just had the dealership order a 4 inch BDS lift kit. Had to order new wheels with 5 inch offset but shouldn't have trouble selling the old ones. Now just have to sell the old ones.

Can' t wait, I have never had anything over a level kit before.

Ordered the new MotoMetal 0952 wheels.

May need fender flares but I hope not.

I will update when I get the truck and post some pictures

chewy22 · January 12, 2014

So. After seeing how low my new 2014 is, i changed my mind and just had the dealership order a 4 inch BDS lift kit. Had to order new wheels with 5 inch offset but shouldn't have trouble selling the old ones. Now just have to sell the old ones.

Can' t wait, I have never had anything over a level kit before.

Ordered the new MotoMetal 0952 wheels.

May need fender flares but I hope not.

I will update when I get the truck and post some pictures

Yes please post some pixs when done! I'm in the same debate, level or 4 inch. Can't wait for the before and after pics. What size wheels?

Dirtbiker · January 13, 2014

I buy 18 x9 rims. I really like Goodyear Durotracs and their smallest 20 inch is a 305 55 r20 which is too big ( I don't like ANY rubbing)

Plus 18 inch tires are cheaper than 20's.

I don't have any before pictures but I will post after ones for sure. Hopefully I can pick up the truck next Saturday

Dirtbiker · January 24, 2014

Finally got my new truck yesterday. Pretty happy with it. Being OCD sucks especially when now there are two more things to set ( telescoping steering and moving pedals) ha ha.

Anyway, I took a couple quick pictures. So the run down is:

18 x9 Moto Metal rims with 0 offset and 5 inches of backspacing as per BDS suggestion, 275 65 R18 Durotracs, 4 inch BDS lift. These tires are about 32 by 11.

I could have put 295 65 R18's on I am pretty sure but I wanted to be sure of no rubbing. And there is plenty of room everywhere. Not even close to rubbing with what I have.

Going to try it out to see if I may need fender flares. I don't want them but the front tires stick out about two inches from the truck.

chewy22 · January 24, 2014

Finally got my new truck yesterday. Pretty happy with it. Being OCD sucks especially when now there are two more things to set ( telescoping steering and moving pedals) ha ha.

Anyway, I took a couple quick pictures. So the run down is:

18 x9 Moto Metal rims with 0 offset and 5 inches of backspacing as per BDS suggestion, 275 65 R18 Durotracs, 4 inch BDS lift. These tires are about 32 by 11.

I could have put 295 65 R18's on I am pretty sure but I wanted to be sure of no rubbing. And there is plenty of room everywhere. Not even close to rubbing with what I have.

Going to try it out to see if I may need fender flares. I don't want them but the front tires stick out about two inches from the truck.

Awesome, looks sweet! Did they use spacers in the rear so the front and rear tires lineup? How does the ride compare to stock? Any vibes/shakes? Would be great seeing pictures from the front to see how far the tires stick out. What is the approxiamate cab height. I park in a parking garage at work.

Really like the combo......well done.

Tim99GT · January 24, 2014

More Pictures!!!! lol

Truck looks great man!

Dirtbiker · January 25, 2014

Thanks

I didn't get spacers on the back. I never thought of it and as it sits right now the back tires are pretty much under the wheel wells still. Like I said, I really don't want to put those big bushwacker flares on it so keeping them tucked in helps. I am hoping someone will make the smooth style flares soon similar to the 2006 style factory ones.

After a 600km day, I have learned how much mud the front tires throw up onto the side of the truck. i had to stop and clean the mirrors so I could see. Not liking that part but may just live with it

I will get some more pics of it from the front once I wash it. Right now you can't even tell it is silver ha ha.

Don't know height yet. Got home from the dealership at 9 last night, had to throw all my work gear back in and get up at 5 this morning to go. Will pass it on once I know though.

I never drove it stock but I know it rides nicer than the 2010 with a level kit and new Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks I just traded in. The mechanic that put the lift on said it drove like stock.

I did notice a slight vibration at 120km per hour today but it felt more like about a 1/2 ounce out on a tire more than anything else. With aftermarket wheels and stick on weights I sort of expect it.

At 110 km per hour for six hours it was perfectly smooth.

So far I really like the truck other than I noticed the driver side mirror has a 1/4 inch wide line around it that doesn't dim and is sort of distorted. That is a little disappointing as the last version was not like this but if that is my biggest problem, I am just whining ha ha ha.

Oh and the STUPID stabilitrac automatically coming back on. Someone HAS to figure out a way to disable that s@&t!!

Dirtbiker · January 30, 2014

Took a couple of pictures to show how far the front wheels stick out with this combination. I am thinking I am going to put on some wider mud flaps to help keep the mud off the side of the truck. A little at least anyway ha ha

Ok one picture is apparently too big.

cparks555 · January 30, 2014

Looks really good man, enjoy!

chewy22 · January 30, 2014

Dirtbiker, how much space to you have between the back of the tire and the bds spindle? Do you think an 18inch +18 offset (5.5 backspacing) rim would work? That would move the tire in about .7 inches. I know BDS recommends 4.5-5 backspacing just curious if a postive offset could work, help suck the wheel in a bit.