Torn between lowering and lifting....

Archaic2021 · August 18, 2014

I have had several trucks and always have had lifted trucks lately. This 14' being my dd I don't think I wanna go like I use to. My 13 had 7.5" lift and 35's.

One truck I miss dearly was my Silverado SS. Sporty truck but was still awd for the boat ramps.

Which direction to go is the question. Level with 33's or just lower and debadge it as it sits.

My truck 14.

5.3L

3.08 gears

Muffler mod, rear block is already gone, 20" wheels and High country bumpers.

daowens · August 18, 2014

Here's my vote:

Archaic2021 · August 18, 2014

Here's my vote:

That does look good. I even have a set of 305/55/20 terra grapplers I could run on stock wheels for a bit to see if I liked that lift.

Then again one downside is I have 3.08's A tune would help I know but I feel the truck would still struggle.

scott19677 · August 18, 2014

MMMMMM.... Lowered Z71 ?, I think it looks real good as is for a daily driver. You'll probably regret all the money you would spend to lower it, not like it and then put it back. Im just thinking nobody would want to buy a "used ,lowered Z71" Just sayin'.

fondupot · August 18, 2014

Lowered trucks are cool, but Lifted trucks are cooler.

FYI tho, you may feel a little sluggish with 33's and 3.08's.

KARNUT · August 18, 2014

Looks good the way it is, but not a fan of climbing to get in my truck. Did it once been level or lower ever since. So I guess Im one of the only that would buy a slightly lowered Z71. Most of my work is off road.

Archaic2021 · August 18, 2014

With the factory rear block gone it looks a little lower.

Anyone have 3.08s and 33's?

racerkvn · August 18, 2014

I lowered my 4WD High Country 2" front and 3-1/4" rear for $88 bucks (+ alignment)... Can't get much cheaper than that. As a matter of fact, I believe even the level cost more than that. And the way I did it nothing is "cut" and can very easily go back to stock, it took me by myself 2 1/2 hours to lower it, I figure I could raise it back up in less than that. When my factory Goodyears wear out I plan to level it and run 34's. It'll be like getting a new truck again LOL

With 3.08 gears, I'd tend to lean more towards lowering it.

Archaic2021 · August 18, 2014

I lowered my 4WD High Country 2" front and 3-1/4" rear for $88 bucks (+ alignment)... Can't get much cheaper than that. As a matter of fact, I believe even the level cost more than that. And the way I did it nothing is "cut" and can very easily go back to stock, it took me by myself 2 1/2 hours to lower it, I figure I could raise it back up in less than that. When my factory Goodyears wear out I plan to level it and run 34's. It'll be like getting a new truck again LOL

With 3.08 gears, I'd tend to lean more towards lowering it.

How is the ride? I think I saw a post you used the rought country lower on the front but what about the rear?

VMaxtastic · August 18, 2014

How can you be torn? You either need to lift it, or you don't. Clearly you don't need it lifted, if you only need 4wd for a boat launch. I sure as hell would't lift mine unless I had to. I don't get people doing up these pavement princesses with mud tires. Had to say it, sorry.

Archaic2021 · August 18, 2014

How can you be torn? You either need to lift it, or you don't. Clearly you don't need it lifted, if you only need 4wd for a boat launch. I sure as hell would't lift mine unless I had to. I don't get people doing up these pavement princesses with mud tires. Had to say it, sorry.

Purely for Aesthetics.

My 13 was a mall crawler for sure. Now my duramax wasn't but that was a completly different build.

VMaxtastic · August 18, 2014

Well either way, the above comment, I agree with. Lowering a 4x4 makes no sense. I don't think you can go wrong with at least a level.

racerkvn · August 18, 2014

Rides great! Compression is no different at all from the factory ride, the rebound is shorter, but it's got to be a pretty serious hump/dip in the road to notice it. The rear rides just as it did from the factory, but can hit the bump stops on some of the bigger humps/dips. Honestly, it drives just as it did from the factory on a daily basis.

I did use Rough Country's 2" drop in the front that remounts the lower strut mount. Used MCGaughey's 2" drop shackle and removed the factory 1-1/4" block.

Northside · August 18, 2014

While I like the look of a lifted truck, I left mine alone. Why? It rides great as is and It's a 4WD that is easily gotten into with any step bars. Even my 6 year old granddaughter can get in by herself. Why mess with it? I do very little off road.