Anyone running the rough country 3.5" lift?

high country · March 17, 2015

OK with 7 inches of room I would go with the BDS 4 inch.

Edited March 17, 2015 by high country

Bigmoore · March 17, 2015

Hey Bigmoore, I have the 2.5" RC kit with 1" blocks in the rear and have been driving it for 10,000 trouble free KM's. I have 275-65R18 BFG's under it which is 31.6" tall and would have no problem handling 32" tires. Like said previously, the 3.5" might be pretty hard on the front end. I would add the axles would wear and break quite prematurely if lifted this high without the whole differential drop kit to keep everything to a respectable angle. The 2.5" adds a little stiffness to the ride but still very comfortable to drive and adds all the clearance I need to drive in the woods.

Thanks for the input. I figured there would be issues with the 3.5. Just wanted to get some input. I want to go with nitto trail grapplers. 32x11.5x18. Never thought this would be such a difficult thing to decide. How's your gas mileage with the level and tires? Any difference?

blackout07 · March 17, 2015

With that tire size, I'd stay with a leveling kit. My next rig likely won't see more than a 2.5" leveling kit.

LongrangeLauber · March 17, 2015

With that tire size, I'd stay with a leveling kit. My next rig likely won't see more than a 2.5" leveling kit.

That's what I said when I bought my HC, but now I got the itch to lift her up

high country · March 17, 2015

Yes I agree with 32's a 4 inch lift isn't going to be needed, I would do a 1.75 to 2 inch level and call it a day. Bilstiens 5100 adjustables would be your best bet.

JerryCanada · March 17, 2015

Thanks for the input. I figured there would be issues with the 3.5. Just wanted to get some input. I want to go with nitto trail grapplers. 32x11.5x18. Never thought this would be such a difficult thing to decide. How's your gas mileage with the level and tires? Any difference?

Ran the lift kit with stock tires for about a month before installing the tires. The lift difference in MPG is negligible. But I lost a good 2-3mpg when I installed the 10 ply heavy threaded tires.

Bigmoore · March 17, 2015

Yes I agree with 32's a 4 inch lift isn't going to be needed, I would do a 1.75 to 2 inch level and call it a day. Bilstiens 5100 adjustables would be your best bet.

How much do those run?

SMiller · March 17, 2015

Have you thought about going 2.5in. and 33's? This keeps you from completely killing your mileage and power.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/160069-my-2014-sierra-at-rc-level-and-33x1250r20-toyo-mt/

Bigmoore · March 17, 2015

Have you thought about going 2.5in. and 33's? This keeps you from completely killing your mileage and power.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/160069-my-2014-sierra-at-rc-level-and-33x1250r20-toyo-mt/

I most likely going with the 2.5" with 32s. Just to make sure there's no rub. I use a trailer alot and haul alot with my truck.

Bigmoore · March 17, 2015

BDS is top of the line. Some have reported though that their 4" BDS sits around 5.5" so that may not be a viable option. Definitely don't go with a RC 3.5, you'll regret it. It's worth the coin for a good lift

Yeah I was just looking into that (bds 4"). I like that I can do leaf springs instead of just a block in the back. Definitely don't think I would fit with a 5.5" in my garage. Have you heard what makes it 5.5"?

LongrangeLauber · March 17, 2015

Yeah I was just looking into that (bds 4"). I like that I can do leaf springs instead of just a block in the back. Definitely don't think I would fit with a 5.5" in my garage. Have you heard what makes it 5.5"?

I guess just how it's setup. This is all just hear say from the interwebs

SMiller · March 18, 2015

Yeah I was just looking into that (bds 4"). I like that I can do leaf springs instead of just a block in the back. Definitely don't think I would fit with a 5.5" in my garage. Have you heard what makes it 5.5"?

Most lifts come up short of the promised lift and a few are taller, no lift gives the exact amount just like no two tires are the same height.

Bigmoore · March 18, 2015

Have you thought about going 2.5in. and 33's? This keeps you from completely killing your mileage and power.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/160069-my-2014-sierra-at-rc-level-and-33x1250r20-toyo-mt/

did you have to calibrate your speedometer with that setup?

SMiller · March 18, 2015

did you have to calibrate your speedometer with that setup?

Not my truck but yes the speedo will be off a few mph, you can live with it or get a tune to fix it, I wouldn't own one of these trucks without a tune!

Bigmoore · March 18, 2015

Not my truck but yes the speedo will be off a few mph, you can live with it or get a tune to fix it, I wouldn't own one of these trucks without a tune!

Yeah that's what I figured. It should be even less since I'll be running 32s. Just have to wait until my warranty ends to tune.