2017 Denali 7" Rough Country lift kit required parts installation issues

[6.2denali818]

I have a 2017 Sierra Denali Ultimate 4x4 6.2 that I am trying to install a 7" lift kit on. I purchased the 7" kit from Rough Country and I was aware that I would need to change my upper and lower control arms from stamped steel to aluminum in order to get the kit to fit properly. The issue that I am having now is that after placing the order with my local dealer, the parts arrived and we discovered that gm had sent them stamped steel replacements instead of aluminum. The manager of the parts department tried to look into it and he could not get the correct part number for the aluminum arms. It seems that I have to get a VIN off of a truck that originally came with aluminum arms in order for them to attempt to look up the correct parts.

 

 

Can anybody here with a denali with original aluminum control arms provide me with the last 8 of the vin to try to get these parts? or can someone with more knowledge than the guy at the parts counter help me look these up? It seemed like the manager at the dealer I went to wasnt interested in actually finding them.

[cbrsilv15]

For such an expensive truck, I’d personally go with a better quality lift kit. 

[lapoolboy]

11 minutes ago, cbrsilv15 said:

For such an expensive truck, I’d personally go with a better quality lift kit. 

No kidding!

[6.2denali818]

I wouldn't mind paying more for a kit that works properly. I feel like I looked everywhere and I only found 2 kits that would actually work. It was either the rough country kit or the BDS kit. The BDS kit is a 6" lift though and the tech there said I would need some heavy trimming to fit 35's under it.  I guess I should mention that Im installing 35's with the lift.

 

I tried calling the major lift kit manufacturers with no luck. Seems like everyone is thrown off or says no as soon as I mention it has magnaride. 

 

Any other lifts kits out there that you guys would recommend?

[Kylep1213]

which RC lift did you go with? the Full drop that keeps the factory track width, or the spindle lift? I'm in the same boat with the damn mag-ride. I have reached out and might have an answer for the mag ride though. I'm waiting on an answer from two different tuning companies to see if they can just simply disable the mag-ride in the BCM, if that is true you would be able to just remove the shocks and go with what ever strut or coil over you would prefer. I also thought about just trying to make a resistor, similar to a can-bus eliminator to simulate the voltage going to the shock so it would be tricked to thinking the shock is still installed. ( This part is just a theory I have but for a 5 dollar resistor I can unplug one shock and try it) 

 

I have talked to two other guys that have Denali's and have removed the mag-ride to install the 7-9" MCGaughy lift, They claim the vehicle acts and drives like a normal truck, with no braking or ABS issues, however since all they did was remove the mag-ride stuff without any tuning anything, they said they do get the constant "Service Mag-Ride Error and MIL lamps on the dash" . This is not the route I wanna go, If I have to deal with the light, I will just stay with 35's and either the Rough Country or BDS lifts. 

[VT_Z71]

8 hours ago, 6.2denali818 said:

I wouldn't mind paying more for a kit that works properly. I feel like I looked everywhere and I only found 2 kits that would actually work. It was either the rough country kit or the BDS kit. The BDS kit is a 6" lift though and the tech there said I would need some heavy trimming to fit 35's under it.  I guess I should mention that Im installing 35's with the lift.

 

I tried calling the major lift kit manufacturers with no luck. Seems like everyone is thrown off or says no as soon as I mention it has magnaride. 

 

Any other lifts kits out there that you guys would recommend?

I have the 6" BDS coilover kit on my 2017 6.2.  35" Toyos fit with no problems on my 20" snowflakes, and there is plenty of room to spare.  BDS makes a Magnaride-specific 6" kit as well, and they tailor their kits to whatever control arms you have from the factory (cast, stamped or aluminum).  There was no trimming invloved, other than perhaps the lower front air dam which I removed anyway.

 

Yes BDS is pricier than most others, but you really get what you pay for.  Considering the truck that its going on, I'd go for nothing but the best. 

[DBrach]

I used a Rough Country Lift on my Chevy Avalanche back in 2010 and had no issues with them.  When I received my kit, I did an inventory take-off prior to installation and found they gave me two rear brackets as opposed to a front and a rear.  I contacted customer service and they sent me the correct one overnight.  A year after having my kit, one of the brackets had a hairline crack in it and the again, sent me one overnight saying it was a known issue and beefed up the design.  So I guess yes, technically I had an issue or two, but they stood behind their product and corrected the issues within 24 hours.  The truck ran sever years without any issues with the lift.  I do recommend buying Rancho Shocks as opposed to the ones they supply, even the sales guy admitted the shocks weren't the best.  But then again, all my previous lifts, I swapped out the shocks that were provided with the kit anyways.  Contact their customer service with your issue and see if they can help resolve it.  Best of luck! 

[SippiSierra]

1 hour ago, VT_Z71 said:

I have the 6" BDS coilover kit on my 2017 6.2.  35" Toyos fit with no problems on my 20" snowflakes, and there is plenty of room to spare.  BDS makes a Magnaride-specific 6" kit as well, and they tailor their kits to whatever control arms you have from the factory (cast, stamped or aluminum).  There was no trimming invloved, other than perhaps the lower front air dam which I removed anyway.

 

Yes BDS is pricier than most others, but you really get what you pay for.  Considering the truck that its going on, I'd go for nothing but the best. 

Just out of curiosity if you do not mind telling, how much did your BDS lift run you all in? All in meaning tires, kit, installation, etc. I am thinking of going this route eventually, I love the look of your truck!

[VT_Z71]

51 minutes ago, SippiSierra said:

Just out of curiosity if you do not mind telling, how much did your BDS lift run you all in? All in meaning tires, kit, installation, etc. I am thinking of going this route eventually, I love the look of your truck!

All in:  BDS 6" coilover kit with upgraded Fox 2.5 DSC adjustable shocks, add-a-leaf for the rear, rear BORA 1.5" spacers,  35x12.5" Toyo MT rubber, and install by BDS-certified shop:  $6,900

[lapoolboy]

I too am running 35" Toyos with a 6.5" Zone with stock 20" wheels.  No trimming whatsoever.

[SippiSierra]

1 hour ago, VT_Z71 said:

All in:  BDS 6" coilover kit with upgraded Fox 2.5 DSC adjustable shocks, add-a-leaf for the rear, rear BORA 1.5" spacers,  35x12.5" Toyo MT rubber, and install by BDS-certified shop:  $6,900

I was thinking somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-8,000 so good deal my friend.  A little less than I imagined. Thank you for the insight. 

[6.2denali818]

5 hours ago, VT_Z71 said:

I have the 6" BDS coilover kit on my 2017 6.2.  35" Toyos fit with no problems on my 20" snowflakes, and there is plenty of room to spare.  BDS makes a Magnaride-specific 6" kit as well, and they tailor their kits to whatever control arms you have from the factory (cast, stamped or aluminum).  There was no trimming invloved, other than perhaps the lower front air dam which I removed anyway.

 

Yes BDS is pricier than most others, but you really get what you pay for.  Considering the truck that its going on, I'd go for nothing but the best. 

The BDS magnaride kit was going to be my first choice, once I calculated what I was going to spend changing out the control arms together with the price of the rough country kit, the BDS kit was actually cheaper. The only reason I didnt get that kit was because the tech at BDS said I would have to do a lot of trimming. I called the authorized BDS installer in my area and he said he had just done a denali a couple weeks back and he had to trim a chunk out of the actual front bumper to get the customers 35s to fit. 

 

 

I also found another kit last night by a company by the name of Full Throttle Suspension. Its a 7" lift and they say their kit will clear 35's no problem. Anybody have any experience with them?

[6.2denali818]

12 hours ago, Kylep1213 said:

which RC lift did you go with? the Full drop that keeps the factory track width, or the spindle lift? I'm in the same boat with the damn mag-ride. I have reached out and might have an answer for the mag ride though. I'm waiting on an answer from two different tuning companies to see if they can just simply disable the mag-ride in the BCM, if that is true you would be able to just remove the shocks and go with what ever strut or coil over you would prefer. I also thought about just trying to make a resistor, similar to a can-bus eliminator to simulate the voltage going to the shock so it would be tricked to thinking the shock is still installed. ( This part is just a theory I have but for a 5 dollar resistor I can unplug one shock and try it) 

 

I have talked to two other guys that have Denali's and have removed the mag-ride to install the 7-9" MCGaughy lift, They claim the vehicle acts and drives like a normal truck, with no braking or ABS issues, however since all they did was remove the mag-ride stuff without any tuning anything, they said they do get the constant "Service Mag-Ride Error and MIL lamps on the dash" . This is not the route I wanna go, If I have to deal with the light, I will just stay with 35's and either the Rough Country or BDS lifts. 

Country or BDS lifts. 

I went with the one that keeps the factory track width. Rough Country calls this their bracket kit. The spindle kit they have is only a 6" kit. The tech did mention that they don't have an exact release date yet but they are working on a 7" spindle kit that will work with stamped steel control arms. He said it would be more than 3-4 months out before they stock it.

 

The other Full Throttle Suspension kit I found claims to be 100% bolt on, no drilling or trimming required. Im in the process of contacting one of their reps to get more information on it since nobody I've spoken to has enough experience with them to actually recommend their kits. 

 

BDS has an awesome warranty on their kits, they will replace any part of their kit no questions asked.

[VT_Z71]

32 minutes ago, 6.2denali818 said:

The BDS magnaride kit was going to be my first choice, once I calculated what I was going to spend changing out the control arms together with the price of the rough country kit, the BDS kit was actually cheaper. The only reason I didnt get that kit was because the tech at BDS said I would have to do a lot of trimming. I called the authorized BDS installer in my area and he said he had just done a denali a couple weeks back and he had to trim a chunk out of the actual front bumper to get the customers 35s to fit. 

 

 

I also found another kit last night by a company by the name of Full Throttle Suspension. Its a 7" lift and they say their kit will clear 35's no problem. Anybody have any experience with them?

Maybe the BDS Tech was referring to the removable, plastic lower air-dam at the bottom of your painted front bumper?  Unless that customer had some crazy wide 14" rims with huge negative offset specs, nothing should need trimming other than perhaps slightly on that lower air dam at full wheel lock.  Or, just take it off and gain those 4" of approach clearance and not have to worry about trimming anything.

[6.2denali818]

1 minute ago, VT_Z71 said:

Maybe the BDS Tech was referring to the removable, plastic lower air-dam at the bottom of your painted front bumper?  Unless that customer had some crazy wide 14" rims with huge negative offset specs, nothing should need trimming other than perhaps slightly on that lower air dam at full wheel lock.  Or, just take it off and gain those 4" of approach clearance and not have to worry about trimming anything.

The Authorized installer in this area was the one who told me he had to trim out the bumper. He mentioned that the customer was installing 20x12" wheels with 35's. Not sure the exact backspacing on them but he mentioned he had to trim the bottom corner of the actual metal on the bumper to get them to fit. That was the main reason I didn't go with the BDS kit.