04 2500 HD 4X4 Suspension Lift

msan · April 25, 2004

So.. I just bought a 04 2500 HD.. duramax, 4x4.. the works. Pretty much had to bribe the car salesman to get it.. but, its a pretty nice ride.. Anyway.. I went to "4 wheel parts" and the "sales guy" suggested I put a 6" Pro-Comp suspension lift kit on it with some 17X10" rims and 35 inch tires.. That all sounds great but they wanted 5500 bucks for the whole shibang (installed).. I told him I could install it but he said that there was lots of cutting and welding? Is that true? Anybody every put the 6" pro-comp on a 2500HD 4X4?.. I want the truck raised because I like the look. What do you think?

MSAN

Frank S · April 25, 2004

I do believe there is cutting involved due to the installation of the front drop bracket which basically replaces the oem cross member.You'll also probably need to have the exhaust modded to clear the front driveshaft.

It's a royal pain if you don't have the right tools but if you know someone who has a shop and all the tools it isn't too terribly laborous,just time consuming.

msan · April 25, 2004

Thanks Frank.. I don't know a soul.. You think 5500 is too much? Is pro-comp good to go?

Thanks again

Frank S · April 25, 2004

I have no real experience with Pro Comp.I've never really heard anything bad about their lifts and I know for a fact that 4 Wheel Parts pimps them hard as every time i go into the local one they try to sell me something from them.

In regards to the price,$5500 is a lot of cash to drop on a lift,tires and wheels and such but I'm sure that includes everything such as alignment and exhaust mod.It does sound kind of high to me but on the plus side you'd be having an established national chain do it instead of an independant shop that may or may not still be in business if you ever have a problem with the vehicle.

The big question is,Do you want to drop that kind of cash on a brand new truck?If you say yes then I say go for it.

GF7PE · April 25, 2004

well I guess it depends on what rims and tires too but my fabtech kit with rims and tires done locally was $3500 start to finish

tmf6902 · April 25, 2004

I am all about a lift, whatever brand that floats your boat....but check for the best prices on the actual lift and tires and wheels....you could probably go lower than 5500.

BDZ71 · April 26, 2004

Can you break that Price down so we can see what each costs.. That is about the only way we can say if it is reasonable or not.

As far as procomp goes. For the NBS trucks (like yours) it is a great kit. Very solid design. (you are talking about the "full drop" 6" kit right and not there spindle lift?

For that kit you will have to cut the driverside rear front dif. mount and weld a plate in its place. And cut off the stock bumpstop mount. I think that is all.

Welding in the plate is a good Idea, but Im not sure how much it is needed b/c CST requires you to cut in the exact same location and do not suggest anything about welding the plate back in. And they are probably the stronges best designed 6" kit for the NBS. But I would do it just for the heck of it since they supply the plate.

Cant wait to see her in the air

msan · April 26, 2004

Thank you all for the responses and information.. As far as a break down goes.. it was something like 1600 for the kit (full suspension lift), then depending on wheels and tires it was like 2000 for the wheels and tires.. so.. just for parts it was 3600.. then they wanted about 1900 for installation, mounting, balencing, and alingment.. I guess it makes sense.. I have a friend here that builds desert race trucks and he wanted to charge me 1000 for the shop work.. so I guess thats not so bad?

Thanks again..

BDZ71 · April 26, 2004

Im thinking $500 maby $650-700 TOPS for install.

What maby $75 for a new alignment

So you are saying they are charging you nearly $1200 for Mounting and Balancing? The numbers just add up to getting screwed IMO.

But I might be missing something

Frank S · April 26, 2004

Well,IFS lifts are always going to cost more because they are more work and consume more time but $1900 for installation is definitely high even with alignment and exhaust mod done.

The 2g's on the tires and wheels sounds expensive but when you start adding in lifetime balance/rotation,road hazard and taxes it comes out to be somewhat realistic.

Like I said before,if it's what you want to do and you can justify dropping the jack then by all means go for it.It will definitely look sweet as he11 when it's finished.

1BADHD · April 26, 2004

If you are gonna drop that kinda cash......shop around. 4 Wheel Parts owns Pro-Comp, so of course they will push that lift. There are better kits out there. $5500 sounds high. I have roughly $2900 in mine. I did the install myself and did a lot of shopping.

msan · April 26, 2004

Man.. I would love to do the install.. but I don't know how to weld . I did some shopping around yesterday, on the web.. and I found the rims I want for about 190 a piece (American Eagle, series 195, 17X10).. The tires are a different story.. 35"s are about 300 bucks a piece.. Does that sound right? I also looked at some kits, seems that the fab-tech kit is about 1500.. With tax.. thats about 3600.. and then there is the install and all its glory.. so.. add 750 for a job done right including the exhaust mod and the alingment... so that makes about a 4350 dollar job after tax..

Sound right?

Do you guy know a good shop in colorado?

Thanks

1BADHD · April 26, 2004

Since your wanting 17" tires....look on Ebay for Hummer H2 take offs. They are a 315/75/17 or something like that. They are BFG's and you can save a load of $$$$.

Look around. There are kits that dont require welding. Besides, its only a 3"x3" square that needs welded in. If you even use it. Its not required. Just reccomended.

Look at all the lifts, read about them. Then make a decision.

CST

Rancho

Rough Country

Tuff Country

Bullet Proof

Whiplash

Full Throttle

Superlift

Pro-Comp

Fabtech

BDS

RCD

Skyjacker

Trail Master

msan · April 26, 2004

Thanks 1BADHD.. and to the rest.. I will continue to research.. this is a great start.. as I am sure you all know.. the real person I need to convince if the wife.. I'm good to go as soon as she give me the green light. Gotta think of a good reason to do it.. She just told me that if I spend 4500 on my truck.. she gets to spend 4500 on jewelry.. so.. I may be screwed !

Thanks guys