fear of lifting

charliebrown · November 18, 2004

I need some words of wisdom to calm my nerves.

I just ordered a GM 2500HD w/ duramax/allison. I have read and read this forum.

I work on buildings not trucks so please accept my apologies for my simple questions.

I want to lift it 6" w/ 35's. the rear end is a 3.7/#$? I called a local shop, the only one around here. They swore on BDS lifts. The cost-$1850.00+ labor $850. this is w/ single shocks and I don't know what else. They said this lift only comes w/ single shocks at this time.

1- is this a reasonable price?

2- will this lift jeaprodize the smooth ride of my new truck?

3- am I going about this right? missing anything?

I was all geeked for this and I now waiting for the truck I'm starting to second guess what I should be getting. need some reasurance PLEASE

thanks CB

vhato · November 18, 2004

The BDS lift is a good lift. It is "basically" the same exact lift as a Rancho 4", RCD 6", SuperLift FIT 5", ProComp 5", Full-Traction 6", Tuff Country 6", FabTech 6", Doesch, and SkyJacker 6". Yes there are all the same lift, the difference is in the Torsion Bar settings.

The Disadvantage to this kind of lift is as long as you don't exceed 6" of lift (Ie. Planning to max the torsion bars) you will get GREAT ride and maintanence free driving. Maxing the Torsion Bars will weaken the CV Joint's and create a harsh ride because it only lowers the drive train 4" and the suspension 6". Lifts such as the Procomp 6", SuperLift 6" and CST 6" do not have these kinds of problems.

A price of $1850 is OK I guess since it is on a 2500HD. The Procomp 6" seemed cheaper, but that is if purchased online.

$850 labor to install is very good considering they are the only shop around. Many places charge $1000 where there is no competition, whereas 4 wheel parts charges $500, but they have lots of competition.

I need some words of wisdom to calm my nerves.

I just ordered a GM 2500HD w/ duramax/allison. I have read and read this forum.

I work on buildings not trucks so please accept my apologies for my simple questions.

I want to lift it 6" w/ 35's. the rear end is a 3.7/#$? I called a local shop, the only one around here. They swore on BDS lifts. The cost-$1850.00+ labor $850. this is w/ single shocks and I don't know what else. They said this lift only comes w/ single shocks at this time.

1- is this a reasonable price?

2- will this lift jeaprodize the smooth ride of my new truck?

3- am I going about this right? missing anything?

I was all geeked for this and I now waiting for the truck I'm starting to second guess what I should be getting. need some reasurance PLEASE

thanks CB

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

charliebrown · November 19, 2004

you say....

The Disadvantage to this kind of lift is as long as you don't exceed 6" of lift (Ie. Planning to max the torsion bars) you will get GREAT ride and maintanence free driving. Maxing the Torsion Bars will weaken the CV Joint's and create a harsh ride because it only lowers the drive train 4" and the suspension 6". Lifts such as the Procomp 6", SuperLift 6" and CST 6" do not have these kinds of problems.

Does this mean that the Procomp, Superlift and CST 6" are a better choice? I have no idea if I will want the torsion bars cranked.

Whats the differance between those 3 lifts and the BDS they want to sell me?

thanks for your opinion on pricing. Just what I needed......................CB

vhato · November 19, 2004

No,

I won't say those are a better choice. My old truck was a '99 NBS Z-71 w/6" RCD lift. IMO RCD sells the best looking lift. Would I buy it again on my new truck? I dunno.

The drawbacks I listed are facts about the lift, but opinion as it being a drawback. You see the lifts I mentioned like the BDS have higher ground clearance because the front differential is not as low to the ground as a Superlift/ProComp/CST 6" lift.

The prefered CV Angle is none. Totally flat. The BDS type lift will place the CV shafts at a small angle. More than stock, but still within spec. strength. The SuperLift/ProComp/CST 6" lift will lower the front differential the same amount as the suspension which will allow it to retain the Stock, Flat CV joints. For instance:

A BDS type lift at 6" will have the same CV angle as a SuperLift/ProComp/CST 6" lift at 8". A BDS Type lift at 4" will have the same CV angle as the SuperLift/ProComp/CST at 6".

The reason most lift companies are making a BDS Type Lift is because of:

1. Cheaper to Manufacture

2. Much Easier to Install

3. Cheaper to sell

The reason they are cheaper to sell in the long run is they require no new driveshaft. The SuperLift/ProComp/CST 6" require a new driveshaft.

In the industry, the BDS Type Lift (also known as Spindle Lift) is a 4" lift whereas the other 3 are considered True 6" Lifts. Even though they are all 6" Suspension Lifts. The difference is in the front differential. Your type lowers the front diff 4" the other 3 lower it 6".

I know this is confusing. IMO, get the lift your company is willing to install. If you want lift and can't install it yourself, then get the BDS. IMO you should not run that kind of lift at anymore than 6". The CV's snap easily but they are only a $90 part aftermarket. The ProComp/CST/Superlift 6" lifts give you upto 8" of lift for your money. You can run the BDS near 8", but the CV's will snap. Lots of people do it and cry cry cry when it happens.

Get the BDS and run it at 6" and you will be hjappy. Try to squeeze 37" tires or bigger and you will be unhappy with the off-road performance even after a body lift.

tmf6902 · November 19, 2004

You should also note, that if you install a lift on the truck the stealership isn't going to honor your warranty on anything having to do with anything the lift affected...IE suspension, steering, probably your transmission. S**t, I had a an axle seal blow up on the rear, and they tried to blame my "oversized" tires.

I know I know...they would have to prove the lift caused the part to fail in order to not cover it under the warranty.....but they'll fight ya...and it'll be a hassle. Been there....done that.

charliebrown · November 19, 2004

thats funny, i called them a week ago asking about the warranty and lifts and they said the same thing you just said. " your covered unless the lift or tires caused the problem and they can prove it.

charliebrown · November 20, 2004

ok as you guys have said in numerouse other posts to shop around and I'll find some great deals. So many of the sights say they don't have a lift for a 2005.

any advice to where iI should be shopping around at?

chazman · November 30, 2004

what size tires will the 6" BSD allow?

charliebrown · November 30, 2004

ok, after reading some other posts it seams that a full drop is better than a spindle lift.

1) Will the BSD make the front tires stick out further than the back?

2) From all my reading CST is the way to go???

3) Do they make a lift for a 05 2500HD w/allison

4) why do so many of you hands down go with a full drop 6" over a spindle?

CB

Silverado4x4 · December 1, 2004

OO God I miss my 87 chevy with 10" suspension lift, 3" body lift twin ranchos at each corner twin steering stablizer and 42" super swampers BRING BACK THE LEAVE SPRING SUSPENSIONS

BDZ71 · December 1, 2004

ok, after reading some other posts it seams that a full drop is better than a spindle lift.
1) Will the BSD make the front tires stick out further than the back?

2) From all my reading CST is the way to go???

3) Do they make a lift for a 05 2500HD w/allison

4) why do so many of you hands down go with a full drop 6" over a spindle?

CB

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. Yes slightly. All knuckle style (spindle) will.

2. CST makes a great kit VERY strong. But in most cases cost a little more.

2. Who is they? CST? http://www.californiasupertrucks.com/produ...WD&productID=28 For 2001-2004 Im sure that fits the 05's but b/c they are so new the list has not been updated. Unless they changed the front suspension in 05 but as far as I know they did not?

4. the idea of everything being dropped the same. you could be sitting at 6" with every angle etc. the same as it was from the factory.

with the knuckle style kits at 6" the cv half shafts will be like you are cranked up.

Wider track width with the front tires.

You can crank a full drop it up past 6" to say 7.5 and still have basically the same CV angles as a knuckle kit set at 6"

Pick a good one and once you drive it for the first time after it is lifted all your fear will turn into anger... That you didnt to it sooner

Just my $.02