Newbie question, Body vs Suspension lift??

shocker45 · December 20, 2005

alright, im looking at getting a 97-98 chevy silverado z71. i wanna put a lift so i can cram some bigger tires under it. nothing too crazy cuz its a daily driver and i dont wanna get raped on gas. i have a 02 sierra right now with 285's that looks good, but i want bigger. and am selling that truck.

now i figure for a suspension lift around 3-4" it will cost over $1500 cdn minimum.

and a 3" body lift will cost me around $750 installed. cdn.

now obviously the body lift isnt as good. and from what it sounds like is just designed to stuff bigger tires. but what are the advantages or disadvantages of each?

and also, what size of tire can i fit with a 3" lift. i have 285\75\16 on my 02 4x4 with no lift. im shootin for 33x12.50s

killerZ-71 · December 20, 2005

i had a 4" suspension lift done and i run 33 x 12.5 x 17. it is a very aggressive

looking stance. if i had the chance to go back in time and do it all

over again, i would have went ahead and just had the 6" suspension

lift done, and run 35's. the reason is because it is just a little taller, and

a little meaner looking. i hate lifts that are to high, i think they look

stupid. but the 4" or 6" is AWESOME. once you drive the lifted truck, a

regular truck seems kinda weak. hope this helps.

asilverblazer · December 20, 2005

Not sure if a 3" body lift will clear a 33" tire, but paying 250$ for the lift and installing it myself was a snap. My goals were mainly to get the body higher, away from dangers down low while maintaing factory suspension and steering geometery. Plus center of gravity remains lower than with a suspension lift, makes for a safer on road vehicle. Install took one Saturday and two evenings by myself with common handtools.

With suspension lifts things have a way of compounding themselves, lower differential=longer driveshaft, bigger tires (significantly)=lower gears, lift blocks in rear=axel wrap=new rear springs, bigger tires=larger brakes, spindles farther from frame=longer brake lines...

I wouldn't say either one is better or worse, it all depends on your needs, suspension lifts have the "cool" factor. Most of my experience with aftermarket items is they aren't as good a qualty as factory, the body lift was much less of an engineering issue as an asthetic one. Both lifts purposes are to allow for bigger tires, not all suspension lifts allow for "real off-road abuse" like one would expect. If thats what you are after, start saving cuz it's gonna cost you.

If all you want are bigger tires under there with out effecting a lot of other components, body lift gets my vote.

MountaineerTom · December 20, 2005

Not sure if a 3" body lift will clear a 33" tire...

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It will. That's what I have on my truck, 3 inch body lift and 285/75/16 which equal a 33 inch tire. Many have put that same size tire on without a B/L with no rubbing issues.

I vote for the B/L in your case too. It cost me a little over $300 total for the B/L and gap guards. I did the install myself though, like asilverblazer.

Body Lift installation pics

killerZ-71 · December 21, 2005

i think 33's are 305's, not 285's

MountaineerTom · December 21, 2005

285/75/16's and 305/70/16's are both 33's, but 305's are wider by about an inch.

Chris97K1500 · December 21, 2005

Looks like my truck is about what you are wanting. I posted to one of your questions in another post, so I won't go over everything. To be honest, I fit 33x12.50's on a 15x10 rim with NO lift, but I wanted the higher "look". So that's why I went with a 3" BL from Performance acc. One tip, get the rear bumper lift kit, it's only about $30 more, but makes the lift look complete. The NBS truck kit has the brackets included, the pre-99 doesn't, that's why most don't know about the bumper kit, or don't buy it. I hate to see the blocks when looking at the bumper. I've got some pics of my truck in my sig. I only went up to 35's cuz I could, but wouldn't do again (35's) unless I was regearing my truck at the same time (learned the hard way, new tranny ). Should have left it alone at 33's. Chris

shocker45 · December 21, 2005

yea im going with a body lift forsure. cant afford suspension. if i get a 3" lift i dont want 285's i have 285's on my 02 without any mods. i want a bigger tire.

i think 305\75\16 would be a good option. thats about the same as a 33x12.50 right?

and that would forsure fit with a 3" lift on a 96-98 chevy z71 half ton?

Chris97K1500 · December 28, 2005

Should be 305/70R16, the 285's are 75/R16. And yes, the 305/70R16's are equal to a 33x12.50. They will fit with a 3" BL with no problem, especially with 8" wide rims, if you go 10", you might have to trim some of the plastic airdam. Chris