Rough Country 3 Inch Lift With Pics

jcw2508 · February 18, 2010

i was thinking of gettin the rc kit as well and i got a 2009 sierra. anyone know any info on how it works with a 09? and do you think i could fit 35" m16 superswampers under it?

jsciaretta · February 18, 2010

I have a 2008 sierra and am trying to figure out the max tires. You can fit the following, 275/60, 275/65, 285/55, 305/50 or 305/55 need a little trimming. Im going to get the 275/65 which is a 34/11.2 tire. I do not think you can fit a 35 because there is not enough room to flex the suspension. I think i might be pushing it with the 34 too. These are all on a 20 inch wheel as well. I have looked at ranch quick lift the recommend a 33 but if you do the thing that shows your truck they show it with a 35. I do not know if you have a NTB or descent tire place that would not mind mounting a tire on your rim and checking fitment. Im doing that now through a couple places. Usually it a place i know the guys so i throw them a few bucks and thats all it costs. Let me know what you find out.

blackout07 · February 19, 2010

i was thinking of gettin the rc kit as well and i got a 2009 sierra. anyone know any info on how it works with a 09? and do you think i could fit 35" m16 superswampers under it?

I urge you to think again and do some searching in this forum about that kit, before you buy. I installed that kit on my truck some time ago and it was total crap. The ball joints failed within a couple thousand miles, parts didn't fit correctly, etc. Oh, and unless RC remedied this, you have to drill (clearance) the stock spindle to allow the ball joints to fit. Trust me, go with a body lift...you will be happy you did. Oh and as far as fitting 35's with 3" of lift, don't bother.

Edit: I just went back and re-read this thread. If there isn't enough info in here to scare you off from that kit I don't know what to tell you.

reidrhollander · February 19, 2010

Great. I was literally just getting ready to go to teh garage and start my RC 2" leveling kit install after getting the son put to bed. I get on here to read about others install and read this thread. Are these problems just with the 3" kit or all RC stuff? Have others had problems with the RC 2" leveling kit?

ruggedlife · February 19, 2010

the two inch kit is fine and very simple to install you'll have no issues! i have it on my truck it took me about half an hour and most of that was putting it on jackstands

blackout07 · February 19, 2010

Great. I was literally just getting ready to go to teh garage and start my RC 2" leveling kit install after getting the son put to bed. I get on here to read about others install and read this thread. Are these problems just with the 3" kit or all RC stuff? Have others had problems with the RC 2" leveling kit?

No No No. Even RC couldn't screw up a spacer. You will be fine, their leveling kit is nice.

jsciaretta · February 19, 2010

The 3" was improved from what i was told. Its the same one you had blackout, the "premium" with upper control arms and joints. Everything went together smooth on mine. Hardest part was dropping the front dif. I had an alignment done and its been on about 10k miles. I have had no issues as of yet, i have checked everything a few times. Its all tight and working well. My kit seems to be higher than the original kits to. I can fit 34" tires tho im not sure what im going with tire size with. Im still running the 275/55's.

herkdriver007 · February 20, 2010

Got any pics? Maybe we can compare the "old" and "new" kits...and the guys that had the older ones can chime in.

I'm not a RC hater by any means (I have their composite 2" leveling kit on now) but want to make sure everyone has the facts before attempting to mod their trucks...and spend considerable time and money towards that...

lawla78 · February 22, 2010

The 3" was improved from what i was told. Its the same one you had blackout, the "premium" with upper control arms and joints. Everything went together smooth on mine. Hardest part was dropping the front dif. I had an alignment done and its been on about 10k miles. I have had no issues as of yet, i have checked everything a few times. Its all tight and working well. My kit seems to be higher than the original kits to. I can fit 34" tires tho im not sure what im going with tire size with. Im still running the 275/55's.

I just installed the kit yesterday and everything seemed to fit good. I will agree that the worst part is dropping the diff besides that it was pretty easy. I'm looking for tire size now. Is there anyway to make a 35" tire fit? I have stock wheels with 305/55/20 tires on it right now but it just doesn't seem like that is enough tire. Wondering if anyone has tried a 35" tire on and thought that a little trimming would work. Any help would be appreciated.

jsciaretta · February 22, 2010

biggest i tested was 275 65 which is a 34 and it rubbed on the inner well when flexed a bit

nootron69 · February 22, 2010

I installed a Rough Country 3 inch lift on my 2008 sierra 1500 extended cab. The lift is great! It is the perfect height and the factory ride is still what i get. The lift was relatively unexpensive and easy to install especially with the help of rough country's customer service. They answered any questions i had and were glad to help me out. i also added recon cab roof lights. All I am waiting for now is a few bucks to buy some BFG all terrains. I have been trying to post pictures but they are too large to post and i dont know how to post them otherwise so here is a collage of three before the lift and three after the lift. I could post more if someone could tell me how to make the file size smaller so i can post the true size pictures. hope you guys like it! Rought country is defintiely the way to go in my opinion if you want a quality but affordable lift!

DAMMIT! I have a Tuff Country 2 1/2 inch lift sitting in my garage that I just got but have not installed...your lift looks great. I think that extra half inch is perfect!

fishbones182 · February 22, 2010

The 3" was improved from what i was told. Its the same one you had blackout, the "premium" with upper control arms and joints. Everything went together smooth on mine. Hardest part was dropping the front dif. I had an alignment done and its been on about 10k miles. I have had no issues as of yet, i have checked everything a few times. Its all tight and working well. My kit seems to be higher than the original kits to. I can fit 34" tires tho im not sure what im going with tire size with. Im still running the 275/55's.

So you are running the RC 3 inch kit? Any issues with it at all. If it is imporved whats the diffrence between it and the old kit eating the ball joints and bushings up? Any pics of your truck or the kit you put on? like what was said in another post would be nice to compare the improved kits with the old kit. Thanks

jsciaretta · February 23, 2010

Yea i have it on my truck now. I have no issues with my kit (yet knock on wood). Only pic i have right now is in my profile gallery thing. Im working on new pics but my hours and the weather hear are not very cooperative I will try to work on it this weekend and get some up on this topic. I do not know what the old kit was like but when i seen this post i called and asked the CSR about the kits old and new. I was told the kit used junk bushing, and cheap ball joints. I was told that moog makes the parts. They are not stamped wih moog but im sure they would not risk the backlash of people complaining and down grading the company. JMO.

The dif was a pain to get out but eventually went. Alignment went well. I had had some problems with all this snow and a vibration in the truck. Took it to the alignment shop and had it checked all was good, all joints, bushing, alignment was good. I think i just have a busted belt in the tire.

Ill try and get some measurments for my fenders to so that you can compare to the old kit.... This measurement will be with the 275 55 tires though.

fishbones182 · February 23, 2010

I was looking at gettting that kit for my 08 silverado cc z71 4x4 due to the money just not being there right now for a 6 inch lift wheels and tires. Im running 265 70 17 thats what came on my truck stock but would like a 33 inch tire when they are worn out. Seems RC's 3 inch lift is the answer to being able to stuff 33's under the truck on a tight budget for now as long as it will hold up. I talked with RC a few minutes ago and they said their problems have been corrected by going to diffrent bushings of better quality how true is that im not sure. Thats why i havent done anything with my truck as of yet. The big 6 inch lift wheels tires and new gears are in the distant future for me.

blackout07 · February 23, 2010

I was looking at gettting that kit for my 08 silverado cc z71 4x4 due to the money just not being there right now for a 6 inch lift wheels and tires. Im running 265 70 17 thats what came on my truck stock but would like a 33 inch tire when they are worn out. Seems RC's 3 inch lift is the answer to being able to stuff 33's under the truck on a tight budget for now as long as it will hold up. I talked with RC a few minutes ago and they said their problems have been corrected by going to diffrent bushings of better quality how true is that im not sure. Thats why i havent done anything with my truck as of yet. The big 6 inch lift wheels tires and new gears are in the distant future for me.

B O D Y L I F T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!