Rough Country 7.5" Lift For 08 Vmax

[MattB08VMax]

Hey there guys, months ago (under bad advice from a friend) I did a 2" front leveling kit on my 08 VMax and when I got the money together I bought my 33s on 20s and swapped the TPMS sensors and everything thinking I would be ready to go.. Well that was totally not the case!! The big'ol lugs on the Nitto MudGrapplers absolutely Grappled my fender wells in the rear. I trimmed and I trimmed and then I trimmed a little more.. Finally enough was enough and I put the stockers back on. I decided I'd go with the Rancho 4" and I started again to put together more friggin cash to do this but in the meantime I think I have decided to go higher.. Knowing the 33s will look puny for a while I don't care.. The next set will be 35s.

 

-breathe-

 

So the question is.. Does anyone have any insight into this Rough Country 7.5" kit? I've looked at Superlift and Skyjacker also. I really like the price of the Rough Country but am I gonna get what I pay for? The RC is NOT a one piece subframe like the Rancho. I will obviously get the support bars from the back subframe to the frame but is that enough?

 

Any suggestions on 6" or bigger lifts for NBS 1500 Silverados will be greatly appriciated!!

 

For those that don't know.. The truck has a 6.0L with CAI, a beefier version of the 4L60E known as a 4L70E and factory 4.10 limited slip.. I think I'm good in the basics department. After the lift and exhaust are done I will calling out to Justin at Black Bear for the custom tune so that is also not a worry!!

 

Thanks!!

[Stevens03]

Rough country and Superlift are 2 of the more popular lifts for the 07-up trucks. Sounds like you have a good plan.

 

Welcome to the site!

[Matt_]

Just so you know, the rancho IS a 6" kit.

 

With my 3" body lift and 33s my front is at 40.5"

 

Someone recently put on the 4" rancho with 33s and measures 43.5 in the front... Since that's 3" taller than me, and I have a 3" body lift, they gained 6" with the rancho, without any additional spacers.

 

I personally like the rancho design...

[zxcv]

Sounds good!

 

You will probably have to go with a larger gear ratio though. Maybe at least 4.56 and max 4.88's

 

 

That's just my 2 cents!

[Matt_]

Sounds good!

 

You will probably have to go with a larger gear ratio though. Maybe at least 4.56 and max 4.88's

 

 

That's just my 2 cents!

 

From what I've heard, the new VMax's do pretty good with the 6.0, 4.10s and 35s. But if he plans on towing then I agree, he'll probably want to look into 4.56s with the 35s

 

I know I NEEDED 4.88s with my gmt800 5.3L, the truck was slower and could tow less than a prius with the 4.10s and 35s

[VMax2007]

From what I've heard, the new VMax's do pretty good with the 6.0, 4.10s and 35s. But if he plans on towing then I agree, he'll probably want to look into 4.56s with the 35s

 

I know I NEEDED 4.88s with my gmt800 5.3L, the truck was slower and could tow less than a prius with the 4.10s and 35s

 

 

Pics or GTFO!

[crazy1mg]

I'm curious on this one too... I have an 09, most people on here say the 3" is trash but I have seen several people on the gmfs forum with the 7.5. No one has really mentioned the quality. I have a chance to get this kit dirt cheap. Just wondering if anyone has had problems with it not being a full drop.

[MattB08VMax]

Wow!! Thanks for all the info!! Thanks for the welcome!! I didn't get the same welcome at another forum but I did get some info after they were done razzing me! ha

 

I totally agree about the Rancho kit, it's a great kit! My ONLY issue is I don't want to be disappointed in the end. It would be perfect if I just wanted a lift but I do wanna go high and I really don't want to get all done figure out, dang-wished I had gone with a different one!

 

I am not totally opposed to regearing and yes I do tow but I guess I will cross that bridge when I get there.

 

Crazy, I haven't been able to figure this one out. What makes a full drop or not? The RCX kit is a crossmember kit with front diff drop bracket included. If that's not full drop then what is?

 

 

Ok... off to check out gmfs.. ha, just heard of it!!

[MattB08VMax]

Oh yeah.. and when you say "dirt cheap" what are talking about? Do you have some sort of hook up on that RCX kit?

[Matt_]

full drop kits drop both the upper and lower control arms and use the stock knuckles

 

other kits drop the lower control arm 6" and keep the upper control arm in the stock locations and utilize aftermarket knuckles... hence they're usually called knuckle kits.

 

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you buy a 6" kit and want to add spacers to make it 8" (which i dont recommend on any truck btw) then you want a full drop kit.

 

I'm personally a fan of knuckle kits because they retain alignment better, tend to have less issues with noises/pops/etc, and increase the mechanical advantage of the balljoints thereby extending their life. Downsides include track width increase (minimal on newer trucks... this was a HUGE issue on older trucks) and usually you can not use stock wheels.

[MattB08VMax]

oooooohhhhhhh...... Makes sense!! Thanks for that!! Yeah, I'd agree... I guess the knuckle would be the choice for me too!!

[crazy1mg]

There's a few members on fullsizegm who will have it shipped to your door for a good bit under list just ask

[blackout07]

I honestly can't comment on the RC 7.5" kit. But I ran the 3" RC and it was crap. I have also read were RC uses cheap materials and judging by my experience, their R & D is seriously lacking. Merely my 2 cents, but pay a little more and go with a company that has a solid rep. I will say that it has been over a year since I scrapped that kit, so maybe RC has worked out their bugs. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[MattB08VMax]

Hey Blackout, how do yo like your BDS? I have been swayed way over to the BDS camp. They're kit comes very complete and I really like the idea of the weld in caps they provide for the frame cutting that must be done with most of the kits. Did you install yourself? I will!! Was the welding done? I couldn't find kicker bars on they're website, did I miss them or are the just not available? They offer a free shipping option and I'm totally on that boat!!

 

Thanks for your input!!

[VT_Z71]

Rancho is the only knuckle kit I know of that allows use of the stock rims, and I give high marks to it as well.