Advice on how high? Updated 7/8/09

I want to install a lift and some new wheels & tires on my '07 GMC Z71. I'm debating back and forth which way to go. My choices are
35" tires with a 6" suspension lift or 33" tires with a 4" suspension lift. The price between the two is little in difference so that's not an issue.

I did see some of the new chevy dealers were selling new trucks with 35" tires and 6" lift. I gave one a test drive and initial thoughts were I liked it. But I don't after a year or so if the height would get old and wish I went with something not so high. Here's the truck but since the pic I've added a Roll-N-Lock retractable bed cover, Rhino Lining and Westin Chrome Nerf bars. Any suggestions?

I would go 4" and the 33's if it is going to be your daily driver.

I would go with the lesser of the 2. You get the good looks without going overboard on a daily driver.

Both are too much for me. I have an 88 Chevy that I am finishing up on for a secondary truck. I commute too far to drive a 4x4 everyday. Mostly mine is for running around in while hunting and fishing. I considered a 4" suspension lift. It just cost too much (dang IFS) and makes it too tough to load and unload stuff. I have 32" tires with a 2" body lift (body lifts are much better than they used to be if you get a good one)and it is hard enough to get a good sized deer in it by myself. I need a truck that looks cool and still functions as a truck. For me it makes more since to leave the 03 2wd stock and fix up the old truck. I get the best of both worlds with the 2nd truck. Though I understand this doesn't work for everyone.

Of course if I worked in town I would probably sell the new truck and just drive the old one everyday. I love that truck.

Either way you go the truck will look a lot better than it does. No offense (I am a big Chevy lover)but they just look weak in stock form. The new body style is a bit better. Maybe on the next model they will at least offer an off road package that looks like an off road package.

Yeah the more I think the 6" and 35's are too extreme.

Now I'm even considering saving a bunch of $$$ and just do a leveling kit.
However on my vehicle they say with the leveling kit the 33's will rub occasionally.

I like the PRO COMP's 305's and they're 32.5" and they say those will work without rubbing. I can't imagine that the looks would be much different between the 305's and 33's? What do you think?

my last truck that was lifted had 6" suspension and 3" body with 40 Micky thompsons. The body roll going around corners was rediclous.

daily driver I would go with a quality 4" suspension.

Living where I do neither work for me....sucks bacause I like the way a chevy looks raised up alittle.

You have to consider jeapordizing your ride quality. If you are considering the 33s anyway, I would just run a 3" body. Depends on how wide of wheel you go with is going to make a difference on if it rubs or not too. You also maintain your smoother ride with the body over a suspension, and save a ton of money. I've done both ways, but never more than a 4" suspension and a 33 x 14.5 tire on the newer IFS trucks. Sure wish they'd go back to making them with the straight axle again. A lot less complicated that way!!!!

BTW, Pro Comp now has a buy 3 get one free deal on all their tires including FREE shipping until the end of the day today. Going to order another set of their mud terrains for my truck later this morning.

I would just decide what look you are after and go with that. I have lifted many many 4x4's and my favorite for a full size truck is a 6" lift and 35's if it is a daily driver. Usually a quality suspension lift will have as good and sometimes a better ride then the factory suspension. One thing you will want to keep in mind is your gearing. Do you have the right gearing to handle 35" tires without making it too boggy? regearing can get pretty darn expensive! The 4" lift and 33's will give you a nice look too and will most likely be ok with the factory gearing. I would stay away from any body lift over 2 inches though.

If you are open to a smaller tire and saving some major money I'd go with a 2" body lift and the 305's. Way cheaper still looks great and won't cause any issues. Just make sure you are getting a quality kit. Some are total junk.

I think the leveling kit gets you about 1.5" of lift in the front. I considered leveling my 88 because the torsion bars were cranked up and it looked good that way. Road like a log wagon, but it looked good. I decided against it after hearing bad things about the leveling kits. Mostly ride and shock related. Also, that the CV boots wear much more quickly. One thing you should check on with the leveling kit is that the factory shocks will work. 1.5" of lift may be too much if you are off the road from time to time. Most guys I talked to said the leveling kit would cause the same problems I had with the torsion bars being cranked up. If that is true I would definitely avoid it. My torsion bars got me just under 2" of lift. My CV boots lasted on average 1 1/2 years before they were torn. They wear quick right on the edge of the large ends. I got real tired of changing them out. I got pretty fast at it though. Also, the ride was terrible and I pulled the pistons plum out of the body of the shocks while romping around in the woods. The stock shocks may work or they may only work if you keep it on the road. Ask several people about the levelers before making a final decision.

Keep in mind with the tires that you have to get them rotated very often. Aggressive tires can't go 10,000 miles between rotations like people tend to do with normal tires. I have seen a lot of tires shot in 25,000 - 30,000 miles because they were never rotated. Aggressive tires cup badly and will shake and shimmy you half to death. If you wait until they start shaking badly it may be too late. Rotate them every 3-5,000 miles and you can get 40,000 miles out of them. If they are good tires. I have never had Pro-Comp, but have heard good things. I went to BFG All Terrains a few years ago and have been very happy. They don't sling mud as well, but they are a good all around tire. Snow, dirt and pavement they get it done and wear well. My brother put a set on his last daily driver do to my recommendation and they were in good shape after 50,000 miles when he traded it. They also look good. Just enough meat and tread. Great on a daily driver.

In the end you won't have a massive and mean giant, but it will look and ride good. Plus you will save money now and in future wear and tear. Keep us posted on your decision.

Some good advice Dunn!

I would like to add to this tire conversation. I have ran just about every major brand of all terrain and mud tire there is today. My favorite AT tire is the Bridgestone At Revos. They are an awesome tire and I got almost 80,000 miles out of the last set. They are awesome on snow, wet pavement and not bad in the mud. The BFG's used to be my favorite AT tire until I tried the Revos. They do cost more than the BFG's but they are worth it.

If your thinking about a mud tire then you really need to give the Wild Country's a try. Awesome tire!!!

Thanks Harley. I'll have to check out the Revos for my next set of tires. I am thinking about a new set of AT's for my 04 Suburban. Tires are still OK so I may wait till next year. Don't know if I can handle looking at the weenie tires that much longer or not. I'll definitely give the Revos a look.

Well here's my 2007 GMC Sierra Z71 SLT Crew Cab. I chickened out of the lift kit since it's an everyday truck. Figured I just use the lift kit money on other stuff. Went with ProComp 33" tires on 17" ProComp Chrome Wheels. Front end has a leveling kit installed to bring it up even with the back. Other features include...
*Roll-n-Lock Bed Cover
*Westin Platinum Series Nerf Bars
*Magnaflow Dual Exhaust
*Chrome Billet Grille
*Camo Series Z71 Bed side Decals
*Bully Lockable Chrome Gas Door
*K&N Cold Air Intake
*Hypertech Programmer
*Rhino Lining

It's pretty fun to drive now...

Nice!

HH, what was the opinion on the leveling kit from the Pro's? I would like to lift my truck also, but am not sure exactly what I want. All of the suspension kits that I looked at came with new shocks, but just leveling it would work. Are you pleased with what you went with?

Also how does the Magna Flows sound, and what series did you go with.

Recon

I'm happy with the leveling kit. When driving you can definetly notice it's up higher between the kit and the tires. Magnaflow sounds awesome but already forgot what series I had.

Your tuck look's great,just want to add on the lift kit issue guy's talk about (1) consider how tall your truck will be for pracicallity sake like putting a deer in by your self or tire size to run fat wide tire's you'll need more lift or they rub ,how about trying to park in the garage or work on the thing you need a step stool, how about some of the local car wash's, the with lift kit's some won't tell you that your drive shaft's need to be longer along with brake line's or even your steering colum may be to short ,Beleave me I love lifted truck's these are just a few thing's to consider. I repeat Hoosier your truck look's great nice wheel's.

Well I'm bored with the truck again and going thru a mid life crisis. LOL

I'm removing the leveling kit and it's going in for a 6" Pro Comp suspension lift and BFG A/T's in 35's.

New pics in a week or so.

Post up those pics when you get it done. What shop are you using?

Using 4Wheel Parts in Indy.

My next thing will probably be changing the ring and pinion. Anyone familar what's involved in doing this on a 4x4. Does anything have to be changed for front since the back was changed?

If you change the rear gears, you better be changing the front to match or something is gonna give when you lock it in 4x4. It is kinda pricey but best done by professionals. Have 4wheel Parts quote you a price.

Oh I figured they did something to the front. Just wondering what?

Well here she is...

Not as high as I thought it'd be with installing a 6" lift and 35's. It'll be fine for me as a daily driver.

She now as the following...


*6" ProComp Suspension Lift
*35-12.50 BF Goodrich Mud Terrain Tires
*17" ProComp 6089 Chrome Wheels
*Roll-n-Lock Bed Cover
*Westin Platinum Series Nerf Bars
*Magnaflow Dual Exhaust
*Chrome Billet Grille
*Custom Camo Series Z71 Bed side Decals
*GM Chrome Billet Gas Door
*K&N Cold Air Intake
*Hypertech Programmer
*Rhino Lining

Very nice!!!!!

oooo son! You need to bring that baby over so I can drool!!

Hey what did you do with your other wheels??

Very nice looking truck there HH. Im jealous. Someday I would like to do the same to mine.

Same wheels sort of speak. The ones I had ( 2 years old) had started pit a little even though I never ran them in the winter. That model Pro COMP wheel has a 3 year warranty , so they replaced them with the same model for no charge.

What, thru the gravel roads of HNF?

Hey, actually I'm out of hickory for my smoker and need to stock back up. Gonna be around Sunday?

Yes, I will be around all day. SWEET deal on the Pro Comps! Not a bad warranty. Did they junk'm or giv'm to you? lol

They kept em. I kept my 31" tires, I only had 10K miles on them. I'm putting those on the factory wheels to run in the winter. I'll probably sell the 265/70R-17 tires. They have about 15K on them.