Anyone ever lifted a 02' chevy?

[Brian]

I was wondering if anyone ever lifted a newer chevy, and if so how high, and how did it tow?I'm thinking of lifting my 02' short box 6", and throwing some 35's on it, don't want to do it if its going to tow like crap.Let me hear what ya's know about it.

Here's the rig now
http://checkmate-boats.com/images/memberpics/Brian9.jpg


Thanks,
Brian

[DONCONVINCER]

A lift will effect your handling not to mention the loss of power and gas milage with the tall tires.You'll also have to get computer programed so that the ABS calibration ,the trans shift points and the spedo are correct.
If that were my truck I'd drop it 2"-4" and put a set of nice 18's on it.. To each his own. I just don't see a need to lift a truck unless you plan to go tear it up mudding. If you want to go mudding do it in a beater..
No offense.. My truck is probably 4"-5" lower than yours.. Just personal choice

You've got a good looking rig there. Everything matches.. I like that big Rude.. The only thing I think it needs is a set of complementary brushed aluminum wheels on the trailer

[BullittBen]

Good point Don. We don't know what axle ratio is in the truck now, but with 35's it would probably need to be lower to tow well.

Love that Enchanter!

[Brian]

The truck already has a air intake, Gibson exhaust and headers,throtle-bodie spacer,mass airflow sensor, shift kit,its been hypertech programed, and has 4:10 axles and has had the pullies changed, amoung other little things. I was just thinking about lifting it because of where I launch the Mate, its all sand and the added height would be nice. But I tow alot and don't need the truck handling like crap.I see your points, and DON I have aluminum wheels on the way, that will make it look sweet I think.Thanks for the comments on the boat, thats my baby, she's gotta look good and run fast!Thanks again guys.....

Brian

[illMATTic]

i have installed a 6" suspension lift on countless 99+ chevy pickemups. it is an all day job for two skilled mechanics. the handling wont be a factor for towing or intown driving since you use an add-a-leaf with a block to the rear and the stock torsion bars in front . with the 6" lift you can clear 35's with minor triming of the front air dam. you will have to run a high offset wheel to clear the larger hub assembly. towing shouldnt be a factor for you since you have all the add-ons. here in MI we have installed the kits for 2100 out the door. you want to go with the BDS lift kit. it requires less cutting and is less cash out of your pocket than some of the other brands. they still offer a lifetime warr. on all the parts.
now as far as what don said about lowering it........ im with that for sure. but you have a 4x4 ifs and can only get away with 2-3" lowering. my rodeo is slammed 5" w/20's. it tow's fine. ofcorse i have zero tung weight. hope this helps.


matt

[Brian]

Thanks for the info illmattic on the BDS brand lifts, i'll check into them. I don't think the truck would look right lowered, but then again ya never know...

Brian

[The Mate]

My brother has a 6 inch on his 2 door Tahoe and he pull's my TriMateII sometimes and it doesn't handle it all that well! I would tell you NOT to do it! Gas mileage will go down BIG TIME! You will also lose power! Your tranny will be shifting ALOT when your pulling your Mate with the lift & tires! If I were you, I would just get some 18 inch rims with some Nitto Terra G.! That would look good and I think you would be happier! Just my 2 cents! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif One more thing, Eagle 589's would look good on your trailer! They are less then $100 each and they look GOOD! I have a pair myself! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[Brian]

Ok guys I hear ya'll and everone else is telling me the same thing that the truck would tow like crap lifted. They are also telling that I should do a 2/4 drop with 18"s, and it would look sweat, and not effect the towing much.So more than likly it will get lowered and 18"s.Thanks for your opinions guys.

Brian

[The Mate]

I wouldn't drop it since it is a 4x4! Just slap on the 18's and get wider tires! 285's or 315's if they fit, that would make all the difference in the world, & trailer wheels too! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[illMATTic]

brian, with all the added upgrades you have, you will not have trouble towing your boat if it is lifted. the 4.10 gears will help. like i said i have lifted countless chevys. sure you will notice a difference with the 35" tire on there. the mileage with suffer. you can probably tow that as fast as you want right now. with the lift you may have to run it a bit slower. question.... are you towing in town or on the highway?

now as for lowering it, i have done that as well. you can buy a kit from bell tech that fill drop you just 2-3". it will have new shocks rear flip kit and front torsion bar keys. then you find a 20" wheel of your likeing and add a 305/40/20 tire. you could tow for days with this set up. i have no trouble with mine. its been dropped 5".
here is mine and what your could look like. im a fan of both. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/boombip/rodeoboat.jpg
i could run one of these. this is a nice setup.
http://streetsourcemag.com/uploads/Ownerprofiles/chickon22s/314200445847PM73621.jpg

i couldnt find any stepsides lifted.
http://streetsourcemag.com/uploads/Ownerprofiles/The%20Fatboy/510200363937PM84131.jpg

[Brian]

Illmattic, how much of a lift is that on the fleetside chevy, thats what i am going to do. And if you know anyone in NY thats any good at doing them.Thanks again

Brian

[illMATTic]

thats a 6 inch lift. you can run a 35" tire with it. you will need to use a wheel with a -3.5" offset due to the larger spindle used. i dont know anyone out that way. we charged $2100 installed for these kits here. it will take 2-3 skilled mechanics all day to do this. about 8-10 hours. once these kits ar installed you can not return it to factory hight because you need to modify the front diff to fit. good luck brian take some photos when you get it done.

[orangecrush]

I agree with Don PRAISE THE LOWERED

[SneakyPete]

DONT LIFT IT!!
I lifted my truck 6 inches, with 33's, and now it couldnt pull a sick whore off of a toilet!! It has 4.10s, intake, and like a moron, I put a louder exhaust on it so it rattles my eardrums and really lets me know its downshifting to make the hill. Leave it alone, or just put some nice rims on it. Dont drop it, dont lift it, just tint the windows. You cant understand how much I wish for a nice factory quiet smooth ride when hitting the highway on trips these days... My mileage isnt too bad if I am gentle, it will kill me tho if I drive the least bit aggressive.