Thinking of adding a body lift kit to my truck.

[DalesCarpentry]

I think I want to add a 2" or 3" body kit to my 1998 K1500 4x4 truck. Like this one here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-95-98-Chevy-GMC-1-2-3-4-1-Ton-Pickup-Body-Lift-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem4cea66cd84QQitemZ330350120324QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
 This is what it says about it.
Front bumper brackets are included in this kit.
Will not fit vehicle equipped with diesel engine.
Steering extension included.
Gap guards available and sold separately for this application.
Rear bumper brackets are available and sold separately for this application.

It says the front bumper brackets are included. Does that mean that it will raise the bumper so their is no gap between the frame and body?
It also says the rear bumper brackets are sould separately. Do I need them to raise the rear bumper to cover any gap between the frame and body?
My last question is what are the gap guards they speak of?
I talked to my mecanic today and he said he would do it for $150.00 if I bought the kit. I asked him about the steering extension and he said he has done some up to 4" without needing to install it. Is that true? Should I insist he install it? I don't want a lot of lift because this is a work truck but for me it is a little low. It sits at least 3" or 4" lower than my old Chevy 250 HD. I may just go with the 2" lift. What do you think? Right now it only has 15" rims on it. The owner before me must have taken the factory 16" rims off. Why he did it is beyond me. After I lift it I will either put on 16" or 17" rims on it. What do you think there? Thanks Dale

[GRIMJIM]

I don't know about the kit but as for the tires....

I had a '01 with 17" rims and now I have an '07 with 20" rims. The steering with the 17's was a lot tighter, handled better. Looked funny with a big wheel well and only a 17" tire but it handled better.

That might be why he changed them out.

[GRIMJIM]

I forgot to add, they were both dodge ram 1500 4x4 with v-8's. Almost exactly the same truck.

[Graybeard]

WHY? 

What's your goal? What do you expect to accomplish with the lift?

[DalesCarpentry]

WHY? 

What's your goal? What do you expect to accomplish with the lift?

Well last week I took it off road and it scraped a few times. I was worried about going up the hill I came down. There were big rocks I did scrape. This would not have happened if I only had a few more inches of clearence. It was bad enough that I first thought of my cell phone in my pocket then I wonderned if I had enough money in my pocket for a wrecker to come pull it out if I could not make it. Going down is easier than going up with them big old rocks in the way. In my old 2500 HD I would had the clearence without a problem. I would not even have blinked an eye. This truck is another story. I decided to pay it off this week and I will make the best of what I have. It is by far not my dream truck but I can do things to it that will make it do what I want it to do. Dale

[Graybeard]

Is this a 4x4 or 4x2? If 4x2 stay the heck outta places like that.

Don't forget that if you lift it all you're really doing is making room for bigger tires and the tires are what gets it up off the ground. Bigger tires messes up the gear ratios if you go much larger. It's really an expensive thing you're heading into and all it really does is add extra wear and tear on the truck for darn little real world gain.

[GatCat]

I gotta agree with Greybeard. The lift kit will move the body up higher, but the lowest portions of your truck will still be the same ( diffs, tranny, t-case, etc ). The only way to get better ground clearance is to install taller tires, which will affect final gear ratio. To overcome that, folks usually install lower gears, F & R., especially when dealing with an underpowered rig like you have .Then, since you started with a 1/2 ton, you will reach a point where you start to overstress your F & R components, so they will need upgrading. It goes on and on, eventually making it a money pit, and seriously comprimising on-road useage, milage, drivability, etc., etc., etc.
Since it is your work truck, that you need to make a living, I'd say leave it alone. If you get to that questionable type of trail, get out and walk. You'll be healthier, and money ahead.
Mark

[cwlongshot]

This is really good advice Dale.

I also advise if your serious about the trails, you get yourself a vehicle specifically for the trails. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, but something that WHEN it gets banged up it will not effect your getting to work the next day!!! 

I have been wheeling the rocks for over 20 years in jeeps. Mine are built for the task, with almost all drive-train components swapped to HD u nits as well as re geared for the bigger tires..... YES IT GETS EXPENSIVE!!!! Here is a couple shots of two of my Jeeps. The first is my TJ the second is my MJ.









CW

[Lloyd Smale]

you can gain about 1.5 inchs of lift on a chev by cranking up your torsion bars. It will make the ride a bit firmer but on my 1/2 ton i didnt notice much change. You will need to get a front end alignment afterward though. Ive got about 30000 miles on mine since i cranked it up and have had no problems. I run 285/17s goodrich mud terrians on mine without rubbing which are about the same size as a 33 inch tire. doing this about levels out the nose down look of a chev and makes them look right too. Dont put much store in worrying about center of gravity with a 2 inch lift. Most of the time your going with wider tires which are more stable and its just a wash. The center of gravity thing is reallly only an issue if you go bigger then 4 inch and use much bigger tires. I run my truck like this and a jeep with a 2 inch lift and 31s in some pretty hairy places and aint rolled one over yet.

[R.W.Dale]

Your other post complains about the truck being gutless. In that light my advice is to not even think about lifting this rig and installing larger tires, You think it's slow now it'll really get slug like with even 3" taller tires.

do not listen to anybody telling you to "crank up" the torsion bars on a late 80's early 90's chevy. BTDT your truck will drive and ride like a steam traction engine and even after adjusting the torsion bars back down your rig will never be the same again. You'll go through ball joints, CV boots and even control arms on a monthly basis.

DON'T DO IT

Right now it only has 15" rims on it. The owner before me must have taken the factory 16" rims off. Why he did it is beyond me. After I lift it I will either put on 16" or 17" rims on it. What do you think there? Thanks Dale

Way back when those trucks were new folks went from 16's to 15's because you had a much much better selection of wider and even taller offroad tires in a 15

[torpedoman]

driving your WORK truck on trails or rock crawling is a great way not to have a WORK truck and be unemployed.

[Lloyd Smale]

I heard all the warnings about doing it and mostly there bs. Mine has 30000 miles on it and it was just in for new tires and the mechanic checked over everything and said my front end was as tight as new. We did the same thing to a 3/4 ton 4x4 at work because the v plow on it was so big that it hit the ground on bumps with the truck at factory level. We cranked up the bars and gained about two inches and that truck has about 80000 miles on it and was plowed with ALOT and its front end is just fine. As to the ride quality with them cranked up. My neihbor has a new dodge hemi quad cab 1/2 ton and we had to run to town to the hardware store the other day and he told me while riding there that he sure wished his truck road as smooth as mine. Granted it is a tad firmer then it was from the factory but its far from a lumber wagon and i actually like it the fact that its a tad firmer. It takes some of the sway out of it in the corners. My local mechanic has done this for many trucks here locally and told me hes never had a problem from doing it. I had the dealer put the larger tires on it when it was brand new. They told me that they might rub. I drove it a couple days and they rubbed pretty bad. I called them and asked them what to do and they told me that what they usually did was crank up the torsion bars so i doubt if the chev dealer would be telling me to do it if it caused major problems.

Your other post complains about the truck being gutless. In that light my advice is to not even think about lifting this rig and installing larger tires, You think it's slow now it'll really get slug like with even 3" taller tires.

do not listen to anybody telling you to "crank up" the torsion bars on a late 80's early 90's chevy. BTDT your truck will drive and ride like a steam traction engine and even after adjusting the torsion bars back down your rig will never be the same again. You'll go through ball joints, CV boots and even control arms on a monthly basis.

DON'T DO IT

Right now it only has 15" rims on it. The owner before me must have taken the factory 16" rims off. Why he did it is beyond me. After I lift it I will either put on 16" or 17" rims on it. What do you think there? Thanks Dale

Way back when those trucks were new folks went from 16's to 15's because you had a much much better selection of wider and even taller offroad tires in a 15

[R.W.Dale]

I heard all the warnings about doing it and mostly there bs.

What year model is your truck?

[billy_56081]

Why?

Dale this truck is your lifeline to your job. It wasn't to long ago you were in dire straits with a worn out van and little work. Why do you want to take your truck off road when unnecessary? Keep it on the road and baby it. Times are going to be hard for awhile and you need to pad. Your nestegg while you can.

[cwlongshot]

My biggest issue with body lifts is the steering linkage and shift linkage geometry To a lessor extent, the ugly gaps at the best wheel wells and bumpers.

I love offroading and would hate to think about not being able to do it. I do it with nice vehicles built to take it. I have buddies who judge the trucks "worthiness" by the dents in its body. Well, I'm here to tell you and prove it by my pictures. I go everywhere they do and I normally dont get a scratch. Some things are unavoidable, I have had my TJ on its side, because I didn't pay enough attention behind the wheel. My point is mistakes happen so unless your willing to "pay the piper" you should keep things to a minimum.

Good luck, post up what you decide and how it looks if you go thru with it!!

CW
 

[Hairtrigger]

I think Dale would be a fun neighbor... always got an iron in the fire

[j104wd]

that series of truck doesnt do well with large tires the steering just cant take it, idler arms and tierods wont last long. best to save 4wd for snow or light mud.

[DalesCarpentry]

Why?

Dale this truck is your lifeline to your job. It wasn't to long ago you were in dire straits with a worn out van and little work. Why do you want to take your truck off road when unnecessary? Keep it on the road and baby it. Times are going to be hard for awhile and you need to pad. Your nestegg while you can.

Billy you are right!!!! I was thinking out loud when I started this thread. I will most likley leave it as is except I will put 16" rims on it again. Dale

[billy_56081]

Dale friends tell friends how it is.

[Siskiyou]

If a lift kit installation is not correctly installed the pickup can become unstable.  My grandson and I were taking on the way to go fishing on a two lane state highway in the country.  Traffic was thick and safe passing opportunities were slim and far between.
We caught up with a rig towing a camp trailer about five miles below the speed limit.  I was able to get a look at oncoming traffic and felt it was unsafe to pass.
The driver behind me in the jacked up, Dodge 4x4 with over sized tires felt different. When he started his pass I dropped back to give him room to cut in, because I could see oncoming traffic.  He jerked his vehicle to the right so hard that he went off the shoulder on the right side of the road.  He was lucky because there was not a ditch on that side, he spun back crossing in front of me, and ending up in the oncoming lane.  He managed to get back into the proper lane before taking the oncoming car head on.  There was a lot of braking being done by me, the cars behind me, and oncoming traffic.  He succeeded in missing the trailer under tow by inches.

The highway we were on was in the foothills with a lot of curves.  He settled down and I followed him for about 20-miles.  It was apparent that his steering was not stable and he had to work to keep the vehicle on the road at 20-miles an hour.  It demonstrated to me that jacking up a vehicle is more then switching parts.  One of my oldest friends and hunting partners has his own shop.  He will not install a lift kit on a customer’s vehicle because of the liability.

A granddaughter’s husband has jacked up 4x4.  He has taken the big tires off because it has killed his mileage, and it upset his gear ratio, and he has to shift down on hilly pavement.

It is a costly step if you do not plan on dedicating the vehicle to over road use.

[R.W.Dale]

Why?


Dale this truck is your lifeline to your job. It wasn't to long ago you were in dire straits with a worn out van and little work. Why do you want to take your truck off road when unnecessary? Keep it on the road and baby it. Times are going to be hard for awhile and you need to pad. Your nestegg while you can.

Billy you are right!!!! I was thinking out loud when I started this thread. I will most likley leave it as is except I will put 16" rims on it again. Dale

you do realize that tire height is not dependant on wheel size don't you. You can buy 15" tires that would be he same height as the original tires and wheels

[cwlongshot]

If a lift kit installation is not correctly installed the pickup can become unstable.  My grandson and I were taking on the way to go fishing on a two lane state highway in the country.  Traffic was thick and safe passing opportunities were slim and far between.
We caught up with a rig towing a camp trailer about five miles below the speed limit.  I was able to get a look at oncoming traffic and felt it was unsafe to pass.
The driver behind me in the jacked up, Dodge 4x4 with over sized tires felt different. When he started his pass I dropped back to give him room to cut in, because I could see oncoming traffic.  He jerked his vehicle to the right so hard that he went off the shoulder on the right side of the road.  He was lucky because there was not a ditch on that side, he spun back crossing in front of me, and ending up in the oncoming lane.  He managed to get back into the proper lane before taking the oncoming car head on.  There was a lot of braking being done by me, the cars behind me, and oncoming traffic.  He succeeded in missing the trailer under tow by inches.

The highway we were on was in the foothills with a lot of curves.  He settled down and I followed him for about 20-miles.  It was apparent that his steering was not stable and he had to work to keep the vehicle on the road at 20-miles an hour.  It demonstrated to me that jacking up a vehicle is more then switching parts.  One of my oldest friends and hunting partners has his own shop.  He will not install a lift kit on a customer’s vehicle because of the liability.

A granddaughter’s husband has jacked up 4x4.  He has taken the big tires off because it has killed his mileage, and it upset his gear ratio, and he has to shift down on hilly pavement.

It is a costly step if you do not plan on dedicating the vehicle to over road use.

 Of coarse you are right, if the lift is improperly installed. But name brand lift kits are quite safe if installed correctly. They are well engineered and offer different handling but are as safe as a factory suspension. This can be said for EVERYTHING, take a perfectly safe anything and make it terribly dangerous if used/installed different from how it was designed.

CW

[Lloyd Smale]

08 silverado 4x4 club cab. 1/2 ton. As to the stability conserns ive ran lifted trucks all my life. When done to extreams it can make for stability problems but when talking lifts 4 inch or less and considering you usually putting wider tires and rims on the truck ive never seen where it effected stability. Only consern i have with body lifts is a buddy had a cheap body lift on an old ford truck and when he got in a a wreck the bolts sheared right off. Lots of internet knowlege here. Like i said ive ran lifted trucks since 1977 and some with tires as big as 40 inch and have had little problems because of it. The trick is to use quality parts and beef up whats needed to be beefed up. Most trucks will run 33 inch tires without any effect on reliablity of parts. (im talking american full sized v8 trucks) Like i said i post on what i know and the same goes for the tornsion bar thing. I know my truck has been fine the truck at work has been beat on and is fine and i know of a few others in the area running the same setup and not one has had troubles. Not that it couldnt happen and if its happened to you id like to hear about it but if its something you read or was told that info doesnt consern me.

I heard all the warnings about doing it and mostly there bs.

What year model is your truck?

[R.W.Dale]

do not listen to anybody telling you to "crank up" the torsion bars on a late 80's early 90's chevy. BTDT

Quote
I heard all the warnings about doing it and mostly there bs.


What year model is your truck?

08 silverado 4x4 club cab. 1/2 ton.

This is all that needs to be said, and yes my experience is firsthand.