hey guys i want to lift a z71 01 ecsb 4.8 just enough to put 305s or 315 maybe like 3 or 4 inches. how should i do it? i can put blocks in the rear but dont know about the front anyone know how?

Some people have used the ford keys to get some extra lift out of the stock suspension. a body lift is another way of getting a few more inches.

is crtanking the torsion bars the same as getting ford keys , can anyone help me understand this better?

If you craw up under the truck you will see where the tbars connect to the frame with some keys that have bolts on them. if you tighten those bolts it will put more load on the bars and will raise up the truck. If you install the ford keys it will just allow you to crank up the bars a little more

One reason going the ford key route; when you crank the TB bolts up a lot you are exposing a few too many thread, which could lead to failure (bending over or breaking off.) I think you won't be able to crank on the torsion bars enough to clear 305s or 315s without excessive trimming. I think the biggest tire you can fit on your truck without a body lift or suspension lift is 285/75/16, I have seen trucks with 305/70/16 and they are running a 3 inch body lift.

305/70/16 are 32.68" tall and are the same height as 285/75/16, but are almost an inch wider.

315/75/16 are 34.49"

I am running 305/55/20 which are 33" tall, I am running a leveling kit from Ready Lift (http://readylift.com/index.php). I should have used 305/50/20, I had slight rubbing with my tires turned all the way to the right or left and under compression, but I don't now. When I was involved in an accident I had the front bumper mounts moved a 1/2" forward to eliminate the rubbing.

first of all just because a tire says 33's or 35's it doesnt mean that thats the exact size , matter of fact most tire companys round of their tires to the next size, just go to any website of the company who makes the tire and see for yourself. you can put 33's on their stock with a lil or minor rubbing, but nuthin to complain about, ive seen lots of guys with 35's with ford keys and even a few with 36's with just ford keys! but remember if you are a serious offroader you want some articulation so you can keep all four of those tires on the ground.

One reason going the ford key route; when you crank the TB bolts up a lot you are exposing a few too many thread, which could lead to failure (bending over or breaking off.) I think you won't be able to crank on the torsion bars enough to clear 305s or 315s without excessive trimming. I think the biggest tire you can fit on your truck without a body lift or suspension lift is 285/75/16, I have seen trucks with 305/70/16 and they are running a 3 inch body lift.

305/70/16 are 32.68" tall and are the same height as 285/75/16, but are almost an inch wider.

315/75/16 are 34.49"

I am running 305/55/20 which are 33" tall, I am running a leveling kit from Ready Lift (http://readylift.com/index.php). I should have used 305/50/20, I had slight rubbing with my tires turned all the way to the right or left and under compression, but I don't now. When I was involved in an accident I had the front bumper mounts moved a 1/2" forward to eliminate the rubbing.


I checked out that site for the ready lift, and I am in the same boat as the original poster, trying to figure out the right path.

I would like to go to 295/70/17's, and on that readylift site, it says you can go to 285/70/17's. Do you think that the 295's would fit?

If you craw up under the truck you will see where the tbars connect to the frame with some keys that have bolts on them. if you tighten those bolts it will put more load on the bars and will raise up the truck. If you install the ford keys it will just allow you to crank up the bars a little more

craw huh? :gay:

ford keys and 3" BL with Add-a-leaf or a bigger block in the rear will let u run 35's with little to no rubbing on stock wheels or 16x8's

I checked out that site for the ready lift, and I am in the same boat as the original poster, trying to figure out the right path.

I would like to go to 295/70/17's, and on that readylift site, it says you can go to 285/70/17's. Do you think that the 295's would fit?

I created an Excel table with overall height and width. I know these are not the same as the tire manufacture but they are pretty damn close.
295/70/17 - 33.26" x 11.61"
285/70/17 - 32.71" x 11.22"
285/75/16 - 32.83" x 11.22"
305/55/20 - 33.21" x 12.01"

I got 305/55/20 on my truck and they did not rub unless I got the wheels turn all the way to the right or left and I am coming off a steep incline at 15+ mph.

I am doubting the ready lifts claim that you can raise the front 2" or say no more than 2.5" and not give up any ride quaility.how can that be,I know cranking up the stock bar adjustment approx 4-5 turns for about 1 1-1/2 inch,I know there is a ride quality difference.Seems the fords keys would allow you crank more than stock so what does the ready lift kit do that the ford keys dont?

with cranked stock tbars my ride quality went out the window, but as soon as i put on the 33's i got all of it back, the taller tire took alot of the shock out of the bumps. And even if you do lose ride quality its not that big of a deal, hell its a chevy not a caddy.

As far as the ready lift, I know some of the tbar key kits come with new shock mount tabs that allow the stock shocks bolt up without over exerting it, or you can just get better, longer shocks.

with cranked stock tbars my ride quality went out the window, but as soon as i put on the 33's i got all of it back, the taller tire took alot of the shock out of the bumps. And even if you do lose ride quality its not that big of a deal, hell its a chevy not a caddy.

As far as the ready lift, I know some of the tbar key kits come with new shock mount tabs that allow the stock shocks bolt up without over exerting it, or you can just get better, longer shocks.

Looks like the shock extenders are others, not GM.I dont buy giving up ride quaility,just when you like the feel of your truck, go drive a stocker,nothing wrong with a caddy ride.I may be dreaming but i want a 2" gain and not give up the ride.

I grew up in a pos 83 f150 long bed, no matter how bad my truck may ride it will always be better than that thing.

Good point,I want the look but do not want to give up anything.I have new CC coming and now think i want 285/70/17 tires on stock wheels.I really wonder if those ride kits do what they say. I bet they do the same as the ford keys.

I am running BL, Keys, blocks and an add a leaf.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/CD01Z71/Picture073.jpg

I wonder how yours rides and drives compared to a 4" lift?

I am running BL, Keys, blocks and an add a leaf.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/CD01Z71/Picture073.jpg

Chris D,

I am using the Ford Keys on my 2000 SCSB Sierra 4X4 and wanted to lift the back up a little more to give my truck a more level look. Where did you get your blocks? If I use a bigger block, do you think the axle wrap will be that noticable? I'm also running stock height ProComp ES3000 shocks. Do you think I should opt for longer shocks now that I lifted the front (and soon to be rear).

Thanks,
GatorFan

You will be able to run the 305s with no problem. I ran 305-70s on an 02 silverado for three years. I raised the torsion bars and actually lowered the rear of the truck using shackles. These tires did NOT rub....go for it! :cheers:

How far did you lower the rear end on your truck? Right now mine looks to be about 1-2 inches higher in the front. I already lowered the T-Bars a little becuase it was WAY higher in the front when I first put them on. I am running 285/75/16 ProComps right now and I know without a doubt I could run the 305s. I just wanted the truck to look more level. I was wondering about switching out shocks because I feel like they might not be long enough now since I lifted it up with the keys. Any suggestions?

Thanks

ill have to post some pics of my truck!!!! you will not be able to run 35's with a 3" body....unlkess you get keys and crank the piss out of them....and if you do that it just puts alot of stress on your front suspension....wheel barings will go, cv shafts, idaler and pitman arm......if you want to run 35" tires you need to have a 6" suspension lift....i would recomend fabtech....

i am running 35's on my truck....i have a 6" suspension and a 3" body..ill see if i can put some pics on

What are the down falls of a body lift? bumper fit? what else?

ill have to post some pics of my truck!!!! you will not be able to run 35's with a 3" body....unlkess you get keys and crank the piss out of them....and if you do that it just puts alot of stress on your front suspension....wheel barings will go, cv shafts, idaler and pitman arm......if you want to run 35" tires you need to have a 6" suspension lift....i would recomend fabtech....

i am running 35's on my truck....i have a 6" suspension and a 3" body..ill see if i can put some pics on

Fabtechs 6" lift isnt the best, if your going for quality, go RCD there shit is the best, and closest to factory ride.

As far as body lifts go, they expose the radiator if you dont get bumper relocators, you lose a coupple inches of your steering shaft, and your bed is now sitting on plastic. Oh and if you do get bumper relocating brackets you lose some of your bumpers strength because theres no frame directly behind it to support it.

I have 305x65 or 75 R16 GY MTR on my 2003 GMC Z71 and they did not rubb without a lift. I just lifted my truck 3" in the front with no ford keys of anything all I did after looking under the truck is bought two new bolt which are m12 1.75x85 which are 1 inch longer then the factory. Cranked my torsion bars up all the way untill the key hitting the top of my cross member bar. That alone gave me 3 inches now I'm just waiting for the 2 in add-a- leaf to get in. I also had to weld a plate under each rubber stoper in the front because with the lift there ended up being 1-1/2 between the stopper and the a-arm which left the ride to bouncey for my likings.

Dude I have the same truck as you. I tightened up my torsion bolts and put a 3" body on my truck and it fit 315 75 16 bfg a/t ko's with no scrubbing, they are about 35" tall and for sale $650. and the body lift i got came with bumper bracket front and rear and a steering shaft extension, also the radiator moves with the cab the only thing is if you are using the belt fan the fan shrould will need to be trimmed on the bottom. hit me up if you have any questions.

hey and the good thing about a body lift is you not messing with any suspention parts. you get the same drive and ride

I have 305x65 or 75 R16 GY MTR on my 2003 GMC Z71 and they did not rubb without a lift. I just lifted my truck 3" in the front with no ford keys of anything all I did after looking under the truck is bought two new bolt which are m12 1.75x85 which are 1 inch longer then the factory. Cranked my torsion bars up all the way untill the key hitting the top of my cross member bar. That alone gave me 3 inches now I'm just waiting for the 2 in add-a- leaf to get in. I also had to weld a plate under each rubber stoper in the front because with the lift there ended up being 1-1/2 between the stopper and the a-arm which left the ride to bouncey for my likings.

Got any pics of those plates you welded? Would like to see them if you do.

Thanks,

Ill take some pics this weekend and post them up.

Superlift has what looks like a new kit to raise the front 2-3" .Anyone here tried one yet?

I lowered the rear of the truck using the standard 2inch drop shackels, the front of the truck sat just a "smidge" higher than the rear! I really like the look! :drive:

Gonzo,

Does SuperLift have any pics of that new lift? If so, can you get us a link.

Thanks,

ramair, I'll be looking for the pics of your plates.

Later

http://www.superlift.com/suspension/gm/99-PICKUP_12TON.asp

Thanks Gonzo,

I would also be interested to find out if anyone has used this kit yet. I used Ford keys and have had no problems so far. If it comes from them. I bet it ain't cheap! Thanks again for the info.

Well I can't post the pic's till tomorrow at work because I need to resize my picture. I camera only lets me to all the way down to 155kb. The site only lets you put 97kb.

Well it looks like I found a program that could resize the pic's.

The fist two pic's are with the truck on the ground and suspension at normal ridding. The 3rd pic is when I had the truck on the jack and I had just finished welding & the 4th pic is my truck with the new bolts and Add-A-leaf.