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john4a73
New User
| Posts: 1
| Joined: 04/07
Posted: 04/21/07 05:49 PM
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I have a 2006 chevy 4x4 tahoe. I'm about to put a suspension lift on my truck, but I'm not sure what lift to get and how big I should get it. I'm leaning towards a Rancho 4-in suspension lift kit. What is the best lift to get for my truck? I want it to be equipped adequately to handle off-road conditions, but also so that it handles well on-road. I'm not really looking to do any extreme off-roading, or specializing my truck for any one kind of off-road condition. I want something that can perform all around. Also how big of tires will I be able to put on it with a 4in lift? I've been told 33's, is this true? I'm new to off-roading so I could really use some help. Will I need anything else besides a lift kit such as some kind of steering stabilizer or shock absorber or should this be included in the kit? Also will I have to adjust my drive shaft angles or any other kind of components so that the truck runs smoothly? Will this greatly effect the torque of my truck? I need to be able to tow boat trailers with it still so will I need to also consider supercharging my truck because of the lift kit?
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SnoMan
Addict
| Posts: 5131
| Joined: 05/04
Posted: 04/21/07 06:08 PM
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A few simple rules here. First that is a LD 1/2 ton truck, when you lift it a lot and install bigger tires you will shorten ball joint life a good bit. Next a super charger is not a replacement for correct axle gears. The single biggest mistake that people make when they lift truck is to not properly regear the truck. Then they complain of poor performance and when tranny fails it is because it is a bad design, not because of the extra load of lift and tires on stock gears. A super charger "cure" would just fry tranny quicker. You need to install about 4.56 or deeper gears (depending on tire size) and that will restore power and a bit of MPG too because engine will not work as hard either. Also you will loose braking capacity because of the extra leverage the bigger tires place on brakes. Lot of people talk about lifting trucks but there is a right way and a wrong way to do this. One more thing, if you lift it a lot and you ever get in a wreck that is your fault you better have real good insurance because a attorney will have a field day with you or your "mods' if they think it was a factor is wreck. I mention this because you say it will be a daily driver and raising it does change CG and handling and it effect braking too as stated above. This in mind I would not lift it much and limit tires to 33 or so on 1/2 ton axles. Some run bigger but those axles are not and the rear axle design started life around 1970 in GM's midsized cars with 6 cyl engines. They still use it today because it is cheap to produce, not because it is a strong axle. It is okay for stock tires but not much beyond that if you want long trouble free service from it.
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Posted: 05/02/07 11:23 AM
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Listen to Sno. Go with the 4in lift, 33's, regear it and be happy.
Then blow it! Muhahaha! A supercharger would make that thing a bit of fun!
Long Travel 4 Wheel Drive - The Best of Both Worlds!
Questions? Comments? Concerns? PM Me!
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fatguy4X4
Enthusiast
| Posts: 381
| Joined: 05/08
Posted: 05/06/08 11:32 AM
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As far as brake upgrades, I stepped up to a cross drilled, slotted brake rotor with premium brake pads and got all my braking back and then some. That's with slightly oversized tires...but I could use a little deeper gear
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Posted: 05/06/08 02:10 PM
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four wheel parts whole salers has a ad for 14" brakes from ssbc. an 18-20 inch wheel with proportionat 8/10" sidewalls may help handling the lower stiffer sidewalls help.i love wide tires,but scary in the wet,wide open k knobbies to shed water are better.also since its a heavy wagon ,dont cheap out and get tires load ranged too low,then your just asking for trouble. a 35.14.50 tire looks wikked!
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SnoMan
Addict
| Posts: 5131
| Joined: 05/04
Posted: 05/06/08 02:59 PM
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Still a LD 1/2 ton chassis and axles and it is actually less HD that way too because of increased strain on drive lines parts and chassis from big tires and lift. There was a time when 1/2 tons where built on 3/4 ton frames but that ended with 88 1/2 ton P/U and 92 burb.
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fatguy4X4
Enthusiast
| Posts: 381
| Joined: 05/08
Posted: 05/06/08 09:26 PM
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If you keep that Tahoe for a daily driver and don't wanna punish it too bad off road, go for the 4" lift. Or, if you stick to 33" tire, you can get by with a front end leveling kit and some better shocks. Then you save some cash for some deeper ring&pinions.
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