Which Lift Is The Best?

[JoshWelsh]

I am going to order a lift here pretty quickly. I have a 2" levler w/ 325 60 18 nitto graplers and 18x9 with 4 1/2" backset helo wheels . My problem is that the nittos suck in the snow and slush. I have decided to go with the toyo open country m/t in a 35" which is about 1 1/2 taller and 1/2" narrower. My nittos barely rub now. So I want to do either 4,5,6" lift and WHAT NAME BRAND I DONT KNOW. Can anybody help me on this topic? Fabtech, Superlift, Skyjacker, ETC. ? Much help appreciated!

 

[JoshWelsh]

I talked to a 4x4 specialist today and sais to go with Fabtech front with Bilstein 7100 and Kelderman Air bag reciever hitch system (does not replace leaf spring but rear shackle. What do you guys think?

 

[Summit]

if your only gonna run 35's , why spend the $$ on a lift? you already have the 2" spacer.

unless your going to pound your truck offroading baja style and you cant resist blowing a thousand bucks on a lift i'd say get a 4" superlift, better than stock ride.

 

[sarj]

Fabtech is not well regarded in my circle of friends. ALL SHOW-NO GO.

 

[strokerschmoker]

I went with Superlift, a little pricey but VERY complete. The ride is unchanged or better. I couldnt be happier with the product

 

[Motofreak]

Tuff Country is a decent lift if you want to retain the stock ride. I'l admit its not a true off-road lift as its only spacers and shocks. Paid less than a grand for my lift complete. I just wanted to set higher with bigger tires. Wrecked too many trucks in the mud when I was younger want to keep shiny paint on this for a while.

 

[Punkineater]

I had a Fabtech with my 01 1500 and this truck saw quite a bit of off roading which included trips to Moab to play on the rocks (See page 2 of my web page for pics). The lift made noise, the rear springs were the worst and had a horrendous pop when flexed which I could never get rid of. The front coils sagged over 1" after the first year... ... . I'm not a big fan.

I am going to run 35's on this truck as well and am going to set it up with the 6" Tuff Country box kit and utilize the 6" Superlift coils rather than the spacers. For the rear I am going to run Atlas 6" rear spring packs and run Bilstein 7100's for my shocks.

If you don't want to mix and match such as I'm doing and want to keep your stock ride then the Tuff Country will suit you fine. Skyjacker also makes a decent kit, but only a 4. 5" kit. Superlift would be my last choice simply because of their axle placement, but others seem to like it. Good luck and be sure to post pic's when you're done.

 

[rbattelle]

With a 4" Superlift, is there any concern with keeping the stock driveshafts?



I'm debating with myself between the Pro Comp 3" kit ($815) or the 4" Superlift ($1050). What about the "Rockslider" control arm option that's available with the Superlift?



-Ryan

 

[strokerschmoker]

The only mod i had to do was lower the carrier bearing but since your is a SWB i dont think you have one. If you go with the superlift i wouldnt advise ramping any hills b/c once the suspension comes up you can hear the front CV joint click a little ( too much bind/steep angle). Gotta love that front driveshaft spinning all the time All in all everything stays stock for you

 

[JoshWelsh]

why lift it for 35"?

I have tried putting the 35 12. 5 18 bfg mt on my truck and you cant turn it, but 25% w/o rubbing. It cannot be done with my 4 1/2" back spacing on my rims

 

[JoshWelsh]

Punkineater --- Why are you doing tuff country box kit with superlift coils? Rather than Superlift box kit with coils

 

[JoshWelsh]

I was told a longer control arm (or is it a track bar?) that fabtech has will give me a better ride up front. What your thoughts on this?



Punkineater---How do you like those Atlas rear spring setup?



Do you think there is a substancial differeence compared to getting skyjacker rear spring pack?

 

[rbattelle]

If you go with the superlift i wouldnt advise ramping any hills b/c once the suspension comes up you can hear the front CV joint click a little ( too much bind/steep angle).

That's the kind of info I need. What I'm really looking for is a small lift (2-3 inches) that includes:



-Front coils

-Track bar drop bracket

-New upper and lower control arms

-Dropped pitman arm



Problem is, no one seems to make it. Skyjacker offers their nice 2. 5" kit, but no track bar or pitman arm. Pro Comp offers their 3" kit, but they use spacers up front. Superlift offers a complete kit, but 4" seems like a bit much for just 35s.



I am trying to source a kit that will maximize strength and maintain almost complete stock geometry. Even the T-Rex kit doesn't include dropped pitman arm or track bar or control arms and that means modified stock geometry (axle shifted to one side and toward the rear of the vehicle).



I'm considering buying the Pro Comp kit and having custom 3"-longer springs made. Problem is, I have no idea where you get custom springs made.



I plan to purchase my lift this coming spring/early summer.



-Ryan

 

[Punkineater]

Punkineater --- Why are you doing tuff country box kit with superlift coils? Rather than Superlift box kit with coils

In looking at trucks with both lifts, the Tuff Country control arms center the axle more in the wheelwell than does the Superlift.

 

[Punkineater]

I was told a longer control arm (or is it a track bar?) that fabtech has will give me a better ride up front. What your thoughts on this?



Punkineater---How do you like those Atlas rear spring setup?



Do you think there is a substancial differeence compared to getting skyjacker rear spring pack?

Unless Fabtech has changed they still only give you a trac-bar drop bracket similar to all other manufacurers. I didn't like the bracket they gave me with my kit so I went with a total trac-bar replacement from DTProFab for lifts up to 6" which had heims and was fully adjustable side to side. See below:

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That setup worked much better IMO. On their website they didn't list the long arm option for the 3rd Gen trucks yet so I don't see how the solution they are offering is any better than any of the other manufacturers.

As far as Atlas springs they are made to order and are a great solution to generic, mass produced spring packs. Their only downside is their price . The one thing I have never liked about "kit included" spring packs is that they do not raise the truck as high as I like. I like mine to be around an inch higher in the back and other manufacturers are usually level or even a little low.