2005 Tahoe BDS 4" lift

[mjpeterson]

Anyone here have any experience with the BDS 4" lift for their Z71? I might attempt the install myself, the only set back I have is there needs to be some welding and cutting. Doesn't look to difficult.

 

[Carolina Brown]

Why not just go with the Rough County 6" lift that is mostly bolt-on except for the grinding and cutting on front diff??

But no, sorry...no experience with BDS 4" lift.

 

[Trey Hardy]

Anyone here have any experience with the BDS 4" lift for their Z71? I might attempt the install myself, the only set back I have is there needs to be some welding and cutting. Doesn't look to difficult.

What needs to be welded? A gusset for the crossmember? That could be done pretty easily and the cutting is pretty straight forward the torsion keys will probably fight you worse then the lift kit install will especially if they have never been off before grab the big hammer
Other then that you should be good in a full day or partial days I did my lift kit myself with the most basic collection of tools you can get and was able to get the job done

 

[mjpeterson]

What needs to be welded? A gusset for the crossmember? That could be done pretty easily and the cutting is pretty straight forward the torsion keys will probably fight you worse then the lift kit install will especially if they have never been off before grab the big hammer
Other then that you should be good in a full day or partial days I did my lift kit myself with the most basic collection of tools you can get and was able to get the job done

Thanks Trey for the encouraging words! I found a local guy who did the install for $800 and he was a BDS installer a few years back, so he knew this Install. Turned out really good and rides excellent, better than stock. Now, whoever said there is minimum trimming with 35s is BS. Yes, it is only a 4" lift but some have said you can fit these with just a leveling kit, doubt it, but could be the tires and rims I chose! Regardless of all that I'm extremely impressed with the ride!.

 

[Trey Hardy]

Thanks Trey for the encouraging words! I found a local guy who did the install for $800 and he was a BDS installer a few years back, so he knew this Install. Turned out really good and rides excellent, better than stock. Now, whoever said there is minimum trimming with 35s is BS. Yes, it is only a 4" lift but some have said you can fit these with just a leveling kit, doubt it, but could be the tires and rims I chose! Regardless of all that I'm extremely impressed with the ride!.

Looks great man!
And yea the only way you can clear 35s on a leveling kit is on stock wheels the moment you get any offset your screwed on the Clearance.
90% of my friends run 35s on stock wheels with a 3” leveling kit granted they probably don’t clear full lock but with some trimming of the lower bumper valance and the inner cab corner/fender it’ll make it easy enough to get 3/4 of a turn or more on the steering wheel before you hit.
I personally have changed wheels more then I’ve changed underwear I’ve had experiences with literally every sized wheel and tire just about I think I counted em all up one time and it was like 20 sets of wheels and tires there was probably 4-5 sets I diddnt even drive on before I got rid of them

 

[mjpeterson]

Anyone here have any experience with the BDS 4" lift for their Z71? I might attempt the install myself, the only set back I have is there needs to be some welding and cutting. Doesn't look to difficult.

Update on 4" BDS lift, rides like a dream, albeit the trimming seems to go on forever, I got the left to do lock to lock, now the right side needs a bit more. Really helped adding the RC keys, probably could raise it a half more, but the ride quality is really top notch. 05 Tahoe Z71 4" BDS, half inch more on RC keys, 35x12.5x17 Nitto ridge grapplers on 17x9 Fuel Vapors.