2023 Z71 tires, lift and tint

[South0611]

Hey! I've searched this forum for some answers and I've gotten some, but I still have some unanswered questions.
My black 2023 Tahoe Z71 will be ready to pickup in a couple weeks, I'm upgrading the tires through the dealership to Nitto Ridge Grapplers 285/60r20, keeping the stock wheels and putting a 2" lift on it. My husband says he can install the lift himself, but I say just let the dealer do it while they switch the tires out so they can align everything at the same time. Opinion on either way?

2nd- I've heard mixed reviews on the RC 2" lift as it technically says it doesn't fit the 2023 Tahoe Z71, but I've seen that it's been done plenty of times. Does anyone have experience with this or could recommend a different lift kit that would work better?
Now for spacers- do you think they are needed? it comes stock with 275/60r20, so I'm not going terribly bigger, but I don't want it to rub and I'd rather not do any plastic trimming if I can get away with it.

3rd- Tint. I've also gone through the dealer to put 15% on all windows and 50% on the windshield. Opinions on if this will be dark enough or too dark? any pictures to show? We live in Denver and have 4 kids, so I need to see out the windows at night, but I like my windows dark lol.

I'm trading in my 2022 blacked out 4Runner for this, so the Ridge Grapplers and dark tint came on it already, so I haven't had to add it before! Just looking for someone who has been there and done this before that can chime in!
And any other suggestions or mods are welcome!!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[olyelr]

I dont want to sound sexist, but its unusual for me to hear a women know so much about vehicles lol…so kudos to you!

If the kit you are putting on the tahoe is not “recommended” for it by the manufacturer then chances are the dealer won't put it on for you. Unless you know them really well or something. Chances are your hubby could save quite a bit of cash doing it himself, if that even appeals to you guys. Dealers typically charge quite a bit for easy stuff like that. The vehicle will definitely need an alignment when done, but that dosnt mean he cant put it on and then just drive it to the alignment shop…thats what i did with the wifes high country.

The tires should fit just fine without spacers.

As far as tint goes, “too dark” is all a personal preference type of thing. But imo that would be pretty dang dark haaaaaa.

Good luck and update with pics!

 

[South0611]

I dont want to sound sexist, but its unusual for me to hear a women know so much about vehicles lol…so kudos to you!

If the kit you are putting on the tahoe is not “recommended” for it by the manufacturer then chances are the dealer won't put it on for you. Unless you know them really well or something. Chances are your hubby could save quite a bit of cash doing it himself, if that even appeals to you guys. Dealers typically charge quite a bit for easy stuff like that. The vehicle will definitely need an alignment when done, but that dosnt mean he cant put it on and then just drive it to the alignment shop…thats what i did with the wifes high country.

The tires should fit just fine without spacers.

As far as tint goes, “too dark” is all a personal preference type of thing. But imo that would be pretty dang dark haaaaaa.

Good luck and update with pics!

lol thank you, I get that often. I like my trucks a certain way and I feel like if you're going to have it and pay for it, then you should know what you're talking about

I'm waiting to hear back from them about putting the kit on, but if they charge an absurd amount, then I'll just have my husband do it and take it to get aligned. I was just trying to knock out multiple things in 1 go.

Good to know! I've heard both opinions on if it needs the spacers or not- I'm definitely going to hold off on ordering them until I drive it a bit and see if they're needed. I don't think they will be either.

Yes, it's for sure a preference thing! I like my windows pretty dark though! I was more so looking for pictures and opinions on what people got and if they love it or wish they would have gone lighter/darker.

Thanks! And I will once it's finally in my driveway lol!

 

[olyelr]

Well, here is a pic of my wifes rig. Only the front side windows were tinted, nothing else, and i believe it was 15%. Definitely not super dark, but honest its dark enough that you cant really see her driving it lol

 

[firstGT]

Maybe call around to local off road shops and see what they offer

I've installed lifts on older silverados and also on tundra, it's a pain in the ass with just a jack and jack stands but definitely doable. My wife kinda wants a level kit but I'm too afraid it'll mess with the ride. Every truck I've ever lifted or lowered it has messed with the ride. Except for my Fox coil over with reservoirs on my tundra

50% seems dark for a windshield but will look really good. We went with a clear tint for the windshield and it seems to have helped a ton with heat and I'm not sure if it was supposed to but I swear it's helped with light input also

 

[Pertzbro]

They make clear tint for windshields that is ceramic and will cut heat more than a 50% carbon tint at a 70 or 80% VLT ceramic.

I prefer to tint the whole vehicle just so the colors match better. Even a 50% on the back over the stock tint will help cut heat, add privacy and help blend the colors better between front windows and rear.

I used to live in Denver and they are pretty lenient on tint compared to where I live in Iowa now - absolutely no tint on the fronts.

I'm also doing ceramic on the pano sunroof to darken/cut heat. Denver basically gets like Phoenix now in the summer (for sun intensity - maybe not pure ° of the temp)

 

[olyelr]

Maybe call around to local off road shops and see what they offer

I've installed lifts on older silverados and also on tundra, it's a pain in the ass with just a jack and jack stands but definitely doable. My wife kinda wants a level kit but I'm too afraid it'll mess with the ride. Every truck I've ever lifted or lowered it has messed with the ride. Except for my Fox coil over with reservoirs on my tundra

50% seems dark for a windshield but will look really good. We went with a clear tint for the windshield and it seems to have helped a ton with heat and I'm not sure if it was supposed to but I swear it's helped with light input also

I leveled the tahoe in my post above, in my garage on the floor with jack stands and a jack in probably less than two hours. Made absolutely no change in ride quality.

 

[Blackhawkscrna]

lol thank you, I get that often. I like my trucks a certain way and I feel like if you're going to have it and pay for it, then you should know what you're talking about

I'm waiting to hear back from them about putting the kit on, but if they charge an absurd amount, then I'll just have my husband do it and take it to get aligned. I was just trying to knock out multiple things in 1 go.

Good to know! I've heard both opinions on if it needs the spacers or not- I'm definitely going to hold off on ordering them until I drive it a bit and see if they're needed. I don't think they will be either.

Yes, it's for sure a preference thing! I like my windows pretty dark though! I was more so looking for pictures and opinions on what people got and if they love it or wish they would have gone lighter/darker.

Thanks! And I will once it's finally in my driveway lol!

 

[Blackhawkscrna]

This is 20% on the sides to match the factory back. Sounds like it will be a killer ride!

 

[MotoBella]

My take on tint: Definitely go with ceramic, the heat and UV protection is incredible and makes a huge difference as driver and passenger(s).

I did 20% front sides, 50% backs (sides and rear) and 70% windshield, mainly b/c we'll be moving to AZ and we'll need it.

Initially I was concerned it was too dark at night and it took a few weeks to adapt, but now I don't even notice, unless I'm driving someone elses car that doesn't have it. Backing up a trailer is a little trickier, but between the rear camera and rolling down the front windows, it's no big deal.

Also to note with ceramic - whatever you use to clean it, it must be ammonia free.

In AZ right now (with the Silverado) and the Tahoe is in CA, but I can post photos after we get back, if you'd like some.