Let's see some pics of some lifted and leveled

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battlewagon

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Just picked up from the shop.
2008 Z71 Suburban
Rough Country 7.5"
Eagle Alloy Series 050 20" (Made in MURICA)
35x12.50x20 Nitto Trail Grappler Mud Terrains

Great install by my usual shop. However truck is nearly non-drivable at anything above 50. Floats so badly, and is impossible to drive in a straight line. Constant corrections on the steering wheel, and was positive I was going to be stopped by a Trooper for DUI since I was all over the lane.

I've ordered ProComp rear lower control arm drop brackets to try to get the rear lower arms at a better angle, and push the rear axle back, but the correct solution to that will likely be longer upper and lower rear control arms.

Wheel spacers arrive today to try to get the front and rear wheels in line which may help with tracking.

However, I believe the issue is simply going to be front OEM suspension parts that are worn (130K miles) that weren't an issue before, but are now due to the lift.

Lift shop did alignment, specs are spot on, GM master tech friend looked at my alignment sheet and said it is perfect.

Anyone have recommendations on where to start tackling this issue, whether with aftermarket parts or what OEM front end suspension parts? I can only drive this thing to the grocery store and gym, since speed limit is 45MPH between home and there.

20160731_130440.jpg


20160731_144136.jpg

EDIT:

Added this photo, you can see the horrible rear axle position from the lift kit. Why they don't include the necessary control arms or brackets to extend stock arms is beyond me. I guess they wanted to make a cost effective kit that comes in below the competitors, which is fine because the kit is otherwise very good quality, but to me this is no different than a car dealership taking off the wheels of a car to undercut another dealer's price. Sure, it is cheaper, but the product being sold is now undrivable. I would rather have paid more and have a ready-to-roll vehicle.

The rear tires are pushed up against the plastic surrounding the Z71 specific running boards.

20160731_130018.jpg
 
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01Konvict

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Nice to see the burb finally posted! Let me know how those drop brackets help the rear end. Guys at zone told me to get the hellwig rear sway bar at a minimum but if not eibach front and rear sways. That should help some body roll for driving around town. Could dump the stock shocks and go for 5100s up front with RCX UCAs plus 5160s in the rear.
 

Tim Quigley

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Okay so stupid question if I wanted to do a full 2.5 lift would I have to get a 2 in for the rear to be level?
 

01Konvict

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No depends on your current height. Measure ground to each fender on level ground to determine needed height. Most times its 1" rear for 2.5" front.
 

FatDog

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Escalade Premium Package with a "Suspension Maxx" 1.5 front level lift.

Here's a link to the product info,
https://www.suspensionmaxx.com/store/product/SMX-GM715
Great guys to deal with you have any questions.

Super Easy to install, did everything my self from start to finish (including getting and putting tools away) in about 45 min. After the install, a quick front end alignment and you are done!! Big improvement over stock with regard to the look!! Personally, this is the way they should come from the factory.

Escalade.jpg
 

battlewagon

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It appears you have a platinum package, not premium.

I like the flag sir. Are you going to do anything with bigger tires or just keep them the same?
 

FatDog

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Thanks,

But it is actually the "Premium" package.

The Platinum has the all silver grill, chrome on the side moldings, chrome fender vents, chrome door handles and the wheels are chrome. The interior is also different on a Platinum as it has the upgraded seats.

The Premium has the two tone, painted / chrome grill, painted side molding, two tone fender vents, painted door handles, two tone wheels and standard interior.

The both come with the upgraded headlights and tail lights with the smoke lenses and I'm pretty sure the Platinum has the dual exhaust like I have.

At any rate, I wanted the Platinum but settled for a Premium, which has been great!!!

As far as tires, I'll run these down and then cross that bridge, but I wouldn't mind going at least a little bigger.
 

battlewagon

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Learn something every day, did not know those headlights were available on anything other than a Platinum. I wanted a Platinum, put a deposit on one, flew 9 hours away and showed up at the dealer, and they sold it. So I bought this Suburban
 

Burb!!

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Just picked up from the shop.
2008 Z71 Suburban
Rough Country 7.5"
Eagle Alloy Series 050 20" (Made in MURICA)
35x12.50x20 Nitto Trail Grappler Mud Terrains

Great install by my usual shop. However truck is nearly non-drivable at anything above 50. Floats so badly, and is impossible to drive in a straight line. Constant corrections on the steering wheel, and was positive I was going to be stopped by a Trooper for DUI since I was all over the lane.

I've ordered ProComp rear lower control arm drop brackets to try to get the rear lower arms at a better angle, and push the rear axle back, but the correct solution to that will likely be longer upper and lower rear control arms.

Wheel spacers arrive today to try to get the front and rear wheels in line which may help with tracking.

However, I believe the issue is simply going to be front OEM suspension parts that are worn (130K miles) that weren't an issue before, but are now due to the lift.

Lift shop did alignment, specs are spot on, GM master tech friend looked at my alignment sheet and said it is perfect.

Anyone have recommendations on where to start tackling this issue, whether with aftermarket parts or what OEM front end suspension parts? I can only drive this thing to the grocery store and gym, since speed limit is 45MPH between home and there.

View attachment 65069


View attachment 65070

EDIT:

Added this photo, you can see the horrible rear axle position from the lift kit. Why they don't include the necessary control arms or brackets to extend stock arms is beyond me. I guess they wanted to make a cost effective kit that comes in below the competitors, which is fine because the kit is otherwise very good quality, but to me this is no different than a car dealership taking off the wheels of a car to undercut another dealer's price. Sure, it is cheaper, but the product being sold is now undrivable. I would rather have paid more and have a ready-to-roll vehicle.

The rear tires are pushed up against the plastic surrounding the Z71 specific running boards.

View attachment 65071
Looks good, how are the front and rear sway bars? My truck started doing that all of a sudden and it turns out my front sway bar link was broken. What are your ground to fender heights?

Sent from my LG-H900 using Tapatalk
 

battlewagon

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Looks good, how are the front and rear sway bars? My truck started doing that all of a sudden and it turns out my front sway bar link was broken. What are your ground to fender heights?

Sent from my LG-H900 using Tapatalk
Yes that is definitely something I am going to check. And by check I mean the lift shop. Going to bring it by and let them once it over for stock suspension parts. I have the rear sway bar drop brackets in that I may have them put on to try to get the rear wheels centered.

I will measure fenders tomorrow.
 

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