Need lifting suggestions

[KSwizzy]

I just bought a 09 Tahoe z71. (Took a lot of tears to separate from an 07 SRT8 Grand Cherokee) Looking to be able to finally drive over a curb if i want to.

My plan is for a nice set of black 20's with 30" + tires. What am I going to need to make that happen with a good wheel well filling look that wont rub or cause any issues. It will also be used to travel quite often so I would like to not affect the overall comfort of the ride or cause an annoying amount of road noise.

I've looked at such things as the truxx lift kits, but i see a lot of people saying 2" is pushing it for a spacer. Though i would like to stay away from the $1,000 an up kits.

Hopefully theres someone that can answer these questions. I'm aware many of them contradict each other somewhat. Just trying to overthink it all before i spend the money and effort and dont like something.

Thanks

 

[Modded]

Welsome along.
Since you want the "beefier look"" I would say run a 20" wheel with 33" tires (Nitto Terra Grapplers maybe)and a 2" spacer up front, and probably one out back too. Keep in mind you can run a spacer and Maybe some 1" lift shocks up front (Maybe Bilstein 5100) to get 3" of lift up front, and 1-2" of spacer lift out back.
There should be no rubbing issues then, check out www.4wheelonline.com for some of this stuff.
Problem is most off road tires will cause road noise becaus eof the tread design, can't avoid that?

 

[InTruckDesign]

I would recommend that you go with 2.5" up front using either a spacer(CCM,ReadyLift,Zone Offroad) or a combination of small spacer and height adjustable shock(Rancho Quicklift, Bilstein, Belltech). For the rear go with a 1" coil spacer.
With this combo you can fit 33's, but you will have to keep the tire width close to stock such as a 275/60-20...to fit a wider tire 305/55-20 you will need to trim both some plastic and alittle metal, many have done this its not as bad as it may sound. A good compromise between the to would be a 285/55-20 which would fit on stock wheels, but may require some plastic trimming on aftermarket wheels.
Your best bet is to stick with an all-terrain style tread design to keep road noise to a minimum yet still provide a good "look" and good performance. I run Nitto TerraGrappler's on my tahoe and travel with it just about every weekend(200+ miles) and it is louder than stock, but not an annoying level.
that should get you started, post if you need more info.

 

[Timgco]

TRUXX kit is a 2.5" front spacers and 1.5" rear.
Rides like stock. You don;t have to change your shocks out. You will need a front end alignment though.

You can fit 33" tires on there with zero rubbing....even off road. My wheels are 17 x 9 XD Hoss with 5.5" back space. Tires are 285 (33") bfg at's.

..although I need to go see max so I can get my 35's on there.





---------- Post added at 10:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 PM ----------

side shot.


..and just becasue we got the grille painted and dent fixed.

 

[Zed 71]

^ +1

2.5" up front and 1.5" rear. Not sure who told you 2" front max, and 1" rear would be too small. With a 1" rear, the truck would sit level but if you have a load or passengers they you will get the Cali lean.

BTW, nice truck Timgco . I like that you went with a smaller diameter wheel and more tire.

 

[KSwizzy]

Thanks for the replys. I really like the looks of yours Timgco, i hope to do something simeral with my white one.

So from what i understand something like the truxx 2.5" front, 1.25" rear lift would work well for me. then possibly picking up a set of shocks for some additional height if i wanted.

Sounds like 2.5" should allow me to hold around a 20" wheel with a 33" tire and i might have to push in the fender wells. The more i look at costs it seems like an 18" wheel would save me some money and let me do what i want on tire size without having to worry about trimming. Am i correct in this thought?

I'm looking at the KMC Swindle wheels as a possibility. Is this something you think would fit the look or should i look more towards wheels like timgco. I think i plan to go with a tire similar to the bfg a/t or terra grappler.

Timgco, do you know what the part # on you truxx kit was? And how did you do your black bowtie? Decal? or something else?

 

[InTruckDesign]

Just a quick pic of mine...CCM 2.5" front spacer with 1" rear coil spacer wheels are 20x8.5" with 305/55-20 Nitto TerraGrapplers

 

[KSwizzy]

You and Timgco's are basically the same lift height just you have more wheel and tire filling up the fender well?

How dark are your windows on there? Can you see backing up at night good enough?

 

[Cartwright]

You could always put a 1.5" or 2" up front and go with a 2-3" BL. Then throw on some 33/12.50's on some 20's. Would look good.

 

[KSwizzy]

That would have more of nose down stance if you went that high in the back right? I cant even remember how level mine is sitting stock. Been out of town since i bought it. The Z71's sit the same as the standard tahoes correct?