Newbie Here ....

[dsh1106]

Welcome to the forum from Iowa.

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

Welcome from NH.

I cannot personally help you with your question, but I'm confident the there are some folks on this Forum who be able to give you their perspectives.

Thanks for the warm welcome !!!

I see lots of nice rides here!
I hope to upgrade my 2017 Tahoe in appearance and stance. My last lifted vehicle was a 1979 Blazer, 6" suspension lift, 2" body lift, running 36 x 12.5's, That was 30 years and 4 kids ago. I won't go that radical on the Tahoe but I would like to get some ground clearance on this ride. It also appears life was a lot easier back in the 80's when it comes to lifting these rides.

What have I got myself into ???

Scott

 

[BourbonNcigars]

My last lifted vehicle was a 1979 Blazer, 6" suspension lift, 2" body lift, running 36 x 12.5's

Hopefully this doesn't come off as too forward....but that got me physically aroused.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. It's the best automotive forum on the interwebz as far as people go.

 

[dsh1106]

Hopefully this doesn't come off as too forward....but that got me physically aroused.

Oh, and welcome to the forum. It's the best automotive forum on the interwebz as far as people go.

BAH BAH BAH, No Worries at all !!!!

Those were the days, the only limits were the PO/PO without a sense of humor !!!

 

[Oh Kee Pah]

WELCOME!
I have a '15 Tahoe LTZ and wanted more off-road capability via increased clearance and tire upgrade, maintain a fairly comfortable ride and still have my 5 yo daughter be able to get in & out of the rig safely

So...w/ the LTZ I have the magneride suspension and that opened a whole new can of worms. You're in a great position with your trim levels for getting your Tahoe up off the ground.
BUDGET - that's a major point here. Have you established a level that you are willing to spend?
After all I have gone through I have decided that my next vehicle there will be no messing around and go with the pros. That is, an engineered solution to my needs. That being said, I have the following recommendation for you. This is a full solution that is engineered for performance.

BDS Suspension
4" Lift - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019
4" Lift w/ Coilovers - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019
6" Lift - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019
6" Lift w/ Coilovers - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019

The coilovers BDS is using are FOX 2.5 w; remote reservoir. You might be able to speak with the company and have them use the FOX 2.0 Adjustable Coilovers...that could save some $. IMO, the 2.5's are a bit much unless you are actually going off-road more than 25% of your driving. Or perhaps drive on A LOT of dirt roads in your daily work.

I believe you had mentioned wanting to keep your OEM wheels. Going with the 12.5" tire will probably require backspacing to prevent any rubbing. Either wheel spacers or new wheels. I would say choosing new wheels would make life MUCH easier when doing either 4" or 6" lift. The amount of backspacing needed would really push the outer edge of the wheel past the fender with a wheel spacer, you will certainly be spraying junk all over the side of your truck. And I do believe that wheel spacers can be potentially hazardous, depending on what kind of driving conditions/obstacles you put your truck through.
I really like the Black Rhino wheels - great off-road rugged look. Purchasing NEW wheels would also give you the option of moving to an 18" instead of the 20". That's my final mod on my rig. I think the extra rubber you get from moving down in wheel size has multiple benefits. Better off-road performance via increased sidewall, better handling/smoother ride at speed and over bumps. Plus 34-35" tires on 18s look GREAT on our Tahoes!

Good luck on your search...welcome again and HAPPY TRAILS!

 

[dsh1106]

WELCOME!
I have a '15 Tahoe LTZ and wanted more off-road capability via increased clearance and tire upgrade, maintain a fairly comfortable ride and still have my 5 yo daughter be able to get in & out of the rig safely

So...w/ the LTZ I have the magneride suspension and that opened a whole new can of worms. You're in a great position with your trim levels for getting your Tahoe up off the ground.
BUDGET - that's a major point here. Have you established a level that you are willing to spend?
After all I have gone through I have decided that my next vehicle there will be no messing around and go with the pros. That is, an engineered solution to my needs. That being said, I have the following recommendation for you. This is a full solution that is engineered for performance.

BDS Suspension
4" Lift - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019
4" Lift w/ Coilovers - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019
6" Lift - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019
6" Lift w/ Coilovers - https://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=9&ty=1&yr=2015-2019

The coilovers BDS is using are FOX 2.5 w; remote reservoir. You might be able to speak with the company and have them use the FOX 2.0 Adjustable Coilovers...that could save some $. IMO, the 2.5's are a bit much unless you are actually going off-road more than 25% of your driving. Or perhaps drive on A LOT of dirt roads in your daily work.

I believe you had mentioned wanting to keep your OEM wheels. Going with the 12.5" tire will probably require backspacing to prevent any rubbing. Either wheel spacers or new wheels. I would say choosing new wheels would make life MUCH easier when doing either 4" or 6" lift. The amount of backspacing needed would really push the outer edge of the wheel past the fender with a wheel spacer, you will certainly be spraying junk all over the side of your truck. And I do believe that wheel spacers can be potentially hazardous, depending on what kind of driving conditions/obstacles you put your truck through.
I really like the Black Rhino wheels - great off-road rugged look. Purchasing NEW wheels would also give you the option of moving to an 18" instead of the 20". That's my final mod on my rig. I think the extra rubber you get from moving down in wheel size has multiple benefits. Better off-road performance via increased sidewall, better handling/smoother ride at speed and over bumps. Plus 34-35" tires on 18s look GREAT on our Tahoes!

Good luck on your search...welcome again and HAPPY TRAILS!

Thanks for the insight and the info. You've promoted me to ask and answer a few questions.

What's my goal - increased off road ground clearance, decent ride comfort and reliability.
What's my budget - I would say something in the 5K range.

Where am I in the process - researching - 4" and 6" lifts, still sorting things out on which vendor is better??
Wheels, from the research I've done, I can't use the factory wheels with any of the lifts larger than 4".
What's my wheel choice - 18" Fuel Assault would be my choice, not sure of the offset.

Thanks for your recommendations

Scott

 

[OR VietVet]

Thanks for the warm welcome !!!

I see lots of nice rides here!
I hope to upgrade my 2017 Tahoe in appearance and stance. My last lifted vehicle was a 1979 Blazer, 6" suspension lift, 2" body lift, running 36 x 12.5's, That was 30 years and 4 kids ago. I won't go that radical on the Tahoe but I would like to get some ground clearance on this ride. It also appears life was a lot easier back in the 80's when it comes to lifting these rides.

What have I got myself into ???

Scott

Oh, the memories. I had a 73 Blazer that I did 6" of lift to, all springs, 38" Super Swamper tires, Dana 60 front axle and GM 14 bolt full float axle on the rear, 4.88 gears, Detroit Lockers at both ends, hydraulic ram assist steering, full aluminum radiator with electric fans, 400 small block punched out to 406 ci, throttle body fuel injection, full roll cage, line lock on the brakes when needed, turbo 400 motorhome trans with the special gears that were cut differently for strength-forget what they were called, gear to gear transfer case from Atlas if my memory is correct and to top it all off a rattle can black paint job and was nicknamed BRUTUS. Many more add ons but forget the rest of the list. And just like Stephen says, yea, I get a ***** every time I think of the places I took that thing. Almost forgot, I had a winch set up that allowed me to winch from either end, a Warn 12k winch with fiber line on the spool.

 

[olyelr]

Oh, the memories. I had a 73 Blazer that I did 6" of lift to, all springs, 38" Super Swamper tires, Dana 60 front axle and GM 14 bolt full float axle on the rear, 4.88 gears, Detroit Lockers at both ends, hydraulic ram assist steering, full aluminum radiator with electric fans, 400 small block punched out to 406 ci, throttle body fuel injection, full roll cage, line lock on the brakes when needed, turbo 400 motorhome trans with the special gears that were cut differently for strength-forget what they were called, gear to gear transfer case from Atlas if my memory is correct and to top it all off a rattle can black paint job and was nicknamed BRUTUS. Many more add ons but forget the rest of the list. And just like Stephen says, yea, I get a ***** every time I think of the places I took that thing. Almost forgot, I had a winch set up that allowed me to winch from either end, a Warn 12k winch with fiber line on the spool.

Sounds badass!

The winch setup...from both ends, with one winch?! More info!

 

[OR VietVet]

The front had a front receiver and so did the rear and the winch itself was mounted on a rack that slid in them and pinned and had cables ran to the front and rear to just plug in at each end. I had 2 batteries under the hood with a high amp alternator. I had the electric fans on an on/off switch so I could turn on when I wanted to. If I was crossing a creek or any tall enough water I turned them off. The aluminum radiator had 2 cores but were the same width as a 4 core radiator. I was with a 4x4 club here in Oregon and when we would be on the trails here or at Moab my rig was the one that was sent to pull someone out of a jam. I would just hook up and tell them to hang on. Lots of fun and good times. Then after I had back surgery and was told to lay off my Harley's for a couple years, that time went by and I sold BRUTUS and got another FatBoy Harley. The new 30th anniversary FatBoy is calling my name but at a base price of just over $20k, it will have to wait.

 

[cireallin]

Howdy folks!!

Newbie here, lots of nice looking rides here.
I have both a 2017 Yukon-SLT and a 2017 Tahoe-LS, I want to lift the Tahoe. I'm not new to this world, but I am new to this platform. All of my previous experience lifting these vehicles is limited to the GM K series.

What should I be looking at to get a set of 33 x 12.5 on my Tahoe without doing a lot of cutting to body?
I would prefer to keep my stock 18" wheels, but from what I've read this isn't possible, is that correct?

Thanks
Scott

You can fit a 33x12.50 with a leveling kit.