Traxda Front/Rear Lift Kit

[joltman]

Anyone have any experience with this lift kit? I've got a quote from High Country Performance in Englewood CO that would level/raise my '02 Hoe. They've also quoted 4 XD 128 Machete wheels and 4 BF Goodrich LT285/70R17 tires for mild off roading.

I'm concerned about how high the truck will be after the lift. I still want it to park in a garage and parking garage. Guess I'll have to measure at a parking garage to see how much clearance I have.

The other concern is the spare tire. I don't like the idea of hitting the road or trail without a spare. I don't think I could fit this tire size in the spare location. Does anyone have experience with that? What about the stock lift jack? Would that work on a raised vehicle, or would I need a different jack? Thanks!

 

[hoss08]

My 04 Escalade has 2.5-3 inch lift keys and a 2.5 spacer in the rear, Its sitting on 33x12.50x20s and it fits in my garage. I just have a standard size 2 car garage door on the side I park the truck, I think its 7 ft. Its a little close but its not scary close or anything. You should fit in parking garages just fine. My company truck is a dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 that's leveled, its slightly taller than my Esky and I've had that in parking garages all the time, only thing that's ever hit was my CB whip. As for a spare I doubt that will fit under there, you aren't really going that much bigger than stock anyway so as long as your truck is not AWD you'd be able to limp it home on your factory spare as long as you keep it in 2wd and put the spare up front. That would be a real pain if you got a flat in the rear though, personally id just call AAA. Your really not going to be gaining all that much height with that setup so the stock jack would work in a pinch if you really trust scissor jacks. I personally have seen 2 break right in front of me, the 2nd time the car almost fell on me. I was using them on the car that the jack came with too so its not like I over loaded them. In the long run I'd just say get a AAA membership and a big can of fix a flat for dire a emergency, that's what I do with the Esky and I wouldn't hesitate to go anywhere.

 

[Big Buttons]

A lift key setup will ride poor and but all of the front suspension in bad angles.

 

[joltman]

A lift key setup will ride poor and but all of the front suspension in bad angles.

I've heard that from some other people. What would you recommend? A full lift kit? Thanks!

---------- Post added at 08:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 AM ----------

My 04 Escalade has 2.5-3 inch lift keys and a 2.5 spacer in the rear, Its sitting on 33x12.50x20s and it fits in my garage. I just have a standard size 2 car garage door on the side I park the truck, I think its 7 ft. Its a little close but its not scary close or anything. You should fit in parking garages just fine. My company truck is a dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 that's leveled, its slightly taller than my Esky and I've had that in parking garages all the time, only thing that's ever hit was my CB whip. As for a spare I doubt that will fit under there, you aren't really going that much bigger than stock anyway so as long as your truck is not AWD you'd be able to limp it home on your factory spare as long as you keep it in 2wd and put the spare up front. That would be a real pain if you got a flat in the rear though, personally id just call AAA. Your really not going to be gaining all that much height with that setup so the stock jack would work in a pinch if you really trust scissor jacks. I personally have seen 2 break right in front of me, the 2nd time the car almost fell on me. I was using them on the car that the jack came with too so its not like I over loaded them. In the long run I'd just say get a AAA membership and a big can of fix a flat for dire a emergency, that's what I do with the Esky and I wouldn't hesitate to go anywhere.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like if I go this route, I shouldn't have a problem fitting in a garage. Guess the roof rack is out. I'll have to start saving for the rear bumper with spare tire arm.

 

[jough]

A normal residential garage has a 7' height. You might need a couple of inches for snow accumulation at the door.

 

[hoss08]

A normal residential garage has a 7' height. You might need a couple of inches for snow accumulation at the door.

I'd say I have 3 or 4 inches of clearance between my light bar and that garage door. We had some pretty bad snow this year and luckily that never caused a clearance issue, the over hang of the roof kept the snow from packing up in front of the door, that and I plowed it pretty regularly. As long you keep up on the snow you should be fine. Backing out through a heavy fresh snow fall shouldn't be an issue either, it'd just be letting it build up and packing it down that'll get ya. As for the ride quality, its not that bad as long as you run some decent shocks and don't go crazy with the keys. It'll ride more like truck but its still better than what my 3/4 ton rides like empty. The only way to get a "full" kit would be going with a 6 inch lift, all your other "kits" are going to use keys for lift unless your 2wd. If your 2wd you could go with spindles and retain your current ride quality. I can pretty much guarantee you the truck isn't going to fit in the garage with 6 inches of lift in your standard size garage. The only other option with out going too crazy is a body lift. I personally would NEVER do another body lift on one of my trucks again. They are a huge headache to install. But then again if your having a shop do it, mention the idea and see if they would even be willing to do it and what they'd charge. You'll keep your current ride quality and a factory suspension geometry with the BL.

 

[jough]

I agree on not doing body lifts. Keys & spacers are a better option that a body lift, at least to me.

 

[joltman]

I'd say I have 3 or 4 inches of clearance between my light bar and that garage door. We had some pretty bad snow this year and luckily that never caused a clearance issue, the over hang of the roof kept the snow from packing up in front of the door, that and I plowed it pretty regularly. As long you keep up on the snow you should be fine. Backing out through a heavy fresh snow fall shouldn't be an issue either, it'd just be letting it build up and packing it down that'll get ya. As for the ride quality, its not that bad as long as you run some decent shocks and don't go crazy with the keys. It'll ride more like truck but its still better than what my 3/4 ton rides like empty. The only way to get a "full" kit would be going with a 6 inch lift, all your other "kits" are going to use keys for lift unless your 2wd. If your 2wd you could go with spindles and retain your current ride quality. I can pretty much guarantee you the truck isn't going to fit in the garage with 6 inches of lift in your standard size garage. The only other option with out going too crazy is a body lift. I personally would NEVER do another body lift on one of my trucks again. They are a huge headache to install. But then again if your having a shop do it, mention the idea and see if they would even be willing to do it and what they'd charge. You'll keep your current ride quality and a factory suspension geometry with the BL.

Thanks for the input! The body lift was never anything I considered. I'd much rather have the additional height from the suspension keys.

I have a 4WD Tahoe, so it sounds like keys and spacers are the way to go. I have some Bilstein 5100 shocks that I threw in the 'Hoe when I ripped out the AutoRide cr@p. They're the correct model that can handle the lift I'm considering.

Several people have said it'll ride rougher. The person above is the first time I've heard that ride compared to a "truck". I think I would be OK with that. Right now, I'm not comfortable buying this lift kit, and 4 wheels & tires. I don't like the idea of having a flat and having to play "musical tires" just to get to the next town. I think the answer is a tire gate on the 'Hoe with a 5th wheel/tire. That means this whole project will have to be placed on hold for a while. No problem. I can do some other upgrades. Thanks to all for your advice!

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Thanks for the input! The body lift was never anything I considered. I'd much rather have the additional height from the suspension keys.

I have a 4WD Tahoe, so it sounds like keys and spacers are the way to go. I have some Bilstein 5100 shocks that I threw in the 'Hoe when I ripped out the AutoRide cr@p. They're the correct model that can handle the lift I'm considering.

Several people have said it'll ride rougher. The person above is the first time I've heard that ride compared to a "truck". I think I would be OK with that. Right now, I'm not comfortable buying this lift kit, and 4 wheels & tires. I don't like the idea of having a flat and having to play "musical tires" just to get to the next town. I think the answer is a tire gate on the 'Hoe with a 5th wheel/tire. That means this whole project will have to be placed on hold for a while. No problem. I can do some other upgrades. Thanks to all for your advice!

Basically you lose droop or suspension down travel with keys, and increase the spring rate or stiffness. A significant amount can result in a rough ride if your front tires lose contact with the road often. I had a 99 F150 with maxed keys and LT285's and KYB monomax shocks, and yes it rode a bit more rough than stock, but not in a dangerous way.

This member recently deleted autoride and added key/spacer lift + bilsteins and thinks that the ride improved dramatically.

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69900

 

[joltman]

Basically you lose droop or suspension down travel with keys, and increase the spring rate or stiffness. A significant amount can result in a rough ride if your front tires lose contact with the road often. I had a 99 F150 with maxed keys and LT285's and KYB monomax shocks, and yes it rode a bit more rough than stock, but not in a dangerous way.

This member recently deleted autoride and added key/spacer lift + bilsteins and thinks that the ride improved dramatically.

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69900

Thanks for the link! Checking it out now.