Z55 AWD Yukon Denali Lift

[Pointer 21]

With the help of @swathdiver and a few other members I recently replaced ALL the suspension components with OEM (uppers, lowers, ball joints, springs, shocks, air compressor) on my 12' AWD Yukon with 165K miles.

I'd like to add a small lift (say 3 - 3 1/2 inches) as well as larger tires to my OEM 22's. I don't plan on heavy off roading; however, I do get in the mud when out on the ranch (not intentionally but it happens).

Without sacrificing too much on the ride and not completely wasting the money spent on the stock suspension - Do I have any options for achieving this height?

I know a leveling kit with fender cut outs can yield 33's but I'd like to get a little more height as well...


Appreciate any and all suggestions.

 

[gooffeyguy]

You can achieve that with rear spring and front strut spacer blocks, but usually with anything over 2-2.5" you'd want to use upper control arms that have different ball joint angles so you don't wear them out quickly.

You will also need longer sensor rods for the autolevel.

 

[Pointer 21]

You can achieve that with rear spring and front strut spacer blocks, but usually with anything over 2-2.5" you'd want to use upper control arms that have different ball joint angles so you don't wear them out quickly.

You will also need longer sensor rods for the autolevel.

Any specific brands or a place to look? If you extend the uppers and ball joints is this easier on the vehicle than adding a level and leaving the rest stock?

 

[swathdiver]

A 4 inch lift may be better in that it provides new spindles and brackets to drop the lower control arms and front differential. The strut assemblies can either use a spacer on top or the shock replaced with a longer one.

There are lots of build threads on here of guys doing this such as, Randy's thread, @randeez

Randeez 2012 Budget Yukon Denali Build (stick on hood scoops galore)

Mall crawler Poser!

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

These guys also come to mind: @gmartin1215 @Dustin Jackson @87carl @Rockcrawler11 @Tozan @Marshall 008 @Oh Kee Pah @mrpeterclark

 

[Dustin Jackson]

Any specific brands or a place to look? If you extend the uppers and ball joints is this easier on the vehicle than adding a level and leaving the rest stock?

@Pointer 21 Rough Country, Kryptonite, and freedom off-road are a few I can think of that make control arms for lifted Tahoes. These aftermarket control arms really do help the balljoint angle and give the suspension longer travel depending on the rest of front suspension.

It’s safe to say that you can lift 2 inches and keep things stock you’ll be fine but once you reach 3 inches you’ll reach the maximum extent of the stock front upper balljoints, front CV axles, rear panhard bar, rear shocks, rear swaybar end links, and I recommend addressing all of those if you want to do get the best experience of a 3 inch lift.

 

[Pointer 21]

@Dustin Jackson @swathdiver @gooffeyguy - Considering I went backwards by installing all OEM stock suspension (2 months ago). What makes the most sense without scrapping too much in new parts? I don't HAVE to lift the vehicle; however, I'm due up for tires and an upgrade would be nice. Should I consider deleting the auto ride? My tires aren't in great shape but overall the truck isn't riding like it did off the showroom floor for the money that was spent....might just be the cracked dash making it seem worse. LOL

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Dustin Jackson @swathdiver @gooffeyguy - Considering I went backwards by installing all OEM stock suspension (2 months ago). What makes the most sense without scrapping too much in new parts? I don't HAVE to lift the vehicle; however, I'm due up for tires and an upgrade would be nice. Should I consider deleting the auto ride? My tires aren't in great shape but overall the truck isn't riding like it did off the showroom floor for the money that was spent....might just be the cracked dash making it seem worse. LOL

@Pointer 21 I vote to lift 2 inches and get some 32 inch tires so all the new parts you put on recently don’t go to waste. I believe you can modify the auto ride system to accommodate a mild 2 inch lift. I think this would be the simplest route

 

[gooffeyguy]

I agree with Dustin Jackson. Just do a 2" spacer lift front and rear and then replace the height sensor rods with longer stainless steel #10-24 threaded rod. Mark the sensor and frame before installing lift blocks so afterwards you can figure out the rod length you need to get the sensors back, or close to, original position. If you have a Tech2 or know someone that does, it can be used to re-zero the ride height sensors when done.

If lifting the rear with 2" or 3" spring blocks you might want to look for some shock bracket extensions also, so not to cause the rear shocks to over-travel

Some of the 2" front kits come with a bracket to add length to the front sensor rods. These kits are usually marketed for vehicles with Magnaride suspension, but the sensor and brackets are the same and work on the AutoLevel systems.

Here are sensor rod brackets from MotoFab. They may work on the rear also....

denali leveling kit,lift kit for gmc denali,magnaride,leveling kit for magnaride,lift kit for magnaride,magnaride leveling kit,yukon leveling kit

denali leveling kit,lift kit for gmc denali,magnaride,leveling kit for magnaride,lift kit for magnaride,magnaride leveling kit,yukon leveling kit

motofablifts.com

Rough Country has a 2" front kit that includes the rod brackets also, but they list it for '14-18 Denali's with Magnaride...

2 Inch Leveling Kit | Magneride | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 2WD/4WD (2014-2018)

2 Inch Leveling Kit | Magneride | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 2WD/4WD (2014-2018)

www.roughcountry.com

These are just a couple ideas

 

[Joseph Garcia]

With the help of @swathdiver and a few other members I recently replaced ALL the suspension components with OEM (uppers, lowers, ball joints, springs, shocks, air compressor) on my 12' AWD Yukon with 165K miles.

I'd like to add a small lift (say 3 - 3 1/2 inches) as well as larger tires to my OEM 22's. I don't plan on heavy off roading; however, I do get in the mud when out on the ranch (not intentionally but it happens).

Without sacrificing too much on the ride and not completely wasting the money spent on the stock suspension - Do I have any options for achieving this height?

I know a leveling kit with fender cut outs can yield 33's but I'd like to get a little more height as well...


Appreciate any and all suggestions.

Then you say 'larger' tires, specifically what do you mean? Taller tire, Wider tire, Both?

You could go to a 305/45x22 tire right now with your replaced stock suspension.

 

[Pointer 21]

Then you say 'larger' tires, specifically what do you mean? Taller tire, Wider tire, Both?

You could go to a 305/45x22 tire right now with your replaced stock suspension.

I agree with Dustin Jackson. Just do a 2" spacer lift front and rear and then replace the height sensor rods with longer stainless steel #10-24 threaded rod. Mark the sensor and frame before installing lift blocks so afterwards you can figure out the rod length you need to get the sensors back, or close to, original position. If you have a Tech2 or know someone that does, it can be used to re-zero the ride height sensors when done.

If lifting the rear with 2" or 3" spring blocks you might want to look for some shock bracket extensions also, so not to cause the rear shocks to over-travel

Some of the 2" front kits come with a bracket to add length to the front sensor rods. These kits are usually marketed for vehicles with Magnaride suspension, but the sensor and brackets are the same and work on the AutoLevel systems.

Here are sensor rod brackets from MotoFab. They may work on the rear also....

denali leveling kit,lift kit for gmc denali,magnaride,leveling kit for magnaride,lift kit for magnaride,magnaride leveling kit,yukon leveling kit

denali leveling kit,lift kit for gmc denali,magnaride,leveling kit for magnaride,lift kit for magnaride,magnaride leveling kit,yukon leveling kit

motofablifts.com

Rough Country has a 2" front kit that includes the rod brackets also, but they list it for '14-18 Denali's with Magnaride...

2 Inch Leveling Kit | Magneride | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 2WD/4WD (2014-2018)

2 Inch Leveling Kit | Magneride | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 2WD/4WD (2014-2018)

www.roughcountry.com

These are just a couple ideas

I appreciate all the info fellas!

I did some research and thought I'd look further into:

moto fab- 2.5 fr/1.5r
with
285/50/22

Sounded good except for the price hike from the 285/45/22 (2nd set of Dueller's) I will be replacing. Not sure its THAT much of an upgrade...

I do think 305/45/22 would be a good compromise; however, I really want the height on the vehicle to be proportional to the amount of tire added (both height and width).