2003 z71 lift

[Xtremegmc80]

i want to lift my z71 a bit and cheap as i can. i already cranked the torsion bar all the way up, good quality shocks, etc, and the rear is new good quality shocks with coil over it. sits pretty level.. i want to go a bit higher, i was thinkin abt 2500 hd rear springs on this with same half ton block already on. and the front, change the keys .. wonder if this is good?? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250078961680&rd=1
or get a ford keys?? any of u guys got any other tricks to lift the truck? im tryin to stay away from body lift. i would do a 1 inch body lift myself.. just tryin to stay away from them and see what u guys have in mind.

reason i want to know is im getting a 285 75 16 from general grabber at2. so i want to get my truck another inch to 2 higher. let me know what u guys have in mind. thanks... this is my truck with 265 75 16 on them now..

 

[tomford]

i think that you would be able to fit 285's on it as it sits, i have an 02 reg. cab long bed z71 and i have brand new 285's on it, with no rubbing or anything, ill get some pics tomorrow

Tom

 

[Cajun4x4]

you can fit 285s bone stock

 

[sweetk30]

i work automechanics and hate cranked bars and rekeyed bars. thay ride like crap and beat the heck out of the front ends. just get a master 3" body lift with gap gaurds and bumper brackets and 2-3 cans of black under coat for the frame rails and be done with it.

 

[kwissman]

One of my friends did the replacement keys. The upper a arm is almost resting on the stop for down travel. It rides like crap and he is not happy. I am pretty sure the 285s will fit. It will depend on the offset of your wheels. If you have them sticking out they might rub on the plastic inner fender. If you keep the wheel centered like the factory ones it should be ok.

 

[Cajun4x4]

you dont even need to touch the t-bars to fit 285s

my buddy is running 305/70/R17s (34"s) on his 06 with no crank and no trimming...

 

[AJMBLAZER]

From past experience messing with GM torsion bar 4x4's just put the 285's on the stock rims and call it good. If you want bigger regear it, put a 3" body lift on, and run 315's on 16x8's. Then start saving for a SAS after the front end explodes or the Grenade Lock takes the ring and pinion with it.

Oh yeah, as far as good shocks go GM had it right with the Bilstein HD's that the Z71's USED to get.

 

[Xtremegmc80]

you dont even need to touch the t-bars to fit 285s

my buddy is running 305/70/R17s (34"s) on his 06 with no crank and no trimming...

damn.. nice truck... so i should be good with 285s.. i think my plan is 1 inch body lift. and crank down the torsion bar a lil bit.. maybe it'll ride smoother...

 

[Xtremegmc80]

i think that you would be able to fit 285's on it as it sits, i have an 02 reg. cab long bed z71 and i have brand new 285's on it, with no rubbing or anything, ill get some pics tomorrow

Tom

ever get the pictures??

 

[Xtremegmc80]

From past experience messing with GM torsion bar 4x4's just put the 285's on the stock rims and call it good. If you want bigger regear it, put a 3" body lift on, and run 315's on 16x8's. Then start saving for a SAS after the front end explodes or the Grenade Lock takes the ring and pinion with it.

Oh yeah, as far as good shocks go GM had it right with the Bilstein HD's that the Z71's USED to get.

i want to do a sas on my truck but i dont think that'll happen.. cause once i get a diesel in my 80 gmc, that will be my dd/ trail beater, and the silverado goes to my finacee, will be my towrig aswell... since my finacee gave me a ok to drive over her saturn 2001 only 62 k miles and POS! .. been at the shop for 4 months, still not fixed..

 

[AJMBLAZER]

damn.. nice truck... so i should be good with 285s.. i think my plan is 1 inch body lift. and crank down the torsion bar a lil bit.. maybe it'll ride smoother...

Yes that is a secksy truck.


Don't touch the suspension. Shocks and such. No offense to you guys but it's like a can of worms when you mess with these GM IFS trucks.


No sir, don't miss those days at all.

 

[Xtremegmc80]

Yes that is a secksy truck.


Don't touch the suspension. Shocks and such. No offense to you guys but it's like a can of worms when you mess with these GM IFS trucks.


No sir, don't miss those days at all.

i already did.. cranked up thats why i say ill crank it down.., and i got a 400 dollars shocks on my truck, but with discount its 200 for all 4.. otherwise with out discount will be 100 bucks per shocks. my plan is complete frontend rebuild when i get the 80 gmc on the road..

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Now ya done it.

I spent so much time and money on my '92's front end that I could have just gotten a SAS to start with.

Buy a purty IFS truck and DD it. Leave it alone other than larger tires and better shocks. That's about what they expect to be done with them and they build them for that unfortunately.

 

[tomford]

no i havent got the pics yet, i gotta find the camera, but today ill get some

Tom

 

[gmc4cw]

its not often I will say this. DON'T LIFT IT! I have a 3" body lift, cranked bars and 305's on mine. its not a Z71 though. it looks good, rides OK and wheels nice for a longbed. But every time I hook my trailer to it I contemplate swapping the 245 back on for more grunt.

your girl is not the tallest person, making the truck bigger and letting her drive it daily is not right.

stick with the stock tire size. you have an old truck you can lift to the sky if you want. I will never again lift an IFS truck or my tow rig.