New member with a Q re: level kit and body lift.

Hi!

New member and owner of a (dirty) '08 Tahoe LT 2WD.



Not a bad truck, though in my opinion it looks like a grocery fetching mommy mobile. While this may very well be its true purpose, Id rather it not look that way. My goal is to give it more of an aggressive look, reminiscent of the Ram 1500 I ran around in before children! However, it still needs to be slightly practical. As you can see Ive replaced the stock running boards with 3" chrome tube sidesteps. Although Id rather have no steps at all, it sure makes life easier with children climbing in and out of carseats. I plan on using the CCM 2.5/1 leveling kit. However, I was wondering if I could safely add a body lift as well. I know stacking leveling kits is a big no-no, but despite search efforts (and I might just suck at searching!) I couldnt find info regarding safety of leveling kits in combo with body lifts. If indeed it can safely be done, is there a particular manufacturer of body lifts recommended or is it 6 of one, half dozen of another? Also, how will the body lift affect the ride, if at all? In addition to the CCM level I plan on replacing stock size tires with 33's, probably BFG A/T. I will be retaining the stock 20" rims for time being. Do you reckon I will have issues with clearance/rubbing with the leveling kit alone?



Thank you kindly for taking the time to read and respond. I sincerely appreciate any guidance or input you may provide!

Most guys on here will say "Don't do a body lift!" I have done them on jeeps for years and will be installing a 2" body lift this winter. The main downfall to a body lift on our tucks is the rear bumper (metal bumper under the bumper cover) will have to be relocated and towing is not recommended after it is relocated. Some simple re-inforcing and welding will fix that issue. The only concern I know of using both a body lift and a suspension lift is just the simple fact that you are increasing your center of gravity which can make a roll over easier. You will find that the 2" body lift from Zone should be much easier to install than the 3" body lift from PA. You will have some rubbing with stock wheels and 33s, but it will not be too bad and you should be able to fix it rather easily.

I would read the install guides for both body lift kits before you order either of them.

Do some research as there are a ton of posts on here relating to leveling kits and 33s.

I'll second the Zone body lift, they even sell the body lift along with a leveling kit.

Not sure on the body lift but I hear suspension lifts are a LOT better and plus your hitch won't be lower then the rest of your car Welcome to to TYF, I am about to put the CCM 2.5/1 on my stock 20's/terra grapplers and I think it'll be perfect. I have 305/50/20's which are 32.008" when calculated. They are a little smaller then 33's but I think it'll be the perfect size with the CCM 2.5/1... and hopefully they won't rub! 33's definitely will though... some minor trimming should fix that issue. Anyways keep us posted when you get your mods!

Just a little FYI regarding body lifts for the nnbs suvs.

The towing reciever or hitch is part of the rear bumper, not the plastic bumper cover, but the actual metal bumper under the cover. I know the Zone kit comes with brackets to relocate the bumber so that it lines back up with the bumper cover. From the pics I have seen, the brackets in Zone's kit actually appear to be beefier than the stock brackets, but the install instructions do state that they do not recommend towing after the rear bumper mods are preformed.

protonvx said:

Most guys on here will say "Don't do a body lift!" I have done them on jeeps for years and will be installing a 2" body lift this winter. The main downfall to a body lift on our tucks is the rear bumper (metal bumper under the bumper cover) will have to be relocated and towing is not recommended after it is relocated. Some simple re-inforcing and welding will fix that issue. The only concern I know of using both a body lift and a suspension lift is just the simple fact that you are increasing your center of gravity which can make a roll over easier. You will find that the 2" body lift from Zone should be much easier to install than the 3" body lift from PA. You will have some rubbing with stock wheels and 33s, but it will not be too bad and you should be able to fix it rather easily.

I would read the install guides for both body lift kits before you order either of them.

Do some research as there are a ton of posts on here relating to leveling kits and 33s.

Click to expand...

As much as I would love it, a suspension lift is financially out of question. Lots of good info to know, thank you! I'll Google the install guides and have a look. Fantastic suggestion.

---------- Post added at 11:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:08 AM ----------

InTruckDesign said:

I'll second the Zone body lift, they even sell the body lift along with a leveling kit.

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Good to know! Thanks!

---------- Post added at 11:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 AM ----------

felixgun said:

Not sure on the body lift but I hear suspension lifts are a LOT better and plus your hitch won't be lower then the rest of your car Welcome to to TYF, I am about to put the CCM 2.5/1 on my stock 20's/terra grapplers and I think it'll be perfect. I have 305/50/20's which are 32.008" when calculated. They are a little smaller then 33's but I think it'll be the perfect size with the CCM 2.5/1... and hopefully they won't rub! 33's definitely will though... some minor trimming should fix that issue. Anyways keep us posted when you get your mods!

Click to expand...

Thank you for the welcome!

Id love to put a suspension lift on the truck, but its not a financial possibility at this point. I was considering the Nitto TG's myself, but Im still on the fence about them. Is there any particular reason you are set on them? Ill be looking forward to seeing the CCM kit on your truck! (Both of which are pretty darn sweet!)

---------- Post added at 11:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 AM ----------

protonvx said:

Just a little FYI regarding body lifts for the nnbs suvs.

The towing reciever or hitch is part of the rear bumper, not the plastic bumper cover, but the actual metal bumper under the cover. I know the Zone kit comes with brackets to relocate the bumber so that it lines back up with the bumper cover. From the pics I have seen, the brackets in Zone's kit actually appear to be beefier than the stock brackets, but the install instructions do state that they do not recommend towing after the rear bumper mods are preformed.

Click to expand...

Great info to know. Ill have to give this some serious thought as Id like to still be able to use my truck for towing if needed. Much appreciated!

I like the Terra Grappler's because they aren't loud on the highway and the tread's are aggressive. I also went with 305's which are a wider tire and it just looks sooooo much better. Thanks! I am lovin' the GM vehicles right now as my last 4 vehicles were all GM. Well i'll definitely post up a pic when it comes in. CCM Offroad just emailed me today saying the rear parts for it were on backorder so I'm still waiting :/

Zone offers a 4" combo kit
2" BL
2" leveling kit

$380 plus shipping

I personnaly don't like BL's but in the GMT900 forum alot of people run the leveling kit with a 1.5" kit and i dont think anybody has ever had a problem

felixgun said:

I like the Terra Grappler's because they aren't loud on the highway and the tread's are aggressive. I also went with 305's which are a wider tire and it just looks sooooo much better. Thanks! I am lovin' the GM vehicles right now as my last 4 vehicles were all GM. Well i'll definitely post up a pic when it comes in. CCM Offroad just emailed me today saying the rear parts for it were on backorder so I'm still waiting :/

Click to expand...

I reckon Im learning to love GM/Chevy. Im a Mopar gal myself, but I married a Chevy man. I had a sweet 03 Ram 1500 all decked out, K&N, Flowmasters, lots of purty chrome...then came our son. Ended up ditching my chrome bedrails for a tonneu cover to keep the stroller dry and it was just the beginning of the end. Kept that good ole truck another 3 years. It was rather amusing trying to lift my 40 lb toddler into the carseat since he couldnt climb that high and I was far too vain to put side steps on for him! When I found I was pregnant with our daughter I knew the truck would have to go since it was a regular cab and much to my displeasure it's illegal to bolt a carseat into the bed of the truck. Sigh. I cried like a baby when the person who bought my truck drove away with it. Anywho, Im dying to "de-mommyfi" this Tahoe. Unfortunately, the budget isnt going to allow for huge changes at a rapid pace, but little by little it will happen.

Sorry to hear the CCM kit is on backorder. I imagine you are chomping at the bit to get it on the truck! Hopefully it will come soon than you think!

mcm1209 said:

Zone offers a 4" combo kit
2" BL
2" leveling kit

$380 plus shipping

I personnaly don't like BL's but in the GMT900 forum alot of people run the leveling kit with a 1.5" kit and i dont think anybody has ever had a problem

Click to expand...

Do you happen to have a link for this combo kit? Ive been all over Zone's website and cannot seem to locate it! Thanks for the help!

here you go:

http://zoneoffroad.com/product?ki=295&gr=-1

InTruckDesign said:

here you go:

http://zoneoffroad.com/product?ki=295&gr=-1

Click to expand...

Thank you so very much!!

Hahaha actually I AM chomping at the bit for the CCM 2.5/1. I just put Nitto terra grappler 305/50/20's on the same rims as yours and they rub in reverse/full lock... Need to remedy this ASAP! And my girlfriend drives the escalade while I work. We have a four month old so I wanted her in a big vehicle. She will not let me touch the suspension/rim selection unfortunately. She wants to keep the vehicle as stock as possible

CCM on backorder? say it ain't so. I wanted to order one too.

felixgun said:

Hahaha actually I AM chomping at the bit for the CCM 2.5/1. I just put Nitto terra grappler 305/50/20's on the same rims as yours and they rub in reverse/full lock... Need to remedy this ASAP! And my girlfriend drives the escalade while I work. We have a four month old so I wanted her in a big vehicle. She will not let me touch the suspension/rim selection unfortunately. She wants to keep the vehicle as stock as possible

Click to expand...

Aww, a fresh new baby, yet old enough to finally be out of that horrid "forth trimester" phase! Congrats to you both! I have a 3 and half year old and a barely 7 month old myself. Both kiddos ride in those huge Britax carseats. Thank goodness the Tahoe has so much space to offer! I keep the bench in the back flipped up to allow me enough room to lug grocery and strollers.

Moonshine said:

Aww, a fresh new baby, yet old enough to finally be out of that horrid "forth trimester" phase! Congrats to you both! I have a 3 and half year old and a barely 7 month old myself. Both kiddos ride in those huge Britax carseats. Thank goodness the Tahoe has so much space to offer! I keep the bench in the back flipped up to allow me enough room to lug grocery and strollers.

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What aggravates me is since the car seat has to to be facing the opposite way, it sticks out really far so whoever is in the front passenger seat has to scoot all the way up. I kinda wish it had a little bit more room in the 2nd row :/

Thanks for the congrats! I am lovin' the kid and i've been at work for the past two weeks away from him and can't wait until I can see the little guy again. Yea we fold up the third row seats towards the 2nd row and leave the stroller in the cargo area permanently lol

---------- Post added at 01:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 AM ----------

bolo1g2 said:

CCM on backorder? say it ain't so. I wanted to order one too.

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yes unfortunately so. I ordered it christmas day as a present to myself. A week later still no email from CCM Offroad. I emailed them after a week of waiting for an email with a UPS tracking # and they finally emailed me back and said 'oh sorry it's on back order'... so lame. Anyways I told them to not cancel it and just to ship it ASAP as they said it would be about another week before the whole kit is available again. I guess for 140 it's worth the wait.

That's lame for sure. You'd think they'd post that up front so you know. As for the kid thing, welcome to the club. I have an 18 month old and 6 week old. No sleep in this house. I love my boys, but the new one is a night owl. He's trying to control me! I had to pull my 3rd row, for the stroller and baby bag. We got one of those 2 man strollers. Need all the space and I have a 12" sub in a box back there too.

Hey Felix,

How is that babe doing? Letting you and your girlfriend get a few more hours of sleep these days, I hope! Your leveling kit ever show up? I had planned on ordering mine this weekend. I was hoping they werent still on back order. Was hoping you had some pictures and words of wisdom after your install. Whats the word?!

bolo1g2 said:

That's lame for sure. You'd think they'd post that up front so you know. As for the kid thing, welcome to the club. I have an 18 month old and 6 week old. No sleep in this house. I love my boys, but the new one is a night owl. He's trying to control me! I had to pull my 3rd row, for the stroller and baby bag. We got one of those 2 man strollers. Need all the space and I have a 12" sub in a box back there too.

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Haha thanks. Yea. Not much sleep with a 4 month old but I love every minute of it actually!!

Moonshine said:

Hey Felix,

How is that babe doing? Letting you and your girlfriend get a few more hours of sleep these days, I hope! Your leveling kit ever show up? I had planned on ordering mine this weekend. I was hoping they werent still on back order. Was hoping you had some pictures and words of wisdom after your install. Whats the word?!

Click to expand...

The baby is doing excellent. He is definitely sleeping more the older he gets but it's still a work in progress. I ended up canceling the CCM order and buying it off a fellow TYF member who was upgrading his lift. It's on it's way and the day it comes in I'm getting it installed and will post some pics and comments about it. I've heard nothing but good things about the CCM though!!

I just did leveling kit an 2" zone body lift with 35s and it looks great an rides good. The back looks the exact same as it did and we did a little welding so the trailer hitch is very strong and I can still tow with it.