'97 2-door Tahoe - 6" suspension 3" body with 37s looking to take it down a notch

I'll start by stating the obvious: this hurts. Alas, the time has come and I'm going to have make this beast a little more practical, and I'm looking for yalls help.

I'm going to have to make this my daily and I commute about 40mi round trip. As I mention in the post, I currently have a 6" fabtech lift with a 3" body, while running on 37s (dick cepek fun country IIs). I should probably note that I have had this way since 2003 and haven't put significant miles on her since 2008...

The dilemma is I'm not quite sure A) what it'll cost me to remove the body lift and/or the suspension lift, and B) what should I put back on. Ideally, I would get rid of the body lift and either go with a 4" inch suspension lift or a leveling kit. My biggest interest is making sure it can handle the miles I'm putting on it, which means I'm not opposed to swamping gears out, etc.

I called a few shops here in town (Houston) and got mixed feedback. One shop gave me an estimate of around 2K to remove both and go with a leveling kit. The other said that I lowest I could ever go with is a 4" because the cross-member was cut when I got the 6" and said that I could get to 4K real quick.

Has anyone ever done this before? Do the estimates sounds about right?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'll post pics this weekend when I get off work.

Thanks in advance,

You could daily it just like that... Bigger gears would help alot and maybe go down to a 35" all terrain... I would say that the only huge benefit in lowering the truck would be to go back to stock... but if that costs 4k, you could just buy another truck and sell that one... Sure, 37's and IFS is not good, but replacing parts that may or may not break along the way could be cheaper.... If you are more worried aboit gas prices then re-gear or sell and buy a stock one... just my opinion...

Thanks for the input. That's a good perspective, and maybe a dose of reality.

To help mitigate cost I plan on selling all the removed parts. Maybe that'll fetch me 1200 or so (anything would help).

I'm going to have to do something though, right now I can't even get it into my company's parking lot! Ha!

I'm thinking that I'll go with the new stock 20s with 33s. I've seen a few builds online and it looks pretty good. The problem is I'm not sure what kind a lift they're running and I'm afraid a 4 inch suspension lift would be too big for them.

Anyone know how low you can take a 6" Fabtech lift to?

Perhaps, I can get away with just cranking it down, and going with 35s...?!

I would try just turning down the keys and a tire swap first to see if that would work....... what gears are you running? that is the biggest thing with lifted trucks

also lets see a pic of this beast lol

Thanks for the reply @jerryjoe28 !

I need to double check, but I'm pretty sure its stock. I know it's not ideal - thank god I haven't any issues over the years.

Surprisingly, I'm ok with the pick-up it has - it's the steering that's a problem. It's like driving a boat on the freeway, and in Houston traffic it can get a little dicey.

Pics are coming as soon as I'm free from work on the weekend. I've always been happy with the look - It's pretty sexy IMO. We'll see what yall think! Feedback is always welcomed.

what is height of work parking lot?
shoot to get just under that, if possible.

could taking the body lift & put smaller tires accomplish that?


what about keeping it as is & enjoy it, but get a cash daily car for what you'd pay to convert your ride?

I'll easily need 3 or 4 inches. I'll confirm Friday. I'm not quite sure how much I'll lose if I turned the keys down, and went with 35s. Maybe that's enough or maybe I'll have to also remove the body.

I've thought of getting a daily, but I decided that I spend enough time commuting that I want to enjoy what I'm commuting in. May sound a little vain but I appreciate riding around in something I'm proud of. Like I'm sure we all do - I work too damn hard not to.

Anyone know of a Hoe with 33s and 6" lift with the keys turned down? Ideally, I'd like to put 33s on, but with the short wheel base I feel like that may look weird. I went through the forums and found a good looking ride with a 4" procomp and 33s. So maybe it won't look bad.


I appreciate the help everyone!

I'd just take off the 3" body lift and run 35's if it were me. Then if that's still too high de-crank keys and see what that does.