Brand New to the Tahoe

[OhFourChevy]

How's it going y'all, I'm a proud new owner of an '04 Tahoe LS.
I'm brand new to Tahoe's in general, I'm coming back to Chevy after briefly switching to the dark side (Ford)
I was hoping some one could lend a helping hand with a question I have.
Are the 4wd lift kits compatible with the 2wd Tahoes?
I have rarely seen Torsion bars up front on a 2wd except with HD trucks.

I am also curious about how much lift does a 2wd need to FULLY clear 33's with no rubbing at all, full turn, forwards and backwards, and light trail riding. I just need a little more Clearance to get to some of my fishing holes without having to park a couple miles or more away, and of course I like the look of it.
Does anyone have any advice on either Build your own kit, or just outright buying a ready kit?

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any input I might receive.

 

[OhFourChevy]

I'd love to be able to throw 255/80/17s on my stock alloys
I don't know if that throws spindles out of the question

I have a plan in my head to go relatively overboard for 33's or 34's as it would seem because I do want to throw Ranch Hand Front and Rear Bumper if They even make them.

3in spindles (do i need new UCA's?) Fabtech spindles?
2.5in Ford Keys or Ready lift
Z71 coils
2.5 in spacers? or better yet 4-5in lift coils?
Do i need Zone offroad J5401?
1-1.25in Spacers

4.10 gears so i can keep some sort of Highway gas mileage.

Am I screwing up or forgetting anything here?
Brake line extensions? Bump stops? LCAs?

The truck I am picking up Saturday only has 75k on it so its still relatively new. It's in really good shape Central TX truck, No Flooding, kept up on fluids and regularly serviced.

 

[OhFourChevy]

Well I really appreciate the views y'all!
Sure wish I could get a couple responses for reassurances

I ended up buying

3in Knuckle/spindles
3in Keys
z71 coils
2in spacers
Warrior Tj rear Sway bar links
Cognito Front sway bar links
Bilstein 5100's all the way around

Still unsure about LCA and UCAs, I'm assuming it would just be a good bet to replace all the bushings, jounce, and I'd imagine doing my ball joints wouldn't be out of the question as well.

 

[liftedtahoe]

Well I really appreciate the views y'all!
Sure wish I could get a couple responses for reassurances

I ended up buying

3in Knuckle/spindles
3in Keys
z71 coils
2in spacers
Warrior Tj rear Sway bar links
Cognito Front sway bar links
Bilstein 5100's all the way around

Still unsure about LCA and UCAs, I'm assuming it would just be a good bet to replace all the bushings, jounce, and I'd imagine doing my ball joints wouldn't be out of the question as well.

Not 100% on the 2wd hoes, but i know on the 4wd hoes you must run a bigger wheels to clear (i think its 18s) the knuckles im pretty sure you wont have to change the upper or lower controls though, it should just be keys knuckles springs and spacers! Dont quote me on all that though... i lower 2wds lol

 

[liftedtahoe]

Not 100% on the 2wd hoes, but i know on the 4wd hoes you must run a bigger wheels to clear (i think its 18s) i pretty sure you wont have to change the upper or lower controls though, it should just be keys knuckles springs and spacers! Dont quite me on all that though... i lower 2wds lol

Bigger wheels to clear the knuckles...

 

[06_2WD_Z71]

Well I really appreciate the views y'all!
Sure wish I could get a couple responses for reassurances

I ended up buying

3in Knuckle/spindles
3in Keys
z71 coils
2in spacers
Warrior Tj rear Sway bar links
Cognito Front sway bar links
Bilstein 5100's all the way around

Still unsure about LCA and UCAs, I'm assuming it would just be a good bet to replace all the bushings, jounce, and I'd imagine doing my ball joints wouldn't be out of the question as well.

I did a 2wd and I don't know that there are any full kits available. Mine is still somewhat in progress, but it looks like you did a pretty good job picking parts, or at least it is close to what I did.

I'm kind of new to these trucks, but here are some comments on what you got so far:

3in Knuckle/spindles - Same here, mine are Maxtrac. As far as the wheels, for a 3" spindle, in most cases the max backspace on the wheel is 4.5" for 17", then as the wheel size increases you can run a little more backspace. FYI, Stock wheels are generally 5.5" backspace - too much. If you have stock wheels, you will definitely need spacers / adapters to get them to clear the knuckle. I'm running 18s with 4.5 backspace so no clearance issues.
3in Keys - You may not need those if you crank the stock keys. Here are pics of mine with stock keys cranked and 3" spindle:

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/post-your-lifts.63717/page-15

z71 coils, 2in spacers - My stock z71 coils + 2.5" spacers was not enough lift in the back. It was about an inch shorter than what you see in my pics. Then I got Maxtrac 2" lift springs + spacers. However I am not happy with the springs. The curled part at the end is not tight like the stockers, so it hangs off the end of the spacer and I don't trust it. So now I ordered Tuff Country part #14965-30 upper spring mounts ($50 each at sdtrucksprings.com). They are very beefy, mount securly to the stock upper mount, and give 3" of lift in the rear. So I will try those with my z71 springs. Then if I need a small spacer under the spring I will do that.
Just a side note - I lost 3/4" of lift in the rear just by changing the stock z71 shocks to Bilsteins. The stock z71 shocks are very high pressure.
Warrior Tj rear Sway bar links - yeah good call, you need that when lifting the rear.
Cognito Front sway bar links - not sure why those are needed, but maybe that is something I don't know about.
Bilstein 5100's all the way around - I have extended length Bilsteins in the back, stock shocks up front. IIRC, my Bilsteins are 27.16" extended length. You need the extended shocks or shock extenders when lifting the truck, or the shock will top out too soon and have a crappy ride.

After I lifted mine, the rear axle was offset to one side, so I got a Spohn adjustable track bar to address that. You can wait and see if you need that and do it later.

I will try to check back and respond if you have any questions. Good luck!

 

[06_2WD_Z71]

Oh and there is no need for UCAs or LCAs with spindles unless the manufacturer says otherwise. It is a good time to replace ball joints and tie rod ends if they are worn when putting the spindles on.

Regarding jounce bumpers, in the front the spindle does not change anything related to the jounce bumper. Keys do, but it's really not important unless you think the truck is dropping down too far on dips.

In the rear, I think extended bumpers would be a good idea to prevent the spring from bottoming. Although I have not messed with that yet.

 

[OhFourChevy]

I appreciate the input!
I got the bilstein 5100s mentioned in another thread for a small lift like I'm going for.
I figure the if the Z71 coils and the spacers might give me a total of 1.5-2in of total lift in the rear, and the spindle (amazon for $240) gives me 2-2.5in I could crank the keys up just a bit to finish off the level/lift.
We'll see...
I really want to keep the stock 17 wheels for a while, on 285/70s or 75s
I'm sure I'll probably need to trim the plastic fender well a bit if I went with the 75s, the only thing I know about spacers is to make sure you get metal hubcentric ones. Any suggestions on wheel spacers?
I really like powder coating or painting factory wheels on lifts, I think it gives the truck a more "custom" look

About the front sway links I figure it'll help aid in any "steer wandering" and maybe help smooth out the ride.

 

[OhFourChevy]

By the way, that's a bad*** tahoe, looks great! I've got a white tahoe too. I really like the white on black, I've got a lot more black plastic than you, I plan on keeping a good amount of the plastic, although I'm going to sand down the door handle housing and paint them white (dupli color probably) but keep the actual handle black. I'm going to remove the black side moldings (door ding stoppers) I plan on bed lining the fender flares, the bumpers, and the lower portion of the doors and quarter panels. Kinda like a "factory" bedlined two tone. Maybe even bedline the wheels.
I like that push bar, I've got a Go Rhino RC2 lr bull bar, that I'd love to find some brackets that would fit the Tahoe. I pulled it of my f150, I got Tboned and totaled, so if it doesn't fit, I'll just post it on Craigslist.

 

[OhFourChevy]

http://www.getallparts.com/Chevrole...vsPDyxSwh3qe4dGlQz_FIGki9BQL5AVvnoaAio08P8HAQ


Those are the wheels I have, it says 31mm offset, which is like 1.25in, what size spacers would I need?

 

[OhFourChevy]

I found out its 5.22"
So in theory 1in spacers should work, but the question remains, since most spindles push you out about an inch, inch and a half, would adding a 1-1.5inch put me outside my wheel wells more than 2in? I really don't like more that 2in outside my wheel well. To me there is "stance" and then there is ridiculous, but if it goes out any farther, I have been thinking of either bushwhacker or factory 4wd flares, which would keep it looking good, my only concern with going too far out and running a larger chance rubbing terribly.

 

[Flexx]

First off post pics of your rig already.

Second, what part of centex you in? I'm in Waco.

Third if you run less than a 2" spacer you're going to have to cut your lugs. If you add fender flares with a 2" spacer you will be barely outside the flares.

You can run 33" tires just cranking torsion bars.

If you want to go a little bigger then you'll need more. I would think with spindles and keys you could run 35" tires as long as you don't go to much offset.

Mine would clear 325/60/20 on 0 offset if it weren't a z71. Only rubbed on the extra cladding.

 

[OhFourChevy]

I pick up the truck saturday.
But here are the dealer pics

http://www.emmonsmotorcompany.com/mobile/Photos/33008990/#&ui-state=dialog

I'm actually in Houston, but the truck was a Lampasas owned truck, one owner from 04- now, 74k miles. Clean CarFax.

I was thinking I should be able to clear 35s too, but I want to start with 33s, and then move on to 35s when I get the 4.10s. The truck has the "highway" gears in it now 3.23 I believe, so 33s for the time being is best I can do without slugging around.

 

[06_2WD_Z71]

I'm not 100% sure, it is a bit complicated. What you want is the smallest adapter that will clear the lugs. On my truck the lugs stick out 1.5" IIRC, so in theory I would need an adapter a little more than 1.5". However my stock Z71 17" wheels have clearance pockets so I can use a smaller adapter without the stock lugs interfering with the wheel.

I'm curious who makes the spindles. They should provide the max backspace information. You mentioned 2" or 2.5", but a spindle will be a specific amount of drop. I don't remember ever seeing any less than 3". But if it is really a 2" spindle, who knows maybe a stock wheel could clear without an adapter.

 

[06_2WD_Z71]

I also want to point out that spindles will likely push your front wheels outward some unknown amount. So when you add a spacer to that, the wheel is really out there.

Maxtrac claims their spindles push the track out .5 per side, but it is actually 1 5/8" per side. Most of the other spindles I've seen don't tell you one way or the other. I assume they all push the track out. I think it is crazy to make a part like this and not provide that information. Or worse, provide incorrect information.

I really do like the stock wheel with big tires look if you can make it happen.

BTW, my push bar is from a Tahoe PPV. It is absolutely rock solid.

 

[OhFourChevy]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ENKH2BI/ref=ya_st_dp_summary

These are the spindles, they are 3in, I was just saying they may give me 2-2.5in of actual lift, if I don't get the full 3in. I like to lowball so my expectations are always met or better yet exceeded. Lol
A few reviews said they were able to keep the stockys, a few said they werent able to. So I'm kinda stuck in the middle. We'll see when I get them put on I guess, I'm going to have a shop put them on with all the rest of the parts as well. I really hope I can stick with 16-17in wheels. As a person said a little ways back on the thread I have to go bigger than 17, I hope that's not the case, I like meaty tires. 18in is pushung it, I'm hoping to be able to pull off 7in of tire surrounding my wheels

 

[06_2WD_Z71]

Gotcha. Ok those look just like the Maxtracs. So bolting those on without touching the t-bar, you will get 3" of lift in front. Then you can still crank the stock keys for a little more, or even get lift keys.

I can tell you that I did try bolting my stock 17" z71 wheel on without spacers, and it would not clear. So be prepared as that is likely to be the case.

Regarding running 17s, I am totally on board with that. I got 18s thinking they would be just about right with 34" tires. Nope, I didn't like the look. So much so that I painted the outside edge of the rim black which made it look more like a 17, and I'm pretty happy with that.

 

[OhFourChevy]

If I wentered with with a larger diameter wheel how much would the backspacing matter, say if I went with 20in take offs? What exactly am I needing to clear in dealing with the backspacing of 4.5?

 

[05Single]

Following and learning. I own my first tahoe so I'm getting to know the inside and out too.

 

[OhFourChevy]

I ended up getting some American Racing Bajas, 17x9 -12 offset giving me 4.5 back spacing.
I'm farther away from the lift than I though. I'm going to redo my entire front end while I'm down there so I'm get Moog upper and lower control arms, pit man arm, idler arm, tie rod ends, and I'm going to stick 4.10 gears under it.
So I'm about 1k in parts and 1,400 in install away from getting it all done.
Till then, I'm going to focus getting pieces of the puzzle, and my audio set up. I'm hoping to have all the suspension parts in by mid august, early september, and be riding high by Halloween