Lifts for 2500 Subs or Yukon XLs...what am I missing?

[ARAMP1]

When I look up lift kits and suspension pieces for my 2011 Yukon XL 2500, the choices seem very limited yet there are all kinds of options for the 2500 trucks. Are the front and rear suspensions so different that a truck kit (or parts) won't fit the SUV?

 

[Matt_]

Search for 2009. Most kits are shown as fitting up through 2010 because the 2500 series trucks changed suspension designs in 2011, however the 2500 series SUVs stayed the same until their last model year of 2013.

I personally like the Cognito NTBD kit. It has the shortest track width increase without sacrificing turning radius, and it comes with the PISK kit included, that's a $200+ upgrade to add to other kits.

BDS was a close 2nd for me but they wouldn't tell me how much the turning radius would be affected with their narrow knuckle option, only that it would get larger.

 

[ARAMP1]

Ah, okay it all makes sense now. I think I remember reading something about the wheels going to metric in 2011 (along with other things). Must have been for the trucks. I appreciate it.

BTW, I've read through your build thread. Very inspiring!

Ours got downgraded from full time family duty a couple years ago. It's not my or my wife's primary ride, so now is the time to upgrade.

Thanks again!

 

[Matt_]

They're great rigs!

So what's on the plans for lift and mods???

 

[ARAMP1]

Ah, nothing too extensive. Maybe 4 inch lift and 35s or 6 inch lift and 37s.

 

[Matt_]

Ah, nothing too extensive. Maybe 4 inch lift and 35s or 6 inch lift and 37s.

You said you read my build. Pay close attention to the trimming methods I used (and part numbers for the brackets). I had to trim quite a bit for "small" 35s with 5.5" lift and moderate 0mm offset wheels. But I did it in a way that's nearly invisible to an untrained eye.

Highly recommend regear with blackbear tune as well. These drivetrains have so much untapped capability from the factory.

 

[duckhunter175]

tagging in on this thread as well with a 2011 Yukon XL 4x4-- thrilled to see a '09 2500 Kit should fit.

Still debating on lift vs level b/c I don't plan to go bigger than a 33, maybe 34" tire


OP- what did you end up going with??

 

[stubbs]

Also subbing to keep an eye on this, I'm thinking of doing a "level" (2-3" lift) kit on mine and 32-33" tire. Mine will be the family daily driver for a long time, so nothing very extreme.

 

[CMNTMXR57]

The wheels up to 2010 are 16 x 6.5 with a bolt pattern of 8 x 165.1. 2011+ they changed and you can get a variety of sizes like 18x8 and 20x8.5. However the bolt pattern changed to 8 x 180.

 

[camaroz1985]

The wheels up to 2010 are 16 x 6.5 with a bolt pattern of 8 x 165.1. 2011+ they changed and you can get a variety of sizes like 18x8 and 20x8.5. However the bolt pattern changed to 8 x 180.

To clarify, that is on the trucks, not the Suburban or Yukon XL. They stayed 8x165.1 (or 6.5 inches).

 

[CMNTMXR57]

Yes. However most like to swap on the later Silverado wheels on to the Suburban's because they are very nice looking, especially the 5 spoke ones. Unfortunately you have to buy the spacers and perhaps trim the studs to make it work because of the size difference.

There is a local guy who sells on CL (I bought my Tahoe LTZ wheels for the 1/2 ton from him), he works at a dealership, and gets all the take-off's as customers upgrade them. Each one of them is from 2018+ which frustrates me to no end.

 

[camaroz1985]

Yes. However most like to swap on the later Silverado wheels on to the Suburban's because they are very nice looking, especially the 5 spoke ones. Unfortunately you have to buy the spacers and perhaps trim the studs to make it work because of the size difference.

There is a local guy who sells on CL (I bought my Tahoe LTZ wheels for the 1/2 ton from him), he works at a dealership, and gets all the take-off's as customers upgrade them. Each one of them is from 2018+ which frustrates me to no end.

Look up OE Wheels. They have replicas of some of the newer wheels (the 5 spokes for sure) that are the right bolt pattern for our trucks.

 

[CMNTMXR57]

So I have a guy local here in Chicago that just had the 5 stars pop up. They aren't perfect, but for his price, I am entertaining it.

Question is, on the adaptors to go from 165mm to 180mm, do I want 1.5" thickness or 2"?

 

[camaroz1985]

2" will clear the studs. Some have had to cut the ends of the studs with the 1.5" spacers.