BDS Lift Question

[gmartin1215]

I am trying to decide between the two versions of the BDS 4" lift, which are struts vs. Fox coil-overs. The Fox coil-over version is nice, and the coil-over with VSC is very nice, but these come at a substantially more cost.

BDS 4" Kit

I am trying to find out how much ride difference there is on the strut version vs. the coil-over. Will the strut version give a firmer ride, or vice-versa?

Anyone that knows these kits, or similar versions, can you say?

I have not been able to get a straight answer from BDS yet.

 

[Tozan]

What is the strut version? I thought they were all coil overs?

The simple answer is if you spend more you will get more if running it off road...

But, if you have a street queen it shouldn't matter save your money with the cheaper set up.

 

[gmartin1215]

What is the strut version? I thought they were all coil overs?

The simple answer is if you spend more you will get more if running it off road...

But, if you have a street queen it shouldn't matter save your money with the cheaper set up.

Thanks.

BDS has three versions of their 4" kit, and I did get some answers from them, too...

• Strut - It's a strut made by Tenneco that is just the shock without the spring. You would use your OEM spring on this strut. Tenneco is the same company that makes Monroe and Rancho shocks. I got an answer from BDS on this version of the kit, and they said the ride would be more like stock.
• Fox 2.5 Remote Reservoir Coil-Over - BDS said the Fox coil-over is a performance product, and they react to changes way faster than your standard strut. Some people see this as firmness, but in reality, it is controlling the suspension a lot better.
• Fox 2.5 Remote Reservoir Coil-Over Coil-over with Dual Speed Compression Adjuster (DSC)- BDS said the DSC this coil-over will only go as soft as the standard coil-over but has the ability to add dampening

The price difference between the Fox coil-overs is about $300. The coil-over without the DSC is about $1600. In my opinion, if I were to spend this much, I might as well pay for the DSC, too, since it is just a few hundred more.

I may get more offroad if I spend more on the Fox coil-overs, but I will likely lose more on the streets - there is no free lunch.

I was also looking at their UCAs, too. Interestingly, one BDS tech told me he recommends using the stock UCA because all the corrections have been done with the cross members and knuckles on their kits. I was under the assumption that the stock UCAs should be upgraded to allow more wheel travel, but maybe that is no longer a concern.

Anyway, the bottom line is that I will still have to use my Tahoe to commute to work and towing a boat - it will see a lot of pavement time. However, I do want it to be more capable off-road. Right now, I am trying to find that balance, also without feeling like I am passing a kidney stone every time I hit a bump on the pavement.

I suppose I could get their strut version and see how it does off-road. If, after use, I see that the Tahoe needs more control, I could always upgrade to the Fox coil-overs later. Too bad there isn't a test track to test out these options. But, I will have to rely on others' opinions.

Part of me thinks that the strut version will be OK for off-road use. If I were traveling at high-speed off-road, then the Fox coil-overs would make more sense. But then again, I have no experience or observations with these performance coil-overs to say that my opinion is valid or not.

I would like to hear more opinions about stock like struts on a lift compared to performance coil-overs like the ones Fox offers. For example, if you regret having gone with the stock like struts with your lift and wishing you had spent the $$$$ for the performance coil-overs

 

[Tozan]

I am running 4 inch lift with a set of King 2.5 coil overs and 10 inches of travel, my highway ride is much better than stock and off road it is comfortable at 66 mph plus on washboard, rutted roads and desert trails. You can hit a 12 inch bump or dip at 35mph or faster and not care at all.

I consider the king shocks to be on par or slightly better than Fox coil overs. I do like the multi adjustable feature on the Fox 2.5 I think that would be a great ride for you.

I had a cheaper set of Rancho 9000 coil overs on mine before they did not do very well off road on the street they were close to stock. The $2500 for the kings were a great investment plus they are rebuildable and will be the last set of shocks I will ever need. The rebuild price is comparable to a set of cheap shocks.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@gmartin1215 If you can afford it then go for the Fox, if not then go for the basic strut option. Having gone from factory to Bilstein 5100s I can agree that the firmness feeling with aftermarket shocks isn't the most comfortable depending on your preference, I prefer it because it keeps the Tahoe planted to the ground and I can go over large bumps and dips and the Tahoe shrugs it off but the downside is you feel more of the road than you would in like a honda civic.

 

[gmartin1215]

Thanks, guys!

 

[Bill 1960]

How much you need high dollar shocks depends on your driving style really. The most expensive shock won’t make your Hoe go anywhere off-road that the stock strut will not go. The difference is in how fast do you want to travel, and how comfortable do you want to be?

If you’re trail riding at slow speed, there’s little difference.

If you’re running washboard and whoops at speed, the difference becomes apparent. Especially with larger tires that will overheat less capable shocks even faster because of the increase in unsprung weight.

 

[gmartin1215]

How much you need high dollar shocks depends on your driving style really. The most expensive shock won’t make your Hoe go anywhere off-road that the stock strut will not go. The difference is in how fast do you want to travel, and how comfortable do you want to be?

If you’re trail riding at slow speed, there’s little difference.

If you’re running washboard and whoops at speed, the difference becomes apparent. Especially with larger tires that will overheat less capable shocks even faster because of the increase in unsprung weight.

Thanks!

 

[findog78]

Did you decide and pull the trigger? Which way did you go?

 

[gmartin1215]

Did you decide and pull the trigger? Which way did you go?

Yes. I got the 4" coil-over with VSC.

 

[gnarlyallen]

Yes. I got the 4" coil-over with VSC.

Great decision! About 6 months ago I installed the BDS 4” with the Fox 2.5 dsc shocks! It made it ride SO much smoother on the street, and off-road it really shines. As far as the UCA’s go… Yes the kit is designed to use the stock ones. I want something better than stock though because… why not?! I am going to order the Dirt King Fabrication UCA’s soon. I contacted them and the TUBULAR UCA’s are compatible with the BDS 4” lift. Their boxed set are not. With the DK UCA’s, they claim you get 2” more travel in the front, which sounds even smoother and even more badass! In case you didn’t know, the BDS kit as it comes sits 2” higher in the front than in the rear. If I could go back, I’d add the 1” extra in the rear option that they give you. But that could also be remedied with a larger puck in the rear. You could even go large enough to level out the rear. But honestly, I’ve grown to love the stance as it sits!! Also, the kit made the front 4” wider than the rear so I installed 2” wheel spacers in the rear to even out the stance. I was slightly disappointed that the kit only comes with the Fox 2.0 in the rear. In the future I’ll probably upgrade to the Fox 2.5’s with the DSC adjusters in the rear, so I can tune them to match the front better (around $1,500). But I’m planning on pushing it pretty hard off-road. Also, the suspension is soft and plush… So when I have lots of tools in the back it really squats extra! I’d highly recommend looking into some air bags for the rear if you’re going to be towing.
I installed the kit myself and it was really straight-forward with the included instructions! I was nervous about it, but it really wasn’t bad at all. And I’m just your average YouTube driveway mechanic. I’m stoked for you. And Lord have mercy on your soul waiting for the Fox coilovers to be made!! I waited roughly 4 months for my kit because of the Fox lead times. It was painful.

 

[gnarlyallen]

Yes. I got the 4" coil-over with VSC.

Also, a few pictures to let you know you made a FANTASTIC choice for your rig…

 

[gmartin1215]

Great decision! About 6 months ago I installed the BDS 4” with the Fox 2.5 dsc shocks! It made it ride SO much smoother on the street, and off-road it really shines. As far as the UCA’s go… Yes the kit is designed to use the stock ones. I want something better than stock though because… why not?! I am going to order the Dirt King Fabrication UCA’s soon. I contacted them and the TUBULAR UCA’s are compatible with the BDS 4” lift. Their boxed set are not. With the DK UCA’s, they claim you get 2” more travel in the front, which sounds even smoother and even more badass! In case you didn’t know, the BDS kit as it comes sits 2” higher in the front than in the rear. If I could go back, I’d add the 1” extra in the rear option that they give you. But that could also be remedied with a larger puck in the rear. You could even go large enough to level out the rear. But honestly, I’ve grown to love the stance as it sits!! Also, the kit made the front 4” wider than the rear so I installed 2” wheel spacers in the rear to even out the stance. I was slightly disappointed that the kit only comes with the Fox 2.0 in the rear. In the future I’ll probably upgrade to the Fox 2.5’s with the DSC adjusters in the rear, so I can tune them to match the front better (around $1,500). But I’m planning on pushing it pretty hard off-road. Also, the suspension is soft and plush… So when I have lots of tools in the back it really squats extra! I’d highly recommend looking into some air bags for the rear if you’re going to be towing.
I installed the kit myself and it was really straight-forward with the included instructions! I was nervous about it, but it really wasn’t bad at all. And I’m just your average YouTube driveway mechanic. I’m stoked for you. And Lord have mercy on your soul waiting for the Fox coilovers to be made!! I waited roughly 4 months for my kit because of the Fox lead times. It was painful.

This is great! Thanks, @gnarlyallen !!

I ordered my kit in May of last year and finally got it around the first week of October. That was a frustrating time because I was hoping to get the kit in time to do it over the summer. I was getting to the point of saying f-it and calling them to cancel the order but then got the notice it was being shipped. They did mess up and gave me two left knuckles, but they sent me the right-side immediately. I got shoulder surgery recently so now it looks like I have to wait until next summer to get on it! The irony, right? Anyway, like you, I am planning to do the work myself with my YouTube mechanic experience, too!

Why did you decide on the DK UCAs over the BDS? I cheaped out and I am planning to put new UCA and LCA with Moog (CK version and not the RK). However, since I am waiting to do the work this summer I may change my mind and do something different for the UCA. I was thinking BDS but they upped their prices recently and they run about $900!

I thought about getting the 3" spacer for the rear over the 2" but thought I may have a little trouble clearing my garage door. I am also going to replace my rear springs with Moog 81069. I was guessing with the new springs and BDS spacer will raise it quite a bit as the new springs may be stiffer and ride higher than my stock ones with 140k miles on them. The height of your garage door looks to be about the same as mine. How much clearance do you have between the garage frame and your roof rack bars?
The stance of your Tahoe looks fairly level to me with maybe a little higher front rake. Maybe the front will settle a little over time to where it sits slightly lower than now? Anyway, If I don't like it, I could always buy the BDS 3" spacers and necessary brackets (I asked and they said they could sell that separately).
Great suggestion on the air bags! I'll plan to get some of those, too!

Did you decide to get the auxiliary bracket for the front differential? I did not at the time but have been thinking about getting one while I wait.

What tire and wheels are you running in your pics?

Did you do all the work in your garage using jack stands, or did you have access to a lift? I am planning to do the work using jack stands. If you used jack stands, then did you have much trouble lowering the front diff? Do you have any pics while building the front that you can share?

Anyway, thanks for the response and pics. I am getting more excited about tearing into mine and doing the upgrades!

 

[gmartin1215]

This is great! Thanks, @gnarlyallen !!

I ordered my kit in May of last year and finally got it around the first week of October. That was a frustrating time because I was hoping to get the kit in time to do it over the summer. I was getting to the point of saying f-it and calling them to cancel the order but then got the notice it was being shipped. They did mess up and gave me two left knuckles, but they sent me the right-side immediately. I got shoulder surgery recently so now it looks like I have to wait until next summer to get on it! The irony, right? Anyway, like you, I am planning to do the work myself with my YouTube mechanic experience, too!

Why did you decide on the DK UCAs over the BDS? I cheaped out and I am planning to put new UCA and LCA with Moog (CK version and not the RK). However, since I am waiting to do the work this summer I may change my mind and do something different for the UCA. I was thinking BDS but they upped their prices recently and they run about $900!

I thought about getting the 3" spacer for the rear over the 2" but thought I may have a little trouble clearing my garage door. I am also going to replace my rear springs with Moog 81069. I was guessing with the new springs and BDS spacer will raise it quite a bit as the new springs may be stiffer and ride higher than my stock ones with 140k miles on them. The height of your garage door looks to be about the same as mine. How much clearance do you have between the garage frame and your roof rack bars?
The stance of your Tahoe looks fairly level to me with maybe a little higher front rake. Maybe the front will settle a little over time to where it sits slightly lower than now? Anyway, If I don't like it, I could always buy the BDS 3" spacers and necessary brackets (I asked and they said they could sell that separately).
Great suggestion on the air bags! I'll plan to get some of those, too!

Did you decide to get the auxiliary bracket for the front differential? I did not at the time but have been thinking about getting one while I wait.

What tire and wheels are you running in your pics?

Did you do all the work in your garage using jack stands, or did you have access to a lift? I am planning to do the work using jack stands. If you used jack stands, then did you have much trouble lowering the front diff? Do you have any pics while building the front that you can share?

Anyway, thanks for the response and pics. I am getting more excited about tearing into mine and doing the upgrades!

@gnarlyallen ?