Auto Trac and Lifting!!! HELP!!!

[hapyspaz]

Allright, so Ive been gone for a bit, but Im back now. I have a question that I desperately need some feedback on!

I am finally putting a lift on my 99 2Door. What I need help with is the driveshaft and/or exhaust modifications when lifting my Tahoe.

Every manufacturer says something different. Some say:

"new driveshaft may be required with lift"
"exhaust modifications may be necessary"

Reading articles from the past concerning lifts and this t-case:
"you have to install a new driveshaft, and its expensive"

I am going to be installing this lift at a friends house in the middle of nowhere. I need some input on if I am going to need to pre-purchase a driveshaft or not have to worry about it. I am going to be installing a 4"-6" Skyjacker lift.

Any and all feedback would be awesome as I need to get the lift installed and get pictures taken for the calendar contest ASAP!!!

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[99COOP]

Have you already purchased the kit ? things to look out for, torsion bar tool to load/unload t-bars. replace your idler and pitman arm. Also replace your balljoints while you have everything out of the truck. exhuast modifications have to be made to clear the drive shaft. And a new dual cardinal style drive shaft is a must if you have auto trac. w/out it, it will vibrate like crazy. Have fun

 

[bai78]

As 99Cooop has pointed out, you will need to replace the front driveshaft. An alternative is to have a shop modify your existing one for half the price. It is your call. I personally went with kit manufacturer's driveshaft as it came with the kit. I could have been credited $500 or so by returning it, but didn't want to have to wait even longer for a shop to complete the modification.

Also, the crossover pipe may/will need to be modified to allow for the front drive shaft to articulate during compression of the suspension.

In any case, you should be able to install everything and not have issues with the driveshaft & exhaust until you can get it to a shop or home to properly make the changes.

 

[hapyspaz]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Ive actually decided to just go with a 2.5" lift, I know, I know, dont judge me. Im not lifting it for making it big, Im lifting it to fit the new shoes I put on it so they dont hit the frame at full steer.

From what I can tell, I wont need a driveshaft or exhaust modifications with the smaller lift; that, and it cost me about $1500 less.

 

[bai78]

As long as you're happy & it functions as you want. Be sure to post pics of the completed lift & new shoes combo!

 

[hapyspaz]

Will do. Should be going on this Saturday with the aid of fellow forum junkies.

 

[99COOP]

Post pics !

 

[blackcoffee]

Thanks for the info from this topic its helped me out quite a bit in deciding to do a suspension lift. By the way, I'll be doing the 6" IFS Tuff Suspension lift on a 1998 2 door 4x4.

 

[bowtiefreak]

can't wait to see it.

 

[hapyspaz]

Finished my lift and cleaned the Tahoe tonight; but I ran out of sunlight, should get some pic's up tomorrow.

 

[bowtiefreak]

pics and how do you like it?

 

[992door]

It is tomorrow night now where pics???????

 

[Effeckt]

I think he's trying to build the suspense! We need pics!

 

[bowtiefreak]

Well, we are waiting

 

[roadrageror]

ummm ya .. still waiting..

 

[992door]

well we have another nc6600 on our hands

 

[hapyspaz]

Crap, I dont wanna start getting ragged on. Hang on guys, the pics are loading into TYF now...

---------- Post added at 07:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:43 PM ----------

So far I like it a lot. Gave me just the amount of lift I wanted.

I think following the instructions was a mistake though, the extension for the passenger side to lower the front diff seems like it is installed backwards, even though it is the direction the instructions stated. The front diff seems to be sitting towards the front and higher up slightly on the passenger side. Gonna swap it around this weekend and see if it works better I think.

New tires are LT 275/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac's. (33.4 / 11.2 R 18) They are nobby but smooth and quiet, suprisingly. Going to get a few better pictures tonite on the way to dinner hopefully.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

looks good! tires rub at all on the back of the front fender?

 

[hapyspaz]

looks good! tires rub at all on the back of the front fender?

They are the perfect size. Pre-lift, they caught the frame and sway bar on passenger side at full steer. Post-lift no rubbing at all.

 

[961500]

Rear suspension install looks good! Glad it worked out had a blast helping heck I owe you more than one day of truck work for the help youve given me.