Offroad parts suggestions? Whats needed to be beefed?

[Livewire18]

I would love to put a nice 4in lift, but I don't want to be forced into large tires yet due to mpg. But, I am wondering what are some weak spots on the Tahoes? What should I be looking to upgrade/replace before I start taking on the trails to much?

I have a 2007 Z71 Tahoe w/ 3LT package. I have had it for about 3 years now am finally putting work into it. I have just ordered the Billstein 5100's for front/rear with height adjustment. The front will get pushed up just a bit. I have also ordered Hankook Dynapro ATM's. I have used my 'hoe for storm chasing the last few years so I already have HAM and CB setups. I have moved recently, and am going to be taking it off-road a bit more. Most of the trails will only be 2-3 stars TOPs. I will be not (yet lol) be going on diamonds or large rocks as this is my daily driver also.

So, what are your thoughts?

I have already looked at the Moog UAC's and balljoints. I have already replaced the sway-bar links last year. I do have the rear locker, is there anything I do to help it hold up longer (besides replacing it of course).

 

[01Konvict]

Not many options on 4" kits but for your off road adventures then I would go with rancho 4" kit that really measure 5.5"

 

[Livewire18]

Not many options on 4" kits but for your off road adventures then I would go with rancho 4" kit that really measure 5.5"

Thanks for the info. I think for now, I would like to keep it near stock height. My 7 year old twins already have enough trouble getting in. .

I will be leveling it with the 5100's though, but wondering what other parts I should upgrade for the trails?

I have not looked lately, so I can't remember, but do the 07 Z71 Tahoe's come with factory skid plates?

 

[fiatdale]

In terms of fuel mileage, when I put 35's on the Silverado and tuned it, I had zero MPG change from the stock tires. Still cranks out around 17-18mpg highway, so I wouldn't let that affect your decisions.

 

[01Konvict]

stock height then get level kit, usually 2.5/1 F/R

 

[Livewire18]

stock height then get level kit, usually 2.5/1 F/R

Thanks for the info. I have already ordered the bilstein 5100's with heigh adjust for front. I will likely stick with this until I get the money/time to do a full suspension lift.

 

[Zed 71]

Not sure what a 2-3 star trail rating is. The tie rods are a week link and IMO Bilstein 5100s are not that stout. Search for Bilstein 5100 broken strut. Rough Country makes upgraded tie rod sleeves.

Uniball UCAs are better than just Moogs. Icon, Total Chaos and Camburg offer upgraded UCAs. They also offer extended length coil overs. I have the Icon coilovers/suspension and Total Chaos on another rig and they are awesome. Here is a picture of that setup on my FJ.

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[Livewire18]

Zed71, Nice looking setup there. I have looked at the Chaos UCA's, but after dropping $1000 on camera equipment and another $1000 on shocks, struts, tires, etc, I can't fit them in the budget right now. I will keep those in mind.

As far as the tie rods. Are their any "beefier" ones other than stock? I am not finding any right off the bad.

Regarding the 5100's breaking. I can't find any references for this on the Tahoes, but more on the Tundras and Rams. Most of them we due to spacers at the top of the strut causing weird flexing. But I will keep this in mind and do some more research.

 

[Zed 71]

Ready Lift has heavy duty tie rods (steering kit) and Rough Country has sleeves.

As far as Bilstein 5100s the bottom shafts are prone to bending when wheeled hard. Compared to other aftermarket coilovers that part is relatively thin. We have a few folks that have bent them on lighter rigs so I am leery of these on heavy SUVs like the Tahoe.

 

[Livewire18]

Well, I went with the Bilstein 5100's and ride hight adjust. So far so good, except my new tires are rubbing only on the front right though. I started a separate thread for that though. (here). But, for anyone that is looking in the future, YES they do fit the 07 Tahoe Z71, and yes, I did get about 1.5 inch lift at their highest setting. So, right now the front and back are both sitting at 38 inches at center of wheel well. I will likely be adding a .75 or a 1 inch spacer to the rear just to bring it slightly up for when i tow a boat. The next upgrade will be the UCA's (likely Total Chaos) and also the heavy duty tie rods. I will not be doing hard-core wheeling any time soon, just replacing some worn parts with better ones (now that i am over 100k miles).

 

[NativH]

I've been looking at new UCA's with Uniballs along with Fox Coilovers for my '13 Z71. I keep hearing that the Uniballs don't last long, like perhaps only a year before needing replacement. Any experience with longevity issues?

 

[01Konvict]

No experience with them either heard the same. I went with regular ball joints that can be replaced with moog ones for cheap.

 

[Justinj360]

In terms of fuel mileage, when I put 35's on the Silverado and tuned it, I had zero MPG change from the stock tires. Still cranks out around 17-18mpg highway, so I wouldn't let that affect your decisions.

Teach me your ways! I put a 3" lift and 32" tires on my 2004 Yukon and I get about 3 mpgs less! I also have had a superchip for a few years now so I've been trying to find the most efficient setting but can't average more than 14 mpgs.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

The best offroad upgrade i can tell you to invest in other than a good set of tires and a mild lift is a locker. It will change the game for you.

 

[Zed 71]

I've been looking at new UCA's with Uniballs along with Fox Coilovers for my '13 Z71. I keep hearing that the Uniballs don't last long, like perhaps only a year before needing replacement. Any experience with longevity issues?

Uniballs can last a long time, but you need to take care of them. Have the TC UCAs on another rig for over 2 years. Take if offroad quite a bit which includes sand, mud, and snow (also salt/snow from city winter roads). Also been through 2 winters in Idaho and they are still going strong at about 30k miles.

I clean the uniballs after any offroad trip and lube them with a dry type lube like Tri-Flow or Boeing T-9 (I think that's what it is called). Just wipe and lube, takes less than a minute.

BTW there are uniball UCAs that are sealed on top from Icon and Camburg.