01 yukon lift (the repeating thread)

[TWITCH101]

Just bought a yukon from a friend and I'm looking to lift it.I know this has to be a thread that never ends. It had the autoride but it has been taken off and the shocks replaced so I think that should be out of the question if my homework is correct. I've been doing some research and it seems most guys are running the 6" suspension and 35s (just from what I have seen) I know there is more out there but I don't really like the body lift kits so I'm trying to stay away from that option.....My question is if there is any lift out there (suspension) that I can install and not have to take a plasma cutter or welding machine to my yukon? (or do they all require it?). I'm not looking to spend a fortune on a lift with wheels and tires. I would just like some honest opinions on what may suit me best. I would prefer a 4-6" lift with 33s. my idea is to get a little better gas mileage than 35s but if the price difference isn't too much then Imight just go all out. But about what price am i looking to get a decent suspension setup installed with new wheels and tires? and I'm not picky about wheels and tires so I think i could definitely handle a used set.

just lookin to hear some opinions

also: if you guys could go back and start over with lifting your yuk/hoe ....what would you do?

 

[PUGLIA]

anywhere from 3000-4500 for lift rims and tires

 

[jerseyjonny]

you can spend anywhere form $3000 and up depending on how far you want to get into it as you said up there, i am bery happy with the ride/driveability of my truck on 35s

 

[TWITCH101]

3-4 thousand....I was afraid to hear that....thats a little more than what I was hoping for......can 33s fit on a stock yukon with the key-lift? might just level it with that and slap some 33s on it and call it done until I'm ready to go big.

 

[TWITCH101]

anyone else care to chime in?

 

[Jbird]

yes you can level it with torsion keys and fit 33s. They run anywhere from $60-250. my set of 33s discovery stt and 20" rockstars ran me a little over $2000

 

[Arctic-Rodz]

Why did they remove the autoride?

I have 33's on my 98 yukon 4x4 with a tortion lift.. but did have to trim the edges of the bumper to get better clearance of the tires as they turn and the suspension flexes.

Im headin up to San Antonio tomorrow to try and get a 2004 Yukon SLT 4x4 for my next DD/project.
Im also planning a 6" with 18x9 wheels and 35" Nitto Trail Grappler M/T's (Have em on my 98 and love em)

 

[Jbird]

my 03 hoe had the stock keys cranked a little but it didnt do much and i still didnt rub

 

[TWITCH101]

Why did they remove the autoride?

I have 33's on my 98 yukon 4x4 with a tortion lift.. but did have to trim the edges of the bumper to get better clearance of the tires as they turn and the suspension flexes.

Im headin up to San Antonio tomorrow to try and get a 2004 Yukon SLT 4x4 for my next DD/project.
Im also planning a 6" with 18x9 wheels and 35" Nitto Trail Grappler M/T's (Have em on my 98 and love em)

They removed the autoride because the compressor was bad and the rear shocks were supposedly messed up and to replace the entire system was going to be expensive....or at least thats what I was told....so my buddy replaced the susupension with regular shocks and said to hell with spendin all that money.

---------- Post added at 11:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------

I'm worried about putting extra strain on my joints in the frontend if I crank the keys or stock torsion bar.....can anyone educate me farther on this? also...what wheel spacers will I need for the front? I think I read that you need spacers for the front when you use the keys to get a couple inches.

 

[TWITCH101]

bump....any more words of wisdom you guys???

 

[PUGLIA]

Anytime you modify a vehicle from the factory specs you are going to add stress to the parts. Really its not as bad as it sounds but that's why over time most of us upgrade from factory parts when they go bad. Cranking on your keys will give you a minor lift and a really crappy ride, lol. Re-indexed Keys lift your front end 2-3" if you have 4wd your going to have to watch your CV angles if not you really don't have anything to worry about. Either way you can use factory rims for either, a key lift or cranking will not effect clearance for your stock rims.

 

[TWITCH101]

Anytime you modify a vehicle from the factory specs you are going to add stress to the parts. Really its not as bad as it sounds but that's why over time most of us upgrade from factory parts when they go bad. Cranking on your keys will give you a minor lift and a really crappy ride, lol. Re-indexed Keys lift your front end 2-3" if you have 4wd your going to have to watch your CV angles if not you really don't have anything to worry about. Either way you can use factory rims for either, a key lift or cranking will not effect clearance for your stock rims.

How crappy of a ride???lol All I was looking for is maybe 2" in the front just to kinda level it out better and just run a little bigger tire with the stock wheels...nothing special.

 

[AquinoSteven]

When we say "crappy ride" its not bad but its nothing to brag about. It rides like a heavy duty truck. When you crank you truck up you lose downward travel so sudden drop, potholes, speed bumps, can get pretty shakey. You learn to live with it haha

 

[TWITCH101]

ok cool because I drove an 89 silverado with a 4"drop as my everyday driver for 6 years so i figure it can't be anywhere near that rough.......but I might just get the keys to play around with an inch or two at the most.....all I'm going for is the leveled look....maybe just some 32" tires and not 33"....I dunno...I'll just have to see what happens over time....I'm not in a hurry to get it done.

 

[AquinoSteven]

Dont forget to get an alignment when your done or else you'll ruin your entire front end.

 

[TWITCH101]

yea I think when I get the setup I'll put it on all at once....keys, tires, and the allignment....i think that should be fine....until then I'm rolling on stock...

BTW....does anyone know if keys will mess with the autoride? I have autoride taken off the truck right now but I think I can get some new shocks and compressor for hella cheap.....is the key compatible or should I just leave it alone?

 

[AquinoSteven]

I would ditch that autoride stuff all together. I doubt it will work with the keys but Puglia will know for sure.

 

[TWITCH101]

I see....I'll have to give him a try......cause if it will work and I can get it cheap then I'll get it done....autoride is hella nice for towing....

 

[PUGLIA]

Mitch,

If you took autoride off that has nothing to do with the auto leveling. You can still have auto leveling with out autoride, they are separate systems. Autoride is just those electronic dampening shocks both front and the elect air shocks in the rear.

If you have the autoride shocks out your battle is won man. Just replace the front with reg shocks and rear with air shocks if thats the route you want to go. But really to tell you the truth you will spend more money over time because of shocks blowing and compressors burning up. Your best bet if your towing is to get load assist bags, you can even get them w/ compressors so you can air them up either by remote or in the hoe. You'll spend just as much and they will last longer. You will have control and you can adjust it to help with ride quality too.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-25592/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-60769/

Just a thought

 

[TWITCH101]

man you guys really step it up around here....thanks for all the help and I'll def keep that in mind....I think for now I'm just going to leave the shocks alone and put the resistors on just to get that annoying light out of my dash...BTW they are not the autoride shocks...but thanks for all the advise guys