BDS vs. Fabtech 6" - need help deciding!

[ttusomeone]

I putting a lift on my 2017 Z71 Tahoe. I was planning to go with a BDS but have heard a lot of good things about Fabtech. Seems like the guys I talk with about Fabtech love theirs and the BDS guys say the same thing about BDS. It seems BDS has the edge when it comes to warranty, but Fabtech's lift is actually higher.

What are people's experiences here? I need some help deciding one way or another.

 

[ttusomeone]

Alright - decided to go with the BDS and placed the order today. 6" lift with Fuel Maverick 20x10 -12 wheels with Toyo AT2
295/60R20 tires. Also getting the Amp Powerstep installed. I'll post some pics on the picture thread when it's done.

 

[olyelr]

Heck yea!

 

[Etraeger]

Do both of them work with the leveling system? We got an early Pro Comp 6"lift and it doesn't work with the factory leveling system, so every time we turn it on, we get an error on the dash board. Just need to push a button to clear it, but kinda a pain in the arse.

 

[ttusomeone]

Do both of them work with the leveling system? We got an early Pro Comp 6"lift and it doesn't work with the factory leveling system, so every time we turn it on, we get an error on the dash board. Just need to push a button to clear it, but kinda a pain in the arse.

I believe both can be ordered to accommodate the leveling system, but my Tahoe doesn't have that so I didn't research it extensively.

 

[01Konvict]

The BDS can work with autoride if you get rear shock extensions from another manufacturer. I like the BDS and I would opt for the coilover upgrade.

 

[ttusomeone]

The BDS can work with autoride if you get rear shock extensions from another manufacturer. I like the BDS and I would opt for the coilover upgrade.

I definitely considered the coilover upgrade, but for the money decided to go with the Amp Research step instead. I figured if I didn't like the way it drove and thought the coilovers would help, I could always upgrade to them down the road.

 

[01Konvict]

I definitely considered the coilover upgrade, but for the money decided to go with the Amp Research step instead. I figured if I didn't like the way it drove and thought the coilovers would help, I could always upgrade to them down the road.

You will love the difference with coilovers. Just save for a couple months and throw them on. You also need some 1.25" or 1.5" rear wheel spacers to even track width to match front.

 

[ttusomeone]

You will love the difference with coilovers. Just save for a couple months and throw them on. You also need some 1.25" or 1.5" rear wheel spacers to even track width to match front.

My shop quoted $1,600 for the Fox 2.5 coilovers with the external reservoir. That sound right to you?

I have 1.5 inch spacers on there now with the stock wheels, so I can reuse them on the back if needed - thanks for the advice!

 

[01Konvict]

My shop quoted $1,600 for the Fox 2.5 coilovers with the external reservoir. That sound right to you?

I have 1.5 inch spacers on there now with the stock wheels, so I can reuse them on the back if needed - thanks for the advice!

Yeah sounds fair value. The 2.5s are much better than 2.0s for the little cost difference. No problem just leave the rear set on and remove the fronts.

 

[Etraeger]

When I first got my '16 F-150, it was so new that when I ordered the lift kit no one had a coil over for it yet, but the guys at the shop told me I could always upgrade later. I had a Fab Fours bumper and a winch installed, which was much heavier than the stock bumper. I didn't know it at the time, but the front end was sagging a little due to the extra weight and the suspension was maxed out. After the inner treads started wearing more than the outside, I took it in to the shop and they told me it was too heavy and it was time to install the coil overs, which i did. however, it did cost me more to add the coil overs later than if I could have had them installed when I originally had the lift kit put on. So, if you are planning to add a heavy duty bumper and winch in the future, I would highly recommend that you go ahead now and do the coil over.

 

[ttusomeone]

When I first got my '16 F-150, it was so new that when I ordered the lift kit no one had a coil over for it yet, but the guys at the shop told me I could always upgrade later. I had a Fab Fours bumper and a winch installed, which was much heavier than the stock bumper. I didn't know it at the time, but the front end was sagging a little due to the extra weight and the suspension was maxed out. After the inner treads started wearing more than the outside, I took it in to the shop and they told me it was too heavy and it was time to install the coil overs, which i did. however, it did cost me more to add the coil overs later than if I could have had them installed when I originally had the lift kit put on. So, if you are planning to add a heavy duty bumper and winch in the future, I would highly recommend that you go ahead now and do the coil over.

Thanks for the advice. No plans to upgrade the bumper or add a winch (I haven't seen any aftermarket bumpers for a Tahoe that I like), and realize it's going to cost me a little more to add them later because of the cost of the shop's labor. At least then if I add them I'll feel better about the decision because I've experienced the lift without them and know I need them for the ride quality I'm looking for.

 

[Desert Solitude]

When I first got my '16 F-150, it was so new that when I ordered the lift kit no one had a coil over for it yet, but the guys at the shop told me I could always upgrade later. I had a Fab Fours bumper and a winch installed, which was much heavier than the stock bumper. I didn't know it at the time, but the front end was sagging a little due to the extra weight and the suspension was maxed out. After the inner treads started wearing more than the outside, I took it in to the shop and they told me it was too heavy and it was time to install the coil overs, which i did. however, it did cost me more to add the coil overs later than if I could have had them installed when I originally had the lift kit put on. So, if you are planning to add a heavy duty bumper and winch in the future, I would highly recommend that you go ahead now and do the coil over.

Do you have any pics pf that Fab Fours front bumper on there? I'm highly considering the same thing. I may have to go customethough as it seems they've discontinued making that bumper. Maybe I can find one in stock with a retailer though.

 

[slootdude]

The Fabtech is a bigger kit. It's technically a 7". I work for an aftermarket automotive company and we recently built an 18 Yukon on a Fabtech kit with 26x14 American force wheels. Not something you could have done on a true 6" kit.

 

[slootdude]

I have a 2017 Yukon XL with a Procomp 6" kit, MHT Fuel Sledge 22x10 with Toyo 35x12.50x22 R/Ts and amp power steps. I went with ProComp due to their LiftShield warranty. it's a 5 year 60k mile powertrain warranty. So if the manufacturer ever denies you a claim due to the vehicle being lifted, Liftshield steps up and covers the repair with only a $100 deductible.

 

[Undeserving]

Never heard of such a thing but I will definitely look into it now. Been on the fence about lifting my 17 Z71 since I bought it. The warrantee is the only reason I haven’t done it yet. This may push me over the edge. Did tge 6” kit get you a true 6” and was any other mods, like NorCal or trimming, needed to clear your 35’s??

 

[slootdude]

Never heard of such a thing but I will definitely look into it now. Been on the fence about lifting my 17 Z71 since I bought it. The warrantee is the only reason I haven’t done it yet. This may push me over the edge. Did tge 6” kit get you a true 6” and was any other mods, like NorCal or trimming, needed to clear your 35’s??

I've had multiple lifted trucks, and there has been trimming on every single one of them. It's just the nature of the beast. I cheated a bit tho, stacked a 1.5" leveling kit on the front and a 1.5" rear coil spring spacer so it sits about 7.5". No clearance issues whatsoever.

And the ProComp warranty is the only one of it's kind. I worked for one of Procomp's sister companies for years and am very familiar with the program. It definitely sets them apart from the rest of the industry. It runs for the first 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. I'll post the link here for you to check it out, but the kit for our vehicles is included in the list of qualified kit numbers. https://www.procompusa.com/liftshield

 

[Adam10532]

Never heard of such a thing but I will definitely look into it now. Been on the fence about lifting my 17 Z71 since I bought it. The warrantee is the only reason I haven’t done it yet. This may push me over the edge. Did tge 6” kit get you a true 6” and was any other mods, like NorCal or trimming, needed to clear your 35’s??

just lifted my 2016 yukon denali 6 inch kit from fabtech today with 295 70 18 i went up exactly 8 inchs now the kit it bigger then 6 inchs call fabtech they will explain, I had the budget 4 inch lift from fabtech I hated that it only have 3 inchs of lift now I love the way it looks stay tuned will upload more pictures soon

 

[Adam10532]

just lifted my 2016 yukon denali 6 inch kit from fabtech today with 295 70 18 i went up exactly 8 inchs now the kit it bigger then 6 inchs call fabtech they will explain, I had the budget 4 inch lift from fabtech I hated that it only have 3 inchs of lift now I love the way it looks stay tuned will upload more pictures soon

View attachment 201424

with my 18x9 fuel vector wheel +1mm offset i just had to trim the corner of the airdam and no rubbing

 

[xHELLHOUNDx]

just lifted my 2016 yukon denali 6 inch kit from fabtech today with 295 70 18 i went up exactly 8 inchs now the kit it bigger then 6 inchs call fabtech they will explain, I had the budget 4 inch lift from fabtech I hated that it only have 3 inchs of lift now I love the way it looks stay tuned will upload more pictures soon

View attachment 201424

8” of lift is exactly what I’m looking for. How does this kit affect the Magneride on your Denali?