Looking for Used 3" Lifts for my 2001 Tahoe

[Ansin529]

I measured wheel well height the other day, but it was late evening and while sitting on a decline in drive way! I will be measuring it on a level surface tomorrow. My measurements while on a decline (the rear on the low end) was 34 3/4" front and same on the rear. I dont know if the decline affected measurements, it was lowered by someone or the rear is sagging. Your measurements in rear (stock) was 36 3/4" right.

And yes, I'm going retain stock rims for now!

 

[rgosart]

I measured wheel well height the other day, but it was late evening and while sitting on a decline in drive way! I will be measuring it on a level surface tomorrow. My measurements while on a decline (the rear on the low end) was 34 3/4" front and same on the rear. I dont know if the decline affected measurements, it was lowered by someone or the rear is sagging. Your measurements in rear (stock) was 36 3/4" right.

And yes, I'm going retain stock rims for now!

My guess is the hill affected the measurements because your tahoe didnt look level in the first picture you posted. It is also possible (and likely) that the rear has sagged over the years. Mine was 36" in the rear.

Looked at available sizes for ko2s and I dont see a 275 width tire that would be close to a 33. A 285/75r16 is probably your best bet.

 

[Ansin529]

Ok. So last night I installed a 3"x2" inch leveling kit, shock extenders and Z71 Springs! Took me 3 hours, which included an alignment with all appropriate camber, caster and toe adjustments. I knew right away, it had raised my truck well beyond 3" in the front!

I will attach photographs of what the Tahoe looked like afterwards. I realized after it was all said and done that cranking the keys all the way up led to a 5" inch lift to my front end lmao! Opps!

I went from 34 3/4" front and rear to 39 1/2" front and 37 3/4" rear and 39 3/4" front.

I new I was going to have to make adjustments so I decided to drive it home and reapproach the build this morning.

I have since lowered/leveled the truck out and completed a new alignment.

 

[wjburken]

Ok. So last night I installed a 3"x2" inch leveling kit, shock extenders and Z71 Springs! Took me 3 hours, which included an alignment with all appropriate camber, caster and toe adjustments. I knew right away, it had raised my truck well beyond 3" in the front!

I will attach photographs of what the Tahoe looked like afterwards. I realized after it was all said and done that cranking the keys all the way up led to a 5" inch lift to my front end lmao! Opps!

I went from 34 3/4" front and rear to 39 1/2" front and 37 3/4" rear and 39 3/4" front.

I new I was going to have to make adjustments so I decided to drive it home and reapproach the build this morning.

I have since lowered/leveled the truck out and completed a new alignment.View attachment 236978 View attachment 236978 View attachment 236979 View attachment 236980

Gonna need some bigger shoes on that thing now!

 

[Ansin529]

The below pictures are the lift after I leveled it out. I will maintain this level until tires are replaced. Future shock replacement will replaced shock extenders as well.

Current measurements are 37 1/2" front and the same in the rear! Whatcha think guy?

 

[Ansin529]

Gonna need some bigger shoes on that thing now!

I can't decide if I'm going to install larger tires on the current (stock) rims or look for an aftermarket set!

 

[rgosart]

The below pictures are the lift after I leveled it out. I will maintain this level until tires are replaced. Future shock replacement will replaced shock extenders as well.

Current measurements are 37 1/2" front and the same in the rear! Whatcha think guy?

Looks sharp! With 33" tires, yours will sit very similar to mine. Should be right around 39".

I can't decide if I'm going to install larger tires on the current (stock) rims or look for an aftermarket set!

Personally, I don't like those factory wheels. If I was going to keep a stock rim from that era, it would be the z71 snowflake wheels or the LT 5 spokes. Both 17" wheels. Out of all of the GM wheels that fit these trucks, I like the style that I have and the 18" Z71 wheels from the 07-13 NNBS trucks. My original plan was to use the 14+ Tahoe 20" 5 spoke wheels, but BFG doesn't make a tire that will fit a 20" wheel with white letters!

 

[Ansin529]

Looks sharp! With 33" tires, yours will sit very similar to mine. Should be right around 39".



Personally, I don't like those factory wheels. If I was going to keep a stock rim from that era, it would be the z71 snowflake wheels or the LT 5 spokes. Both 17" wheels. Out of all of the GM wheels that fit these trucks, I like the style that I have and the 18" Z71 wheels from the 07-13 NNBS trucks. My original plan was to use the 14+ Tahoe 20" 5 spoke wheels, but BFG doesn't make a tire that will fit a 20" wheel with white letters!

I don't care for them either! I've been looking for a decent quality used set or I'll save for a new aftermarket rim! Yours look great and the snowflakes aren't bad either!

 

[Ansin529]

So...

I obtained a set of cheap, chrome, 20" GM Wheels that had 35x12.50x20s on them. They were emmaculate and I hoped they would hold me over until I decided on a permanent direction.

Surprisingly, they do not scrub or rub anywhere during normal travel! I did, however, hear a scrubbing sound, once when I hit a nasty pothole! 33's are definitely where I'm headed. I almost think the 35s are too bulky for build and I want zero scrubbing if possible. They look good as a whole I believe!

I have also purchased a curved light bar for the top of the Tahoe, LED fog lights as the originals were missing lenses and inoperable and led/hid kits for headlights and turn signals! Photographs to come!

 

[Ansin529]

I finally took po photographs of my Tahie during the daylight! Whatcha think guys?