questions on increased clearace

[Catfish]

I just joined the Off-road club at Clemson and some of the guys there were saying that I may have trouble with clearance on some of the trails they go on with my '08 Yukon Denali. Just wanted some ideas on what I could do that won't break the bank or require too much work/time (being an engineering major is really kicking my ***) to increase the clearance on my Denali. I was thinking maybe taking off the sidesteps and front skirt bumper when off-roading but would I be able to reinstall them after trail riding? Any other ideas are welcome. Thanks!

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

well most 4wd vehicles at least ones that ive owned always had extra either steel or aluminum plates under the frame to protect parts of the drive train and oil pan shit like that
id probably hold off on removing sidesteps there more then just a step if you do happen to run out of clearence suddenly youll just come down on the side steps and theyll get damaged instead of possibly doing damage to your bodey or maybe crunching something else important

 

[Catfish]

well most 4wd vehicles at least ones that ive owned always had extra either steel or aluminum plates under the frame to protect parts of the drive train and oil pan shit like that
id probably hold off on removing sidesteps there more then just a step if you do happen to run out of clearence suddenly youll just come down on the side steps and theyll get damaged instead of possibly doing damage to your bodey or maybe crunching something else important

Mine is a 2wd so I don't think it has the plating underneath. And I though about damaging the sidesteps: do you think it would be possible to custom fab metal bars to put in place of the steps to receive the damage or would that just be dumb?

 

[Zed 71]

A 2WD Denali, not an ideal off-road rig. What tires are you running and what type of terrain will you be encountering?

Cheap, like you said, take off the bottom valence of the front bumper. I'm with Cap on the sidesteps, depending on the terrain it might save the components underneath the truck. Check Trail Gear for relatively inexpensive sliders.

Consider getting a spacer leveling kit (<$200) and they are pretty easy to install.

IMO I would not take the Denali off-road in current form. Hitch a ride with another club member and enjoy the scenery .

 

[Catfish]

Yeah I would ride with others on the more technical trails but on some of the lighter ones they said they could definitely use an SUV to bring other riders, spare parts, and/or gear for camping. Its the biggest vehicle in the club that I've seen so far so they could definitely use the extra space. Whether I drive or not I cant wait to go out with them in the future. Thanks for the ideas y'all.