Lift Questions

So I want to do a lift to my 2004 Silverado 1500 4WD Z71, looking to do 3" but 4" max. I have a few questions first though.

1. Can I use my stock 17" wheels with a 33" tire? Skyjacker recommends a 285/75/16 with a 3" lift, I don't know what the equivalent would be for a 17" wheel

2. Stock gearing is 3.73, would this be ok with a 33" tire?

3. I was looking at a Superlift kit, it did 3.5 front and 1.5 rear...from what I can see the 2004 Silverados didn't sit lower in the front so would this look weird?

1. yes
2.33's and 3.73 are not bad. not great but lots of people do it and they are not bad. heckI am running 3.42's and 33's right now
3. 04's do sit just as low, you can crank the torsion bars till it looks level.

Cool thanks. Now I've also seen just torsion key and add a leaf lifts, any downfall to these over a full suspension lift? If I went with a 2" torsion key lift with a 2" add a leaf in the back would a 33" tire rub?

What do you have on your truck 05z71?

Almost forgot to ask, how are you guys correcting your speedo? Using a hand held tuner or go to the dealer and have them change the PCM settings with the Tech 2?

I am running Ford torsion bar keys on the front and an add a leaf in the rear pack and have 33x12.50x17 on KMC hoss wheels. I forget the offset but if you are on stock wheels you won't rub as bad as I did.

Ford keys should run you like 50-60 bucks, dont pay 300 for a leveling kit unless it comes with with nice +2 shocks.

The truck will ride a bit stiffer/rougher, front end parts can wear out faster, you should get an alignement after swapping keys, you should get a little bit longer shocks up front or the tab extenders so you don't top out your stock shock and you will probably have to trim a little bit of plastic off the bottom of your inner fenders to clear a 33x12.50.

You can correct you speedo with most handhelds up to a certain tire size, I think the Diablo give you the most options but in my opinion and I think everyone here will agree that handhelds are a waste of time. For the same amount of money get a custom tune from Allen and make you truck run like it should.Gonna be way better than any handheld can ever do for you. Check out His website and you can call and talk to Mellissa and she can give you better info.Nelson Performance - Performance without Sacrificing Drivability

^^^^^What 05z71 said. Get you a tune from nelson. Like he you can prolly just turn your torsion keys up. My uncle has a CC 06 with 285 bfgs and he's not rubbing at all.

Man dont spend no money on a suspension lift.. Just get a 3" body lift. (under 200 bucks)I cleared 35's after my body lift.(minor inner fender trimming.)

If you put keys on or crank yours don't go thru all the trouble with buying expensive leafs and hassling that...they make a 3" and a 4" angled block they are only 40 bucks with tax. and they will give you a better drive line angle also.

just look at my sig pic man. It has 33x12.50x18 toyo m/t now but it had 35x12.50x18 nitto mud grapplers by the way is an awesome tire great hwy mileage and even goes after there is no tread.

Since all you want to run is a 33 inch tire, just do the leveling kit with an add a leaf and longer shocks. Invest in some good quallity shocks since your cranking, they will help with the ride. The larger block will work but tends to leave you with a bit of axle wrap. The 3.73's will be fine with the 33's, but if you want to go bigger a re-gear would be best. Finally a custom tune would be best over the hand held type tuners.

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Originally Posted by 05z71

I am running Ford torsion bar keys on the front and an add a leaf in the rear pack and have 33x12.50x17 on KMC hoss wheels. I forget the offset but if you are on stock wheels you won't rub as bad as I did.

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I would do this exactly. Actually, I would have done this exactly if I wouldn't have gotten a 6" lift. I personally don't like body kits at all on a stock truck. I would also go with Nelson hands down of course. you can't beat the customer service.

I would prefer 4.11's with the 33's but it really isn't worth the money for it if you already have 3.73's

I hate body lifts. Nothing fits right. My $0.02.

I guess it just depends on what you're looking for man. 05z71 has basically the same truck and you see from his sig what you'd be working with. I have 285/75r16 with 3.73 and have no problems with the gears running them on my nelson tune. I think a body lift would be too much lift for just 33s. I have seen people run 35s on that body style with just turning ford keys but that doesn't leave much flex room. So are you just riding highway or looking to do some crawling?