4" lift on the 2500HD

[DMax_Doug]

Anyone gone with a 4" lift on the 2500HD?
There's plenty of info & pics of 6" lifts w/35's, but I'm more interested in a 4" lift w/33's. Rancho has a 4" leveling lift, and Tuff Country is making a 4" version of thier 6" lift. Anyone know of any other players in the 4" market?

Thanks!

[DocDyno]

The Rancho 4" kit fits and looks good. I have one with 16X8 Rims and Goodyear 305 70X16 Wrangler MTR's (33's). I also used the Rancho 9000 Shocks. Ride and handling as good as factory, probably better.
Install was straightforward and instructions were well written.
Doc

[DMax_Doug]

Doc,
Thanks for the feedback. Any chance of posting some pictures? The tires I'm considering are BFG 295/75/16's, which are 33.5" tall and 11.5" wide. Your's I think are 12.5" wide, which I think look better but I was concerned they would stick out past the fender wells. Also, what's the backspacing on your 16x8 rims?

Thanks,
Doug

[DocDyno]

The wheels are Boyd Coddington Juggernauts. These are from their new 3/4 Ton Series Collection. Backspacing listed in there literature is min.: 4.0" and max.: 5.5 for the 16X8 which is what I have. They stick out slightly farther than the original mouse tires. I will take some pictures over the week-end and post. The fit was great. I had to trim about 1/2" off of my lower air dam corners. No rub under any conditions. I am going to try to post a tire size chart listing suggested tire and rim sizes. Hope this works.

Tire Size Typ. Load Range Approved Rim Width Meas. Rim Width Section Width Overall Dia.
LT235/75R15 C 6.0-7.0 6.5 9.3 29.1
30X9.50R 15 LT C 6.5-8.5 7.5 9.5 29.8
31C10.50R 15 LT C 7.0-9.0 8.5 10.5 30.8
32X11.50R 15 LT C 8.0-10.0 9.0 11.4 31.8
33X12.50R 15 LT C 8.5-11.0 10.0 12.5 32.8
35X12.50R 15 LT C 8.5-11.0 10.0 12.5 34.8
37X12.50R 15 LT C 8.5-11.0 10.0 12.5 36.8
LT 255/70R 16 C 6.5-8.0 7.5 10.2 30.3
LT 305/70R 16 D 8.0-9.5 9.0 12.2 33.1
LT 225/75R 16 D 6.0-7.0 6.0 8.8 29.5
LT 24575R 16 E 6.5-7.5 7.0 9.8 30.7
LT 265/75R 16 D 7.0-8.0 7.5 10.5 31.9
LT 285/75R 16 D 7.5-9.0 8.0 11.3 33.1
LT 315/75R 16 D 8.0-10.0 8.5 12.3 34.8
LT 235/85R 16 E 6.0-7.0 6.5 9.3 32.0
LT 265/70R 17 C 7.0-8.5 8.0 10.7 31.9
LT 275-70R17 C 7.0-8.5 8.0 11.0 32.4
37X12.50R 17 LT E 8.5-11.0 10.0 12.5 36.8

These sizes are from Goodyear specifications manual so they will be only approximate for other
brands. This chart is for the MT/R.
Chev/GMC Model year 2002/2500

[SoCalDMAX]

Doug,

I've got 255/85-16s and they are 33" dia tires. I didn't need to lift the truck, just turned the torsion bars to get the front level with the rear. I think it looks pretty good, fills up the wheel wells a little better. No clearance problems at all.

Wasn't sure if you thought the lift was necessary for 33s, or just like the looks of a 4" lift.

Regards, Steve

[DMax_Doug]

Doc,
Thanks for the info! I'll check back for your pics.

Steve,
I'm also considering 255/85's, although I prefer the 70 or 75 series with the wider treadbase. I'm lobbying for some of the taxman $$$ for a lift and rims, but right now it doesn't look like I have the votes I need with the capital committee (aka my wife).

Trying to minimize throw-away $$, I guess I could:
1. Go with 255/85s (low $$, I'm happy)
2. Get 16x8 rims with 285/75s (no lift, more $$, happier)
3. Get a 4" lift, rims & wide 33's (high $$, very happy)

Question Steve: Do you get any swaying with the 255's, or are they pretty stable in turns?

Doug

[8.1 HD]

Just wondering if you have any pics of your truck? I am looking at adding the Rancho kit to mine and am looking for any feedback ie: wheelwell measurements(from ground to center of opening), ease of install, max tire size, change in ride, etc. Thanks in advance.

Currently running 3" PA body lift w/285's and alittle room to spare, but looking at 35's

Link to pics in sig.

[dunrdr]

The Rancho 4" lift is NOT a levelling lift. It lifts the front 4" and the rear 2.5". The rear lift is lower to get rid of the factory rake and makes the truck look better.

I don't know of any other 4" lifts out there currently.

FYI - the Rancho kits now come in black as well as red.

[GMC D-Max]

Anybody have a suggested retail price for the Rancho 4", or know of a good place to buy one?

[DMax_Doug]

DocDyno & Dunrdr,
Looks like you two both have the Rancho 4" lift on your HDs - how about some pics?

Isn't a lift that's 4" in front and 2.5" in the rear considered a leveling lift since the stock HDs sit about 2" lower front to rear? Also, does the 4" Rancho lift give you a full 4" in front without cranking the t-bars? Mine are up 5-6 turns, causing the front to ride a little stiffer than stock.

[dunrdr]

I consider a levelling lift, when only the front is lifted to level to the rear.

The Rancho lift achieves 4" of lift without cranking up the torsion bars, therefore your ride is actually better than stock (using new shocks of course).

[BOOMERHD]

Dunrdr,

I would like to know what steering stabilizer you are using. Did it come with the rancho kit. How much was the kit?

Boomer :D

[8.1 HD]

Had an e-mail from Dunrdr, and he said that anywhere around $1500 is a good price for the kit. As for a steering stabilzer from the calls I have made it is not included in the kit, but will be available as a seperate item. Also, from what I've been hearing look for the future Off-Road and 4wheel mags to be running a feature on the install of this kit, I can't remember who told me, but it is definetly a reliable source.

[dunrdr]

The Rancho steering stabilizer is not part of the 4" Suspension kit. The stabilizer is a RS5407 and the bracket kit is a RS5548.

All this information should be available from your local Rancho dealer. Too bad it's not available online. I wish they'd update that damn Rancho website.

[8.1 HD]

:D :D :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D :D lol!!!!

[madmax7]

Are there any other lifts with 4" for our truckout there?
I am not a fan of Rancho lifts due to issues of wheel travel geometries not being addressed. Maybe they have updated there kits now, I don't know.