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1500 and RCD 6" Lift - concerns??

C

ckayakwa

SM 2004
Full Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2003
Messages
154
Location
Puyallup, WA
I'm considering a RCD 6" lift for my 02 1500 w/3.73. Most likely go with 16X8 wheels and 315s (35") BFG AT rubber. What are your thoughts on this mod to the 1500? Should I be concerned about the 5.3 engine and 3.73 rear end handling this setup? Be great to hear from anyone who has had this mod done. I live in beautiful Pacific Northwest and desire this mod for backcountry roads and our deep snows, it also would enhance the "truck" character of the Av.

Thanks!
 
ckayakwa said:
I'm considering a RCD 6" lift for my 02 1500 w/3.73. Most likely go with 16X8 wheels and 315s (35") BFG AT rubber. What are your thoughts on this mod to the 1500? Should I be concerned about the 5.3 engine and 3.73 rear end handling this setup? Be great to hear from anyone who has had this mod done. I live in beautiful Pacific Northwest and desire this mod for backcountry roads and our deep snows, it also would enhance the "truck" character of the Av.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have the RCD 6" lift with 16x8 rims...running 33" BFG Mud Terrains on 3:73 gears. This is a great lift kit and awesome ride! Here are some things to worry about when you lift your AV:
1. 33" tires won't rub as bad as 35" tires do
2. Running bigger tires with a higher center of gravity with the 3:73 gears will put a huge strain on your transmission as well as torturue your gas mileage. This is all depending if you drive alot of highway miles. I'm looking into the 4:30 gears, which will relieve the strain on my transmission and help improve my gas mileage. I got a quote from the guys who did my lift kit for $1200 to put in the new gears...front and back...labor included!
3. When you have your lift kit installed be aware that your "AV" is well....lifted... :2: and there is a good chance that your ABS sensors will get stuck between the rim of your two front tires and the truck and cause damage to your sensor. This happened to me and cost me over $300 to fix.

I have no regrets on getting the lift kit! I think it gives the AV a whole new character and people love it! Just be sure to post lots of pictures when you get it done! Happy Modding! >:D
 
I also have the RCD 6" lift with 17x9 Mickey Thompson classic II rims and Goodyear MTR 305x70x17 tires. I love the lift and the tire rim setup. I ended up adjusting this lift down 2" to a 4" lift because for these tires the full lift had to much space in the wheel wells. The front is adjustable and the back I had the place that installed the lift fabricate 4" spacers for the rear springs. I have the 6" rear spacers if I want to go taller in the future. The ride and look is awesome now with this tire and rim setup, and the ride is a little softer because lowering the torsion bars to 4"(Not too soft though, more like stock). The other issues are you lose some braking power, but upgrading the brake pads will compensate for some of this. You will also lose alot of power if you stay with the 3.73 gears with the bigger tires. I am lokking into the 4.30 gears too. With that done everything should be perfect.
 
My only concern with the RCD lift is that I can't afford it for another month or two. :-[

I am also debating whether to go 33" or 35" on the tires. The 33" fit better but there are a lot of people who put the 35's on and trimed the platic back in the front wheel wells to keep them from rubbing.

I got lucky, I have the 4.10 gears but there are a lot of lifted Av's using the 3.73 but I'm sure they would all recommed upgrading to the 4.10's if you are able.
 
35" tires on 6" RCD lift here and it's great but note that my Av is a 2500 4x4 with 4.10 gears and the big block (y)

This topic has been covered lots here in the forums - please try doing a search and you should find hours worth of reading.
 
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