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Lift kit, wheels, tires PLEASE HELP!

B

BadBlackAv

Full Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2003
Messages
76
Location
Las Vegas, NV
It?s time to ask the experts!

I have a 2003 1500 2wd Avalanche. I want to get a 6? Fabtech lift, 305/70/16 BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA?s, and either American Racing Pythons or American Eagle 146 wheels. Here are my questions?

1. Does anyone know of some good sites that I can buy a lift online? The cheapest I have found was at performancelifts.com. The lift is $1299 plus $80 shipping. Is there anything cheaper out there?

2. What size wheels do I need to get? Are 16x8 what I should get? The offroad shop that would be doing the install said I should get 16x10s. Although it seems that selection is limited when you go up to 16x10, not to mention the price increase.

3. Know of any good sites online where I can get good prices on wheels? I have been looking at wheelsforless.com. Pythons are $199 each (16x:cool: and the Eagle 146s are $229 each (16x:cool: at wheelsforless.com Any suggestions?

Here is some background info?I have contacted a few offroad shops in the metro Detroit area and from what I have seen the prices are very high! For example, Truck Stuff quoted me ..

$1945 Fabtech lift
$700 All-Terrians (4qty, $175 per tire)
$1500 for 16x10 American Racing Python, Chrome
$350 installation
$4767 total (including MI sales tax)!

Do any of these prices seem high to anyone? I figured that I could order the parts off line much cheaper online and have the shop to the install. If I order the parts myself installation will still be around $350.

Here is what I am thinking it will really cost if I buy the parts online. Please let me know if I am off base with any of these numbers!

$1379 Fabtech lift
$700 All-Terrians (4qty, $175 per tire)
$860 16x8 American Racing Python, Chrome
$350 installation
$3352 total (including tax)

I appreaciate all of your help and insight! This site is GREAT!
 
I'm not lifted - though in my research talking to shops about a lift - man said to plan on a full day for the lift - plus getting it aglinement - so I t sounds like your install rate is low - even if you can find cheap shop labor of $75/hr this covers a little more than 1/2 a day without aglinement.

Just my .02

I really liked your research - you sound like a project manager :) Keep us posted
 
with regards to wheel withd, please check out this link

http://www.fly-n-hi.com/gmifs.html

this is a local shop here in Phoenix, has insight to think about when going wider then stock with wheels.

Also I talked to the Accessories guy at the dealership today about wheel withd, and he also said that going with a 10 inch wide wheel, be expected to see increased wear and tear.

Regards,

Grey_Av
 
I agree with Blue and Grey...

Install for 350.00 is low...that is a sweet deal if that's the true price.

16x10 wheels - The wider the wheel, the more wear & tear. Having a Z66 you probably have the 3.73 gears as well. The wider wheel will make it that much harder for your AV to turn them. Granted, if you beef up performance (intake, programmer, etc) you'll get some "go" back, but that is also a factor.

The guy i bought my lift from had 16x10 on a Z66. He claimed no significant decrease in performance. But he said he had those upgrades as mentioned above.

Keep an eye on Ebay if all else. That's where I got my rims. Brand New...and for less than what 2 would have cost retail.

Mud!
 
$350 might not be that low for a 2-wheel drive. I paid $850 for a 4-wheel drive and most of the work for a 4-wheel drive is in the front end. Dropping the front diff is very time consuming.

Make sure that 16X10 wheels won't stick outside of the wheels wells. You might want to check your state laws on this. I got a fix ticked for a lifted Dodge that 16X10 wheels that stuck outside of the fender well.

Good luck and post pics.

TE
 
SO I have 16x10 wheels on my Z71. Anytime you go to a taller tire you can expect to see some performance decrease. It is really not that big of a deal. I am currently running with a 5" BS on my Wheels and that centers them just perfect.

There are some pics here that might give you an idea of what it might look like.

Clicky Clicky
 
hey did you get a rancho lift or fabtech and what size tire are you running...
 
I am running a Rancho lift and 305/70-16 Pro Comp Mud Terrains.

 
I HAVE A FAB TECH 6" LIFT AND HAD A REAR TORSION BAR BRACKET BREAK ON OUR ANZA CRUISE. I THINK THE RCD LIFT IS SUPERIOR AND WOULD PURCHASE IT IN THE FUTURE. AS FOR TIRES THE 16 X 10 IS THE BEST CHOICE, I'M RUNNING BFG AT 295 75 R 16 AND LOVE THEM. JUST MY 2 CENTS.
 
I just today picked up a new 2003 2500 AV with the 8.1. It seems like rim selection goes down substantially with the 8 lug pattern. I am wanting to add some additional hp and am debating the 20inch look (which honestly I thought I first liked) or going with a lift (which I think I am leaning towards) with off road tires. Honestly I am not a big 4 wheel drive guy, but my mechanic is trying to get me to lean towards a body lift instead. Any ideas on any of this. Also it seems like the predator, dual exhaust and an air intake seem to be good steps to start with on the hp?!
John
 
welcome to the club,

there are threads regarding body lift opinions, and suspension lift info as well.... basically it comes down to your budget, and what you are going to do with the truck....


Regards,

Grey_Av
 
There are enough previous posts on this subject to keep you reading for hours and hours. I strongly recommend you spend as much time as possible reading them - that's where you'll get help with your decisions.

The prices you quote all seem to be good to excellent. There are wheels that you can get for less if you want to save $ there. As for Fabtech vs. Trailmaster vs. Rancho vs. RCD vs. Skyjacker vs. anyone else, I went with RCD because I truly think they're the best (did a lot of research, asked a lot of questions and made a lot of visits to shops and called the manufacturers). They all lift the vehicle so it's up to you to determine which one is best and the best value.

Be sure to investigate wheel/tire width and backspacing carefully. I was told not to exceed 4.5" backspacing ("BS") on the RCD lift.

Good luck and keep reading (do a search).
 
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