Lift Plans

[bigdough]

I am planning to do a lift on my Envoy here pretty soon, as she needs new tires, might as well lift it and put offroad tires on it.

Ive decided to go with the Liftmeister 2.5" lift kit. Now before everyone says "go with the 3" kit" I will say ive decided that the 2.5" kit will be fine for me. Down here in South Texas 4x4s see mosly sand and mud, i wont be rock climbing or going through many trails that would require more clearance.

NOW, my question is, do I NEED to replace shocks if I stick with the 2.5" kit? Also, i was changing the oil this past weekend and noticed the shocks on my Envoy are Bilsteins, are these OEM?

Also, with the 2.5" lift and spacers, I should be able to run 265/70/17s just fine correct?

Thanks in advance, any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Trail X]

If 2.5 is what you need for your mission, that's your call. Don't tell us we didn't warn you when in 6 months you'll be changing to the 3".

No, you do not NEED to replace the shocks. But you should. Black Bilsteins are OEM.

265/70/17 equates to 31.6", which should be fine with wheel spacers.

[bigdough]

HAHA, ok. I really dont think ill need more clearance for mud and sand, but maybe ill regret it!

Mine are blue Bilsteins, front and back, so i dont think they are stock. I should have gotten a part # while i was down there.

Cool, I thought so, just wanted to make sure.

Thanks for the reply.

[mikekey]

These trucks are pretty low already. But I'd say lift and throw some Z71 Tahoe springs on the rear. BDS rear shocks and upgrade your fronts. You're going to have to take the front off to install the lift, so you might as well change the shock to a Bilsteins HD.

[navigator]

if he doesn't tow or haul a lot of gear he might not like the ride of the Z71s. It is a little stiff for some.
I like the ride with the Z71s.

[dvanbramer88]

if he doesn't tow or haul a lot of gear he might not like the ride of the Z71s. It is a little stiff for some.
I like the ride with the Z71s.

Z71 springs are progressive springs. Factory springs are not. Z71's improve ride quality. Very much unlike what 89 springs do to the front. I don't think I've ever seen anyone say they didn't like the Z71's because they're too stiff.

[djthumper]

Dave - There have been one or two people that did not like the ride on Z71s and pulled them...

[The Roadie]

Dave - There have been one or two people that did not like the ride on Z71s and pulled them...

Wussies.

[Trail X]

They have been excommunicated, so they don't count.

[fishsticks]

They have been excommunicated, so they don't count.

The track hoe is all fueled up if we need to "excommunicate" any more...

[NC_IslandRunner]

My stock shocks/struts were blue bilsteins.

[dvanbramer88]

Dave - There have been one or two people that did not like the ride on Z71s and pulled them...

Wussies.

They have been excommunicated, so they don't count.

Thanks guys

[DirtyBacon04]

Damn, so many people like me on their food...

Giggity...

[bigdough]

Thanks for all the replies!


I dont plan to tow or carry a lot of stuff and i don't want a harsh ride, so ill think about the Z71 springs.

As far as shocks go, what do you guys recommend with the 2.5" lift? Front and rear.

[Regulator1175]

Read

Read

Read

Read

Read

Read

You get the idea? The answers are already here and pretty easy to find. Do some research and learn, it will be much more rewarding then being spoon fed.

[The Roadie]

Damn, so many people like me on their food...

We actually PREFER *clean* bacon. Dirty bacon has been known to cause brain farts and contribute to midnight winch rescues. (I am going to get mileage out of that epic story for EVAH! ) viewtopic.php?f=55&t=2678

[navigator]

Roadie, for rescues like that you deserve to get to use it forever.
My nephew(21) bought a 1932 grand Piano it is about 6ftX6ft. He got it to put in his bedroom that might be 14X14.
I went over to help him and a few of his buddies try to get it down the long hall in their house and into his room.
One of the guys said "I'm not sure am that good of a friend to be doing all this" .

You're a good friend Roadie!

[JorDaneeKey]

Read

Read

Read

Read

Read

Read

You get the idea? The answers are already here and pretty easy to find. Do some research and learn, it will be much more rewarding then being spoon fed.

So my question is, is the general lack of reading from laziness? Or, is the general lack of reading actually a fear of making a decision and then finding out you may or may not have been wrong, and you are the only one to blame?

And no, this is not targeting anyone. It is just a general observation/question.

[navigator]

I think sometimes it is not knowing any better, laziness or not even knowing what to search for.
A lot of other boards also don't discourage repeat questions over and over so part of it is likely the culture of message boards in general.
We do see new folks join and one of their early posts is "here is my plan" so that reinforces that the info is easily available. I can also understand someone wanting a little encouragement they have made a good choice before dropping several hundred $$$ on lift kits, shocks and spacers and make sure the tires they want will fit.

[HARDTRAILZ]

if he doesn't tow or haul a lot of gear he might not like the ride of the Z71s. It is a little stiff for some.
I like the ride with the Z71s.

Z71 springs are progressive springs. Factory springs are not. Z71's improve ride quality. Very much unlike what 89 springs do to the front. I don't think I've ever seen anyone say they didn't like the Z71's because they're too stiff.

Speaking from experience with this platform....

Z71 ruined my ride quality so I ditched them. I do not advise anyone to get them. If you want lift or weight carrying, they may be ok, but I despised the stiff ride they gave me when I DD the truck.

So far the Skyjacker coils have done great for me.