Hey guys, I plan on lifting my 07 Classic in the future here and I am trying to make sence of all the information on the site. I don't plan on going big, but I think I would like to have 285's or 295's for rubber and not have a big gap between the top of the tire and wheel well. But other than to my understanding that in order to fit 285's at least you need to install a leveling kit. I don't want to crank my t-bars up, and still want a quality ride. So...is the basic GM factory lift the same as an aftermarket lift/leveling kit or is there some differences...better or negative?

GM doesn't make a lift. They purchase and relabel although I am not sure which lift they use. Come to think of it do they even offer a "factory" lift? I know around here the local dealers shoved an aftermarket lift on and charged a premium price for it, but they will cover it under warranty. With a GM truck you will always have a big gap between the tire and the top of the wheel well because of the shape of the wheel well. Ford IMHO has a better designed wheel well since it follows the shape of a tire, it allows a larger tire with less of a lift.

My Stealer uses ReadyLift....

I know down here in the south west RMT is a conversion company that works really close with GM on mods, plus they are nation wide and have a great warrenty (same as GM). Check them out or see if you can find someone similar. www.rmtus.com. RMT offers what they call the HD4 package and comes with a leveling kit. I've talked to them and they seem very honest and have only heard good things about them.

Looked at their site, looks as if their leveling kit is simply cranking the bars, or possibly adding green keys and longer shocks. The shocks are Rancho 5000's which are pretty cheap. You would be better off cranking a bit and putting shock extensions or longer quality shocks, like Bilstiens. If you want a small lift without cutting anything, you are stuck with cranking the bars or body lift. I would crank and get longer shocks. Cognito UCA's seem to be the ticket for cranking and keeping a good ride. That is my plan.

I spoke to a GM dealer and they offered a 2'' lift and they said they put in longer keys/shocks and blocks in the rear installed for $1100+tax. He said you could put 285s but was not sure about rubbin if they were off-set.

man, youll fit 285's on a stock suspension NFP no (adverb) problem...just crank the torsions one or two turns before the top

I spoke to a GM dealer and they offered a 2'' lift and they said they put in longer keys/shocks and blocks in the rear installed for $1100+tax. He said you could put 285s but was not sure about rubbin if they were off-set.

good lord!! whatever you do DO NOT pay them $1100 just to be able to fit 285's!!!!!! you can fit 285's for free and 5 freakin minutes in your driveway!! and dont bother with a leveling kit either, the longer shocks are the only thing worth a damn cause the different keys do exactly the same thing as cranking your bars up. its not going to ride any different! whether cranking your stock keys or putting in aftermarket keys it will still ride rougher than it does stock. just for reference, i put a 6" lift on my truck for 1100 bucks and im riding on 37's! oh, and you can pick up 2" blocks for real cheap, that is if you even want to lift the back. personally i think these trucks look 1000x better with the front level which is what youll get by cranking the bars up front and leaving the back alone.

good lord!! whatever you do DO NOT pay them $1100 just to be able to fit 285's!!!!!! you can fit 285's for free and 5 freakin minutes in your driveway!! and dont bother with a leveling kit either, the longer shocks are the only thing worth a damn cause the different keys do exactly the same thing as cranking your bars up. its not going to ride any different! whether cranking your stock keys or putting in aftermarket keys it will still ride rougher than it does stock. just for reference, i put a 6" lift on my truck for 1100 bucks and im riding on 37's! oh, and you can pick up 2" blocks for real cheap, that is if you even want to lift the back. personally i think these trucks look 1000x better with the front level which is what youll get by cranking the bars up front and leaving the back alone.

before i went with the 4" cognito I was using 2" blocks in the rear that I got used for $40 shipped. X2 I will slap you (threw the computer screen) if you let GM rape you for $1100.

I've had the Cognito UCAs, that so many on here have recommended, for about a week now. Although a little pricier to go that route rather than new keys/longer shocks, I could not be happier with the ride and handling, same as stock, if not better. I just posted pics of my 07 Classic CC in another thread with 285s on stock wheels, also with some pics of the truck stock for comparison. You can also see my garage for the same photos. I'd say it's definitely worth it, good luck whichever way you go though,

Sal

I realized too late that I didn't need the Ready Lift keys. So, now I have the keys, cranked the torsion and still not quite enough room on tight turns with bumps or in and out of the driveway with small curb. I have the COGNITO UCA which I got from NOR CAL. If you only want to put a 285 on then crank the torsion, install the Cognito UCA w/ Bilstein shocks, alignment and forget the rear block because if you want level, you won't need it. CALL NOR CAL & they'll get you hooked up.

Assuming you have an 8 lug :http://www.norcaltruck.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=2_22_60_78_81&products_id=235

This kit won't give you lift but it gives you quality ride after cranking the torsion. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info guys. Ya when they told me $1100 I was like no way. I would like to get that size tire on the truck, but I don't want to chew up my front end parts by cranking my bars. By the sounds that cognito kit is what seems to work. I see alot of you guys are putting on the pitman& idler parts...I assume once these trucks get jacked up some the stock parts won't hold up as well?

Check out my garage for my front end set up.
I fit 285s with a few cranks and minor fender trimming the day I brought her home.

I added the pitman/idler parts front Cognito because the stock parts don't hold up even when it's stock. I had my pitman/idler arms replaced at 20k miles. Dealer said they were completely shot.

Go with Cognito. Spending the money may be harder on your budget now, but will save you money in the long run. Things get expensive once that warranty runs out...