6" lift for a 2000 silverado 2500HD dmax.
really leaning towards the BDS system due to the lifetime warranty.
any input from you guys would be greatly apreciated as i know nothing about this kinda stuff, new to the game. not looking to go mud boggin, stump jumpin or rock crawlin, just want that lifted bad ass look. thanks :cool:

Look at CST and Cognito probably the 2 best in the business

This is where the search fuction would turn up about 1500hrs of reading ;)

DO NOT GO WITH PRO COMP!!! id go cst or cognito as well. u might also want to get the newer designed NoTorsionBarDrop. it basicly makes it so u dont see the t bars dragging down low like a old man

;)DO NOT GO WITH PRO COMP!!! id go cst or cognito as well. u might also want to get the newer designed NoTorsionBarDrop. it basicly makes it so u dont see the t bars dragging down low like a old man

thanks, im leaning towards fab tech, most of the local guys around here never heard of cognito.

as for the other guy, thats the problem, i dont want to read 1500 hrs of other peoples questions, dont have time for that. thanks all the same for the input tho;)

Reading = Saving time and money in the end..... ;)

Reading will make it real clear fast that you need to look at more than just the lift name, I.E what it truly clears in tire and wheel combo's correctly and what other product you need to look at and think about upgrading. IFS Chevy's have pron issue's and it's hard to understand till you are the truck with the issue's but reading helps you understand the wide spreed issue's other have faced and what they have done to help or fix them.


Good luck and don't be afraid to post questions....nothing is too dumb if you really don't know:).

id stay away from fab malfuntion tech too. seriously cognito is a well designed kit.

DO NOT GO WITH PRO COMP!!! id go cst or cognito as well. u might also want to get the newer designed NoTorsionBarDrop. it basicly makes it so u dont see the t bars dragging down low like a old man
Agreed. I've had bad luck with pro comp on my truck. My dad has the new BDS on his truck. trick ass setup and its the only thing the place i go to will use because of the warranty.

i have the BDS and no problems at all. compared to cognito it is way cheaper. this forum is pretty biased towards cognito but in reality there are plenty of more reasonably priced kits out there. something to look for is what kind of warr. and tech support you can get locally.

cognito, full throttle, or cst...

depends on what you want out of the kit, i wanted a full drop kit so i went with fts i've got they're 12in kit sitting in my garage just waiting for my 2 post lift to be available...

i have a fabtech, no problems yet, its a decent lift kit. Cognito, CST are good options too if you want to shell out a little extra. All lift kits are decent it just depends on your budget.

thanks everyone for the info, i really apreciate it. now, im sure there are plenty of vendors on here that sell BDS, since i really am liking all the feed back so far about them, who is best to deal with? summit doesnt carry BDS that i know of, so im kinda leary about where to order from. any help or advice would be apreciated.

ps, i am looking for a kit that i can comfortably fit 33x12.50x 18s. dont mind spending money on the right kit, just want something that rides nice and looks good. prolly will never get mud on it...lol thanks again fellas

Where are you from?

columbia, sc

6" lift for a 2000 silverado 2500HD dmax.
really leaning towards the BDS system due to the lifetime warranty.
any input from you guys would be greatly apreciated as i know nothing about this kinda stuff, new to the game. not looking to go mud boggin, stump jumpin or rock crawlin, just want that lifted bad ass look. thanks :cool:


OK..well I was going to say come by but I know that will not happen:eek:


OK, so I see you said you like that BDS has a lifetime warranty. Really all lifts have this stated as limited life time meaning as sure it;s not self in flicked damage then your covered. But know this, most issue's with these trucks are not so much the "Lift" itself more than what the lift in flicks to other components. Meaning what you will be seeing is wear to other parts witch are not covered under a warranty. So setting yourself up with a lift and or package that caters to offsetting those common issue's that are pron to wear is what I think is "Best". Look or function? Look is easy, function and design to deflect issue's is the key. So where I am going with this is the BDS kit is not completely bad and you want to look into other upgrades to make the steering last longer. Cognito makes pitman and idler braces that help this and Cognito also has larger HD tie rods. I like pushing the Cognito brand as everyone can see for the point they include the steering braces in the kit with in my eyes should be used by 95% of Chevy 02-up 8-lug owners, notice I said Chevy owner not lifted. Because they are a great fix to a common issue that almost every Chevy 8-lug owner faces.


Hope this info helps you.

thanks for the info, if you can pm me a price, i would strongly consider buying from you.
i will try the cognito. it seems most of the local shops around here only push 4 kits, being skyjacker, pro comp,BDS, and fab tech. i see alot of folks here seem to like the cognito kit and i havent read much negative on them. like i said, i dont plan on going off road, i just want the look and i dont want to kill the ride quality or make it wear on other components like steering or bearings...

Cognito is one of the best lifts you can buy. Might be alittle extra but id go that route if I were you. Also you will not be disappointed buying through Nick @ Norcal Truck. Awesome Dudes to work with!

COGNITO. get all the options, and the truck will be perfect.

Cognito.....Buy everything they make for your truck and you will be amazed at how it drives, rides, and steers. If you can afford the Deaver rear springs, get them. You will be shocked on how good the truck rides after putting those on.

thanks fellas, i really apreciate the advice.

Cognito got my vote. Nor Cal Nick will take care of you as well!

I think I've changed my mind 3 times now trying decide what lift to go with. At first, I wanted CST because it didn't increase the front track width. Then I started reading about the pros and cons of full drop kits vs. knuckle kits. So then I decided to go with Tuff Country as it was priced right and included the skid plate with the "strong" kit. The only thing I didn't care for was having to cut the ear off the differential. Which brings me to where I am now. I'm 99% sure I'll be going with Cognito as it leaves the ear on the dif. for the 7-9 kit. The less cutting the better IMO. Sure, it doesn't have a skidplate but I can always make one myself at work. I offroad my truck, so it's a must have for me as well as the upgraded steering components which I will be doing soon before I even lift it.

thanks for the info, if you can pm me a price, i would strongly consider buying from you.
i will try the cognito. it seems most of the local shops around here only push 4 kits, being skyjacker, pro comp,BDS, and fab tech. i see alot of folks here seem to like the cognito kit and i havent read much negative on them. like i said, i dont plan on going off road, i just want the look and i dont want to kill the ride quality or make it wear on other components like steering or bearings...


Here are some lift kits and packages we offer with pricing:
4" range-
http://www.norcaltruck.com/shop/index.php?cPath=2_387

6-9" range-
http://www.norcaltruck.com/shop/index.php?cPath=2_396

Nick - do you think CST will come out with a 4"-6" lift for a 4wd 2500HD 6.6l Duramax?

Not that I know of.

You can't beat the guys at Nor-Cal !!!!!!!!!!

I checked out your site Nick, and wanted to double check if the 9-12" Cognito HD lift comes with everything necessary, or if you would suggest upgrading any of the components. Thanks.

jakubs im sure nick would say go with the upgradded components that are offered. do a seach and u will see

i have the 8in fabtech lift on my truck and it is a good lift.But just like nick said the cognito does come with all the upgraded steering parts.I had to up grade to all the cognito steering part because off the tire size and angles the lift puts on the steering.If you dont go with cognito plan on getting all cognitos upgraded steering parts and you should be alright.If not you will lucky to get 10,000 miles out of the stock steering parts befor they go

I went with the 4'' cognito and NORCAL. Nick has been very helpful.
Now I just need to get it installed.

Starter Package Includes:
Cognito Motorsports #FSLK101001 - 10" Lift front box kit
Cognito Motorsports #PISK2008 - Steering braces
Cognito Motorsports #TRK100045 - HD tie rods
Front Bilstein (Zinc) Plated 5100 shocks
Rear Bilstein (Zinc) Plated 5100 shocks
Deaver Rear 8" Leaf (Soft Ride) pak
Rear Axle shims
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Front CV Driveline
I would add upper control arms, Idler Pivot Assembly with Weld in Gusset, traction bars, front swaybar, and a rear underbed swaybar.




I checked out your site Nick, and wanted to double check if the 9-12" Cognito HD lift comes with everything necessary, or if you would suggest upgrading any of the components. Thanks.

I checked out your site Nick, and wanted to double check if the 9-12" Cognito HD lift comes with everything necessary, or if you would suggest upgrading any of the components. Thanks.

Cognito 8-Lug 10"-12" (Basic) 01-07 Classic (http://www.norcaltruck.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=2_397&products_id=1088)

Stage 1 (Basic) Package
Nor-Cal Truck has put this (Basic) Package together for the truck owner that wants to start with the basis of what he needs to complete his Cognito Motorsports lift build. Other Cognito product is available to add or upgrade at a later date.

Starter Package Includes:

Cognito Motorsports #FSLK101001 - 10" Lift front box kit
Cognito Motorsports #PISK2008 - Steering braces
Cognito Motorsports #TRK100045 - HD tie rods
Front Bilstein (Zinc) Plated 5100 shocks
Rear Bilstein (Zinc) Plated 5100 shocks
Deaver Rear 8" Leaf (Soft Ride) pak
Rear Axle shims
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Front CV Driveline

So what I have put together is a good start to help people see what they need to put the truck together and drive. From this it's all about upgrades and options. Really what I always tell people is if you use your truck in a way that may increase stress on other parts that are pron to wear or braking, you should think about upgrading now so you know you will not be stuck on the side of the road and cost you more. OE steering parts and depending on what size kit and tires vs. what you use your truck for will always see different issue's so we take every customer as a personal upgrade product list when making a complete package that suites there needs.

jakubs im sure nick would say go with the upgradded components that are offered. do a seach and u will see

How about this...a steak dinner is great.....but steak and a great lobster tail is even better. I think it's time for lunch:D.


I went with the 4'' cognito and NORCAL. Nick has been very helpful.
Now I just need to get it installed.


OK...now I put 2 and 2 together. You didn't tell me we had been PMing back and forth. Thank you for your order.:beerchug:

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm still in the process of looking for a truck, so it will be awhile before I make any lift kit purchase. I like to do my research before hand though.

So, my guess from reading almost every post on this website on lift kits, is that Cognito has the best durability and functionality as far as off roading. If I'm going to do this lifting thing, I want to do it right, the first time. I'll be using my truck for offroading quite a bit, camping, and hauling equipment. I'm looking for an 8in system, that'll clear 35s, possibly 37s. I'm guessing you guys can help me out with what I need to lift the front and rear, and any extra parts that might help, and what they do exactly. Might be asking a lot, but it's been quite a while since I've worked on a vehicle.

I am curious......what is the typical cost of installing a 4" Cognito lift kit? And what's the biggest differences between the different packages?