Can some of you Gurus tell me which is better and why. Tuff Country offers both and I am thinking about goin this cheaper Tuff Country route. I have heard good things about their lift. The 3 piece comes with a skid plate and leaf spring. Any insight is appreciated. I am goin 6" by the way.

http://www.tuffcountry.com/suspension-kit/chevy-gmc-2000-2006-k1500-hd-k2500-hd-lift-kits.html

If you want the strongest , get the one piece. It will stay put and will not deflect back. It is the only way to go as far as I'm concerned. Thats how Rancho has been doing it for years.

I went with the 3 piece...I did find some old threads where since the frame flexes a little a couple of people had cracked the 1 piece. I did read that the 1 piece was stronger and easier to install.

The 3 piece is stronger and easier to install. That's the kit I have. Happy with it so far.

Do you actually go off road if so I would get the 3 piece?

The 3 piece is a nice, strong kit. Easy to install , the damn skid plate that ties the fron/rear subframe is HEAVY as hell! I believe its 5/16 thick plate, it really is stout.

I wouldnt say Tough country is " cheaper" just less expensive. It is one tough proven lift and a great kit for the money. I dont put cheap crap on my truck, Lots of guys sled pull with this lift and it holds up, nuff said.

get the stronger kit IMO you will be thanking yourself later.

Go RCD 6". Factory Skid Plate Adapts and the kit is reasonably priced at $1900. The sway bar end links are heavy duty and one end is a ball socket sort of like a tie rod; others are bushings on both ends and wear out quick. The powder coating on the RCD is excellent.

Every tech that I talked to said, "RCD all the way." Plus, the 5100 Series Bilstein shocks are so plush and amazing. IMHO of course.

Go RCD 6". Factory Skid Plate Adapts and the kit is reasonably priced at $1900. The sway bar end links are heavy duty and one end is a ball socket sort of like a tie rod; others are bushings on both ends and wear out quick. The powder coating on the RCD is excellent.

Every tech that I talked to said, "RCD all the way." Plus, the 5100 Series Bilstein shocks are so plush and amazing. IMHO of course.

Originally I was goin RCD, but it pushes the front tires out way more than the others and Nick had said he thought the Pro Comp Knuckle would be better for that reason. I like that the Tuff Country says it can clear 36" tires, even though i would go 35s. Damn, this decision has been made and unmade about 3 times already. +++ on the Bilsteins for sure, but I will put them on no matter what lift i get prolly. Maybe i should put the three names in a hat, or should I go Cognito...Lol see what I mean.

By the way, can anyone tell me which 6" lifts are full bolt on, no cutting.

Also, I believe the 3 piece TC would b better because the rear leaf is better than a block for wheel hopping too I would think.

Thanks for the insight guys...

I called Tuff Country about 1 piece vs. 3 piece before purchasing. They flat out told me the 1 piece is stronger cause it's an all weld 1 piece that bolts to the truck. The only reason they made a 3 piece was to make installations easier for the shops cause they were having too many alignment (bolt holes whatever)/ installation difficulties.

I was told the 1 piece is stronger. I would call Tough Country before purchasing.

The Tuff Country 6" kit will give you no more clearance than any other 6" kit. If you really want to run 36s or 37s, run the Cognito 7-9" kit. Tuff country kits are not a bad kit at all. reasonably priced. I would run with the Cognito kit over all other as well. The RCD is a great kit as well. The difference of how far the front tires move out with RCD is a minimal difference compared to others. YOu really won't go wrong with any of the kits you are talking about.

yep

I had heard the one piece was stronger and the 3-piece was designed for easier installation as mentioned in previous posts...I did the install on the 03' duramax I posted in your other thread with the one piece kit and I found it far easier to install than the procomp I put on my truck!

I would call RCD direct and have a conversation because I think it is only 1/2".

Originally I was goin RCD, but it pushes the front tires out way more than the others and Nick had said he thought the Pro Comp Knuckle would be better for that reason. I like that the Tuff Country says it can clear 36" tires, even though i would go 35s. Damn, this decision has been made and unmade about 3 times already. +++ on the Bilsteins for sure, but I will put them on no matter what lift i get prolly. Maybe i should put the three names in a hat, or should I go Cognito...Lol see what I mean.

1/2" on each side I think...


Originally I was goin RCD, but it pushes the front tires out way more than the others and Nick had said he thought the Pro Comp Knuckle would be better for that reason. I like that the Tuff Country says it can clear 36" tires, even though i would go 35s. Damn, this decision has been made and unmade about 3 times already. +++ on the Bilsteins for sure, but I will put them on no matter what lift i get prolly. Maybe i should put the three names in a hat, or should I go Cognito...Lol see what I mean.