Reno 4WD shop recommends the Trailmaster 4" over the Rancho 4". Say it's the same, HD, etc., etc. but costs less. I don't want 6" and only need to run 285s. Looking for input and photos of trucks with the 4" lifts (no body lifts or other stuff that will mislead please). Absolutely will not run tires outside the wells.

Thanks.

Gary: I have the lift and wheel combination you are looking at. If you intend on running this lift your front tires WILL go outside the wheel wells. They WILL throw mud, rocks, gravel, animals and anything else they pick up.:D Let me know what questions you have I can answer them all):h

Do you have a picture of your rig? Do you have the maximum wheel back spacing that will fit?

Thanks.

Did a 4" Rancho on my 02 and ran tires up to 295X16. Liked 285 best (not quite as tall). Not pleased with the way lifted truck handled for my use - I drive lots of miles hard and fast. Not as stable at higher speed as a non lifted truck. On my 05 I went with just green keys set at stock adjustment position which gave me almost the same tire clearance, better ride, better handling, and more bucks left in my pocket to buy another toy with. I also trade every year.

Guess I need to do some "Green Key" research. Any trimming required to get the 285 under the truck with just the GK? Stock shocks ok (will probably get Bilsteins soon anyway), no rubbing, wheel backspacing? Anything else I need to know?

Thanks

Did a 4" Rancho on my 02 and ran tires up to 295X16. Liked 285 best (not quite as tall). Not pleased with the way lifted truck handled for my use - I drive lots of miles hard and fast. Not as stable at higher speed as a non lifted truck. On my 05 I went with just green keys set at stock adjustment position which gave me almost the same tire clearance, better ride, better handling, and more bucks left in my pocket to buy another toy with. I also trade every year.

I dropped my truck off to have a 4" Rancho this morning. I will post pics when it's complete.

You really don't even need green keys to run 285's. The stock torsion bar keys should give you enough room for 285's. That's what I'm running with 16x8 rims with 4.5" backspacing.

Almost any of the spindle kits will make your front tires stick way out. You can see pics of my old 1500HD gasser with the Rancho kit, torsion bars turned up with 305's on 16x10's with 4-5/8" backspacing here: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yourdaddybusta/my_photos
Just look under the 2001 Chevy folder. I later put 16x8's with 315's on that truck which helped but the front tires still stuck out some.

Truck Pics:cool: :ro) :D

I like my 4" Rancho. If I ran the recommended 4.5 BS wheels the tires would indeed stick out however I'm currently running a set of Ultra wheels 16x8 wheels with 5.25" back spacing and BF KO 295's. I only have about 1/4" space between the inner bulge of the tire and the spindle however I don't have any rubbing and outside tread sits in so it's nearly flush with the fender flare. Made a huge difference in looks and the tires don't throw crap all over the side of the truck and I can keep it clean for more then 1 day :) Have ran this setup for 1.5 years so far with no problems.

Truck Pics:cool: :ro) :D

How about a few more from other angles.. PLEASE?

I like my 4" Rancho. If I ran the recommended 4.5 BS wheels the tires would indeed stick out however I'm currently running a set of Ultra wheels 16x8 wheels with 5.25" back spacing and BF KO 295's. I only have about 1/4" space between the inner bulge of the tire and the spindle however I don't have any rubbing and outside tread sits in so it's nearly flush with the fender flare. Made a huge difference in looks and the tires don't throw crap all over the side of the truck and I can keep it clean for more then 1 day :) Have ran this setup for 1.5 years so far with no problems.

The wheels I have are 16x8 with 5" backspacing. The shop that does the Trailmaster (supposedly the same as Rancho) says it shouldn't be a problem. I like to have 3/4" clearance but 1/2 might do. And aren't 285s a bit narrower than the 295? That would help some, too. I understand they will not fit like stock combo but want to minimize the goofy looking wide track stance.. ya know. Do you have any pictures of your truck?

Thanks.

There is a link in my sig with a few picts.

BTW a 5.5" backspaced wheel will fit just fine ...the problem is the tires. The fat part/bulge of the tire is what causes problems where it would hit the upper part of the spindle. Thus the reason H2 wheels won't fit on a Rancho/Trailmaster 4" lift truck. The wheels I have now are border line regardiig the backspacing. I have to run 50 psi minimum in the fronts or they will squat too much and the bulge of the tire will rub. That's how close my clearances are between bulge and spindle. Yes, I beleive a 285 tire is a little narrower then a 295 but not by a whole lot ...and the other problem I may run into is I'm not sure I could run a 285 because they are slightly shorter which would cause the "bulge" of the tire to come closer to the spindle. With a 5" BS wheel you'll have a little more room though but it will still be tight.

There is a link in my sig with a few picts.

Looks great! Same color as mine, too. Don't want to cut it that close though. 235/85-16 would fill the bill but are 1" shorter and plenty (too) skinny but have Load Range E and would allow clearance for chains when necessary. If 285/75 won't allow room for chains I guess it's gonna be a stock ride.

Where did you get the back-up lights and the mudflaps?

Thanks.

You might be able to use the cable chains with 285's but not real chains. I've never had a need for chains ...yet. Backup lights are a "Blazer" brand I picked up at AutoZone or somewhere. They are really fog lights but are nice and small and low profile. the typical 55watts each. Mudflaps are "Duraflaps" ...very nice and very popular on this forum. Made here in my home state ... they are a tad pricey but you get what you pay for. If interested call the owner "Dennis" and tell him tophog sent you ...10% discount.

http://www.duraflap.com/


Looks great! Same color as mine, too. Don't want to cut it that close though. 235/85-16 would fill the bill but are 1" shorter and plenty (too) skinny but have Load Range E and would allow clearance for chains when necessary. If 285/75 won't allow room for chains I guess it's gonna be a stock ride.

Where did you get the back-up lights and the mudflaps?

Thanks.

Give me your email and I can get you some good pics. I just am having trouble posting them here. Thanks.

Eric

Give me your email and I can get you some good pics. I just am having trouble posting them here. Thanks.

Eric

Eric,

You have a PM.

Thanks!

Just got my lift installed yesterday. Here are some pics.

Just got my lift installed yesterday. Here are some pics.

Congrats, looks VERY nice. Not sure what happened to the picts but they are the same size as the thumbnails. Can you post some larger ones or email some to me? I want to get a closer look :)

I also would like to see the larger pics if you could email them to me. Also what back spacing did you use on the wheels. Thanks.

Eric

Check this thread out, larger pics. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37907&page=3

Backspacing is 4.5" in the Helo Maxx8's. I called Rancho and you can go up to 5" of b.s. with their lift. I will email larger pics to anyone who requests it.

Do you have any rubbing issues. Did you have to trim anywhere on the truck. Thanks.

Eric

no rubbing or cutting needed once I put the lift on.

Checked out the Tuff Country 4" lift online. Their install calls for cutting one of the ears off the front diff. Ain't goin' down that road. Is there a 4" that will allow the truck to be returned to OEM? I'll make a call to an installer on the Trailmaster, which he says is the same as Rancho. Problem there is some are saying the Rancho gives 5.25" lift and I want a true 4". Sheesh.

i think all kits require you to cut the ear off except cognito but that is a 7'' kit. however you do have to cut the diff mount a couple inches but can be welded back on if you want to go back to stock.

The Rancho will give exactly 4" without the T-bars being cranked very much. This provides a car-like ride... Yes, you can easily crank the T-bars up to get another 1" or so but why? That would increase the CV angles, etc. which completely negates one of the benefits of a lift to begin with ...that is getting additional height without increasing CV angles and causing premature front end wear. I've had my Rancho for over 2 years now and love it. Can still park in the garage too. :)