I've been racking my brains over a lift since winter and i just cant make up my mind. I've heard that a lot of people like the lifts they have and that includes just about all of them. I'm not looking to do a lot of off roading but would like to handle some mud and some rocky hills. I also want a good ride and handling on road as well. Right now i don't want to look at price i just want to get some honest opinions. I've heard that knuckle lifts are more durable and the wider front end soesn't really bother me. But then i heard that GM will only put Pro Comp lifts on factory trucks so i'm confused as to which is better. Please help!!!

If it is important to you, the Tuff Country sticks the front wheels out the least of any of the knuckle kits. TC told it was 3/8" per side, but call them to verify. The Fabtech adds 1.5" per side.

I had a 6" RCD lift on my 1500 silverado and it was great.

Over 30000 miles on my Fabtech and not a single issue to date. Rides just like stock. I liked the look of the wider stance up front....the rear however being tucked in looked stoopid. A set of correctrack spacers solved that. Very happy with this setup and would do it again.

It is hard to keep your truck clean when the tires stick out a couple inches past the flares. Also, after 2 years with the Rancho--which also sticks the front tires out 1.5" more per side, I found I was always hitting stuff with the front tires. Finally, the difference in track width made the truck awkward when driving on rutted roads. The front would pull in and the rear pull out, and vise-a-versa.

I have a lot of friend who have the RCD lift and swear by them. Best ride, I would say better then stock. If you want one that's not as tall....go with the Rancho lift.

cognito imo what evever you do replace the rear springs to lift the back
forget the blocks, the rcd is nice because of the bilstiens
if you go with fabtech change the shocks,cst is very nice to
imo cognito cst rcd , also depends on what you want out of the lift
show or go....... just my opinion

there is a ton of questions like you just asked
lots of reading but it will help you make the right choice

I've got te 6" CST and it's awesome (moving to 8" soon).........front rear width's are the same and with a 20X9 it tucks in nicely. Handling and ride is nicer that stock. My buddy has the RCD and of the low buck kits I would go with them (front is wider than the rear). Some of the new kits that don't drop the torsion bars also look interesting.......anyone have any comments on these brands?

RCD is a good bet for sure, but if you want all the bells and whisles go with CST or Cognito. I also advise going with the rear springs.

I just installed the Cognito. It is very well built and the ride is a huge improvement over stock. The bumps smoothed out and the roll during turns seemed to tighten up. 7" gives me plenty of clearance for 35" tires.

Out of all the lifts you listed CRAPNEATO should be out of the equasion!


All of the other lift companies have been in buisness for over ten years or more, All of the other lift companies protect the front differential with a crossmember or skid plate.All of the other kits you listed are a LOT cheaper! and will Perform exactly the same!

I just installed the Cognito. It is very well built and the ride is a huge improvement over stock. The bumps smoothed out and the roll during turns seemed to tighten up. 7" gives me plenty of clearance for 35" tires.



See! I Love posts like this! The lift kit has nothing to do with the ride! It is all in the Shocks!

It is like saying Folgers Coffee tastes better in a Starbucks cup!


PEOPLE ARE SHEEP!

went through the same thing, after all the research, the rcd is gonna be the best way to go. good luck

I have had a Tuff Country 6" since 35000 miles. Makes the truck look great, ride smooth, and a fairly easy installation as far as tearing your front driveline apart can be. The one piece sub frame is pretty cool and probably makes the job go smoother, but with the axle bolted in place it is a bit heavier to lift into place. I have no experience installing any other lift. I'd do it over again the same way given the chance.

On edit, CV angles are the best I have ever seen as far as lifted trucks go. I have pics in my garage.

I also have a tuff country 6" lift and love it. Rides like it was stock. Tuff country will probably be a little cheaper, so with the extra money upgrade your shocks. Your shocks have a big impact on your ride. Thats what I did. :ro) Good luck and :grd:

Out of all the lifts you listed CRAPNEATO should be out of the equasion!


All of the other lift companies have been in buisness for over ten years or more, All of the other lift companies protect the front differential with a crossmember or skid plate.All of the other kits you listed are a LOT cheaper! and will Perform exactly the same!

did you have probloms with your cognito kit?
i thought it just didnt take them 10 years to figure it out
they didnt have to use old school methods to make a good kit
and as far as a skid plate just buy it

did you have probloms with your cognito kit?
i thought it just didnt take them 10 years to figure it out
they didnt have to use old school methods to make a good kit
and as far as a skid plate just buy it


1. First Cognito has not been in business nowhere close to 10 years.

2. All lift kits are well engineered and they all retain stock geometry.( find me one that does not)
3. Does Cognito even have a skid plate option? They should!!



The only reason I do this is I am sick and tired of all the threads on "which lift kit is better?" Recently there is this huge out cry "Cognito is best" I ask why? what makes Cognito better? and that is the end of the thread! I have yet to see why "Cognito is best" I show you a huge flaw if you really use it offroad, and everyone is all upset!

went through the same thing, after all the research, the rcd is gonna be the best way to go. good luck

Amen Brother! You will spend a lot less money, and you will be able to go everywhere the crapneato will go! how is theirs better?

See! I Love posts like this! The lift kit has nothing to do with the ride! It is all in the Shocks!

It is like saying Folgers Coffee tastes better in a Starbucks cup!


PEOPLE ARE SHEEP!

I totally disagree! I agree shocks help out alot, but the Cognito that I installed with the Bilstein shocks smoothed out my ride and firmed up the roll on corners. Why do you have to be so antagonistic?

Amen Brother! You will spend a lot less money, and you will be able to go everywhere the crapneato will go! how is theirs better?

I don't think anybody was saying anything negative about other lift companies. Most of us are giving our opinions on the lifts that we own or have experience with. What is your experience with Cognito?

1. First Cognito has not been in business nowhere close to 10 years.

2. All lift kits are well engineered and they all retain stock geometry.( find me one that does not)
3. Does Cognito even have a skid plate option? They should!!



The only reason I do this is I am sick and tired of all the threads on "which lift kit is better?" Recently there is this huge out cry "Cognito is best" I ask why? what makes Cognito better? and that is the end of the thread! I have yet to see why "Cognito is best" I show you a huge flaw if you really use it offroad, and everyone is all upset!
THIS IS WHAT IM ASKING?
what is the huge flaw?the skidplate? or is there other probloms
just wondering because ive had the kit for a couple months now
i am in 4x4 almost every day and i like this kit alot more than the trail master kit i had, although it is still new, but everytime you reply to posts
you always say "crapneato" just wondering if you have knowlege about issues with the kit or are you just flapping at the lips

1. First Cognito has not been in business nowhere close to 10 years.

2. All lift kits are well engineered and they all retain stock geometry.( find me one that does not)
3. Does Cognito even have a skid plate option? They should!!



The only reason I do this is I am sick and tired of all the threads on "which lift kit is better?" Recently there is this huge out cry "Cognito is best" I ask why? what makes Cognito better? and that is the end of the thread! I have yet to see why "Cognito is best" I show you a huge flaw if you really use it offroad, and everyone is all upset!

Please use facts to back up your statements, we are here to view opinions, not bash lift company's cause another is "so called" better without providing a reason why.. please tell us the "flaws" in Cognito's design.
I'm not being trying to put you on the spot. I'd like to know, I'm on the fence between CST, and Cognito lift.

Out of all the lifts you listed CRAPNEATO should be out of the equasion!


All of the other lift companies have been in buisness for over ten years or more, All of the other lift companies protect the front differential with a crossmember or skid plate.All of the other kits you listed are a LOT cheaper! and will Perform exactly the same!

Just asking, what other kit mfg's have you run and have you ever run or install a Cognito?
I looked at you garage and seen you drive over cars. I agree that Cognito's cross member would not be my first choice for that kind of off roading. I'm not sure how many other people do that with there trucks but for most the Cognito cross member will be ok for them. I can't Imagen how some of your other suspension components hold up to driving over cars. Driving over cars in stoped traffic on the road is something everyone would love to do!!! Reminds me of that movie (take this job and shove it )

Well, as far as lifts go, everyone will have their own opinion. It is best to go with the opinions of people that ACTAULLY have the lift on their truck, or have done all the research in buying the right lift kit. Here in Southern California every other truck is bascially lifted. I talk to guys all the time about the lifts on their Duramax trucks.
I see tons of lifted 2500s every week. Especially at car shows and parking lots. Seems as though everyone I have seen is running the CST Kit. Everyone running the CST, LOVES them and would never go to anything else. As far as quaility they are know to be one of the Top dogs. I have contacted just about every offroad shop here in Southern Cali and everyone except 1 shop recommneds CST. Not just because their trying to sell them, but because these guys actually runs these kits on their trucks. The only other kit that was recommended to me was the Cognito lift. CST does have alot of years behind their belt, and I have been told by many that they have tons and tons of R&R work and research in their lift kits. They also offer a Uniball upper arm... something that you will be happy you went with over ball joints!

Just look in my garage I LOVE my Pro Comp and you cant go wrong with and also It doesn't widen the front track width at all

I just installed the Cognito. It is very well built and the ride is a huge improvement over stock. The bumps smoothed out and the roll during turns seemed to tighten up. 7" gives me plenty of clearance for 35" tires.:exactly:
leefay i was quite surprised with the clearance where i live you need mud flaps my buddys fabtec always tears of his flaps and rubs the front flaps only when turning but he doesnt mind i might try out some 36" tires next time:rant: sorry to get off topic here but this question has been asked so many times inluding by myself i also suggest doing it yourself:grd:

Please use facts to back up your statements, we are here to view opinions, not bash lift company's cause another is "so called" better without providing a reason why.. please tell us the "flaws" in Cognito's design.
I'm not being trying to put you on the spot. I'd like to know, I'm on the fence between CST, and Cognito lift.
:exactly: how does a person decide on a opinion like that

Diesel-N-Dust,
What do you think about the Full Throttle kits?

Full Throttle has been around for a little while and even though they might make a decent lift, their customer service and business practices are terrible. Do some digging and you'll see that there are plenty of dis-satisfied people. Ive seen first hand how they treat their distributors and its really pathetic....

See! I Love posts like this! The lift kit has nothing to do with the ride! It is all in the Shocks!

It is like saying Folgers Coffee tastes better in a Starbucks cup!


PEOPLE ARE SHEEP!

And I love posts like this. If you think shocks are the end factor in how a vehicle rides, you need a lesson in leverage. Mounting points throws your "shock be all" theory in the round file.

I've got over 60K of on/offroad miles on my RCD and have not had any issues. I did upgrade the front suspension to a Cognito/King but to be honest that was mostly done for the bling effect. I did however research the dual shock kits available and personally preferred the Cognito. I liked the beefier Moog ball joint and the angel the front hoop put the shocks at.

... since we're at it...

what do you make of the BDS... go on, let me know how you really feel about it:grd:

g

... since we're at it...

what do you make of the BDS... go on, let me know how you really feel about it:grd:

g

My buddy just had his installed about a month ago on his 06 GMC. So far no problems. The warranty is great, you break it they replace it, but unless you have a welder and such you need to get it installed. He was going to do it himself but he has been busy on the farm.

just insalled my 10-12 inch cognito. i set it at 12. easy insatallation instructions good customer service. rides and looks awesome.
recommend it to all