To Lift or Not to Lift - Please help!

[AZ-GLBLWMR]

I'm at the point that I'm losing sleep over this one.

I'm getting close to needing some new tires. Well, I want a more stout look, but at the same time, I don't want it to look gigantic. I was considering the 6" Fabtech, and then maybe 38" Toyos. That will make it considerably higher. I don't really wheel the H2 that much, although I'de like to do it more often. I have a dedicated rock crawler (but it has NO creature comforts and isn't family friendly).

Since it's close to getting new tires (and I now have a nail in one of them - that is enough to justify it to the wifey) and wondering what to do. Seems like after reading the forums here, those that have lifted haven't had much trail experience to say whether it helps or not. Sounds like the 37" Toyos will fit stock. I would like a more level look, so is it worth getting the leveler, or do what you guys say and just crank the torsion bar?

Sorry for all the questions, but I think the more I read here, the more questions I have in my head.... Oh and yes, the 6" Fabtech lift would also help with the asthetics I know... I've got a friend that has a shop and will install it for $3000. Sounds reasonable to me.

Oh yah, I also tow a boat (about 6,000 lbs loaded and gassed up) and don't want to lose my towability...

PLEASE HELP!

[NewHummerGuy]

Originally Posted by AZ-GLBLWMR

I'm at the point that I'm losing sleep over this one.

I'm getting close to needing some new tires. Well, I want a more stout look, but at the same time, I don't want it to look gigantic. I was considering the 6" Fabtech, and then maybe 38" Toyos. That will make it considerably higher. I don't really wheel the H2 that much, although I'de like to do it more often. I have a dedicated rock crawler (but it has NO creature comforts and isn't family friendly).

Since it's close to getting new tires (and I now have a nail in one of them - that is enough to justify it to the wifey) and wondering what to do. Seems like after reading the forums here, those that have lifted haven't had much trail experience to say whether it helps or not. Sounds like the 37" Toyos will fit stock. I would like a more level look, so is it worth getting the leveler, or do what you guys say and just crank the torsion bar?

Sorry for all the questions, but I think the more I read here, the more questions I have in my head.... Oh and yes, the 6" Fabtech lift would also help with the asthetics I know... I've got a friend that has a shop and will install it for $3000. Sounds reasonable to me.

Oh yah, I also tow a boat (about 6,000 lbs loaded and gassed up) and don't want to lose my towability...

PLEASE HELP!

Seems like after reading the forums here, those that have lifted haven't had much trail experience to say whether it helps or not.


Go to *******club.com and look at videos of PhilD. That will show you what the lift will do


I've got a friend that has a shop and will install it for $3000.

3K for just installing?????? Thats HIGH.

[AZ-GLBLWMR]

No... $3k, for the product and installation.

[Captain of the Titanic]

I am pondering the same thing.

It is more involved that simply the $3K. All that gets you is altitute. Once you put on those 38s, All kinds of hell cuts loose. You'll find that the performance of the truck is blown to hell. It will make your Hummer sluggish, and decrease your highway gas mileage, because you will no longer be running in the "sweet spot".

To correct this, you will have to regear the beast. Since you're regearing, you should put in some serious gears and if you are like me, regearing will not be enough, you will want to put in some serious lockers. They are worth their weight in gold, off road.

Once that is all done, you have to get your speedo reset for the new tire size, gear ratio. Even then, the GM computer modules sometimes still don't like it. ABS and TC may get shut down at inoppurtune times

Suddenly your $3K is looking more like $10.

If it sounds like I've done this before, I have. I ended up putting about $15K in upgrades to my previous ride, a 99 Tahoe. When I was finished, I basically had a stock H2. (Maybe a little more bullet-proof)

So far I have avoided these mods, though I don't know how long I can stand to be stock!!

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[Shawn High]

I had an H2 w/ 6in lift and 38" tires and will never do that again. I loved the way it looks and tons of attention but it wasn't worth the loss of acceleration and braking problems. This time around I went with 18in wheels and 35in tires and love it.

pics

[tomp]

I am more conservative, but like to do things right. Currently, I have 35 13.50 tires on 10" wheels. However if I were to lift it, I would do the 4" Rancho and 37 tires and change the gears to 4.56-4.88

[WVHummer]

I'm only new member, but I would recommend getting NO LIFT with 37x13.5x17 Toyo MT's. Heard nothiing but great things from everyone in here. I think i've read every write up on every tire in here. My Tires are on order as we speak. May put a lift on it down the road, but now a lil upsize is all i need. Will post pics when I get the new shoes on. Red is the best.

[mwrbunny]

Trailduty kit looks like a cheap & sensible way to get a couple of inches in the front end......but I disagree that cranking up the torsion bar bolts (or adding the re-indexing cams) doesn't stiffen the ride.

The stock H2 is pretty stiff already, and this mod might make the ride a little annoying.

[KenP]

Love the lift, but wheeling it you will go thru some parts pretty quickly especially if you go with a 15.5" width.

Getting looks is very easy with it, too. Hell, I had to pry my wife out of it because it made her feel 17 again.

This is the same setup as Phil's.

[Albie]

lift....you get hotter chicks with a lifted rig....just ask Phil......

[lasvegash2]

i put a 6" fabtech with 38.5 x 14.5 x 18 tire/wheel combo and wish i would of done it sooner. its a little slower and tends to lean a little around cornering but the damn thing is huge. i towed with it for the first time(since lifted) last weekend with my boat and had no issues.

[tomp]

Wow, I really like that Cognito leveling kit. Those guys come up with good stuff, love their product line!

It would be a nice setup to run that kit with the torsion keys, and coil spring spacers on the rear! Drop in some 4.56-4.88 gearing and throw on some 37s. Not at a bad price for everything either!

[tomp]

Phil,

I just ordered the pitman and Idler arm kit from Trail Duty and have been reading the Cognito Hummer H2 front leveling kit data above and have a question. Can I order the shock extenders by themselves?

I have cranked my torsion bars up and the way I understand it as the shocks bottom out first. I would like to do the entire leveling kit my my dealer is telling me I will lose warranty coverage on the steering components.

Once my warranty is out, I will then add the rest of the kit. Mine only has a 50k warranty and I am almost there.

I can get shock extenders elsewhere, but want to purchase them from Cognito/TD as I like what they are doing with the GM enhancements

Also, I want to put the ones on now, that will work with the reast of the kit for when I upgrade later.
Please let me know if the shocks bottom out first and if I can purchase just the shock extensions? Thanks!

[H2 Doberman]

I have the 6" Fabtech kit on my truck with 38x15.50's and love it. I had it installed in Nov.. The truck is my daily driver and I put around 500 miles per week on it. There have been no real negative issues with the lift. If there is too much roll in the corners for your liking then put the shock hoop on the front it made a big difference on my truck.

It is all relative to what you are looking for in your H2. I didn't think the H2 was a luxury SUV when I bought it. Everything in the damn thing rattled. If you want a nice SUV then leave it alone or buy an escalade. Do what ever makes you happy because you are the one that has to drive it every day. The lift and tires sure do get you a lot of looks from other cars on the road

[tomp]

Originally Posted by PhilD

Yes, drop me an email and I'll get you sorted out.

Email sent