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

[AZ-GLBLWMR]

The more i think about it the more I'm considering the 4" lift as well. I originally wanted a little bigger cuz I'm sick of pickup trucks with a boring 3" lift looking down on me... I think the 4" would give me just that and then I could still stick with the 37" tires instead of going 38"....

I think with only going 4" and keeping the 37's on the I'de be better off with the performance aspect of it too..

I've looked a bit for experiences with the 4" Rancho lift and didn't see much, but I'll search again. If anyone has anything else to add, feel free.


Phil, the writeup you have over on *******Club is VERY good and informative. The truck looks absolutely amzing and think that would be the setup I went with if I go 6"...

Thanks for everyones help...

[Shawn High]

I would still expect to do some kind of performance add-on. The rig is going to be veerrryy slow with a 4in lift and 37in tires.

[timgco]

...my 2 cents.

My H2 is my daily driver. So it must hanlde good, is must exceleate and stop close to stock as well. I didn't want a huge lift either.

So, I have seen a few and wheeled with a few lifted HUMMERs in person. Lifting them gives you more clearance to your rock rails/ bumpers and improves your AP and DP angles.

I went with a 4" Rancho Kit. It costed close to the fabtech and was closer to the lifted hieght I wanted. their 4" kit is closer to 5" overall. I went with a 37 13.50 tire. IMO, the tires looks great when comapred to the new ride height. A 6" lift will make those tires look smaller. I also went with an AT tire. (Procomp Extreme AT's). io wanted this truck to handle great in the snow/ ice as well as CO trails and Moab. this truck handles very close to stock in terms of acceleration, stopping, and the more noticable differnece (but not by much) is the cornering. It doens't lean way over or anything. It's just your center of gravity is a little higher and you feel a slight difference. I stuck with the 37" tires so I wouldn't have to worry about accerlation or the stopping. I also added a Hypertech programmer for better shifting points and speedo calibration. So, overall, I would do it again! I am very happy with this lift.

Good luck.

[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

[blockrockin]

i also am considering a 6 inch fabtech lift.. so what kind of price can i expect to pay for a installed 6 inch fabtech lift. also do i need to get different wheels or could i use the stock wheels and put on different tires? thanks.

[blockrockin]

what if i used the stock wheels a 37 inch 12.50 . 17 tire? would that work ok?

[ASTAR]

I Love the look of the 6" with 38's. Yes performance was hurt and so was mileage but it looks bitchin' and I get compliments on it every time I drive the thing.
Off road, its a beast in the snow but thats all I have had it in so far. Planning to hit Moab with it some day.
Oh btw, I did gear it, and it did help but there is still a performance loss. I tow my 5+k lb Jeep with it and it's not that bad.