SUT mods

[flyin6]

I just bought my 07 SUT in late June. Had to leave to go back to work (I work overseas) Will be back in September.
I always plan out my mods in advance then start to focus in on actually getting it done.
Here's what I plan so far:
Bumpers:
Tuff country front and rear
factory brush guard which I already have
Winch:
T-Max 9K (already have it)
Suspension:
Hmmm... either go with the Cognito upp arms with extended shocks and the torsion keys, turned up to 3" and a coil spring spacer and extended bilstiens rear
or
Rancho 4" or cognito or other 6" lift
Stock wheels
Toyos open country or Pro Comp extreme AT's 35" or 37"
Engine:
Dyna tec long tubes w/ the h-pipe
4" cat back
Magna Charger supercharger
Lights:
Hella or similiar roof and bumper
Home made roof rack
Professional driving instruction at the factory (I think this is already scheduled)
I'm sure many have travelled this road. I am looking for suggestions or thoughts about where to start? Or if any of these ideas are not a good idea?
My truck will be bling negative, all blacked out and subtle (if that is possible)

[BKLYNH2]

i would say let the supercharger and other peformance boosters go if you want a capable off roader. You won't need extra power and once you start lifting it (use a kit, do a search for recommendations) I believe all that extra pwer will only make it easier to break stuff. Get some heavier tie rods. get a gobi ladder even if you make a rack. Definitely get 37's. Get a locking front diff instead of the supercharger.

[boozmaster]

superlift makes a great 6in lift that you can still use the stock wheels with
and thats the only one that i know that lets you use the stock wheels.
thats what i have on my rig along w/37s they say you can fit up to a 40in.
tire.

[CONRAD II]

superlift makes a great 6in lift that you can still use the stock wheels with
and thats the only one that i know that lets you use the stock wheels.
thats what i have on my rig along w/37s they say you can fit up to a 40in.
tire.

What? Why would the brand of lift have anything to do with whether or not you can use stock wheels? You sound like a superlift salesman. :D :confused:

[flyin6]

Good info on the superlift kit, didn't know that either. Yep, I think I need to stay with the stock wheels. That's a modification which is really only for looks considering I'd use a tall narrow 37" tire.
When I do the roof rack, I'd do a custom thing to hang a lader from a side, remember I have the SUT. Since mine has and will keep the locking tonnau cover, a ladder from behind is almost out. I did a custom roof rack on my Tundra, super strong and it only cost me $90 plus the time to weld and cut up everything.
Now as for the SC, I would strongly disagree. Besides, broken parts are good. A broken frond diff, for example is a bonafide excuse for a LS diff and maybe a gear change to say, 4.56... :-)) You have to have good reasons to get the mods past the wife!

[boozmaster]

ONLY SUPERLIFT BECAUSE i did alot of checking out before buying
and found out fabtech and rancho both use replacement knuckles in
which the factory wheels will not fit THANK YOU

NOT A SALESMEN

[SnakeH2]

ONLY SUPERLIFT BECAUSE i did alot of checking out before buying
and found out fabtech and rancho both use replacement knuckles in
which the factory wheels will not fit THANK YOU

NOT A SALESMEN

Really????

I have the Rancho lift with factory wheels...no problems...

[flyin6]

This subject is really peaking my interest. First of all I did not realize the "knuckle" kits space the front wheels out even wider than stock. Then the drop bracket kits seem to just move everything downward.

I was leaning toward using new torsion bar keyways and the cognito UCA's to gain a couple of inches and more downward travel.

From my experience, it's all about down travel, and mose IFS trucks (ours) has very little. That is the drawback to the Cognito plan, by raising it, I am also loosing down travel, so I guess that is not a good option either.

Finally I noticed Cognito offers a 4-5" drop bracket system for 2500 GM trucks, but not for the H2. Hmmm... the H2 is very similiar to the Suburban which comes in a 2500 also.

Now, about the Rough Country, Factory wheels can be used? Did I read that correctly? And without spacers?

[boozmaster]

well sorry to possibly miss lead you but thats what i was told by four wheel parts and other offroad shops in my area (denver)


SORRY

[flyin6]

well sorry to possibly miss lead you but thats what i was told by four wheel parts and other offroad shops in my area (denver)


SORRY


No Worries

[Humdingah]

well sorry to possibly miss lead you but thats what i was told by four wheel parts and other offroad shops in my area (denver)


SORRY
Did these shops sell wheels too? :jump:

[boozmaster]

well sorry to possibly miss lead you but thats what i was told by four wheel parts and other offroad shops in my area (denver)


SORRY

[BKLYNH2]

Good info on the superlift kit, didn't know that either. Yep, I think I need to stay with the stock wheels. That's a modification which is really only for looks considering I'd use a tall narrow 37" tire.
When I do the roof rack, I'd do a custom thing to hang a lader from a side, remember I have the SUT. Since mine has and will keep the locking tonnau cover, a ladder from behind is almost out. I did a custom roof rack on my Tundra, super strong and it only cost me $90 plus the time to weld and cut up everything.
Now as for the SC, I would strongly disagree. Besides, broken parts are good. A broken frond diff, for example is a bonafide excuse for a LS diff and maybe a gear change to say, 4.56... :-)) You have to have good reasons to get the mods past the wife!
Oops, totally forgot the SUT factor when I recommended the ladder. I climb up onto my rack a lot (SUV) and therfore can't imagine not having one. As far as the SC advice relative to some of your other decisions I stay buy it. there are a few hardcore (H2) wheelers on this site that have done the same mods as you are suggesting, and they essentially created a money pit and wound up ditching the H2 altogether. I'm not naming names, but ....well they are all talking about mods to their HEEPS now and I feel real sad every time I think about losing these good friends. :grouphug: :crying:

[flyin6]

I can't imagine owning this thing and not modifying it, that's just not natural!

[BKLYNH2]

6 - I didn't say, don't mod. I just said that certain mod combinations produce very undesired effects. If you do some searching through the site you will find out plenty. I have kept my mods focussed on off road ability without lifting or adding power, and I know several members that have had significantly more problems due to lift/ power combinations. You can certainly make whatever you like of the info, we will all be interested to see your truck when its done, but I'm just trying to pass on the best advice I can give based on my 4+ yrs of experience wheeling the H2, that while you may have a sick looking truck on paper when you are done, that you may have some frequent problems at the repair shop. Yes you will fly over some obstacles that others will have to work for but you may open to a more disasterous breakdown as well. Good Luck! :D

[flyin6]

Copy that, and how well I know...
Anyway, I was just kidding...
I'm in the middle of researching my questions through the site, and this a good one for tech.
Thanks for the advice!

[tomp]

This subject is really peaking my interest. First of all I did not realize the "knuckle" kits space the front wheels out even wider than stock. Then the drop bracket kits seem to just move everything downward.

I was leaning toward using new torsion bar keyways and the cognito UCA's to gain a couple of inches and more downward travel.

From my experience, it's all about down travel, and mose IFS trucks (ours) has very little. That is the drawback to the Cognito plan, by raising it, I am also loosing down travel, so I guess that is not a good option either.

Finally I noticed Cognito offers a 4-5" drop bracket system for 2500 GM trucks, but not for the H2. Hmmm... the H2 is very similiar to the Suburban which comes in a 2500 also.

Now, about the Rough Country, Factory wheels can be used? Did I read that correctly? And without spacers?

he Cognito 2500Hd kit does fit the H2, it's just not in the H2 section . However, if you look at the kit for 2500Hd it does say Hummer H2.

It also allows more downward travel by relocating the stop, provider cushion on the stop, and puts it in factory alignmnet specs all at the same time!

[flyin6]

he Cognito 2500Hd kit does fit the H2, it's just not in the H2 section . However, if you look at the kit for 2500Hd it does say Hummer H2.

It also allows more downward travel by relocating the stop, provider cushion on the stop, and puts it in factory alignmnet specs all at the same time!
SWEEEEEET!!

OK, so it's looking like the the cognito 4", the superlift 6", or still the near stock height option with the cognito upper arms. I want a little lift, but for me it's all about travel, especially in the front. I know how to make rear axles travel: Relocated shock bracketry with LT shocks, control army with something like Rubicon express joints, lengthened brake line and wiring, and maybe a driveshaft mod.

Over the years, I have learned for a standard track truck a ratio of about 70% travel in the rear and 30% in the front, keeps the rollovers to a minimum.
Shocks (and suspensions seem to work best with 3"-4" of stuff, and the rest of the travel all in drop out.

But with all the track of this thing, you could afford to stretch the front some without worrying about terra based aerobatics.

[flyin6]

he Cognito 2500Hd kit does fit the H2, it's just not in the H2 section . However, if you look at the kit for 2500Hd it does say Hummer H2.

It also allows more downward travel by relocating the stop, provider cushion on the stop, and puts it in factory alignmnet specs all at the same time!

I emailed Cognito on this question.
Their response stated that the 4"-6" 2500HD kit does not fit the Hummer. They did not go on to explain why, only that it would not fit.

So, I'm looking for a kit that allows the use of the stock wheels that wll give me 4" to 6" of lift and increased wheel travel. I think, no matter which kit I get, I will add the cognito UCA's and wort with the poly travel limiters to gain max down travel with the added lift.

I see that one member with a RC uses stock wheels, although the Rough Country web site says the wheels will not fit, hmmm. Superlift will work but is more costly and uses a bunch of brackets, and lowers the Torsion bars (into harms way). I'm also wondering which kits require another front driveshaft. Bought those before , and they get spendy pretty quick!

[tomp]

Sorry, I got confused & thought you wanted this: http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page36.html

[flyin6]

Sorry, I got confused & thought you wanted this: http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page36.html

No problem.
I will, however, add that UCA to whatever kit I buy. That way I get both increased gound clearance amd increased travel. From what I can see, all these lift kits do is just what the name says. They do not increase suspension travel which is FAR more important. All you could do is safely get into a little deeper water with just a lift kit.

[tomp]

Our main goal should be to get the "tallest" tire we can fit in there without rubbing. Wider tires are nice for increased traction, but can limit flex/travel when you get into a situation where they hit the outer fender etc. I don't care much for a 6" lift - just to go up another 1/2" or so in tire size and at the same time raises the center of gravity

Personally, I am just going to tweak the stock setup as far as it will go to keep the factory warranty and get 37s underneath

[Alan06SUT]

Oops, totally forgot the SUT factor when I recommended the ladder. I climb up onto my rack a lot (SUV) and therfore can't imagine not having one.

On an SUT you climb on the tire, jump on the bed rack and jump on the roof, or go from open tailgate to bed rack to roof rack. Its probably even easier that climbing the ladder.

[Alan06SUT]

I keep my 35's on for the street and most weekend 4x4 use. I used to keep my 37's on for the street but they make more noise, and wear down quick compared to an A/T. When I go to an offraoding event I switch to the 37's. I still have not done anything w/ the 37's I couldnt do w/ the stock 35's, but its just easiers w/ the 37's and I dont bottom out so often.
I have never seen a lifted H2 conquer anything a stock height H2 couldnt but, I have seen/heard of many of them breaking...(more often than non-lifted H2's) if they are wheeled hard. IMO they are mostly for "looks". The cognito stuff seems very practical but I havent used it execpt for the pittman/idler kit that I have which works well. They seem to truly understand the GM IFS.

[flyin6]

I keep my 35's on for the street and most weekend 4x4 use. I used to keep my 37's on for the street but they make more noise, and wear down quick compared to an A/T. When I go to an offraoding event I switch to the 37's. I still have not done anything w/ the 37's I couldnt do w/ the stock 35's, but its just easiers w/ the 37's and I dont bottom out so often.
I have never seen a lifted H2 conquer anything a stock height H2 couldnt but, I have seen/heard of many of them breaking...(more often than non-lifted H2's) if they are wheeled hard. IMO they are mostly for "looks". The cognito stuff seems very practical but I havent used it execpt for the pittman/idler kit that I have which works well. They seem to truly understand the GM IFS.

You sound like you know 4-wheeling

I must admit I want the lift about 50% just for the looks factor. I appreciate the added ground clearance of the rockers, but I would trade increased travel for lift any day of the week.

Perhaps the cognito UCA's and torsion bar keys with longer shocks might the be the best compromise out there.

Good discussion.

[Alan06SUT]

I agree, I am very tempted to try the cognito kit, but so far so good with the stock config and 37's on the trail, and back to 35's on the street. If I notice I am wearing out ball joints, or steering components, I may give it a shot, but I try to stick to the "if it aint broke dont fix it" motto. I was wearing out pittman idler arms before the cognito kit, and so far they have held up since.

As for looks, they definatley suffer when I put the 35's back on. No question! I am more 75% function 25% looks, so I just deal with it...barely! IMO a H2 with 37's and a two inch lift would look perfect! The cognito kit may just provide that look (along with true function). I don't know about out back though. I'm sure some spring spacers or modified air bags could level it out.