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PaHumBug
02-21-2008, 03:13 AM
Hi all,
I'm new on this forum but I've done my searching and tried to learn as much as I can before posting a new thread, but I still have a couple questions. In PA, we need to keep our tires under our fenders. I want to lift my H2 (05, coil rear suspension), mostly for appearance reasons though it will see some off-roading, probably once a year. I like the 6 inch lifts but I think the 4 inch would keep everything closer to stock and require less modifications and create less abnormal wear and tear. Plus, the taller you lift, the better it looks with wider/taller tires not to mention altering your center of gravity, re-gearing, etc. Do any lifts NOT increase the track width? I would like to not have to put flares on but many rigs I've seen have tires that stick out past the extended flares anyway. Does anyone know a good setup (lift, tires, backspacing, etc) that will keep the tires under the fenders?
Thanks!:beerchug:

H2R
02-21-2008, 05:47 PM
[1. 6" Lift (depending on the company that makes the kit) can be reverseable.
2. If you lift and dont use larger tires, then it might not look right.
3. If the track width is increased the center of gravity will lower.
4. One of my rigs has the 6 inch lift and all that would be needed is the small fender flares and the tires would be completely covered.

WARNING, make your decision with thought!

TXSUT
02-21-2008, 06:23 PM
Do any lifts NOT increase the track width?

You're lifting the truck, not extending the axles, so how in the hell would a lift kit affect track width? :confused:

CONRAD II
02-21-2008, 09:17 PM
Hi all,
I'm new on this forum but I've done my searching and tried to learn as much as I can before posting a new thread, but I still have a couple questions. In PA, we need to keep our tires under our fenders. I want to lift my H2 (05, coil rear suspension), mostly for appearance reasons though it will see some off-roading, probably once a year. I like the 6 inch lifts but I think the 4 inch would keep everything closer to stock and require less modifications and create less abnormal wear and tear. Plus, the taller you lift, the better it looks with wider/taller tires not to mention altering your center of gravity, re-gearing, etc. Do any lifts NOT increase the track width? I would like to not have to put flares on but many rigs I've seen have tires that stick out past the extended flares anyway. Does anyone know a good setup (lift, tires, backspacing, etc) that will keep the tires under the fenders?
Thanks!:beerchug:


:violin: Just friggan lift it. You will be happy......:dancingbanana:

H2R
02-22-2008, 04:39 AM
You're lifting the truck, not extending the axles, so how in the hell would a lift kit affect track width? :confused:
Simply, by wide tires and or different offsets of the wheels. If you ever saw a lifted rig with stock tires you would know, it just dont look right.

TXSUT
02-22-2008, 12:41 PM
Simply, by wide tires and or different offsets of the wheels.

No $hit, but wide tires and wheels are not part of the lift kit itself, and that was what the question was about. :twak:

PaHumBug
02-22-2008, 06:07 PM
Many lifts come with new front spindles and/or require more offset for clearance. That's how the lift will affect the track width.

I do really want to lift it but PA street laws suck and the cops enforce them. If my treads are beyond the flares at all I'll get a fix-it ticket.

HR2- What 6 inch set up do you have?

Thanks guys.

PaHumBug
02-22-2008, 06:12 PM
1. 6" Lift (depending on the company that makes the kit) can be reverseable.
2. If you lift and dont use larger tires, then it might not look right.


But the 4" isn't reversable?

I will use taller tires for sure, just not much wider, if at all.

PaHumBug
02-26-2008, 02:36 PM
Does anyone have any lift/wheel/tire combo suggestions for keeping the tires under the fenders?

tomp
02-26-2008, 04:27 PM
Does anyone have any lift/wheel/tire combo suggestions for keeping the tires under the fenders?

Cognito Uniball Upper Control Arms, Chevy green 1/2 ton Torsion Bar keys, Cognito-Bilstein front shocks, 1" coil spacer in rear, Rear Bilstein shocks (adds 2" more travel in rear. if you need need part number let me know), Cognito Pitman/Idler Arm kit, Cognito Idler Pivot kit, Fabtech or Cognito Tie Rods, Rancho Steering Stabilizer

18x9 wheels with 4.75 to 5.0" backspacing with 37x12.50 tires

Benefits
-Increased ground clearance & flex both front & rear with relatively low COG
-Tie Rods, Pitman & Idler arms will last longer
-Stronger steering overall
-No low hanging components or wider track width from using lift kits
-No more ball joints that wear out
-better steering/alignment due to correct length of shaft on Cognito Idler pivot kit where OEM is too short and causes slight pulling to right even from factory
-Wheels/tires within fender flare width
-Will fall into factory alignment specs with room to spare

Here is mine, but I have wider tires and fender flares: http://www.*******club.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=6544&p=122381&hilit=krocks#p122381

Let me know if you need help with any of it...

H2R
02-26-2008, 05:24 PM
This is what a 6 inch lift looks like with stock tires.

H2R
02-26-2008, 05:36 PM
1. 6" Lift (depending on the company that makes the kit) can be reverseable.
2. If you lift and dont use larger tires, then it might not look right.


But the 4" isn't reversable?

I will use taller tires for sure, just not much wider, if at all.

here is mine with 5 inch back space
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30234

Some companies that offer lift kits require the diff mounts to be cut among other things. There is much to a lift if you are doing it right. If you supercharge like me and using larger tires, re-gearing is a must to stay in your powerband. The specs on tomps' is right on too. you can keep 15.5 covered with the flair kits out there if your offset is right. Wish you all the luck in your decision.

V/R

PaHumBug
02-27-2008, 07:04 PM
here is mine with 5 inch back space
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30234

Some companies that offer lift kits require the diff mounts to be cut among other things. There is much to a lift if you are doing it right. If you supercharge like me and using larger tires, re-gearing is a must to stay in your powerband. The specs on tomps' is right on too. you can keep 15.5 covered with the flair kits out there if your offset is right. Wish you all the luck in your decision.

V/R
Looks good! What brand of lift is that you have? You have a 5 inch backspace, what width and diameter are the rims? What tire size is that (width, height)? Thanks for your help!

H2R
02-27-2008, 09:09 PM
Lift kit "BulletProof" www.bulletproof.net
Tires are 38/15.5/18
wheels are 18x10

ib3
02-27-2008, 09:39 PM
The bullet proof lift also uses stock spindles which keeps the track width stock except for changing rims. but this is the only 6" to be able to keep stock rims.. As a general note with all the research I have done the Rancho is actually a 6" lift even though they advertise 4" Fabtech is actually a 6" even though its advertised as a 6 1/2" and Bullet proof is actually a 7" even though its advertised as a 6".
Ohh, and I wanted to say thank you to H2R I went with the Bullet Proof because of your advice. I leased an 08 and I am now an installer and supplier of Bullet Proof suspension here in Florida. I did alot of reading and not much talking but the ride is very sweet. I do like the Fabtec but the diff cut is not reversable. I had an 03 I just sold where the Fabtec was on since it was new.

H2R
02-27-2008, 09:47 PM
Thanks,

I would like to see a pic of your rig... What shock set up did you go with?:beerchug:

PaHumBug
02-27-2008, 09:53 PM
Lift kit "BulletProof" www.bulletproof.net
Tires are 38/15.5/18
wheels are 18x10

Thanks so much, this is good stuff. Though that link took me to a web hosting website. I googled bullet proof and found them: http://www.bulletproofsuspensions.net/6_hummer_h2.php

So about how far do your tires stick out? It's hard to tell in the photos. I'm wondering if simply using a bit narrower tire would keep them under the stock fenders.

Thanks again!

H2R
02-27-2008, 11:09 PM
without flairs

ib3
02-27-2008, 11:26 PM
If you used the stock rims and stock width tires the tires woud still be under the flares. Its when going to the offset rims that make them stick out of the fenders. the stock tires are 13" wide. A 325/70r17 would be fine. but are only 35" tall. a 37x13.50x17 should work perfect as only being 1/2" wider

ib3
02-27-2008, 11:56 PM
I used skyjacker for my shock setup . nothing special, I did not really want to go with the upper control arm dual hoop shocks. More things to put back to stock. I posted a pic under http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32939