Looking to get lifted, need some advice

[spalding1028]

Just a little background, I bought my 04 ext back in January with 160k miles on it, and after seeing trailvoy and gmtnation, I was immediately hooked. I've already build a light bar and added nerf tubes (not thinking about rock sliders currently). The next steps that I want to take are a lift kit, tires, and a mdb custom bumper. I've been doing some research between here, gmtnation, and a local off road shop and I think I'm aiming towards either the bds 2" suspension or the markmc 3" body lift. From what I've read, suspension lifts are more practical for off road use, while body lifts are more for looks. If that is correct, I see a lot of people using a body lift over a suspension lift and just want to know their point of view. At some point in time I would like to take it off road, but it's also a daily driver. I know that the suspension lifts are more costly (which I'm not too worried about) but I'd like some suggestions. I'm still a few months out from getting any work done, but I'm getting all the planning done ahead of time.

[bartonmd]

Welcome!

I don't know of anybody here who has the body lift, but not the suspension lift... Generally, everybody does the suspension lift first (MarkMC does a 3" suspension lift, as well, and High-Voltage does what used to be the MarkMC 3" body lift), then does the body lift. We just use the body lift to fit bigger tires, which do help ground clearance, but not as much as the suspension lift does.

Mike

[spalding1028]

That's what I was mainly trying to find out. So I am headed in the right direction, wanting to get the suspension lift. I'll look into the markmc kit, but the only thing I'm concerned about is the listing in the complete lift list thread and that it mentions "The stock upper shock mount can notoriously fail if you wheel hard, carry a heavy front-end load (winch, bumper, etc), or drive a lot off road. That is the system's weak point" unless the 3" suspension lift is not listed and that only applies to his 2.5" suspension lift. I'll do a bit more looking around

[bartonmd]

Correct, the new 3" suspension lift has a similar upper mount to the BDS, where it completely replaces the upper mount.

Mike

[spalding1028]

awesome. I appreciate the help. As soon as I figure out whether or not I'll need a body lift on top of the suspension lift (most likely not for what I want to do with it) you should be hearing from me again about a bumper

Now... if someone wants to make a trip to nw ohio and help install it, I'll buy em' a couple cases of beer!

[bartonmd]

For the price in gas of a couple cases of beer (OK, maybe more), and saving $120 on shipping, I'll help you install it (and the skids) at my house around Indy...

Mike

[spalding1028]

Sounds awfully tempting. What kinda time frame are we talking? done in a day? I can get a couple days away from the office if needed.

[navigator]

Welcome William, think through your plan well and you can save some money. Mikes bumper is different for the body lift vs non body lift. If you know you will get a bumper at some point (not just a wish list type thing) and think you will at some point to the BL and the suspension lift it might make sense to go BL first.

I posted a thread a while back about which is better, you can read through it, there is a lot of good information from a lot of experienced wheelers but I'm not sure a consensus was made. Reading through it will at least keep the same info from being re-iterated in this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1963&hilit=body+lift+vs+suspension+lift

[bartonmd]

Sounds awfully tempting. What kinda time frame are we talking? done in a day? I can get a couple days away from the office if needed.

Install is a 1-day, down and back, thing; but would have to be on the weekend. This is not my real job.

Shoot me a PM. We can talk specifics.

Mike

[spalding1028]

Thanks for the post, Chirs. I'm thinking I'm just gonna do the suspension lift (it's gonna be my daily driver for a while and I'm not going to any outrageous tire size. Mike, it's not gonna be for a few months, and it will definitely be on a weekend. Hopefully I'll have the time and money to get this done before I go camping this summer. bunch of unpaved roads in central ohio

[HARDTRAILZ]

Welcome

[djthumper]

Welcome

[zeon_911]

hi, my name is william and ive been having some problems with finding a decent lift, im wanting a suspension lift and i dont know where or what lift would be the best.
i have a 03 trailblazer lt 4x4 and some help would be much appreciated thanks

[The Roadie]

hi, my name is william and ive been having some problems with finding a decent lift, im wanting a suspension lift and i dont know where or what lift would be the best.
i have a 03 trailblazer lt 4x4 and some help would be much appreciated thanks

Welcome! Did you discover this Stickied thread in this forum that you're in? viewtopic.php?f=15&t=20

Best to look first, read, search, and then ask about what isn't clear. Also check the build thread forum for what's been working for us so far.

Glad you found us!