Noob from West Virginia

[ruffryder59]

Hello all the name is James! Just picked up a 05 recently and looking to do a nice suspension lift. Could everyone suggest what they think is the perfect lift set up front and rear. Ive been doing some reading on here and trailvoy but would like some opinions thanks!

[mikepeters1983]

MarkMC's new lift, with BDS 5500 or 9500's rear shocks, Blisteen HD front shocks, and if you want to change out your springs I would say go with 87's but they are sold out with a indef wait so might have to go with 88's. Also It all depends on what you are loking to do with your TB. Rocks, mud, dirt road, plus are you going to be ordering one of BartonMD's bumper with rad and oil pan skids? What are you looking to do with you TB?

[mikepeters1983]

Oh and welcome to the site, just remember always try to search first then if you can find it ask.

[djthumper]

Welcome to the site.

The perfect lift is basically going to be defined by your mission. (Borrowed from Roadie) The basics of all of our lifts are pretty much the same. You will not go wrong with using MarkMC's lift, he is dedicated to our platform. Most of us are running Bilstein HDs up front.

You can look at everyone's build lists as that pretty much tells you what we are running for the lifts.

[The Roadie]

Yah, I usually respond to questions like that with an analogy. Would you come into a room of strangers, and ask them what's the perfect wife for you to "acquire"?

Until we knew more about you, background, aspirations, and attributes, any answer would be just guessing and far off the target.

You need to define what you want to do with the vehicle, then that becomes the mission, and the lift is only one element of meeting the goal.

In my case, the goal changed as I acquired more experience and I could see a horizon farther away and tougher trails became reasonable targets. My first goal was simple - never get stuck in desert mud ever again.

Of course, I'm an engineer with a minor in philosophy, so I tend to write essays where none are needed.

Welcome!

[bgwolfpack]

Stick around for a while then decide what the correct step is for you.

That's my motto!


Welcome

[MrSmithsTB]

Word. Start simple. Get yourself a suspension lift, at least an oil pan skid, and some basic recovery equipment. those are a necessity no matter what your mission is. You can base everything else off of how far you want to push it. More suspension lift, body lift, really big tires, steel bumpers, bugout supplies, winch, etc. the possibilities are endless.

[The Roadie]

...those are a necessity no matter what your mission is. ...

Well, except for the mall cruisers, not our fine members....

[Diacom]

Welcome to the Site

[Regulator1175]

Welcome. What part of WV are you from? I have family in Winfield, just out side of Charleston. I did some logging trails with a local jeep club down there and had a great time. If your anywhere in the area then we will have to try to get out and wheel together when I am out next. At the very least you can ride along with me and get some ideas as to what you want to do with your truck.

[bartonmd]

Welcome!

[ruffryder59]

Ok this is what I put together so far from reading and searching. I want to do this right the first time. I am going with MarkMc's New suspension lift. 88 springs up front with bilstien hd's rear z71 springs and have not decided what shocks to use in rear. I will take all input on this set up. My truck is totally stock right now. What size tires do you think I can fit with this setup on stock 17 inch wheels. I know I will need wheels spacers. Im going to wait till I get all this stuff and do it at once. Please let me know if there is any compatibility issues with any of these items or if there is going to be any trimming ect.... I read that I might want to flip upper control arms too.

[ruffryder59]

Welcome. What part of WV are you from? I have family in Winfield, just out side of Charleston. I did some logging trails with a local jeep club down there and had a great time. If your anywhere in the area then we will have to try to get out and wheel together when I am out next. At the very least you can ride along with me and get some ideas as to what you want to do with your truck.

Im from Martinsburg wv and would love to hook up and do some wheeling as soon as I get the trailblazer trailrated lol!

[djthumper]

Don't go with the Z71 springs unless you are hauling heavy loads or trailers. The ride is pretty firm. I am running the Skyjacker N8030 shocks and it rides pretty nice.

[Blackout]

I wouldn't dismiss the Z71 springs. When I first lifted I wasn't hauling all the weight I do now in the back, but I didn't feel that it was a bad ride at all

[bgwolfpack]

I wouldn't dismiss the Z71 springs. When I first lifted I wasn't hauling all the weight I do now in the back, but I didn't feel that it was a bad ride at all

I completely agree. It was always my intention to use the Skyjacker Softride Coil Springs - C25R at a later date but now I doubt I would change. I like the firmer ride even though the C25Rs may help in the articulation of the rear suspension.

[fishsticks]

I wouldn't dismiss the Z71 springs. When I first lifted I wasn't hauling all the weight I do now in the back, but I didn't feel that it was a bad ride at all

I completely agree. It was always my intention to use the Skyjacker Softride Coil Springs - C25R at a later date but now I doubt I would change. I like the firmer ride even though the C25Rs may help in the articulation of the rear suspension.

The Hoe springs will happily compress to the bumpstops if you need the flex. Our trucks are heavy enough to get them moving. They are progressive rate as well.... honestly I've never had a ride complaint even empty.

I may do C25Rs down the road if I end up in a sitatuion where I need ANOTHER 2" out of the rear (keeping the spacers)... or I may talk to these guys: http://spring-man.com/page2.html

[bgwolfpack]

They are progressive rate as well….

Are they? Certain members have discussed this previously and I thought we agreed that the springs are not progressive.

[fishsticks]

They are progressive rate as well….

Are they? Certain members have discussed this previously and I thought we agreed that the springs are not progressive.

They are. That's the reason for the blue isolators you see on them. That part of the spring will coil bind before the rest of the spring really gets going.

[bgwolfpack]

Maybe it was the front springs this conversation was about and not the rears. The fronts are not progressive correct?