New from ohio need some quick help!

[07trailyls]

Hey guys. Great to be here. Just came over from gmtnation and am really excited about lifting my 07 TB. I did read the big long message with all the lifting info. But I still have a few questions that hopefully you all can clear up and hopefully ease my mind. For starters I'd like to get a 3 inch body lift and a 2 inch suspension lift. I did not plan on getting liftmeisters kit since an experienced lifter over on gmtnation (high voltage) pointed me in the direction of a seemingly nice body/suspension lift combo for 500 .00... Going a full 5 inches I was hoping I could retain stock everything else such as diff. Gearing and only change the wheel/tire combo. Most of you will probably roast me for this but the truck will unfortunately be an LMFAO until our brutal ohio winter hits when I can go cruise with it on the snow and ice.tonight on gmtnation I read and I quote "Of course, the TB, designed as an SUV (socially unacceptable vehicle) and not a true off-road vehicle, sits considerably lower than most off-road type vehicles, so a 2-3" suspension lift is probably the ticket. Any more than that and it will start to cost a LOT of $$$ and eat a lot of parts unless one goes whole hog and replaces all the axles and suspension with big stuff that is heavy enough to also run the big rubber required for many trails these days." ...... So if I do a +3+2 I won't be able to retain any stock suspension be it axle ect... Any clarification on this would be great. Like I said I would like to remain stock just a 3 inch bod. Lift along with a 2 inch suspension lift and 30 inch tires.

[navigator]

ok, put down the red bulls for a second, I'm having a hard time following you....
It sounds like you want a 5 inch lift and are going to run stock tires until winter when you might upgrade to larger tires.

It sounds like you want bigger tires for the snow...
I think you need to first figure out what size tires you want to run and make sure you have the gearing to run it. From there you can decide how much lift you need.
If you are running 3.42 gears then it is recommended that you run 32s or less to keep your tranny from overheating.

I have 4.5" of lift (2" BL + 2.5" suspension), running 32s and I think I think it looks a little goofy and need at least 33s to fill it out more.

[Opeth]

I have a 3" body and 3" suspension, z71 rear springs and I have retained everything factory just fine. I have longer rear shocks to accommodate my z71 coil, but everything else is factory components. I'm running 265/70-17 tires. Someone is blowing smoke up your ass.

[ErikSS]

Was there a question in there?
Read Build Threads. All your questions will be answered.

[navigator]

The best I can gather from that paragraph could be summed up by this question...
"What is the biggest tire I can run without regearing?"

I would say 32s with 3.42 gears and 33s with 3.73 gears but running a transmission cooler is advisable.

[v7guy]

Scott, I think the biggest problem here is that you have some preconceived notions that are false. I'm familiar with what the winters can be like up here and I started my whole adventure with your exact intentions.
With that said I think you'd be perfectly fine with the standard MarkMC 3" lift with stock springs and some 32s. It's a fairly mild combo that is dead nuts reliable and it'll give you a fair amount more clearance. With some washers on the shock you can probably even avoid topping out the shock in your intended use.
When you start looking at body lifts, I always think that you're really starting to look at 35s and heavier use to fit the biggest tire you can.

Without info on what lift you are looking at, the gearing of your truck, and a list of the exact items you're about to buy we really can't be of any help.

[Trail X]

I would say 32s with 3.42 gears and 33s with 3.73 gears but running a transmission cooler is advisable.

3.73s on 35s is about the same total "effective ratio" as 3.42s and 32s.

[07trailyls]

Wow. Thanks for all the help guys. It's really appreciated you have no idea. For starting out this build I'll first be installing marks 3" suspension lift. I'll be keeping the stock wheels for now considering I have no idea what company makes reputable off road wheels. Along with the suspension lift I'll go straight to the 32's as recommended. For future reference, basic info on my truck is 07 TB LS . Bone stock 62000 miles. 3.42 rear gear. RWD. Would love a trans cooler for it. Had no idea they made them for the 360's. Again thanks guys!!

[v7guy]

There's a few write ups on here about the trans cooler, TrailX has one I believe, Moots has a decent write up in his build thread.
The stock wheels hold up pretty decent, I even shaved them a bit on some ledges during the last TECORE I attended, no problems at all.
If you intend on coming out with us on some trips a rad skid and oil pan skid is recommended, outside of that you'll have a setup that's pretty capable.