Lift/tire options for 99 k1500 suburban

[gotme1]

I just purchased a 99 gmc suburban k1500 and wanted some input on what lift I should go with? I also will be running 18x9 wheels and need tire size. This will be my family travel/expedition vehicle. Thanks

 

[Scrib]

I don't know anything about the IFS lifts, but Toyo has a LT285/75R18 Open Country A/T. This should be about 34" tall on your 9" rim.

 

[bob91yj]

I'd rethink the 18's, limited tire selection, and what is available are usually pretty pricey.

 

[gotme1]

Yes I have no experience with "IFS" suspensions as well. I don't want to go extreme with lift. Just want be able to make through mild trails without getting hung up. Right now the truck came with 265/70/16. I picked up some Moto Metal Wheels for decent price so I wanted to use them.

 

[stewwalker]

I didn't want to mess with my IFS either, so I went with a 3" body lift on my suburban. I know that a body lift is not ideal, but it suited my needs just fine. Currently I have 33x12.5 BFG A/T's on 15x10 American Racing rims with no issues with tire rubbing. I have about 13-14 inches of ground clearance under the truck.

Unless you need really high clearance, a body lift is the way to go in my opinion. Suspension lifts are great, but on OBS suburbans you only gain lift and clearance, not travel.

 

[gotme1]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Body lift for now and see how things go. It looks to have a bit of sag in the rear. Thinking what's the best way to beef up the rear? Once I pack in the family and gear I'm thinking it will be real noticeable.

 

[stewwalker]

New leaf springs or 2" blocks will fix that issue. With a full tank and loaded with gear the back end will sag significantly. I also got a pair of beefier torsion bars to help keep the front end from sagging like the rear. It is a stiffer ride though...

 

[gotme1]

Couldn't be stiffer than my xj! Thanks for the info. That will be my starting point. Any other mods for suburban please do share.

 

[stewwalker]

Mine is a pretty stock '95 K1500. I'd rather make the truck more reliable and useful than make it a rock crawler. Most of my "modifications" are simple Texas ranch truck mods that are easy and affective. Nothing crazy. Off the top of my head...
3" body lift
33x12.5 BFG A/T on 15x10 rims (the wider the better for flotation over mud and sand)
stiffer torsion bars
2" blocks in the back
all Moog balljoints and tie rods
Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings and sway bar end links
polyurethane body mounts
Bilstein shocks all around
160 degree thermostat (truck runs way cooler in the Texas heat)
turned muffler (the original mounting position lets the exhaust drag the ground before the frame does)
Ranch Hand rear bumper
home built front bumper
Tuffy center console
Yaesu 2900 radio
Surco roof rack
fold down table on the inside of the back door
red lenses on the overhead lights
KC driving lights
LED work lights on the back
quick disconnect jumper cables

and a SWEET stereo...

 

[gotme1]

Nice!

 

[gotme1]

Hey Stewwalker, post some pictures of your rig! Would like a closer look of your set up.

 

[stewwalker]

z

 

[stewwalker]

Here are some more from my recent overhaul of the front end and install of the tuffy console and radio. Fortunately I recently inherited a BMW 318is so I don't have to drive this gas guzzler around all the time.

 

[firesq14]

hey stew nice burb!!!! what do you have for a front bumper? i have 99. i put a torsion key kit, which added 2" to the front. on the rear i had a leaf added and put in a 3/4 ton spacer block. so it kind-of- but not really a factory lift. it sits now like a stock 3/4 ton.

 

[stewwalker]

Front bumper is 3x6 steel tubing with a prerunner style push bar.