boardrider247
Weekend warrior anarchist
Also interested to here opinions on this
GM fullsize AWD Van Info thread
- Thread starter boardrider247
- Start date
LetsStop4IceCreamandBeer
New member
I have a 2014 AWD Express.
Can anyone help confirm that this is an applicable rough country kit?
Does anyone know the general lift amount that these give the van?
I honestly don't see how they label it as a 1.5-2.5 leveling kit and then use a 3" block in the rear.
Are there any other kits out there using a 2" block with a similar height leveling kit?
I was considering the journeys off-road or boulder off-road kits but their prices can't be justified.
journeys at $269. Rough country at $209 with 4 shocks. Even if I buy a 2" block for the rear I still save 30 bucks. And both kits would require purchasing a different rear shock.
This thread is helpful and have read through it. But, what the consensus after 48 pages? I'm hoping someone has internalized it better then i have.
My end goal is 2" in the rear and level the front (so, 2.5-3")
Thanks
Also, to contribute a little.
I have a Lycksele Lovas futon in my van. Regularly sold used for 50 bucks.
It sits on 2x3 rails 13" above my floor. which fits 17gallon bins underneath. I still have the headliner and my floor is built above the seat rails so I can toss in the front seat when needed. Me, at 6'2, and 6'7 friend can both sit while in couch mode with a little head room. It's the perfect van folding bed. Me, my friend, both our wives, and 2 medium/large dogs can all hang out comfortably inside when in couch mode, the girls get the couch. And when the wine is gone we are in bed mode in seconds.
Products
Browse our full range of products from dressing tables to complete modern kitchens. Click here to find the right IKEA product for you. Browse online and in-store today!
www.ikea.com
I've got a fleet mechanic with a couple decades worth of experience working on trucks and vans. When I ask that question his reply is that there is no good option, but that he has seen the least number of returns on replacement transmissions when they are sourced from the dealer.
When I point out the known weaknesses in the 4l60e and what other builders do to address them he says it all depends more on which tech did the rebuild and how much they drank the night before than what company it is, and that he is just reporting his experience.
Scotty D
Active member
I have a 2014 AWD Express.
Can anyone help confirm that this is an applicable rough country kit?
Does anyone know the general lift amount that these give the van?
I honestly don't see how they label it as a 1.5-2.5 leveling kit and then use a 3" block in the rear.
Are there any other kits out there using a 2" block with a similar height leveling kit?
I was considering the journeys off-road or boulder off-road kits but their prices can't be justified.
journeys at $269. Rough country at $209 with 4 shocks. Even if I buy a 2" block for the rear I still save 30 bucks. And both kits would require purchasing a different rear shock.
This thread is helpful and have read through it. But, what the consensus after 48 pages? I'm hoping someone has internalized it better then i have.
My end goal is 2" in the rear and level the front (so, 2.5-3")
Thanks
Also, to contribute a little.
I have a Lycksele Lovas futon in my van. Regularly sold used for 50 bucks.
It sits on 2x3 rails 13" above my floor. which fits 17gallon bins underneath. I still have the headliner and my floor is built above the seat rails so I can toss in the front seat when needed. Me, at 6'2, and 6'7 friend can both sit while in couch mode with a little head room. It's the perfect van folding bed. Me, my friend, both our wives, and 2 medium/large dogs can all hang out comfortably inside when in couch mode, the girls get the couch. And when the wine is gone we are in bed mode in seconds.
Products
Browse our full range of products from dressing tables to complete modern kitchens. Click here to find the right IKEA product for you. Browse online and in-store today!
I could not find where it accepted an express van on the link you provided. If they had one that fit our vans , surely it would show up in the pop down menu right?
I did this one from amazon but be warned the price fluctuates wildly , I think I paid 150 a few years ago but the price would swing back and forth over 100 dollars week to week.
Traxda 404045 Front and Rear Lift Kit
Buy Traxda 404045 Front and Rear Lift Kit at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!
www.amazon.com
LetsStop4IceCreamandBeer
New member
This info is found in post #3. I totally lost my head after 48 pages.
Any gmc lift for a 99-06 works on these vans.
With that said. I am interesting still in the real world lift amounts.
The RC kit comes with a 3 in block. Which means with normal truck rake, if you put the block in the back. You would need to get more then 3" of lift out of the key to level it.
I want around 2" so I plan to either order a 2" block separate or call RC and ask them to swap out the 3" block for a 2".
My worry is they might be accounting for this obvious issue. Resulting in the key at its lowest amount being more lift then I want.
Here's my thoughts mathematically.
Rear wheel well is at 36, front 35.
So lets say, Rear 0 front -1.
Add 3" block in rear. Rear = 3 front -1.
Then you need to level it out. Front needs +4.
The key, and the whole kit, is sold as +1.5-2.5.
So how the hell is that working unless the key itself is 1.5-2.5 over level which is really 2.5-3.5 over stock?
Have you tried cranking your stock keys yet? I think I got something like 2_3/8" out of my stock keys. The prices for those kits are highway robbery in my opinion. I put my money towards bilstein shocks and brand new surburan leaf packs on the rear. Could not be happier
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
boardrider247
Weekend warrior anarchist
My results from the RC kit here
expeditionportal.com
I wouldn't do it again. At this point the only remaining part of that kit on the van are the lift keys. I would suggest buying whatever keys you can find cheap, bilstein shocks and a heavier spring pack in the rear. YMMV
The great white fun hog (another white GM awd build)
I was able to break free for a few quality hours out in the shop with the fun hog. It was enough time to swap out the front shocks and torsion keys. That took about 2hrs.I was able to use my ball joint press as a torsion bar tool. Then I set her back on the ground to take measurements and see...
expeditionportal.com
I wouldn't do it again. At this point the only remaining part of that kit on the van are the lift keys. I would suggest buying whatever keys you can find cheap, bilstein shocks and a heavier spring pack in the rear. YMMV
Finally wrapped up the "2.0" mods to my 2012 Express and here's what I've found works best for the front end: MaxxCam2 keys (2nd to highest setting - B3 I think? already forgot), Skyjacker shocks, Cognito UCA's for 99-06 1500 trucks (SKU 110-90289, w/ limit straps, non-uniball). The limit straps require some fab welding for an upper mounting bracket and lower shear tab. My local 4WP shop was able to do the strap mounts & install for me no problem, and warrantied the work.
I need to do some minor trimming to the inner mud fender as that's the only rubbing issue and it's very minor. Besides the fender rub it easily clears 285/70r17 tires and no alignment/camber issues thanks to the Cognito UCA's.I don't have my original OEM stance dims but I'm about 1.5" taller (eyeball dim) than my previous Traxda kit.
I need to do some minor trimming to the inner mud fender as that's the only rubbing issue and it's very minor. Besides the fender rub it easily clears 285/70r17 tires and no alignment/camber issues thanks to the Cognito UCA's.I don't have my original OEM stance dims but I'm about 1.5" taller (eyeball dim) than my previous Traxda kit.
The Rebel Express
New member
Hello. I’m sorry I cant help you, but maybe you can help me, I hope. I have my transmission pan bolts out and almost completely drained but I cant get the on down because of the muffler. Do I have to take the muffler off??
You either have to take off the Y-pipe or loosen the transmission mounting bolts, put a jack under the rear of the transmission and lift it slowly until the pan clears. I did the second one as my exhaust bolts wouldn’t budge.
The Rebel Express
New member
You’re absolutely right that those exhaust pipes wont budge, not even a little.
I’m just going to do it without getting the pan off. I took the filter out, used a pump to get all the fluid out the pan, and cleaned the magnet. Tomorrow I’m gonna get the gasket off somehow, clean it all up, and slide the new one on and get this job done! It can definitely be done (probably has been), and tomorrow it I’m going to do it!
Lifting the transmission is clever. I salute you for that. Just another thing I’m too scared to do
Peace
The Rebel Express
New member
It’s happening. Gasket isn’t coming off easy, but it’s getting doneI'm 90% sure that all AWD Express Vans have the BW4473, the 4481 was only on the Escalade/Denali for a few years. Double check the build tag before you order parts, though it could be the same seal on both. I'm going to rebuild mine in the next week or two and can report back then. Just looking at it and guessing I'd say maybe the front output shaft seal could be done without splitting, rear maybe not. Check your pinyon yoke and ujoints carefully when you do the seal. Any driveline vibrations will cause the new seal to leak again sooner than later.
kntr
Observer
How does it handle as compared to before? I love my lifted AWD Express but it rides a little rough with the Traxxda keys turned up and 3/4 ton suburban leafs.