Quad Cab DuraMax build
- Thread starter DoMiNiC1
- Start date
bfdiesel
Explorer
Dido
DoMiNiC1
Adventurer
Update
So I now have a 3/36 warranty; my injectorits is cured for now.:ylsmoke: Looking for a some kind of camper top for it now and wondering about tires... I can't lift the truck till warranty is up (except maybe the GM leveling keys, 2in I think) What would be the best A/T tire and how big can I get with only a leveling kit. Dont want over kill, and want to stay with stock wheels for now, I will see snow this winter (chomping at the bit to go snowboarding).:elkgrin:
and I am LOVING this truck, so much power.....
So I now have a 3/36 warranty; my injectorits is cured for now.:ylsmoke: Looking for a some kind of camper top for it now and wondering about tires... I can't lift the truck till warranty is up (except maybe the GM leveling keys, 2in I think) What would be the best A/T tire and how big can I get with only a leveling kit. Dont want over kill, and want to stay with stock wheels for now, I will see snow this winter (chomping at the bit to go snowboarding).:elkgrin:
and I am LOVING this truck, so much power.....
bob91yj
Resident **************
The trucks "look right" to me leveled with 285's. If I had mine to do over again, I'd probably go that direction instead of the 6" lift and 315's. The added sidewall is nice on rough roads, but the lack of E-rated tire availability and the inability to fit the correct size spare under the truck are a definite draw back. The Dmax is pretty much able to overcome the performance loss, but the 315's do have an effect on perfrormance as well.
ericvs
Active member
I got the Cognito Level kite (UCA and new ball joints). Brought the front up 2" and I am now running 285/75R16 on my stock tires. Looks good. I only had rubbing issues with the parking brake cable. It pushed the plastic wheel well liner in just enough to have rubbing. a few zip ties and I am rub free. Probable couldn't go any bigger though as it is pretty close. My only issue with the level kit is when I do carry a heavy load or am towing the back dips down (about 1-2") so I look like I am overloaded. It would be sitting level if the front was at stock height. I am thinking about getting air bags (which you may want to do with a camper). The Pacbrakes are peaking my interest right now.
Good about your injectors. Wasn't trying to instill any type of fear or paranoia with my earlier post. I am very happy with my truck and can't see my self going back to gas anytime soon (and I mean ever).
Good about your injectors. Wasn't trying to instill any type of fear or paranoia with my earlier post. I am very happy with my truck and can't see my self going back to gas anytime soon (and I mean ever).
DoMiNiC1
Adventurer
I really like the Cognito kit but to keep everything copacetic with the warranty I am going to have to use the GM keys to get my 2in. I am running 265's right now and think the 285's will be the way to go, also really like the idea of air bags; esp if I have a camper in the bed. Also looking at some new shocks, the stockers are a bit tired and ride can get bouncy around 45mph. Fuel economy has been around 16mpg all city; that sound about right?
ericvs
Active member
I got the Bilstein shocks all around from Cognito. The ones for the front are longer for when you raise the front. Otherwise, you can just make a bracket and use the stock length ones. I have been very happy with the ride with the Bilsteins.
Fuel econ. when I first started tracking my mileage I was getting 12-13mpg. Heavy footed (oops). I was able to get it up to about 17mpg avg and have had a few tanks over 20, but yours sounds about right. I lost a bit of MPG when I went to the 285's. The stock tires on those trucks is 245 so your speedo will be off too (mine is off by approximately 5mph and 5% on my odometer.) I am thinking about getting a programmer with the option to adjust the speedometer, but haven't ponied up the cash yet.
Fuel econ. when I first started tracking my mileage I was getting 12-13mpg. Heavy footed (oops). I was able to get it up to about 17mpg avg and have had a few tanks over 20, but yours sounds about right. I lost a bit of MPG when I went to the 285's. The stock tires on those trucks is 245 so your speedo will be off too (mine is off by approximately 5mph and 5% on my odometer.) I am thinking about getting a programmer with the option to adjust the speedometer, but haven't ponied up the cash yet.
bob91yj
Resident **************
It's going to be a percentage across the range of the speedo, with my 315's my speedo and odometer read approx 12% low. When figuring fuel economy, the adjusted mileage numbers have to be used as well.
I use my GPS to show true road speed. The only time it's a real PITA is following race course notes/map notes that tell you how far from one point to the next.
I use my GPS to show true road speed. The only time it's a real PITA is following race course notes/map notes that tell you how far from one point to the next.
Most tuners will correct for tire size, as well as add performance, add mileage (if you keep your foot light), and give you monitoring and code-reading capabilities. I picked up a used edge evolution for 200 bucks and got all of the above plus more. Well worth the $$.
Also, because I didn't see anyone answer it, your mileage will be better than calculated if you do not compensate for larger than stock tires, as the truck has actually travelled further than the odometer shows, on the same amount of gas. Yay for better mileage!
Also, because I didn't see anyone answer it, your mileage will be better than calculated if you do not compensate for larger than stock tires, as the truck has actually travelled further than the odometer shows, on the same amount of gas. Yay for better mileage!
1stDeuce
Explorer
Dominic, save yourself the money and just turn the adjusting screws if you're only looking for a little lift. About five turns is an inch, and "cranking" the bars does EXACTLY the same thing as putting in different keys. Most important for ride quality is either replacing the lower shock brackets with slightly longer ones or just putting on the longer shocks as mentioned above. Note that 2" of lift on these trucks will change the toe setting A LOT, so you'll want to either have it aligned, or at least use a tape measure to get 3/16" or so of toe after you crank it up. (adjust both sides equally to keep the steering wheel centered)
At 2" raised, you'll probably notice a bit more wandering. I have mine raised about 1" and it seems to be happy, even w/o the longer shock brackets. There's easily enough thread on my bolts to go another inch if I wanted to, but I don't, since I like having a little rake in the truck, and I'm too cheap for new shocks or blocks for the back...
C
At 2" raised, you'll probably notice a bit more wandering. I have mine raised about 1" and it seems to be happy, even w/o the longer shock brackets. There's easily enough thread on my bolts to go another inch if I wanted to, but I don't, since I like having a little rake in the truck, and I'm too cheap for new shocks or blocks for the back...
C
DoMiNiC1
Adventurer
Thanks! I think 1'' is all I really want. I had a Tahoe with a 6in lift the that thing was all over the road... I too don't mind a little rake and am also cheap. :victory:
After the after market warranty I bought approved the local GMC dealership/service to work on my truck I am going replace several things. The service manager there is super cool Ill see if he can lift it up a bit next time I see them.
I have a list of things that I am going to get replaced... injectors(when they go), idler/pitment arm, stereo, speakers, tie rods... I just have to keep impeccable maintenance on the truck so no blame can be put on me. (not hard) Will be interesting to see how all this goes. lol
After the after market warranty I bought approved the local GMC dealership/service to work on my truck I am going replace several things. The service manager there is super cool Ill see if he can lift it up a bit next time I see them.
I have a list of things that I am going to get replaced... injectors(when they go), idler/pitment arm, stereo, speakers, tie rods... I just have to keep impeccable maintenance on the truck so no blame can be put on me. (not hard) Will be interesting to see how all this goes. lol
DoMiNiC1
Adventurer
So I picked up a fiberglass camper shell today for 100 bucks! In good shape, it will need a bath, sand, and coat of paint... So now I am wondering if I should paint it white (the color it is now) of try to match it to the truck... How hard is it to find GM pewter stray paint?