lift kit

i wanna lift my 98 tahoe 4x4...4dr... 6 inches...does any one recommend or know of a good solid lift?

I'm currently in the process of lifting my 96 Yukon (4 door, 4WD). I got the fabtech 6" lift. What a nightmare! I don't know how it will perform when done. I suspect it will be awesome, but the install sucks!

Fabtech has some of the more pricey kits on the market, but the component quality/strength and design is among the best. I didn't think the install was too difficult compared to some others, but I also had some help with it. Anyhow, have had the kit on mine for over a year now with no complaints whatsoever.

hey what size tires are u guys runnin on that six inch lift? any gear changes as well?

Not sure off hand. I'll have to check this weekend and repost... No gearing changes yet, but I bet I will need to.

I'm running 35" BFGoodrich AT's for now. That's the largest the kit recommends, also until I get out of the Northeast U.S. (in a few weeks now, thank god) I don't really get too much heavy off road use with this vehicle, so I've had no reason for larger and/or more aggressive tires in the past. No gearing changes yet, but I certainly notice a loss of low end torque at times; when stuck in mud or trying to climb steep inclines. When I do put on larger tires, I'm probably going to want to up the rear end ratio.

Fabtech is a pretty good lift but the Dick Cepek 6.5" Stage 2 lift is superior, it offers a full drop so you have less problems with angels and a stronger front end. You can actually crank the lift up to 8" if you wanted to clear tires larger then 35"...As far as gearing goes you should put in some 4:56s to keep your acceleration good plus going down the highway in O.D your trans won't keep downshifting. Just my $.02

I'm not too familiar with the Cepek kits. What exactly is this full drop you refer to and how does it result in a stronger front end and straighter angles (short of actually changing the positioning of the trans?)

I've got 6" + 3" of body for a total of 9" and the design of the wheel well and fender on this model ('98 2dr) won't allow larger than 35" without some trimming (at least with the backspacing of these AR wheels I have, stock might be another case).

You're definitely right about the gearing. I don't use my cruise anymore unless it's very flat (preferably with a tailwind) b/c the constant shifting in and out of OD gets extremely annoying. Instead I just let it slow on the upslopes and speed up going down (much to the pleasure of people trying to pass me, I'm sure...)

The Fabtech kit does not drop everything and not everything is dropped the same amount. It uses taller spindles (DC does not) and leaves the UCA in the stock location (DC does not). Fabtech drops the LCA 6" and uses 6" taller spindles. Therefore, it is a 6" kit WITH OUT cranking. It does not drop the front diff 6"... only about 4". This is why. in general, every spindle kit has more ground clearence under the diff than the "full drop kits". This is also why the CV are steeper and also why you shouldnt crank past 6" on a spindle kit. Also you will not be able to run your stock wheels, if you wanted to, with a knuckle kit like fabtech or RCD. Go with Rancho, BDS, or Cepek full drop kit.

I have a 2wd tahoe and I would like to lift it to make it look like a 4x4. Any suggestions? Have any of you done this? How many inches would I have to lift it? Thanks.

Just crank your tortion bars in the front, and "add a leaf" for the back will bring it up a little in height if that is all you are looking for.

I finished my 6" Fabtech, and I put 305/70R16 Mud Brutes on it. It looks great! I will probably try to go with a little bigger tires next time though...

Looks good from the avatar pics, do you have weight in the rear of the truck or do you need to add another leaf?

I just uploaded some full sized pics into the Gallery... No weight in rear - we left out the add a leaf that came with the Fabtech kit. I wanted a slight prerunner look.

I like it. Has a good stance, but I would have thrown in the add a leaf. Looks good though anyway. I like the rims too.

The Fabtech kit does not drop everything and not everything is dropped the same amount. It uses taller spindles (DC does not) and leaves the UCA in the stock location (DC does not). Fabtech drops the LCA 6" and uses 6" taller spindles. Therefore, it is a 6" kit WITH OUT cranking. It does not drop the front diff 6"... only about 4". This is why. in general, every spindle kit has more ground clearence under the diff than the "full drop kits". This is also why the CV are steeper and also why you shouldnt crank past 6" on a spindle kit. Also you will not be able to run your stock wheels, if you wanted to, with a knuckle kit like fabtech or RCD. Go with Rancho, BDS, or Cepek full drop kit.

Hmm...you've got me slightly confused here (it might be the Miller light as well). But the '98 kit I've got is an IFS, and the issue I have is with the rear CV joint angle out of the transmission (by CV I actually mean a non-stock "constant velocity" or "double cardan" Spicer joint I have that burns through centering kits because of this high angle.) I was curious if the DC or any other kits you speak of are actually capable of reducing this transmission to rear diff angle.

Nope, not that i know of...You're the first one i've ever heard of having this problem, can't you get a trans drop kit to correct the angle? Good luck.