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3 inch vs 2.5 inch lift up front

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by TexMedic, Oct 1, 2022.

  1. Oct 1, 2022 at 1:23 PM
    #1
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    How much of a difference a does a 3 inch vs 2.5 inch lift have on the structure of the front suspension? I think the 3 inch would look the best, but my deciding factor is the reliability/durability. I want to go with the 3 inch, but I’ve seen some pretty nasty CV angles (even with the diff drop). On the other hand, I’ve also seen some that have pretty decent CV angles. What causes the different angles even though it’s the same height + a diff drop? Would the half inch the 2.5 takes away be noticeable?
    -Tex
     
  2. Oct 1, 2022 at 1:26 PM
    #2
    reywcms

    reywcms New Member

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    Too many mods to come
    .5” difference lol
     
  3. Oct 1, 2022 at 1:33 PM
    #3
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    :smack:
     
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  4. Oct 1, 2022 at 1:40 PM
    #4
    Gort

    Gort New Member

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    Closer to 1.27cm..
     
    reywcms[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Oct 1, 2022 at 1:46 PM
    #5
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    it’s 12.7mm
     
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  6. Oct 1, 2022 at 1:55 PM
    #6
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    Alright… lemme rephrase my question… Would the .5 inch difference affect the CV angles that much, or am I just over analyzing shit?
     
  7. Oct 1, 2022 at 2:04 PM
    #7
    reywcms

    reywcms New Member

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    nope you’ll be fine
     
  8. Oct 1, 2022 at 4:19 PM
    #8
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    Get coil over, if you don’t like it turn it down a little
     
  9. Oct 1, 2022 at 5:38 PM
    #9
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    I am. Looking into some Vertex coilovers. There’s a 2 inch and a 3.5, both adjustable + and - .5 inch. I want at least 2.5, but no more than 3…
     
  10. Oct 1, 2022 at 5:43 PM
    #10
    msikk

    msikk New Member

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    I have adjustable ADS coilovers, if you don't like 3", crank it down to where you like it. Key is shocks need to be adjustable.
     
  11. Oct 1, 2022 at 5:47 PM
    #11
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Not sure what 3 inches can do that 2.5 cant
     
    JLS in WA likes this.
  12. Oct 1, 2022 at 8:28 PM
    #12
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Go 2 inch and a high clearance front bumper like I did. It works out better than a straight lift and my CVs are only at about 6 degrees. And with the new front bumper, u can easily up tire size and end up with an even higher total lift.
     
  13. Oct 2, 2022 at 12:33 PM
    #13
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    Man I thought about that… I think I’d prefer to keep the truck as stock-looking as possible- hence why I’m not going with a true cross member drop lift.
     
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  14. Oct 2, 2022 at 7:31 PM
    #14
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    What tires and wheels do yiu want
     
  15. Oct 4, 2022 at 6:53 AM
    #15
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    really no need to go 3 inches, can fit the same tires with 2.5 and can get away with stock UCA if needed. 3 inch will need UCAs
     
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  16. Oct 4, 2022 at 3:30 PM
    #16
    rruff

    rruff New Member

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    :thumbsup: Don't need UCAs, don't need to mess with the rear, less strain on the front end, and it's enough lift for 37s.
     
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  17. Oct 4, 2022 at 6:29 PM
    #17
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Amen
     
  18. Oct 5, 2022 at 1:48 PM
    #18
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    I wanted to do 35/12.5 at first, but I was told I need 3.5 lift up front along with BMC. The more I thought about it the more I didn’t want 35s. I feel like it would put too much strain on the front along with the other shit I’m doing to it. So, I was thinking about something a little wider and taller than what I have now (285/55r20). I also gotta factor in me keeping my stock TSS Offroad runs and what will fit.
     
  19. Oct 5, 2022 at 1:51 PM
    #19
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    I just want my overall setup to look nice and somewhat proportional. I think I’m leaning towards 2.5 up front, but I’m not tied to a decision yet.
     
  20. Oct 5, 2022 at 1:52 PM
    #20
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    This is exactly what happen to me, i had 35s on order and made an appt for the BMC, but i realized i want the reliability and the little extra capability wasnt really worth all the work, expecially for the offroading that I did, which isnt rock crawling. I settled on 2 inch lift in front and 2.5 inch in the back and 33's, thats enough for 95% of anything i would possibly do, and the other 5% i can probably just go really slow and have a spotter and be ok.
     
  21. Oct 5, 2022 at 2:02 PM
    #21
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    I think it would be beneficial if I went out and actually talked to people with different setups to get their experience. Sure I can ask online (which I’ll keep doing), but I can be more in-depth and thorough irl.
     
  22. Oct 5, 2022 at 2:19 PM
    #22
    rruff

    rruff New Member

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    The rear is ~2.25" higher than the front, stock. If you lift the front 2.5" then you'll be nose high. Do you want that?

    Whoever told you needed 3.5" lift and a BMC is an idiot. You can absolutely fit 35s with no BMC and no lift. No rub... ever. I know because I did it. So 2" lift wouldn't rub either. Get wheels with an offset no less than +25, max out the extension of the rear alignment cams, and space the front bumper and liner forward a bit. Easy.

    If you don't need tires that big, there are plenty of options in the ~34" range. 295/70r18 are nice and can fit on stock rims. 305/65r18 are good too. Or 295/60r20, which will also fit stock rims.
     
  23. Oct 5, 2022 at 2:26 PM
    #23
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    35 need re gear, kill already bad mpg. Get some 33’s lift it 2” and call it a day…lol
     
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  24. Oct 5, 2022 at 2:30 PM
    #24
    rruff

    rruff New Member

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    Nope, don't need regear, and no neg impact on mpg IME. If I didn't go offroad I'd lower the rear and leave the front alone... then 33s would look a little better.
     
  25. Oct 5, 2022 at 2:38 PM
    #25
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    ofc, if you paddle to metal 24/7 it don't change nothing. just 33's drop 2-3 mpg on my ride
     
  26. Oct 5, 2022 at 4:18 PM
    #26
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    The tires I have now are 32.#- I don’t like ‘em. So 33s are a no-go. I Don’t think 295/60/20 would look bad. I saw them on a 3/1 and thought they looked decent. The two sizes I’m debating right now is 295/60r20 and 285/65r20. I like the height of the 285/65, but I also like the width of the 295. My biggest complaint about my truck right now is that the tires don’t fill out the fender flairs, so I’m thinking the 295 would partially fix that.
     
  27. Oct 5, 2022 at 4:23 PM
    #27
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat New Member

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    Lifts are for pussies. Buy a welder and tub the firewall.

    :stirthepot:
     
  28. Oct 5, 2022 at 4:42 PM
    #28
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    no meat cause u on 20" rim, I got plenty of meat on my cause i got 18". can't fill the flairs get some spacers
     
  29. Oct 5, 2022 at 4:52 PM
    #29
    TexMedic

    TexMedic [OP] I ask a lot of questions…

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    I’ve thought about that, but most people I’ve talked to say to avoid them (even hubcentric). I’ve been told that the ones with the bolts that come out of them are especially bad.
     
  30. Oct 5, 2022 at 5:06 PM
    #30
    Winning8

    Winning8 New Member

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    if you go off-road it's better to get the right rims but on road it don't matter
     

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