[SonOfSierra]

Hello all,

I have just purchased a 91 sierra which is stock all over, but in very good condition.

although i'm sure there is another thread/s about this, i'm just wondering what is the cheapest way to get a couple of inches more ground clearance.

I know there are body lift kits etc., but is there a cheap/dodgy way to give myself say another couple of inches (the Mrs is concerned).


cheers.



p.s as i'm looking to modify, in what order eg, wheels, suspension, gearing etc. would you recommend to do it.

[rodw]

For saftey, you should make sure you use a kit that will pass an inspection. I would recommend you get this kit:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=113152 . I think the price is $200

Just Cruisin is sorting out a kit ffor the Vitara and came round and measured up my rig earlier this week. See here for info on this.
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=112847 . His Sierra kit is Awesome. (And safe to to keep the missus off your back!)

Or you could spend another $150 and get a crappy kit nowhere near as good from here:
http://www.suzisport.com/shop/

[steve]

extended shackles are the cheapest dodgiest lift

body lift next cheapest

then springs

then tyres.

I'd always get a suspension lift first, then tyres.

[royce]

cheapest dodgiest way is the bung some 2" extended shackles in, that will give you an inch under the middle and can help a little with flex, its also illegal in most states and makes the car a bit more wobbly on road.

some 235/75 tires will give a few inches all over, including under the diffs (most useful) but depending on what sort of tires you get and new or 2nd hand can cost you up to $1000, note this is also illegal in most states

suspension lifts run to around the $8-900 mark depending on brand and what you get, this will give you around 2" from stock in the middle, once you factor your suspension being sagged you might actually get 3 or 4", another bonus here is all new springs and shocks and bushes will make it ride and handle on road a lot better and give you more flex off road.

bodylifts specifically space the body off the chassis by normally 50mm, this serves to raise the guards up without affecting the suspension so much bigger tires can be fitted without scrubbing

[SonOfSierra]

Cheers guys,

the $200 lifting kit looks to be a good option. i'll give it a burl.


another thing, what is a ball park figure for a decent set of second hand wheels and muddy's (probably 31'') and where would i look for them?

[royce]

the bodylift will do nothing for you bar looks, its not going to give you any extra clearence at all and if you were to put 31's on the only bonus would be you could clear bigger ruts in mud but wouldn't ahve the power to turn them properly without a rockhopper transfer or something

[just_cruizin]

Body lift will lift your sills as well, keeping them out of harms way or letting you fit sliders without loosing clearance.

[SonOfSierra]

Just another thing guys.


what fuel economy do you expect for a sierra on open highway. mine seems to get anywhere between 350--400k's a tank. is this right and if not, what could be the problem?

cheers.

[just_cruizin]

Once you lift it and put the big tyre on expect to drop about 100km per tank on the odometer down to about 270km, which due to the increase in tyre diameter is about 330km -350km in real life but it's worth it.