[ColoradoKyle]

hello all, new to the forum here. (check out my introduction thread!!) I have a 2wd z85. i'm looking into a 2-.2.5" lift, with 31 x 10.5 r15 tires.
Now, I've hear many conflicting things here. What is the easiest, and cheapest (student budget) way to lift this truck? thinking shackles for sure in the back, but unclear on coil spacers in front. Heard about use of shims that are necessary or ball joints will shear off idk...
I have an abundance of tools and knowledge available to me, and am not against fabrication!! thanks everyone.

 

[2006colorado1]

There are basically 4 ways to lift the front of a coil spring truck.(not talking body lifts or custom)
1. 3 inch lift spindles(fab tech, or eBay knockoffs)
2. 2.5 inch Coil spring spacer(many companys make them, but Suspension Maxx has the best quality)
3. 2 inch Springtech coils.
4. 5 inch lift spindles( only made by CST)

Rear: (same for all 355's)
1. Add a leaf(you can stack aals for additional lift)
2. Shackles
3. Spring over axle conversion

Now with that being said, the cheapest and easiest to install would be coil spacers on the front, and for the rear the cheapest would be the procomp AAL, but shackles are easier to install and only cost a little more. And since you say you can fabricate, if you can make your own shackles you might be able to save some $$$ that way.

I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the ball joints breaking after the coil spacer lift.(at least on a 355)
Suspension maxx's coil spacer kit comes with ball joint spacers to help with the angle of the ball joint after the lift, but I think that's mainly for alignment reasons.

 

[Matt Shadow]

I have a 2wd z85 with ready lift 2.5inch with 2 inch shackle in the rear. Running 31x10.5x15. At the time that was the easiest and cheapest. I haven't had any problem with the lift in the 2+ years I have had it installed.
Pic for reference.



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[fitsector]

One of the most easy lifts on the market. 1 box and you get all you need to get those 2.5" lift on the front and 1.5" on the back (sits level)

Colorado and Canyon Lift Kit

just be sure to order the one for the 2wd coil over suspension kit (pictured above).

 

[Matt Shadow]

That's exactly the lift i have


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[ColoradoKyle]

That readylift kit looks like exactly what I want. However.. As I said earlier I'm on a student budget here, and 400+shipping is steep for me. I really won't be 'off reading' or wheeling at all, just want a safe a cheap way of gaining some height. Will a coil spacer be okay by itself, with no shims/spacers etc?

 

[fitsector]

My advice is if you want to mess with the suspension, you better do it right. yo don´t wanna have a broken or loose part going 60 on the highway.

Safety first.

If you cannot afford a kit or something reliable, just take it easy, save some money and get it by xmas

Good luck

 

[08Canyon]

A body lift is cheaper.

 

[Matt Shadow]

Went back through pictures. I have had this lift almost 5 years, didn't realize it had been that long. The price has really went up on those kits. Don't think I payed over $250 for mine. I did not realize that they are $400 now. 08canyon is right, body lift would be cheaper, but a little harder to install. In my opinion.


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[fitsector]

I paid $220 for mine back in 09 and $310 for the second one in 2012.

 

[ColoradoKyle]

thank you for your help guys, so you don't think I could get away with only coilover spacers? ie: no shims etc?

 

[2006colorado1]

thank you for your help guys, so you don't think I could get away with only coilover spacers? ie: no shims etc?

The CST coil spring spacer doesn't come with shims for the balljoint, but its only 1 inch, and the difference won't be very noticeable. The suspensionmaxx spacer kit is 250$. Here's a link:

Chevy Colorado 2WD Leveling Kit ? SuspensionMAXX ? Adjustable

I remember someone saying that they used this kit, and it is identical to the readylift, but only 120$.

Steel Front 2 5" Rear 1 5" Lift Kit w Shock Extender Colorado Canyon 04 12 2WD | eBay

 

[ColoradoKyle]

could anybody provide a photo of the spacer kit on the front? more specifically the shim/balljoint spacer?

 

[08Canyon]

I do not know the differences in the 4x4 vs 2x4 in terms of a ball joint spacer. However for the 4x4, we either flip the ball joint on the UCA and/or install a spacer. It brings back a tad of travel and allows the truck to be aligned within factory specs after lifting.

Perhaps the spacers is necessary to align properly. Again, I do not know the purpose of the spacer in a 2wd.

I agree with what was above...if you find yourself cutting corners to make your lift affordable it's probably a better option to wait a few months to save up a few more pennies. Going cheap up front could end up costing more in the long run.

 

[fitsector]

The CST coil spring spacer doesn't come with shims for the balljoint, but its only 1 inch, and the difference won't be very noticeable. The suspensionmaxx spacer kit is 250$. Here's a link:

Chevy Colorado 2WD Leveling Kit ? SuspensionMAXX ? Adjustable

I remember someone saying that they used this kit, and it is identical to the readylift, but only 120$.

Steel Front 2 5" Rear 1 5" Lift Kit w Shock Extender Colorado Canyon 04 12 2WD | eBay

holy shit, the second one is just an exact copy of the ready lift one... an angry ex worker trying to get some payback??? LOL

 

[05babyrado]

Steel Front 2 5" Rear 1 5" Lift Kit w Shock Extender Colorado Canyon 04 12 2WD | eBay

here is the same as the ready lift but a hella lot cheaper

and if you go to my page i have the kit on and it looks great i 15x10 with a deep offset and i love the look! the height difference is big time noticeable... well for my zq8 it was

 

[ColoradoKyle]

thanks all, i'm going for the ebay readylift copy, with an aal because my leafs have sagged.

 

[05babyrado]

thanks all, i'm going for the ebay readylift copy, with an aal because my leafs have sagged.

make sure to post pics!!!

 

[tfunkhouser]

Great replys.. Was already looking into the ready lift, but wasn't able to find one for the 2wd. Will be checking into the ebay knockoff as well!

 

[562_Rado]

Your best bet in regards to function would be the 3" spindle. The spacer puts a lot of stress on the balljoint unless you use a balljoint spacer

Shackles will be fine in the rear as well


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