Building a 97 tahoe need lift advice
 

I tried searching but all I found was lift threads for looks. Picked up a one owner 97 tahoe last year. Jiffy lube special, they sold the old man on a synthetic oil upgrade. Knock knock bang bang and I got a tahoe that’s never been cut on for $500. Fresh engine is in it and will be done soon, now it’s on to the next step.

This is just going to be a camping/light offroad rig. I’ve owned and broken a lot of IFS trucks. I know what it is and what it ain’t, just wondering what suspension lifts people are running that have held up. The IFS lifts I’ve had before were the bracket drop style, hopefully there is something better out there.. Someone is bound to say it, so, no an axle swap isn’t on the menu right now.

I’m not trying to run huge tires. Not even sure if I’d go to 33s maybe 31s or something. All I’m looking for is a little more ground clearance and I don’t want anything to rub.

Re: Building a 97 tahoe need lift advice
 

If all your after is 31’s or 33’s, I’d probably just crank the torsion bars and lift the rear to match with an add a Leaf.

I’ve got a 6” kit on my K2500 that has been on since 2004. The kit it’s self has help up exceptionally well. The normal stuff like ball joints, pitman, idler, axles and tie rod ends have all been changed a few times over the years.

Re: Building a 97 tahoe need lift advice
 

I've only owned 8-lug IFS trucks and they have performed flawlessly. I couldn't imagine breaking one. Those are limited to the drop bracket lifts, no less than 4". I know there used to be lift spindles made for 6-luggers and lifts using beefier torsion bars, I think, for a 2" lift. I always wished they made such lifts for 8-luggers. On my '95 K2500 Suburban (and all the others) I cranked up the torsion bars for a 2" lift. I have run 285/75-16s and 255/85-16s by doing that

Re: Building a 97 tahoe need lift advice
 

Stock they have 31s on em, and they look small. Lil t-bar crank and run some 285s, maybe some 33s, but whenever tried they rubbed. I ran 32s on a 2 door I had years ago, looked awesome, but never took it offroad. I have a 4 door now that's 4" lift, running 285s on that. Dunno if I have a pic on my laptop or just my phone but I'll put one up.

Re: Building a 97 tahoe need lift advice
 

With 285/75s on stock or 7" Accurides and cranked up torsion bars I remove the filler piece between the end of the bumper and fender. I had 8" Welds on a K3500 SRW with 285/75 SSRs and I trimmed the corner of the bumper.

Here are some pictures. First one is my '95 Suburban stock height with 245/75s 6 1/2" wheels. Next is torsion bars cranked with 255/85s on 7" wheels. Third is with 285/75s on 7" wheels. And last one is the '95 K3500 with torsion bars cranked, bumper corners trimmed (not much), 285/75 SSRs, on 8" Weld Outbacks