The question that runs through every custom truck enthusiast's mind the minute they drive off the lot in a brand-spanking-new truck is: Do I want to lift or lower my truck? While the answer is inevitably different for each truck owner, one thing remains the same: the willingness to customize that brand-new shiny truck to personalize it and make it your own.
So, to lift or to lower is up to you, but we decided to tackle the project and show you just how cool GM's newest truck looks lifted. We teamed up with Superlift and Sadistic Iron Werks, along with Nitto Tire and American Eagle, to bring you a brand-new GMC Sierra with a 6-inch lift on the new 33-inch Dune Grapplers. The installation is advanced, requires a few minor modifications, and should be left to the professionals. But, all you super-proficient DIYers could easily tackle the job in a day. Keep in mind when dealing with these new trucks, some are equipped with a computer-monitored suspension, Stabilitrak, and will interfere with any aftermarket suspension kits. So, check with your dealer to ensure safe and proper installation. Also, make sure that after any suspension installation that you realign your truck, so you don't tear through those brand-new tires.
Check out the stock stance...
Check out the stock stance in this before photo. Superlift's kit will really bring this truck to a new level.
What In The Box The regular...
What In The Box
The regular Superlift kit includes parts for a front and rear lift, which can also be purchased separately. Here's a look at both the front and rear setups with everything we'll need to add a little more clearance.
For the front, there's a new...
For the front, there's a new spindle (or knuckle), strut spacers, front and rear crossmembers, and link bars. There are also extension brackets for the sway bar and the brake lines, along with all of the necessary hardware. The rear consists of our upgraded leaf springs and new Bilstein shocks.
Part One: The Install
The front end is the more difficult part of the installation, so that's where we'll focus. As usual, both sides are obviously the same, so we'll walk through one side of the installation. Having a lift available makes the professional installer that much more efficient. If you don't have a lift, you better make sure you have some pretty tall jackstands and a high lift jack before you start.
1. After securing the truck...
1. After securing the truck on the lift, the wheels were removed. Disassembly is the majority of the work in the front end, since everything will have to be unbolted. Starting with the sway bar and tie rods, because they connect both sides, the installer got to work removing all of the factory equipment, ensuring to screw the hardware back into the stock location for safekeeping.
2. Next, with the sway bar,...
2. Next, with the sway bar, spindle, and caliper out of the way, the lower control arm was removed to make room for the Superlift drop-down brackets. The drop-down brackets will provide some of the lift in the kit.
3. The factory strut was also...
3. The factory strut was also unbolted so it could be reassembled, using the Superlift strut spacers. Those spacers, along with the lift spindle, or knuckle, make up for the other half of the front-end lift, giving us a total of 6 inches.
4. To make room for the new...
4. To make room for the new drop-down brackets, the factory control arm mounts will have to be trimmed, but Superlift provides a detailed diagram, showing that each side only needs to be trimmed by squaring off the radius in the mounts.
5.Once everything was out...
5.Once everything was out of the way, the installation of the new gear started. With the mounts trimmed, the drop-down brackets slid right into place.
6. The kit provides new tie...
6. The kit provides new tie rod ends that require each side of the steering rack to be tapped with new threads another inch up to ensure proper installation.
7. The lower control arm bolted...
7. The lower control arm bolted into the drop-down bracket and was tightened with an air impact.
8. The kit provides extension...
8. The kit provides extension brackets for the sway bar, which makes for an easy relocation.