Lift Kit with an I5 3.5L ?

[OIF Marinex3]

I have some pretty good ideas on what I want my build to be but I am on the fence about the lift kit.

Because I am worried that the little I5 3.5L will be severely lacking in the power dept with a lift kit on.

this is what I have so far...

Magnaflow Cat back (on the way)
Torsion adjustment
315/75/16

(not much but I just started and I am constantly looking for deals)

would a lift kit on my H3 even be worth considering???

 

[06 H3]

It all depends.

Are you doing rocks? Have you had clearance issues? I went back and forth on this for over a year and made the leap. I would say that the biggest power loss was from tires, I didnt feel too much of a loss with the lift on. It adds a little bit of weight but nothing too crazy.

I went with the rancho lift and spacers. Personally if you are staying spring under I would just reuse the stock springs and throw in a chevy leaf to support the main leaf an add a leaf and shackles to achieve height. The rancho springs suck and you can save money if you dont buy em.

I can give you a better idea on if I personally think it will benefit you if I know what type of terrain you wheel, hilly or flat on road, DD or not. Just give a basic background.

 

[4508js]

I'm in the same predicament, I've been wondering how much loss of power I would experience by putting a 4" lift on with 35's on my H3 I5 3.7L. Looking forward to some input on this topic

 

[JGBB04]

You only need a lift if you're looking add larger than 35" tires. several have done that w/ only the 1" body lift & it works but the big question is what are you looking to do w/ the truck. Personally I'm good w/ 35's as a daily driver(very limited as I have a work car & mine is the 3.7) but on the highway or hills it sucks(the stock 33's sucked as well), on the trail it's great so if you're looking build a trail truck I'd say go for it but if it's a DD I don't see the use unless you just want the looks.

 

[amrg]

Is it possible to order just the front part of the Rancho lift? If so for how much? Im also interested in this, figure Id get an add leaf for a GMC canyon like someone on this forum did to compensate for the saggy Rancho springs.

Im interested in getting the lift, Im planning to keep my truck for sometime and Id like to build it as long as those parts are available. I dont think they would still be there in the future.

As to power loss, as 06H3 said, the tires would make a huge difference.

Personally Im still debating whether Its better just to do a 1" body lift and a rear shackle over the suspension lift. Remember, ur gona need new wheels - or spacers, and possibly a new front drive shaft for the lift too!

 

[Medic_Morgan]

I've been asking for awhile if its possible to just buy the "front components" for the Rancho lift. If you can find a source I'd def be interested


Sent from my secret lair bwaaahhahahahah

 

[06 H3]

you dont only add a rancho for going bigger then 35s most rancho lifted 3s are on 35s and the increases in terms of overall rocker height frame height bumper height etc all improve. I have numbers for it too. I have done a before and after lift measure.

PM or call timgco (Tim Greenwald) When was running expedition hardware he said he could do it. Now he works for High Country 4x4 in colorado and still may be able to do it. I will call him and ask right now...

 

[06 H3]

Just called him, he said he will call me back in an hour after he gets off work.

I can go find the before and after sheet with the measurements but all around you gain about 3inches at the belly rockers bumpers etc all over a t bar crank. Your front diff skidplate will be a tad lower now that your CVs are level again but with the wheeling I have done I still have end to be hung up on the front diff skidplate. The rancho is great IMO. I would probably never go back to stock...I felt there hasnt been too much testing on the kit before I bought it, well documented testing, so I did just that. Check out my threads and I have tons of info. I will say the rear springs suck balls. Dont buy em, IMO. Go with shackles, an add a leaf and I will ask bebe or speedy about the addition of the chevy truck leaf. From what I understand it will help handle weight better and give a tad more height too.

I have been on some tough trails with this kit and it has exceeded my standards. If you pair that kit up with some tomp lo pro mounts or shcwarrty mounts you can gain clearance in the rear which is the next hang up. You can even go to a spring shop and have them arch the springs for more lift. Whatever you do stay away from 11-12 leaf packs if you are spring under. They handle weight so well, ride nice and handle jumping very well but are hang ups in rocks. I ran a big pack and went spring over. Since I did the spring over I am even more happy with the kit. It flexs well and has even more rear end clearance and still rides nice.

With that said I have seen comments on the rancho kit flexing less then stock. Heres why in my opinion since running the kit.

http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?3987-H3-Rancho-Lift-(detailed-review)

I personally believe its better then stock and if you do a spring over its a kick ass setup! I know 4speed loved his rancho kit but only went SA due front end weaknesses. If you have any questions let me know.

I am still testing this setup out, in mud I have been happy, in rocks I think its kicks ass and even handles side slopes well due to the added trackwidth.

 

[06 H3]

I just got off the phone with him and he said he isnt sure but will let me know. you can order pieces separately but the cost of separate parts is more and may run up the price to be just as much with the springs. He will see if you can get a package with everything minus the rear springs to lower the price...stay tuned

 

[OIF Marinex3]

Thank you for all of the info 06 H3, I cant wait to see what you come up with on that price

 

[OIF Marinex3]

It all depends.

Are you doing rocks? Have you had clearance issues? I went back and forth on this for over a year and made the leap. I would say that the biggest power loss was from tires, I didnt feel too much of a loss with the lift on. It adds a little bit of weight but nothing too crazy.

I went with the rancho lift and spacers. Personally if you are staying spring under I would just reuse the stock springs and throw in a chevy leaf to support the main leaf an add a leaf and shackles to achieve height. The rancho springs suck and you can save money if you dont buy em.

I can give you a better idea on if I personally think it will benefit you if I know what type of terrain you wheel, hilly or flat on road, DD or not. Just give a basic background.

Terrain - mostly flat with some hills it is Virginia the mountains here look like speed bumps

It is my DD when the weather sucks to bad to Ride.

I am looking for an improvement over stock and I like the look, I can add spacers because I do not wheel that hard, because of lack of options here.

 

[06 H3]

I personally believe the their is a ride quality improvement over stock but thats me. Id post up and get a mass census on the rancho lift thread and see what everyone says. Does anyone near you have a rancho lifted rig? If so ask em for a ride.

 

[benlaud87]

I'll let you check mine out if you want. I have the rancho lift but on an alpha. I drive through Virginia atleast once a month and live just a little north of Baltimore

 

[OIF Marinex3]

I'll let you check mine out if you want. I have the rancho lift but on an alpha. I drive through Virginia atleast once a month and live just a little north of Baltimore

I think that would be great but... a 5.3 vs 3.5L I would get to understand the ride quality but it would not address my concern about a potential loss of power. plus my wife would kill me because I would be looking for an Alpha instead.

I would still like to check out your rig, shoot me a PM next time you come through