Finally Installed Rancho 4" Lift on my 07.5 Silverado 4x4

So I have finally found enough time away from my Job to install my Rancho 4" Lift, along with their RS9000XL Struts/Shocks. I had also noticed that my upper control arm bushings were a little worn, and one of my lower control arm ball joints was loose. So I decided to change out my entire suspension. My buddy works for a Auto parts store and I was able to get a bunch of Moog parts at his costs, which is a huge difference.

Truck is a 2007.5 Extended Cab Silverado LTZ 4x4 with the Gen4 LMG 5.3 and 4L60E (Now Built 4L75E), with 120,xxx Miles. Engine is also built with a cam, ported heads, longtubes, and so on.

Rancho Lift consists of; 1-Piece Subframe that drops lower control arms 5.5", 4.75" Front Diff Drop Brackets, Subframe Kicker Braces, 1" CV Spacers, 3" Sway Bar Drop Brackets, Front Knuckles, Russell Stainless Braided Front Brake Lines, Rear Add-A-Leafs, 4" Tall Rear Blocks (2.75" taller than the stock blocks), Rear Axle U-Bolts, 3" Rear Axle Bumpstop Spacers, Rear Axle Brake Line Junction Relocation Bracket, and all Hardware.

Here is a list of things I installed;

-Rancho 4" Lift, #RS6583B

-Rancho RS9000XL Front Struts

-Rancho RS9000XL Rear Shocks

-Rough Country HD Tie Rod Sleeves for Lifted Knuckles

-Rough Country 0.25" Front Wheel Spacers

-Moog C-Series Problem Solver Lower Control Arms

-Moog C-Series Problem Solver Upper Control Arms

-Moog Blue Sway Bar Bushing Kit for 36mm Sway Bar

-Moog Poly Bushing Problem Solver Sway Bar End Links

-Moog Greaseable Upper Control Arm Camber Bolts Kit

-Moog Front U-Joint Strap Kit

-Moog Rear U-Joint Strap Kit

-Yukon 4.56 Front 8.25" IFS Ring/Pinion

-Yukon 8.25 IFS Master Install Kit

-Yukon 4.56 Rear 8.6" 10-Bolt Ring/Pinion

-Yukon 8.6" 10-Bolt Master Install Kit

-Detriot Truetrac for GM 8.6" 10-Bolt (With correct Timken Bearings/Races)

-ARP Ring Gear Bolts for GM 8.6" 10-Bolt

-Mag Hytec 8.6" 10-Bolt Aluminum Diff Cover

-New GM Front Coil Springs and Hardware

-New GM Rear Leaf Springs for a 2013 NHT 6.2

-New GM Rear Leaf Spring Shackles

-New GM Front Rotors

-New GM Front Brake Pads and Hardware

-New GM Front Brake Dust Shields

-New GM Front ABS Sensors

-New GM Rear Drums

-New GM Rear Brake Shoes and Hardware

-New GM 8.6" 10-Bolt Axle Bearings and Seals

-New GM Front Rock Shield

-New GM Transfer Case Skid Plate

-New GM Transmission Mount

-All New GM Hardware on Suspension

-Toyo Open Country A/T-II's LT305/70R17 (34"x12.25")

-KMC/XD Addicts, 17x9 +18 Offset

I went a little crazy replacing things, but for the prices I picked up everything for, I thought I might as well do it.

Pretty much the only things that was not changed were the Front Hubs, CV's, Inner Steering Tierods, Front Brake Calipers and mounting brackets.

Now, even tho Rancho said my 17x9 +18 Offset Wheels and Tires would fit, it is just to close for my liking. The tires are about an 1/8" away from the upper control arm, and just barely rubs when the tire flexes. So I ordered Rough Country 0.25" Front Wheel Spacers, which will be perfect. The spacers are just temporary until I have some spare cash to get another set of wheels with the proper offset. It will clear LT305/70R17s (34"x12.25") without any rubbing. It will also clear LT315/70R17s (No larger than 34.5"x12.5") by just trimming the front lower valance, or removing it. It also clears my OEM Color matched Splash Gaurds. You need to run 5.25" to 5.50" wheel backspacing for this clearance. There was no issues with alignment either, it was almost the same as before I installed the lift.

I am planning on having a custom aluminum rear driveshaft made to be on the safe side. Looking at a 68" long, 5" Diameter, 0.125" Wall Drive Shaft.

When I bought my truck used with 32,xxx Miles, I measured the stock fender height with the factory 20s and P275/55R20s (32"x11"). I knew I was going to install a lift in the future.

Stock Front - 37"

Stock Rear - 39"

Rancho Lift Installed

Rancho Front - 43.5"

Rancho Rear - 45.5"

So I gained 6.5" of lift. Subtract my tires larger radius, which is 1", so the lift itself netted me 5.5" of lift (this is after it settled 1/2"), so much for that 4" of lift.

I have had the lift Installed for about 48 hours now. I have moved the truck around my yard/house a few times, and the lift seems to have settled about 1/2" both front and rear. Can't really drive it until my front wheel spacers arrive because of the tire to upper control arm clearance.

In my opinion, this is the perfect lift if you want to keep your truck as low as possible and still run a 35" tire without any trimming or minor trimming (With proper wheel offset/backspacing of course). I have installed many other Lift Kit Brands and Lift Heights, and drove trucks with other lifts, and this is one of the easiest kits to install. I only had to make one cut, which was cutting 3-1/4" off of the cross member bracket. No other drilling, welding, or any other cutting was needed. It also comes with everything you need, except struts/shocks, to install the lift. One of the best features that I like and prefer is the 1-Piece Subframe, which is a solid piece. The one thing I dislike is that a front diff skidplate is not included. Rancho used to sell one, along with a front steel rock shield about 4-5 years ago, and discontinued it for some reason. I am going to have to Fab one up in the future.

Here are some pics of the progress so far. I am about 98% done.