What do I do????

[bear run]

Stay with superlift or go BDS?

Hello yall, it's my first post here and I could really use some help! I have an 09 1500 quad cab that I had the dealer put the 4" superlift on. I currently need rear control arms, and since this will be my 3rd set with just 125k I decided to beef them up with the adjustable ones from apoc industries. I also need ball joints and shocks all the way around. I currently have 5100's, and this will be my third set as well. I carry a lot of weight in the back between the cap, 35" spare, and 14ga steel toolbox that goes the length of the bed. I asked the shop about upgrading to something heavier duty for the upper control arms but they said with the knuckles from superlift, that icon said to leave them stock. The shop suggested I go with the 4" bds lift, but side by side they look almost exactly the same. I have no issue with the lift, but as I'm doing a lot more offroad, coupled with living in the mountains, I'm wearing things out fast. I know the superlift is 10 years old, but can the similar looking bds be 1500$ not counting installation better. I feel like I should just maybe fix what's broken, and upgrade the shocks to maybe fox, or the bilstein 6112, but I read here that people had unresolved fitment issues with the 6112 and 4" superlift. Do I stay bilstein or spend the extra for bds??? Of note If I go with the bds I believe I can upgrade to coilovers down the road, as I don't have the 4k for the kit alone right now. I haven't seen that option for the superlift. Sorry for a book, and thank you for any help.

 

[RJL1]

This is my thoughts on your situation.

10 years is a long time on a truck that's actually used as a truck. Things wear out.

If it were me I'd go for a new lift with new components. If you're thinking of a BDS lift, BDS makes Zone and the Zone 4" or 6" system is less expensive and yes you can upgrade down the road to some fox coil overs.

This forum is great. Lots of good, solid folks in here that genuinely like to help.

 

[bear run]

Thanks for the input. I'm happy with the superlift, but the shop swears bds is far superior. Is bds the lift you would go with? I treat this truck like a pig in dirt, and like a sports car on the road. I've been happily surprised, although at the expense of the Toyo mt's life, how well this handles turns in the mountains... and much to the surprise of some sports car owners as well, lol. The superlift kit looks exactly the same as the one that I installed years ago, but if I "upgrade to the bds" I'm afraid it might not handle the as well since that kit looks so similar so the only difference I could imagine would be in the shocks? My shop says it will handle better, but that could just be what they push.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Thanks for the input. I'm happy with the superlift, but the shop swears bds is far superior. Is bds the lift you would go with? I treat this truck like a pig in dirt, and like a sports car on the road. I've been happily surprised, although at the expense of the Toyo mt's life, how well this handles turns in the mountains... and much to the surprise of some sports car owners as well, lol. The superlift kit looks exactly the same as the one that I installed years ago, but if I "upgrade to the bds" I'm afraid it might not handle the as well since that kit looks so similar so the only difference I could imagine would be in the shocks? My shop says it will handle better, but that could just be what they push.

You're just trading out brackets switching lift kits. If the steering knuckles need replacement it would make sense to switch. If you step up to the 6" lift then the drop down brackets will be provided.

Did your super lift kit supply drop brackets?

 

[RJL1]

I actually have a Zone 6" kit sitting in my garage. I went with the Fox 2.5 coil overs in the front and fox shocks in the rear. Waiting on the coil overs to be delivered before I can have it installed.

I researched forever on here and came to the conclusion the Zone 6" kit was the one for me.

I was sure I wanted a 4" kit as I didn't want a huge lift. I learned the Zone/Bds kits can be customized to have a smaller lift. I'm going for 5" in front and 3" in rear.

 

[REDE2GO]

I have a BDS and love it but this is my 1st lift. I went to a shop to just level my truck and they talked me out of doing that and suggested to go with BDS. When they told me the price I cringed but I saved up and went with that lift, couldn't be happier. I just had to be patient and believe me that's hard to do when wanting to lift my truck since I was young.

 

[bear run]

You're just trading out brackets switching lift kits. If the steering knuckles need replacement it would make sense to switch. If you step up to the 6" lift then the drop down brackets will be provided.

Did your super lift kit supply drop brackets?

I'm not really sure about the drop brackets to be honest. The shop said the knuckles are probably still good. I can't imagine them going bad unless I hit something, although I did kind of do that. I was going to ask if they could be powdercoated because this truck has spent the majority of its life on the east coast, and the knuckles as well as the bottom of the truck look like the titanic. It's the reason I need a new exhaust as the stock sport one actually fell off on a trail, lol. I was concerned as well that I was just trading out brackets, but if I want to seriously improve the capabilities of the truck with coilovers, it doesn't look like I have much of a choice. As RJL1 said, you can lower the 6" bds to 4.5 to fit the coilovers. I can't find this option anywhere with the superlift. I'm just having a ***** twist changing something over that I've been really happy with, even though it doesn't have anywhere near the potential for what can be done with the bds kit down the road when this is all paid off. Thanks again for the help!

 

[bear run]

I actually have a Zone 6" kit sitting in my garage. I went with the Fox 2.5 coil overs in the front and fox shocks in the rear. Waiting on the coil overs to be delivered before I can have it installed.

I researched forever on here and came to the conclusion the Zone 6" kit was the one for me.

I was sure I wanted a 4" kit as I didn't want a huge lift. I learned the Zone/Bds kits can be customized to have a smaller lift. I'm going for 5" in front and 3" in rear.

So if I'm understanding this correctly, if I go with the 6" bdd, I can drop it to 4.5 to fit the coilovers down the road? I really think 4" is a happy medium between clearance and still being able to drive spirited on road. When I looked at the icon coilovers it said they would fit on 4.5 bds, but I couldn't find a 4.5 bds kit, so im assuming that's your 6" kit dropped to the 4.5?

 

[bear run]

I have a BDS and love it but this is my 1st lift. I went to a shop to just level my truck and they talked me out of doing that and suggested to go with BDS. When they told me the price I cringed but I saved up and went with that lift, couldn't be happier. I just had to be patient and believe me that's hard to do when wanting to lift my truck since I was young.

I'm happy you went with the lift! 4 or 6? Yeah I feel the same cringe for all the work I need right now. My credit card is going to be heavy for a while, but it's still cheaper than a new truck.

 

[RJL1]

So if I'm understanding this correctly, if I go with the 6" bdd, I can drop it to 4.5 to fit the coilovers down the road? I really think 4" is a happy medium between clearance and still being able to drive spirited on road. When I looked at the icon coilovers it said they would fit on 4.5 bds, but I couldn't find a 4.5 bds kit, so im assuming that's your 6" kit dropped to the 4.5?

Correct. The BDS or Zone 6" can be adjusted for a smaller lift.

 

[REDE2GO]

I'm happy you went with the lift! 4 or 6? Yeah I feel the same cringe for all the work I need right now. My credit card is going to be heavy for a while, but it's still cheaper than a new truck.

I went with the 6in lift and also happy I did. I was going to get the 4in because I thought it was more "practical". The shop also talked me out of it because the difference in price between 4 and 6 were minimal. I don't park in a garage so it was an easy decision for me.

 

[bear run]

Correct. The BDS or Zone 6" can be adjusted for a smaller lift.

So since I want coilovers later on when my wallet recovers, this is the only way to go. You know a lot more than I when it comes to this stuff, especially seeing you're installing it yourself. You didn't find the extras in the bds kit worth it compared to the Zone kit?

 

[bear run]

I went with the 6in lift and also happy I did. I was going to get the 4in because I thought it was more "practical". The shop also talked me out of it because the difference in price between 4 and 6 were minimal. I don't park in a garage so it was an easy decision for me.

Isn't your 6 adjustable to 4"? I barely make it most parking garages with the 4" I always have to go really slow because I'm afraid if I bounce even a little ill hit. If I didn't have a snorkel I would still make it through car washes as well. Since that's no longer an option and I need the extra half inch to add the coilovers, I'm going with the 6 as well.

 

[bear run]

Thank you guys. In a short time the anxiety over what to do is gone, and I'm pretty confident that the 6" bds is the only way to go. Cry now, laugh later.

 

[REDE2GO]

Isn't your 6 adjustable to 4"? I barely make it most parking garages with the 4" I always have to go really slow because I'm afraid if I bounce even a little ill hit. If I didn't have a snorkel I would still make it through car washes as well. Since that's no longer an option and I need the extra half inch to add the coilovers, I'm going with the 6 as well.

No I don't think so..... I was very happy because the newest car wash closest to me I can fit with no issues . This was a crappy winter so I couldn't stand to see my truck with salt on it

 

[bear run]

No I don't think so..... I was very happy because the newest car wash closest to me I can fit with no issues . This was a crappy winter so I couldn't stand to see my truck with salt on it

You're lucky you can fit with that big a lift. Sweet deal.

 

[RJL1]

So since I want coilovers later on when my wallet recovers, this is the only way to go. You know a lot more than I when it comes to this stuff, especially seeing you're installing it yourself. You didn't find the extras in the bds kit worth it compared to the Zone kit?

I'm not installing the Zone lift. Quick_Shifter, a member here will handle it. The only reason I know a bit about these lifts is because I researched relentlessly here and on Youtube.

To me the Zone 6" was the right fit. The fact that BDS makes Zone, side by side using the same materials for a pretty decent savings was the reason I went with Zone. I just tore the band aid off quickly and sprung for the coil overs.

Hit up Youtube and search BDS and Zone lifts. Lots of great information there and here.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

@bear run bds and zone share the same brackets between the 4 and 6 inch lift. They virtually are the same thing. When you’re ready to pull the trigger we can help you lay out a system for you. With that said I would highly recommend going to a suspension shop to have them do a once over on it and listen to what their recommendations are

 

[bear run]

@bear run bds and zone share the same brackets between the 4 and 6 inch lift. They virtually are the same thing. When you’re ready to pull the trigger we can help you lay out a system for you. With that said I would highly recommend going to a suspension shop to have them do a once over on it and listen to what their recommendations are

Thank you. I have a brush guard and body work that needs to be done, so hopefully not to long after that I'll do the kit. I stepped in it today and found a legendary fabricator literally next door to the 4x4 shop. His name is Bob merickle. When he gives me the quote to replace the guard I hope I can afford it! When I do the lift I'm just going all out to include 2x steering supports and new upper control arms. The coilovers will have to be at a later date.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Thank you. I have a brush guard and body work that needs to be done, so hopefully not to long after that I'll do the kit. I stepped in it today and found a legendary fabricator literally next door to the 4x4 shop. His name is Bob merickle. When he gives me the quote to replace the guard I hope I can afford it! When I do the lift I'm just going all out to include 2x steering supports and new upper control arms. The coilovers will have to be at a later date.

That’s fantastic!!!
When you’re ready to pull the trigger allow @Nick@GotExhaust to give you a quote you never know his prices may be good enough to not have to wait on the coil overs.