Zone 1.5” + Vararam

ThunderMug95 · Oct 28, 2022

Initially I was going to 6” Zone, but I am pretty set on just adding the body lift to the existing 2.1 Bilsteins and the 1.5” spacers in the rear to get me where I want to be. (Plus the wife might not notice another 1.5” lol).
My question is has anyone done this with a Vararam? In theory it should open up a 1.5” gap from where it seals to the underside of the hood. Plus the core support would raise…I dont think I have an extra 1.5” of inlet tube to raise the Vararam up. I could prob do it with a TB spacer possibly…that would be about the only benefit from installing one.
Any input is appreciated!

Socalramfan · Oct 29, 2022

I have a Vararam, and was contemplating a 1- 1.5 body lift. In order to do so, yes…. I’d suggest getting a longer tube to compensate the additional distance.

Have other projects on the burner, which is why I haven’t taken it any further. Also, if you have tow hooks….. that will be an issue as well.

ThunderMug95 · Oct 29, 2022

No tow hooks, my truck was born a SLT. Just have the black textured covers in the bumper. Another consideration is my truck was not equipped from the factory with a hitch receiver. I added one, but its the one where you fish the bolts and then there is a bolt through the bumper in the hole where you would put a ball if you were towing off the bumper. The kit comes with a spacer. This bolt is supposed to be torqued to 250ft lbs. When I installed it 3 years ago, my torque wrench maxed at 150lbs. So I put a 1/2” breaker bar and a section of pipe and used my 6’4” 300lbs as the tq wrench….Im thinking this may crush this spacer if the bolt is long enough…

ThunderMug95 · Nov 3, 2022

Well were about to find out how to fix the dilemma. Ordered the lift. Going to contact the Vararam people to see if I can get a longer inlet tube first before I go full “Bubba” and try to raise it as high as possible and add weatherstripping to it lol…

ThunderMug95 · Nov 3, 2022

Emailed Vararam…Now to solve my aftermarket hitch issue…Yay.

atreides · Nov 4, 2022

What is your hitch attached to? If it’s bolted to the frame at the factory locations the body lift shouldn’t effect it.

crazykid1994 · Nov 4, 2022

Try leaving out the rear bumper brackets and leave the rear bumper in the stock location and see how far off it looks. I know the hitch bolts through the bumper. Otherwise you’ll need a spacer and a longer bolt

ThunderMug95 · Nov 4, 2022

Its a Tyger product. Theyre stuff is pretty good. Tonneau, Side Steps…i’ve been messaging them. Requested the spec on the bolt. Waiting… I can find a spacer. Another member HealthyRx …He left his. It looks a bit off, but not bad. The bumper indentions on the fenders.

ThunderMug95 · Nov 19, 2022

For those of you curious, Vararam will do a custom length on the inlet tube. I called and they said no problem. Will install the Zone 1.5 Body Lift after Tgiving.

ThunderMug95 · Nov 24, 2022

Lift going in tomorrow. Will take before and after pics and measurements.
Sidenote, had my state inspection yesterday, passing of course. Mechanic let me know my brake pad measurements. I was one if the R1 Concepts guinea pigs here back in 2019. The rotors made it about 2 years before the hubs started oxidizing, now fully oxidized. Pads measured 4mm fr, 3mm rr and I have a faint pulse in the pedal. Since I am adding 1.5” Bora spacers whenever they arrive, I went ahead and ordered a full rotor/pad replacement set to go on at the same time. Trying out Hart Black rotors w/ ceramic pads this time. I am probably going to recondition the R1 rotors, coat them and tuck them away for reuse in 50k.

Socalramfan · Nov 24, 2022

ThunderMug95 said:
Lift going in tomorrow. Will take before and after pics and measurements.
Sidenote, had my state inspection yesterday, passing of course. Mechanic let me know my brake pad measurements. I was one if the R1 Concepts guinea pigs here back in 2019. The rotors made it about 2 years before the hubs started oxidizing, now fully oxidized. Pads measured 4mm fr, 3mm rr and I have a faint pulse in the pedal. Since I am adding 1.5” Bora spacers whenever they arrive, I went ahead and ordered a full rotor/pad replacement set to go on at the same time. Trying out Hart Black rotors w/ ceramic pads this time. I am probably going to recondition the R1 rotors, coat them and tuck them away for reuse in 50k.

Looking forward to seeing it :waytogo:

ThunderMug95 · Nov 25, 2022

Too dark now. I did it, its done. 0800-1800. I think I died but no one told me. What a beast of an install. Pics tomorrow. Swallowed some PB blaster, shot it in mouth by accident. Sucks torquing bolts laying on your back. Everything on extensions. Cab was easier than the bed. My aftermarket hitch will not work with the lift. Oh well I bubba’d it good enough. I cant say I would ever attempt again. I prob couldve installed a Zone 6” lift easier and in less time.

Edit: Vararam extended inlet tube arrived today!

Adamcr68 · Nov 26, 2022

ThunderMug95 said:
Too dark now. I did it, its done. 0800-1800. I think I died but no one told me. What a beast of an install. Pics tomorrow. Swallowed some PB blaster, shot it in mouth by accident. Sucks torquing bolts laying on your back. Everything on extensions. Cab was easier than the bed. My aftermarket hitch will not work with the lift. Oh well I bubba’d it good enough. I cant say I would ever attempt again. I prob couldve installed a Zone 6” lift easier and in less time.

Edit: Vararam extended inlet tube arrived today!

Congrats! You are braver than me, I’m in a condo but even if I had a garage I wouldn’t attempt it. I took mine to a local shop, they do great work, but once I went to ak_trucks_pa- Quick-Shifters shop in Marcus Hook PA only use them for inspections/emissions. They estimated 8 hrs for the install, took 13 hours, they said getting the bumpers lined up was difficult. It’s been 2 years, no issues very happy with the 1.5 bl

ThunderMug95 · Nov 26, 2022

Im paying for it right now. Eating ibu like its cool. My rear bumper lined up and bolted in perfect, which is surprising. I was in full send eff it mode at that time. Front bumper I may have to do some tweaking to. I cant tell if its the bumper or fairing above. The gap is about 1/4 inch off. I will do the Vararam today.

ThunderMug95 · Nov 26, 2022

Alrighty…Vararam stendo-inlet installed…Front measures 40.5” top of wheelwell to pavement. Rear is 41.25”.
Front has Bil’s at 2.1 and rear has a 1” coil spacer.
Current tires are 305/55 (33.2x12.5) so next year will just do 35’s.
Next on the list…new rotors/pads and Bora 1.5” spacers. Motorsport Tech is taking forever…ordered on 11/1. Not a custom order either.
Debating when I do these, to take the Bil’s to 2.8, leaning no….

Adamcr68 · Nov 26, 2022

ThunderMug95 said:
Alrighty…Vararam stendo-inlet installed…Front measures 40.5” top of wheelwell to pavement. Rear is 41.25”.
Front has Bil’s at 2.1 and rear has a 1” coil spacer.
Current tires are 305/55 (33.2x12.5) so next year will just do 35’s.
Next on the list…new rotors/pads and Bora 1.5” spacers. Motorsport Tech is taking forever…ordered on 11/1. Not a custom order either.
Debating when I do these, to take the Bil’s to 2.8, leaning no….

Looks great! The stance looks perfect to me. There is a white & chrome truck in my neighborhood, I check out every time I walk the dog, sharp looking trucks!

Socalramfan · Nov 26, 2022

ThunderMug95 said:
Alrighty…Vararam stendo-inlet installed…Front measures 40.5” top of wheelwell to pavement. Rear is 41.25”.
Front has Bil’s at 2.1 and rear has a 1” coil spacer.
Current tires are 305/55 (33.2x12.5) so next year will just do 35’s.
Next on the list…new rotors/pads and Bora 1.5” spacers. Motorsport Tech is taking forever…ordered on 11/1. Not a custom order either.
Debating when I do these, to take the Bil’s to 2.8, leaning no….

Well done

Looks great !!!

Hemi395 · Nov 27, 2022

Looks great!!

Do you have any pics of the Vararam installed with the extended tube?

ThunderMug95 · Nov 27, 2022

Hemi395 said:
Looks great!!

Do you have any pics of the Vararam installed with the extended tube?

I do not…Its just 1.25” longer than the original tube, so the vararam sits up 1.5” higher above the TB. Cant really notice anything different except some extra space to get under it with the hose clamp bolt. Cleaned the TB while I was in there. Had some carbon build up.

shadowhawk · Dec 31, 2022

ThunderMug95 said:
For those of you curious, Vararam will do a custom length on the inlet tube. I called and they said no problem. Will install the Zone 1.5 Body Lift after Tgiving.

so are you saying you need this custom inlet tube for it to work?

Zone 1.5” + Vararam

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