Back
View Full Article
 |
(May 04)
INSTALLING AN 8-INCH PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION KIT ON THE CHEVY HD
BIG TIME
BYROBERT B E N N E R PHOTOS BY CHRIS FESLER
So you went out and bought yourself a nice shiny new Chevrolet truck. Not just any Chevy, mind you, but a big 2500HD crew cab complete with four-wheel drive and a monstrously powerful diesel power plant. After getting it home, you realize that for as big as the HD is it is lacking a certain something—that something being a larger than life stance to go along with the rest of the truck's oversized features. Luckily, Fabtech, like so many other companies, designs and builds lift kits to help alleviate the problem. With sizes ranging from 6 to 8 inches available for the 2500HD tires ranging in size from 35 inches to 37 inches can easily be fit beneath your truck.
Not only do Fabtech's suspension systems give the truck the required lift, but with features such as the heavy duty 1/4-inch thick crossmembers and tubular impact struts, they are also designed to withstand just about any abuse thrown their way. The 8-inch lift also features replacement tubular upper control arms with mounting points for multiple shocks for improved dampening capabilities. Precise engineering of the system allows for a majority of the factory parts to be reused, including the front driveshaft, and also helps maintain control when larger wheels and tires are used on the vehicle.
Although the kit includes everything needed to lift the truck, several special tools are needed along with proper supports to maintain the safety of the person working on the truck. With that in mind we went to the pros at SDHQ Offroad in Mesa, Arizona, to document the installation of the 8-inch kit on a brand new 2003 Chevrolet 2500HD. Check out the photos to get an idea of the work involved and a feel for the Fabtech line of products.