2007 classic 3500 SRW To Lift or Not - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

#1 10-23-2006, 11:42 PM

I'm picking up my new truck tomorrow or the next day. It is a 3500 long bed crew cab classic, with the Duramax and Allison transmission. My truck I'm trading in for it is a 2000 Dodge Quad Cab long bed with the Cummins. I don't like how low the GM's sit and the tires look really undersized. I think I want to do a 6 inch suspension lift and put 35's under it. I am afraid of how much this will hurt the ride, and am looking for some suggestions or things I should be aware of or concerned about. I was hoping that I could find a lift that if I didn't like the performance I could return it to stock or go with a 3 inch lift or something like it. But it appears that once you put the lift on there is no going back. Is this correct?? Some of the kits show significant cutting during installation. I had considered a 3 inch and 33's, but I don't think that is enough for what I am looking for.

Thanks,
cornfused newduramax

Shorts · #2 10-24-2006, 12:15 AM

Hmm, my first thought is why the heck are you trading a cummins for a duramax? Why not trade for a new cummins??? And it being an SFA and all, now wanting to lift a diesel IFS...ehhh, Ah well, I think you're crazy, but just like I do, I'm sure you have your reasons [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

You pretty much nailed it on the lift, once you go with a 6" lift you don't go back. Installation is too involved and really, not something you really care to undo. Aside from any permanent mods you might need to make...cut here, grind there. Though most manf say it, chances are, sometimes you'll need a bit of english to get things where they need to go. Though, the trucks do look nice once they are lifted. Be aware, IFS fronts ends may get moody on you if you work the truck. But, its tolerable.

You might be able to fit 33s on that truck with a bit of tbars, just watch how much and the width of the tires.

Going from a stock 4x4 Ram diesel to a stock 4x4 Chevy diesel, you'll feel a bit short. I don't lke being in the same level as everybody else [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

Edit: I wrote all that - in short, I'd lift it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

#3 10-24-2006, 04:06 PM

The 2000 dodge is my second cummins. I had a 95 club cab. I didn't like the shift points in the tranny and traded it with about 70 thousand on it. The 2000 I commuted about 120 miles round trip in for about 5 years. Thus 150,000 miles. I think the tranny is going. So after 2 dodges I feel like trying something different. I have never been a ford guy. The ford interiors on their HD's is real basic and plain (I haven't looked lately though to be honest). I like the allison and the power number behind the duramax. Also my 2000 dodge had little to no power add on options available for that specific year. It seems there is a number of things available for the chevy. Someone on another site said that with some minor welding you can restore a lifted truck back to stock. It appears that most of the parts being cut are the differential mounting points. The reason I want to Lift?? exactly as you stated. The chevy is way too short and measly in appearance. It needs something to beef it up. And I think that the 6 inches and the 35's will do just that. After that comes a 5 inch exhaust and a bully dog or banks performance upgrade.

Shorts · #4 10-24-2006, 07:37 PM

Ahh, I see, just a little variety. You're thoughts on the interiors are the same as mine. Fords were always too plain jane, dodge was better but te chevy interiors have always been my favorite, hands down. If only they'd lose that IFS, my only real reason lol

Anyhow, good luck with your new truck, sounds like you've got a good plan for it. You're correct, the cutting is only at the mounting points. Be aware, the diff should be aluminum IIRC, so if you plan on welding it up, have a good Tig that'll do the job.

4x4mike · #5 10-25-2006, 11:10 AM

Monica made alot of good points. For 35's you will need some kind of lift. Most of them these days require modifications that make it too much of a PITA to take off, etc. This is just am assumption but its 4wd right? If not lift options are different. How do you plan on using it. I'm guessing DD but also mild offroad (thats a long truck with a lot of sheet metal). If its mild you maybe able to squeeze 35's in there or at least 305's.

If the truck is new and you don't want to jump into it too fast, look into a leveling kit. Lift up the front end and throw some tires under it.
Congratulations.

#6 10-25-2006, 09:10 PM

You know, I'm all for getting more members over here but since you're looking at a D'max, I'm gonna have to point you to www.TheDieselPlace.com. It is the largest group of D'max owners out there. They're even quite knowledgable about the older 6.2Ls & 6.5Ls. There is a welcome thread and they encourage you to introduce yourself and put all of your trucks specs in your signature so they can help you better.

Off the hip I'd say most of them choose RCD suspension lifts, and that forum has a section devoted to suspension.

#7 10-26-2006, 10:45 AM

It is a 4wd and I found that forum as well and have been asking the same questions there. This is the first place I found. and there seemed to be some quite knowledgable people in here. You know one can never get too much input when making decisions regarding these types of investments.

Jacob_Royer · #8 10-26-2006, 01:58 PM

You know if you got a cummins with a manual tranny you wouldnt be having these problems... THe cummins engine will easily run 400k plus if you take care of it.. In my opinion any diesel is going to feel wimpy with an auto untill you get a load on it..

Shorts · #9 10-26-2006, 08:21 PM

Dodge trannies have never been known to be bulletproof. That bug was suppose to be worked out the last few years. That was the appeal to the new duramaxs, their allison tranny right behind it.

#10 10-26-2006, 09:23 PM

I have always been a GM guy. I also had 2 6.5l GM Turbo Diesels since 95. When they announced they weren't gonna do CAT diesels is when I went Dodge again. From 95 to 2000 Dodges gearing and everything about the drive train was 300% better. Better shift points and better power ranges in the gears. With my 95 I hated towing anything on the interstate cuz if I hit any grade I was stuck at 55 till the end of the grade. with the 2000 I was stuck at 70 instead. Anyway I think at 149000 the tranny is about gone and the new Duramax numbers backed with taht allison and the quality of the chevy interior has me going that way. I still haven't decided on the lift. The diesel place is a good spot for Duramax discussions about everything like one of the previos posters has said. It looks like just about all of my questions have been asked and answered over there about 10 times each at least. I am leaning towards a Cognito or CST. I may go with 315/75/16's BFG TA KO tires. OR I may just go with something less intrusive to get me by until I can really make my mind up. Or heck I might put the exhaust and bullydog on now and figure out the suspension, wheels, and tires later. BTW I pick the truck up tomorrow, they put the head rest DVD players in today, and the chrome tube running boards, they are spraying in the line-x at 7:30-8:00.

Thanks,
Newduramax