Cognito 4-6" complete lift kits in Canada????

[crazycanuck75]

My buddy, myself and some beer are planning on lifting my 2008 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Duramax later this month so I can put 33" x 12.5" tires under it. The problem is I have found the lift kit I want, but I cant find it in Canada. I am wanting the Cognito stage 3, 4-6" package. I am not against shipping out of the US, but with this kit pushing 300lbs, most retailers can't ship this item through UPS as their limit is only 150lbs.

Also, I have heard that if you plan on driving at higher speeds in 4x4 you may have to modify the drive line. I work in the oil field in northern Alberta and quite frequently have to drive long distances in 4x4 due to bad road conditions. Do I need to swap out the drive line for this lift kit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[crazycanuck75]

From what I have seen on this site so far, it looks like norcaltruck.com has some pretty good prices and service. But their web site said that they do not do international shipments. I decided to send them an email anyways and it turns out they can and will ship to Canada:thumb:. They also answered my question about the drive line issue. It turns out because I want to drive faster than 25mph in 4x4, I will need a new drive line and Allison shift brackets.

I would still prefer to buy locally but after seeing norcaltruck.com's prices, I doubt the local guys will be able to come close even with shipping & brokerage fees included.

If anyone knows of any other issues I might run into with this install, please let me know now so I can have everything bought and on hand when I start tearing apart my truck.

 

[TeaBagger2006]

I'm assuming your goingwith the nor torsion bar drop kit. Don't get nodouble shock hoop crap, instead put that money towards 4 good shocks or some deaver springs

 

[crazycanuck75]

I'm assuming your goingwith the nor torsion bar drop kit. Don't get nodouble shock hoop crap, instead put that money towards 4 good shocks or some deaver springs

Yes it is the non drop kit and I don't believe that it comes with the dual shocks up front. Here is the link to the package I am thinking about getting.

http://norcaltruck.com/index.php/component/com_ixxocart/Itemid,591/id,774/p,product/parent,13/

 

[TeaBagger2006]

That kit says it's the the standard drop kit, not the non t bar drop kit, It definitely has all the steering upgrades though. Replace all your balljoints while you have all that crap off. Relace your pitman arm with a stock one, my moog arm sheared the bolt. Do a double cardan joint driveshaft too

 

[crazycanuck75]

That kit says it's the the standard drop kit, not the non t bar drop kit, It definitely has all the steering upgrades though. Replace all your balljoints while you have all that crap off. Relace your pitman arm with a stock one, my moog arm sheared the bolt. Do a double cardan joint driveshaft too

I forgot to add the link to the Cognito 4" TBD kit to 4" NTBD kit that I am planning on buying. I am hoping when I talk to them to order my lift that they have a Cognito kit that starts off as a NTBD instead of having to buy a seperate kit that converts it.

Btw thanks for the heads up on the pitman and the drive shaft, never heard of a double cardan joint driveshaft before.

http://norcaltruck.com/index.php/component/com_ixxocart/Itemid,591/id,771/p,product/parent,13/

 

[kivetts04dmax]

What kind of "driveline" upgrades do u have to do? I have a RCLB and no Allison so just curious in what all I might have to do..

 

[crazycanuck75]

What kind of "driveline" upgrades do u have to do? I have a RCLB and no Allison so just curious in what all I might have to do..

I am just going off of what norcal truck told me this afternoon, but they said I would have to change out the front CV drive line to reduce the vibrations I would be getting after lifting the truck when I drive over 25mph in 4 wheel drive.

 

[JD Dave]

There was a GM dealer out your way selling them when I bought mine 4 years ago. I'd call and ask them for pricing. The 4" kit is only good for 33's, you have to crank the tb's all the way up to run 35's unless you want to do a lot of trimming on an NBS. I did get mine shipped from Norcal and it cost me an arm and leg and the box looked was damaged beyond belief.

 

[LBZ]

Talk to Ted @ MPL in Lacombe.
He is a vendor on here too.

 

[crazycanuck75]

Talk to Ted @ MPL in Lacombe.
He is a vendor on here too.

Thanks, Lacombe is just down the road from me. I left a message and am hoping that he can get me what I want.

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

If you plan to use it and abuse it off road in 4 wheel drive you would be money ahead now to sell every last piece of that IFS and swap a straight axle in there.

 

[1SIKDZL]

I have a cognito 9-11" kit and love it. Built tough and their upper arms are solid. I didn't have to extend my drive shaft with this kit and I have ran it in 4x4 for a few miles before with no probs. Get their upgraded tie rods, and idler arm/ pitman arm brace kits and you wont be disapointed. I also have solid deaver springs in the rear with no blocks. You wont be disapointed.

 

[crazycanuck75]

I don't plan on any aggressive off roading in this truck, but the roads I drive on can be very rough and muddy or snow covered. So the independent suspension should be fine for what I am using the truck for.

I would like to use something other than blocks on the rear end for the lift to smooth out the ride, but Deavers alone won't cut it as I tow a 5th wheel and occasionally haul heavy loads in the box. I was wondering if Deavers and helper bags would be the way to go or if I should just settle for the rough ride and block it up.

 

[Hot COCOAL]

If you want a more subtle ride out of the leaf pack you could try sulastic rubber shackles, i used them on my last truck and they made speedbumps all but disappear, well they made it feel like a 1/2 ton, maybe even a little smoother. They will work with any lift that i am aware of. I haven't got around to putting a set on this truck, i have had too many other things that I've wanted, but they're on the list. IIRC they cost like 500 for a set.

 

[1SIKDZL]

I don't plan on any aggressive off roading in this truck, but the roads I drive on can be very rough and muddy or snow covered. So the independent suspension should be fine for what I am using the truck for.

I would like to use something other than blocks on the rear end for the lift to smooth out the ride, but Deavers alone won't cut it as I tow a 5th wheel and occasionally haul heavy loads in the box. I was wondering if Deavers and helper bags would be the way to go or if I should just settle for the rough ride and block it up.

My deavers are stiff as hell on the rear, no blocks...all spring. The only time the rear rides nice is when I am towing. I have had it loaded with tile and only dropped the ass end about 2 inches

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

I have 8" deavers out back with no block and they are shackled on both ends with a 4 link setup hold the rear axle in place. The deavers are very squishy.

crazycanuck75 I don't plan on any aggressive off roading in this truck, but the roads I drive on can be very rough and muddy or snow covered. So the independent suspension should be fine for what I am using the truck for.

Sounds good. Enjoy your unit bearings and cheesy steering parts while they last. I had an IFS lift once I could have paid for the SAS with the money I spent on bandaing and replacing IFS parts.

 

[1SIKDZL]

I have 8" deavers out back with no block and they are shackled on both ends with a 4 link setup hold the rear axle in place. The deavers are very squishy.



Sounds good. Enjoy your unit bearings and cheesy steering parts while they last. I had an IFS lift once I could have paid for the SAS with the money I spent on bandaing and replacing IFS parts.

What solid axle are you running with your swap? I did a solid axle on my old dmax with king coil overs and loved it....really considering it on the one I have now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

[sweetdiesel]

I don't plan on any aggressive off roading in this truck, but the roads I drive on can be very rough and muddy or snow covered. So the independent suspension should be fine for what I am using the truck for.

I would like to use something other than blocks on the rear end for the lift to smooth out the ride, but Deavers alone won't cut it as I tow a 5th wheel and occasionally haul heavy loads in the box. I was wondering if Deavers and helper bags would be the way to go or if I should just settle for the rough ride and block it up.

Ive had the7-9 Cognito since new 300 000k now. Me and a friend installed it in 2 days.

I got the double knuckle front shaft steering supports and upper control arms. The kit iis the best ive seen and owend and ive seen a lot.I also got the 6" deevers and run air bags

Ive drove many times over 100mph in 4x4 on back roads and at the track.
I haul 14000lb trailers in/out of locations with out issues.

And ya i dont agree on the single axle swap! If thats the case buy a FORD

 

[$Smokin_Duradog$]

PM sent 1SIKDZL.