This is a time when I can say been there done that. I had pretty much the same issues you are having, and my truck was probably set up very similar to yours at the time as well, so I lifted my truck....
I lifted my truck, for several reasons.
1) I couldn't get into my garage If I lowered it, I have one of the most ridiculous driveways known to man
2) I tow a lot and have become very partial to a particular tire size, and to run said tire and keep angles in check and the steering parts happy, a lift was necessary
3) I live in the Pacific Northwest, it's a mountainous area, and I like to go off road, and I drive my truck every day
4) I have owned several of the gmt 800's, and always wanted a mild lift, I think they just look cool
Now with all that said, IN MY VERY HUMBLE OPINION, if you wanna race and do it in 4x4 doing boosted launches, and rippin down the 1320 every weekend, don't lift your truck....TRIM FENDERS, USE DIFFERENT TIRES FOR 1/4 mile duty, but don't lift it
Maybe/probably there are better lifts/lift systems for racing than what I used, I thought I was getting the best of the best, and while I am happy with the ride, turning radius, look and quality, it does not perform as I anticipated it to for 1/4 mile duty. I bet it will do splendidly in sled pulling. When in 4x4 it does awesome, for normal duty 4x4 driving, I have had the truck drifting down logging roads at "extreme" speeds and loved it, it's fine for continuous 4x4 driving on the highway at speed, BUT, for W.O.T runs in racing type conditions I don't believe the 4x4 driveline utilized in my kit was intended for Racing. It gets a vibration at about 65-80mph and it feels like a lot of energy is being wasted instead of transferred, however, it only feels like this while under "extreme" load, in a racing type scenario, every other venue the lift is flawless, but I don't like how it feels for the 1/4...
Am I bummed....a little, I didn't expect this, but, looking at it for what it is, now looking back, I should've. Thankfully I don't have a racing hobby, I have always intended on building a truck/this truck, that could/would be considered the ultimate daily driver street/tow machine, that had better off road capabilities than stock and much much more power, that could stomp any (well almost any) dodge or ford that decided to have a go. Have I accomplished that, mmm, pretty much, still haven't reached my power goals, but it's getting there. Overall I love my truck, and I am pretty satisfied with the decisions I have made, and I am VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE MEMBERS OF DURAMAXDIESELS FOR ALL THE HELP AND GUIDEANCE:hug:
Could my build have used different parts and been about as good for less cost, sure, but I had path I intended to take and, for the most part have followed it.
If I lived in a less hilly/mountainous area, where it was sunny most the year, and I didn't have to ford flood water to get home sometimes, didn't tow, and planned to bracket race or race just for fun just trying to get faster and faster, if racing was my hobby, I would lower my truck and ditch as much weight as possible.
So pick your goals/desires carefully at this point, choose your parts wisely, maybe I didn't, I thought I did. But who really builds a lifted race truck anyways
I used a cognito 4-6" kit and have it set at 4". When I remove the t-bar bolts it sits about 3 3/4" and the c/v angles are perfect for drag racing and it works fine, all but the high speed high stress vibration that happens only about the 1/8th mile point at 80mph or so, maybe the driveline just needs to be balanced better, but I think it has more to do with the angle compensation of the driveline and the u joints, and the fact it more than likely was never intended for full blown racing conditions
:2cents:
Good luck, and take your time:angel:
