Press Release #152: 2014 Chevy/GMC 1500 4″ High Clearance Lift Kits

New Product Release

152

Part#

#712H 4″ Steel Arm

#713H 4″ Alum Arm

Product

4″ High Clearance Lift Kit

Application

2014 Chevy 1500 4WD

2014 GMC 1500 4WD

Support Files & Links

View Lift Kit Online

Chevy Suspension Lift Kit

4″ Suspension Lift Kit
Hi–res image: gk_712H.jpg

GMC 1500 with 4″ suspension lift kit
Hi–res image: gm_1500_14k_4in.jpg

GMC 1500 with 4″ suspension lift kit
Hi–res image: gm_1500_14k_4in_a.jpg

GMC 1500 with 4″ suspension lift kit
Hi–res image: gm_1500_14k_4in_closeup.jpg

BDS 4″ High Clearance Lift Kits for 2014 Chevy/GMC 1500 Trucks

2014 GM 1/2-ton 4WD

Coldwater, MI—November 21, 2013— BDS Suspension continues to add to its product lineup for the 2014 Chevy/GMC 1500 trucks with with new 4″ High Clearance Lift Kits that allow for 35″ tires to be installed.

These kits have been independently tested for compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) FMVSS No.126 and has been verified compliant with those standards to not effect the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems.

This new suspension system utilizes the tried and true high-clearance IFS suspension design that has made BDS the preferred suspension lift for late model GM trucks. This kit offers more ground clearance than any other kit on the market along with the strength to stand up to any abuse you can throw at it. At the heart of these new lift kits are the ductile iron replacement steering knuckles and high-clearance crossmembers. These components establish a suspension geometry that not only performs well on and off-road, but are compliant with the factory traction control systems.

The new suspension works seamlessly with the newly redesigned electric power steering system that is standard on the 2014 models. A 3-piece diff drop kit securely repositions the front differential to correct CV axle angle and allowing for the use of the stock front driveshaft. Front end drivetrain components are protected by the heavy duty 3-piece skid plate system that ties the front and rear crossmembers together for a rigid subframe. Also included in this kit are replacement tie rod ends, longer sway bar links, and brake line brackets, and new gas struts to improve ride quality.

A cast iron 4″ block is used in place of the stock 1.25″ block along with longer u-bolts, brake line bracket and your choice of BDS-5500 or Fox 2.0 gas shocks to lift the rear and level the stance.

New for 2014 GM truck is the availability of both steel and forged aluminum control arms from the factory. BDS offers kits built specifically to fit either the steel or aluminum arm equipped trucks. Check your vehicle before ordering to ensure the correct kit is shipped.

As with all BDS kits, these lift kits are backed by the Factory Protection Plus Program, a 5-year, 60,000 mile drivetrain warranty, FMVSS No.126 ESC System compliancy, and BDS’s exclusive No Fine Print Warranty.

For more info on this kit and to find your local distributor, head to BDS Suspension or call (517) 279-2135.

BDS Suspension Systems are Protected by the Factory Protection Plus Program

Factory Protection Plus
  • 5-year, 60,000 mile drivetrain warranty
  • FMVSS No.126 ESC System compliancy
  • BDS’s exclusive No Fine Print Warranty

FMVSS No. 126 Compliant Test

FMVSS No.126 Compliant
  • BDS 4″ Lift Kit with 5500-series shocks
  • 35×12.50×20 Mickey Thompson ATZ Tires
  • 20×9 (5″ BS) Dick Cepek Gun Metal 7 Wheels

 

45 comments

I have been thinking about purchasing the 2014 chevy 1500 4×4 4inch suspension lift kit. I want 35inch on either a 18 or 20. Would either of these fit and by any chances do you have pictures of either one. Also how much stuff would it look?

Hey Ben, thanks for you interest in BDS Suspension. We have had customers fit 35×12.50s with this 4” Lift System, however most choose to go with our 6” system for adequate clearance for larger wheels/tires. 18s and 20s can be used with this kit, however you’ll want to follow our recommendation for wheel width and wheel backspacing for proper clearance to the suspension components and to alleviate rubbing issues. Wheel/Tire recommended specs are available on the product pages at http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=710H

To view photos of BDS equipped 2014 Chevy 1500 trucks head to the BDS customer gallery at http://bds-suspension.com/bar or head to our Chevy/GMC album on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151154204061430.455231.238551361429&type=3

I have a question about factory wheels. I have a 2014 z71 and I am running 285 on 18″ factory wheels. Will the factory wheels work with the 4″ lift??

Hey Stephen, factory 18” wheels can be reinstalled with our 4” lift kit, however 295/65r18 are the maximum tire size we recommend running. Any wider may run into interference with the upper control arms. For more on the topic you can contact our sales/tech support team at (517) 279-2135

I’m just curious about price and how this kit would look with 33in tires with a wide stance. I’m new to the 4×4 scene so I don’t know much about all the offsets on wheels.

Hey Gary,
As far a kit pricing, it will depend on the options you go with. We offer the standard kit as well as upgrades like Fox shocks and coilovers as well full springs options. You can build a kit to your specification and get MSRP on our website at http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=712H or check with your local BDS distributor (http://bds-suspension.com/distributor-lookup) to see what they can offer you.

The 4” lift on the newer GM1500s looks very proportional on 33” tires. You’ll want to be careful running wider wheels and smaller offsets as they increase the range of motion the tire takes up in the wheel well when turn from lock to lock. Fender trimming may be necessary to keep it from rubbing. While you have the option to run them, 10”-12”-14” wide wheels are outside of our recommended wheel and tire specs which can be found on the product page at the link above.

Will this lift kit allow me to retain my stock 17 inch rims with 33 inch tall rubber on my 2015 sierra 1500

Have 2014 Silverado want to run 285-75-18. Rims would be stock. Would this work with a 4 inch lift or would a 6 inch lift be better. I really want to get a 4 with this set up.

Hey Logan,
While the 285/75r18 tire size will work on the 4″ lift kit, unfortunately the stock 17-18″ wheel cannot be reinstalled with this lift kit due to the clearance issue with the tie rod ends with the new steering knuckles. If you’re set on reinstalling the factory wheels it would require a larger wheel spacer to achieve our recommended 5″ backspacing. For more on this kit and important notes head to http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=712H and click on the “customize this kit” button.

Can you opt to move from the 4? kit to the 6?
Kit after installing the 4? kit. Would it require a lot of replacement parts?

Hey Jeff,
the BDS 4″ and 6″ kits use the same base components so going from 4″ to 6″ isn’t a huge install or expense. You will need different spacer/struts/coilovers for the front and in the rear a taller lift block/u-bolts or upgrade to the BDS full leaf spring pack and longer shocks. For more on the topic feel free to contact the BDS sales/tech team at (517) 517-2135 or your local BDS Distributor http://bds-suspension.com/distributor-lookup

Im looking at buying your 6 inch lift with fox front and rear for a 2015 silverado 1500 4Ă—4. Will 18Ă—10 (-24 offset) with a 295/65/18 tire fit without any problems?

Hey Tim, thanks for your interest in BDS Suspension. We spec most of our kits to run 9″ wide wheels. That said other sizes can be used, but we can’t guarantee fitment without trimming needed as they aren’t sizes our engineers tested. Its fairly common to trim on the GM trucks due to the shape of the fenders, and wider wheels and small backspacing with increase the tires range of motion in the wheel well when turning side to side. 18×10 (-24) wheels measure out to about a 4.56″ backspacing and the 295/65r18 tires measures out to about 33×12″ which won’t be excessive so they should fit with little to no trimming needed on the 6″ performance coilover system

I have a 2014 with 20″ tires already sitting on 33″ would I be able to go taller on the sidewalk from a 265 and be able to leave the mud guards on seeing as they are mounted with nut serts inside the finder

Hey Terry, I’d need a little more information to offer up a recommendation, the 265 number is a metric number that relates to the width of the tread, not the height. the 2nd number relates to the percentage of the width that the sidewall height is and the last number is the wheel diameter. As for the wheels I’d need to know the width and backspacing (BSing) measurement (ie. 20×9 with 5.5″ BSing will clear a particular tire much easier than a 20×12 with 4.5″ BSing). The 2014 GM1500 trucks with the 4″ lift kit are spec’d to fit a 33-35″ tires if you follow our wheel width and backspacing recommendations for each size. Head to our website for our recommended wheel/tire specs, http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=712H

I have a 15 Denali with mag-ride and a specific rough country 7 in lift when I go into any kind of corner my stabilitrack/ antilock engages causing a severe shift in body, brake , and steering control to the point it makes the vehicle unsafe. I have already programmed the 35 in tires but it made no difference. it has been to several “4wd shops” and Gmc dealers nobody knows why. Can any one help me? BY THE WAY I AM A 40 YEAR TECHNICIAN” so no silly answers please. Thank you much. MICHAEL

Hi Michael,
I can understand the frustration dealing with issues like that, GMC’s Magneride System is is very temperamental to being modified. We spent our share of time developing and testing our 6″ kits to work the factory system to allow full functionality of the system without causing ESC issues to be FMVSS No.126 compliant. The sensor positioning is key to function as well as retaining OEM suspension/steering geometry with the lift kit. I can’t speak for the RC kit or how it was designed to work with the Magneride system, but we have heard of similar issues from other GMC owners (Magneride and non-Magneride) running other kits. Several of our dealers have swapped the kits out for the BDS 6″ systems and the issues went away. First step would be to contact RC to see if they have any input on the topic. From there we’d be happy to point you in the direction of BDS dealers for their input on trucks the’ve had similar issues with. For more on our Magneride compatible kits head to http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=725H and to contact our tech support team head to (517) 279-2135 or tech-bds@sporttruckusainc.com

Can you reuse stock UCAs (aluminum) with your 6 inch lift with fox coilovers for a 2015 silverado 1500 with out magneride.

You sure can Tim. Our 6″ kit was designed retain the stock UCAs, but will accept aftermarket arms if you choose to swap those as well.

The 4″ and the 6″ kits utilize the same rear shocks. The shocks have more then enough travel to allow for full suspension travel and offer improved performance at either lift height.

For your 5 year 60k warranty. Does it expire once my truck hits 60k or does it expire 60k miles after whatever miles i installed it at on my truck? I bought the lift from a local dealer. He only gave me a hand written paper receipt with only my first name and phone number. Is this good enough if i need to use your warranty? If i loose the receipt will there be any other way i can use the warranty if needed.

Tim, seems you’ve got a lot of questions and we’re happy to answer them all, but it would be easier if you contacted our sales team directly to answer them all by calling (517) 279-2135. This last line of questions is very similar to ones I’ve already answered for you. The 5/60 warranty is designed to match the factory warranty, it is good for 5-years or 60,000-miles based on the manufacturer build date, not based on when you installed the kit. Typically on the warranty customer service requires a printed receipt with part numbers to prove you are the original purchaser. I’d recommend contacting BDS customer service for more on that topic (517) 279-2135

Ok, i know in 2016 chevy started the new 2016 chevys with 5 year 60k mile warranty. Mine was a 2015 with 5 year 100k warranty. Does that mean you will match my warranty or have you guys always just did 5yr 60k?

Will a 325/65/18 tire with -24 offset wheel fit without any problem on the 2015 silverado 1500 4Ă—4. Im using your 6 inch with fox coilovers and fox rear shocks.

Nick, its difficult to say with out knowing the wheel specs. -24 offset is a number relative to the width of the wheel (offset from center) so its different on a 18×9, 18×10, 18×12, etc? We spec by the backspacing measurement which is the measurement from wheel mount surface to the backside lip of the wheel. Also we spec the kit #710F/711F 6″ coilover systems to fit 35×12.50 tires. The 325/65r18 measures out to more like a 35×13.50. While they’ll likely fit, some trimming may be necessary as they are outside our official recommendation.

That setup will likely require some trimming to clear on your ’15 Chevy Silverado 1500 with the 6″ system. While they will physically fit, turning hard to either side and/or offroad driving situations where the suspension is compressed will cause them to rub. The 325/65r18 tires measure out to 35×13.50 and the 18×10 -24 offset wheels have a 4.56″ backspacing which will stick them out and increase the tire/wheel range of motion in the wheel well when turning left to right.

Hey Gary, you can reinstall your factory 20s with with our 4″ and 6″ lift kits installed, however not with the factory 17-18″ wheels due to tie rod clearance with our new knuckles installed.

Hi Carter

So I am reading these questions and answers and you have me just as confused as the other blogs about using stock 18 in wheels on the 2014 and up Silverado 1500 in one answer you say

Carter @ BDS Suspension
May 28, 2015 at 3:09 pm | Permalink | Reply

Hey Stephen, factory 18” wheels can be reinstalled with our 4” lift kit, however 295/65r18 are the maximum tire size we recommend running. Any wider may run into interference with the upper control arms. For more on the topic you can contact our sales/tech support team at (517) 279-2135

Then you post this

Carter @ BDS Suspension
June 14, 2016 at 8:37 am | Permalink | Reply

Hey Logan,
While the 285/75r18 tire size will work on the 4? lift kit, unfortunately the stock 17-18? wheel cannot be reinstalled with this lift kit due to the clearance issue with the tie rod ends with the new steering knuckles. If you’re set on reinstalling the factory wheels it would require a larger wheel spacer to achieve our recommended 5? backspacing. For more on this kit and important notes head to http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=712H and click on the “customize this kit” button.

Which is it? Can you or cant you run the factory 18s with the 4 inch lift.

Thanks Don

Hey Don,
I apologize for the confusion. Officially our answer is that the factory 17-18″ wheels cannot be reinstalled with the 4″ and 6″ IFS lift kits for the 2014-2017 GM1500 trucks. This is due to clearance issues with the taller steering knuckles. There is tie rod mount interference (mainly on the factory 17s) and the tire sidewall to knuckle/UCA interference on both the factory 17-18s when used with oversized tires due to the incorrect backspacing. We updated our official recommendation during the year between those 2 comments you referenced to try and clarify that our max tire size (35×12.50) will not work with the factory wheels as a direct bolt-on.

That said our kit allows the use of 17″+ wheels, however the large backspacing and narrow width of the factory wheels causes issues with install larger (wider) tires. The factory 18s will bolt back on with the lift installed using factory size tires, but we can’t guarantee clearance for larger tires. If your goal is to run our 4″ lift with factory 18″ wheels and oversized tires we recommend using wheel spacers to achieve our recommended backspacing measurement. For more on the topic contact BDS tech support at (517) 279-2135 or tech-bds@sporttruckusainc.com

I have a 2015 Chevy Silverado Z71 reg cab, with the Readylift 2.25 leveling kit. I am running AMP AT tires 305/60R18 on stock rims. According to the AMP website they measure 32.32×12.72×18. They only rub ever so slightly at full choke when reversing, ( the dealership accidently undercoated my aluminum upper control arms and the undercoating was slightly rubbed off by the tires at full turn when backing up) I believe if the tires were only 12.5 wide I would be ok.
I am looking for confirmation that I can add your BDS 4 inch suspension lift to my current leveling kit, and that 35’s won’t rub anywhere or add too much stress.
P.S.: Can I add 4 inch rear springs instead of the blocks and still remain level?
I look forward to your answer.
Thank you

Hey Blaine,
The GM trucks are known for having a squared off wheel wells. Its common to need minor trimming to the front valance or rear inner fender when fitting larger tires, regardless of the lift and tire size. In general a 6″ lift is standard to fit 35″ tires. That said the wheel width and backspacing, true tire size and aggressiveness of the sidewall all play into if any trimming is needed for use in all driving situations. A truck used on-road only is less likely to need trimming than one used offroad (i.e. situations where the suspension is compressed with the tires turned). We don’t test each and every combination and list a general recommended wheel/tire size for each kit based on what we have tested (see our website for recommended sizes). Other sizes may fit with little to no trimming, but being that we haven’t tested them we can’t guarantee fitment without modification.

As for combining the Readylift 2.25″ top spacer with our 4″ kit to net 6.25″ of lift, we haven’t tested that particular combination for compatibility although you shouldn’t have any issues. My recommendation however would be to just go with our complete 6″ IFS system rather than stacking a leveling kit on top of the 4″ system. Kit price between the 4″ and 6″ is comparable and both use replacement full length gas struts. The .25″ difference will be negligible for appearance and tire clearance and if you pull the old kit off you can sell it on Craigslist to help with the cost of the full IFS kit. In the rear the 4″ full spring is designed to level the stance with for 6″ lift kits. For more on the 6″ IFS kits head to http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=710H and feel free to reach out to BDS sales/tech support at (517) 279-2135 or salesbds@sporttruckusainc.com. You can also check with your local BDS distributor, http://bds-suspension.com/distributor-lookup

Hi there, i was wondering what kind of trimming would i have to do to run either a set of 20Ă—10 -24 offset and a set of 33Ă—12.50r20 or a set of 18Ă—9 -12 offset on 33Ă—12.50r18 on my 2018 sierra rocking a 4 inch BDS, currently on a set factory 20″ rims and 32.6Ă—roughly 10.50

Hey Cory, the sizes listed on our product pages are based on what we have tested and confirmed compatible. the 20×10 (4.5″ BS) wheels are outside of our recommend specs, but will fit on there with some minor trimming to the front bumper valance and rear inner fender to clear in all driving situations on and off-road.The 18×9 (4.5″ BS) wheels are less likely to rub, but even those use a smaller backspacing then our recommended 5″ BS so some minor trimming may still be necessary. For more on our official recommendations head to http://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=712H

would your 4″ performance lift with fox coil overs work properly with total chaos uniball upper control arms? Also what is the approx. Hight after the lift Ex. floor to inner fender, just as a reference point. TIA.

While we haven’t tested our 4″ lift kit with TC uniball UCAs, our 4″ kit retains the stock UCA position and operating angle so any arms that are compatible with a stock height truck could be used. Its worth mentionign that we offer performance UCAs compatible with our kit as well, #121151 for trucks with factory cast steel arms, #121152 for trucks with factory stamped steel or aluminum arms

As for the other question on overall height, unfortunately that isn’t a measurement we take when developing the kits and can vary from vehicle to vehicle based on fender flares, actual tire size/air pressure, a heavy winch bumper, etc. Our tech support team will have a reference measurement they can provide from center of hub up to top of wheel well opening that they can provide, you can reach them at tech-bds@ridefox.com for more info.

Does the BDS 4′ lift kit move the front tires out 1.5 inches? If I want to keep the stock offset should I get a positive 40 offset?

Hi Mike,
There is a about a 1.5″ increase per side up front with the 4″ lift kits. Factory 17-18″ wheels cannot be reinstalled due to tie rod end interference with those combination diameter and backspacing measurements.

Our wheel/tire recommendations are to use:
33×12.50 tires w/ 17×9 or 18×9 wheels (5″ BS)
35×12.50 tires w/ 20×9 wheels (5.75″ BS)

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