Project 12-Gauge - 2011 Chevy Silverado - Lifted Suspension

Four inches of lift may not seem like much, but it's perfect for the enthusiast where multi-weather driving and utilitarian work demands are more important than trying to be a parking lot stud on the weekends. In all, the Silverado did exactly what we hoped it would do and we did it with as little change as possible.

It's not always best to admit, but many of the lifted suspension installations we do in the magazine see more time on the road commuting and looking cool than they do getting tossed around in the dirt. Unfortunately, the form has taken the center stage with function merely a backup singer in the song. It's high time to change that. Many of you have trucks that get used for their designed purpose, and see just as much time on as off the road—basically, a true balance of work and play. We are turning the focus your way with this new project.

Teaming up with Auto Anything, this 2011 Silverado will serve as the perfect blend of tough looks with tough performance to match. Used for hunting adventures, including heading to the duck blind, tracking down a buck, and driving to the deserted fishing hole, the owner makes no excuses for getting his truck dirty. Auto Anything is used to handling any and all custom truck requests and was eager to help find the solutions to make Project 12-Gauge a multipurpose pickup.

1. Behind Street Trenz in El Cajon, California, we took note of the Silverado's heavy forward rake and lack of undercarriage clearance. We'll be changing that ASAP!
1. Behind Street Trenz in El Cajon, California, we took note of the Silverado's heavy forw
2. We like simple, and the Ready Lift SST (PN: 69-3285, $939.95) suspension system was just that. At the heart of the system was a steel strut spacer and DOM tubular upper control arm. The heavy-duty control arm featured OEM-style ball joints pre-pressed into a crown that retained OEM geometry throughout the suspension cycle and provided additional clearance for increased suspension travel. To lift the rear of the Silverado, this SST system included 3-inch OEM-style cast-iron rear lift blocks and U-bolts with shock extenders to retain the great factory ride. The U-bolt nuts did not make the picture, but this is all you need to add four inches of front and 1-3/4 inches of rear lift to your '07-'12 Silverado or Sierra two-wheel-drive.
2. We like simple, and the Ready Lift SST (PN: 69-3285, $939.95) suspension system was jus
3. With the front brake caliper removed, sway bar disconnected, and outer tie rod unbolted, Dan Reed went ahead and broke the spindle free from the upper control arm. After removing the three top nuts and two bottom bolts, the strut assembly was pulled free and the upper control arm was unbolted from the truck.
3. With the front brake caliper removed, sway bar disconnected, and outer tie rod unbolted

2011 Chevy Silverado Ready Lift Control Arms

4. It was necessary to lubricate and assemble the bushings into the Ready Lift control arms before mounting them in the Silverado using the stock hardware. The control arms came with the ball joints already pressed into place.

4. It was necessary to lubricate and assemble the bushings into the Ready Lift control arm

Certainly a suspension lift was a major necessity and not one that would ride too high or negatively effect ride comfort. We found the perfect fit in Ready Lift's SST line of offerings. Ready Lift's goal was to provide a true lift kit that was completely bolted on; no drilling, cutting or welding required. This system significantly increased ground clearance while allowing for tire sizes up to 33-inch on aftermarket wheels. Completing the first part of our utilitarian transformation was 275/60R20 Falken Rocky Mountain A/T tires from Discount Tire Direct and 20x9-inch BMF S.O.T.A. wheels in the company's popular Death Metal finish.

With the added inches from the suspension lift, Auto Anything recommended electronic PowerSteps from AMP Research, which would help ease ingress and egress for all passengers. When the boards are in the retracted position, they become barely noticeable and stay out of harms way while traversing through brushy areas that the truck would regularly see. AMP Research also had the perfect solution for getting into the bed with its BedStep and BedStep 2. Both units flip down or retract with the nudge of a foot. Exactly what a true multipurpose truck needs. No fumbling and no fuss trying to make these accessories work. To help give the truck a rugged look and to help keep mud from covering the planned vinyl wrap, we also ordered a set of Bushwhacker fender flares. They look good, are easy to install, and are pretty darn tough.

5. Ready Lift does not require doing anything besides bolting its strut spacer onto the spring hat and reinstalling the assembly into the truck. No alterations were made to the coil spring (like a preload spacer) that would alter the impressive ride.
5. Ready Lift does not require doing anything besides bolting its strut spacer onto the sp
6. New hardware was supplied in the kit, so Dan attached the upper control arm's ball joint to the factory spindle.
6. New hardware was supplied in the kit, so Dan attached the upper control arm's ball join
7. This system really went into place quickly and had us eager to finish up the rear lift to see how the new stance would look.
7. This system really went into place quickly and had us eager to finish up the rear lift

Auto Anything came to our rescue and had everything shipped to us at competitive prices and with fast shipping. Street Trenz, located in El Cajon, California, set aside all of our parts until we were ready to get them installed, and then had the lift, wheels and tires, flares, and AMP steps ready to rock in barely 5 hours. Check out the images and give the companies sourced a call should you have questions about products for your ride.

8. Dan removed the lower shock bolt first to allow the shock to hang freely from the top mount. Once the upper bolt was removed, the Ready Lift spacer was slipped into position and everything was bolted back together.
8. Dan removed the lower shock bolt first to allow the shock to hang freely from the top m
9. Adding the necessary lift to the rear was done with a cast block and U-bolts that replaced the original smaller block that GM uses. Again, no modifications were done to the factory leafsprings.
9. Adding the necessary lift to the rear was done with a cast block and U-bolts that repla
10. The new wheels and tires made a dramatic improvement to the Chevy. The Falkens will be smooth and quiet on the highway while providing plenty of grip off road, and the BMF black machined S.O.T.A wheels will scare the ducks into giving up with or without any firearms. Keeping with the form meets function philosophy, this duo doesn't make any compromises.
10. The new wheels and tires made a dramatic improvement to the Chevy. The Falkens will be

11. It may seem trivial to use steps on a mildly lifted truck, but we wanted to keep the truck as user friendly as possible, especially when our truck is driving around town. AMP Research products were easy to install and will provide a long life of operation if not damaged.
11. It may seem trivial to use steps on a mildly lifted truck, but we wanted to keep the t
12. AMP's BedStep 2 (PN: 75400-01A, $217.28) is strong and rugged and is ingeniously designed as a nonslip step, which quickly flips down to provide a faster, easier, and safer way to load or unload your pickup's cargo. The BedStep mounts under the rear bumper so it works even with an open tailgate or trailer hitch.can be mounted on either the driver or passenger side depending on the owner's choice. We went with the passenger side by orienting the main attachment blocks accordingly.
12. AMP's BedStep 2 (PN: 75400-01A, $217.28) is strong and rugged and is ingeniously desig
13. Helping create the necessary strength to hold up to 300 pounds is a bracket that runs to the frame. A hole required being drilled to accept a Rivet Nut threaded insert included with the BedStep 2.
13. Helping create the necessary strength to hold up to 300 pounds is a bracket that runs

14. Once Dan had the Rivet Nut in place, the bracket simply bolted right to it.
15. You can see how the multiple mounting blocks and the step's pivoting arm sandwich the frame bracket.
15. You can see how the multiple mounting blocks and the step's pivoting arm sandwich the
16. Moving onto the PowerSteps (PN: 75126-01A, $1,114.95), we first inserted these U-nuts into holes already in the Chevy's rocker panel.
16. Moving onto the PowerSteps (PN: 75126-01A, $1,114.95), we first inserted these U-nuts

17. An aluminum block sandwiching the rocker pinch molding and the U-nuts provide a more than sturdy place to mount the PowerStep's pivoting arms.
17. An aluminum block sandwiching the rocker pinch molding and the U-nuts provide a more t
18. Physically mounting the steps was very straightforward. The most difficult portion of the steps' installation was running the proper wires to actuate the steps as the doors are opened and closed.
18. Physically mounting the steps was very straightforward. The most difficult portion of
19. Looking at the passenger side of the truck with both the electric PowerStep and manual BedStep 2 extended, it becomes plain to see how useful these accessories can be for your work or play truck.
19. Looking at the passenger side of the truck with both the electric PowerStep and manual

20. Out back, the Amp BedStep (PN: 75300-01A, $193.03) was even more of a necessity, as hopping into the bed through the open tailgate was a bit of chore before the suspension height addition.
20. Out back, the Amp BedStep (PN: 75300-01A, $193.03) was even more of a necessity, as ho
21. Although a full camouflage wrap was planned for the truck, it was still decided that keeping mud and filth from being splashed down the sides of the truck was a necessity. Extend-A-Fender flares from Bushwacker (PN: 40925-02, $386.88) provided just the right coverage while still retaining a factory appearance.
21. Although a full camouflage wrap was planned for the truck, it was still decided that k
22. The flares were a no drill installation using self-adhesive tape and factory screws in the front fenders. In the rear fenders, Bushwacker supplied clips and screws to retain its flares. Again, installation was very basic and we gained 1 3/4-inch of coverage with little physical exertion.
22. The flares were a no drill installation using self-adhesive tape and factory screws in

SOURCE
Falken Tire 13649 Valley Boulevard Fontana CA 92335 800-723-2553 www.falkentire.com	Auto Anything 9210 Sky Park Court Suite 100 San Diego CA 92123 800-874-8888 www.autoanything.com
BMF Wheels 1401 N. Batavia Street Suite 107 Orange CA 92867 888-313-2580 www.bmfwheels.com	Street Trenz 215 Denny Way Suite B El Cajon CA 92020 619-956-2728 http://www.strenz.com/
Digital Media Giant 7898 Ostrow St. Suite C San Diego CA 92111 1-877-686-4364 http://www.digitalmediagiant.com /