2007 Chevy Silverado Buildup - McGaughy's 7-Inch Lift Kit

After

A pillar in the lowered truck world, McGaughy's is no stranger to altering suspensions and making a truck look, handle, and even ride better. So, when we heard they were designing a new lift kit, we couldn't wait to check it out. Available for GM 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton trucks, along with SUVs, the new McGaughy's lift kits come laser cut and machined, powdercoated in a metallic silver for good looks and long durability, and CAD-designed lift spindles (with a lifetime manufacturer defect warranty) are included. Increasing the ride height by seven inches, the new lift will help Silverado and Sierra's clear 35-inch tires easily, and with lower A-frame support rods and compression struts, the kit is extra tough for real off-road use.

Before

A nice perk to this lift kit's design is the lack of cutting or grinding on the front differential-the only cutting is the lower control arm frame mount and new filler plates are included for added strength, along with the lower strut extensions, which don't require you to disassemble the factory strut.

We took a stock '07 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD and in just over five hours, it was ridin' high and lookin' great. Check out the story to see how the kit was installed.

With the new 7-inch McGaughy's lift kit unpacked, we got to take a look at the burly lower control arm brackets, lift spindles, strut extensions, compression struts, add-a-leaf, lift blocks, and new shocks for the rear.
With the new 7-inch McGaughy's lift kit unpacked, we got to take a look at the burly lower
After placing the truck on the shop lift, we removed the wheels/tires, then the caliper was unbolted and hung from the frame with a bungee cord, and an impact was used to bust the CV axle nut loose.
After placing the truck on the shop lift, we removed the wheels/tires, then the caliper wa
The brake rotor was then removed, the outer tie-rod end knocked loose with a rubber mallet, and the strut/coil assembly was unbolted and removed.
The brake rotor was then removed, the outer tie-rod end knocked loose with a rubber mallet

Next up, the three bolts holding the wheel bearing hub to the spindle were removed, the hub set aside, each front CV axle removed, and the upper and lower ball joint nuts removed so the spindle could be pulled free.
Next up, the three bolts holding the wheel bearing hub to the spindle were removed, the hu
A couple zips with the impact gun was all it took to remove the lower control arm nuts and bolts and then the lower control arm was pulled from the frame mounts.
A couple zips with the impact gun was all it took to remove the lower control arm nuts and
Underneath the truck, the front driveshaft was unbolted from the front differential and hung down.
Underneath the truck, the front driveshaft was unbolted from the front differential and hu

We were now ready to remove the rear crossmember under the differential (where the lower A-arms bolt to).
We were now ready to remove the rear crossmember under the differential (where the lower A
This is where the Sawzall came into play. On the driver-side of the mount, 3 inches of the A-arm frame mount were cut and on the passenger side, 31/2 inches were cut.
This is where the Sawzall came into play. On the driver-side of the mount, 3 inches of the
A tape measure and flat screwdriver was used to make the exact cut locations.

Using a tranny jack for support, the differential mounting bolts were removed and the front differential was lowered out of the way. This gave us access to the inside of the A-arm frame mount.
Using a tranny jack for support, the differential mounting bolts were removed and the fron
As you can see, a filler plate was included for the area that was cut. This plate will reinforce the A-arm mount and keep that area strong.
As you can see, a filler plate was included for the area that was cut. This plate will rei
All it took was a few minutes with the Miller MIG welder and the plate was good to go. Next, a 1/4-inch on each lower A-arm pocket was removed thanks to a grinder. This provides extra clearance for the diff drop down brackets.
All it took was a few minutes with the Miller MIG welder and the plate was good to go. Nex

Keeping the CV axle geometry correct, McGaughy's included these differential drop down brackets to space the differential down. All it took was a couple of bolts to secure them in place.
Keeping the CV axle geometry correct, McGaughy's included these differential drop down bra
Using the same tranny jack, the differential was lifted into place and secured to the differential drop down brackets with the supplied hardware.
Using the same tranny jack, the differential was lifted into place and secured to the diff
With the differential bolts torqued to 75 lb-ft and 95 lb-ft respectively, the new laser-cut McGaughy's A-arm crossmembers were bolted into place.
With the differential bolts torqued to 75 lb-ft and 95 lb-ft respectively, the new laser-c

After the lower A-frame support rods were installed, along with the supplied skid plate, the factory lower control arms were bolted to each mount.
After the lower A-frame support rods were installed, along with the supplied skid plate, t
Moving to the factory strut assemblies, the McGaughy's lift takes a different approach. Using a press, the lower cross shafts and coilover bushings were pressed out and replaced with these billet strut spacers.
Moving to the factory strut assemblies, the McGaughy's lift takes a different approach. Us
We were now able to install the upper clamshell strut extenders with the lower shock brackets extenders. This basically creates a reinforced extension for the bottom of the strut.
We were now able to install the upper clamshell strut extenders with the lower shock brack

After tightening all of bolts to the proper torque specs, the strut/coil assembly was reinstalled. The new lower shock bracket has the proper cross shaft to make installation easy.
After tightening all of bolts to the proper torque specs, the strut/coil assembly was rein
It was now time to install the McGaughy's lift spindle to the upper and lower ball joints. Each McGaughy's spindle is CAD created and maintain factory alignment specs.
It was now time to install the McGaughy's lift spindle to the upper and lower ball joints.
Solid billet spacers were inserted in between the CV axles and the differential and secured using the supplied Allen hardware. With the CV axles back in place, the hub/wheel bearings were attached to the new spindles and the brake rotors installed.
Solid billet spacers were inserted in between the CV axles and the differential and secure

Paying close attention to the details, the lift kit even included these spacers for the brake lines. The caliper was then reinstalled and the ABS sensor wires safely routed.
Paying close attention to the details, the lift kit even included these spacers for the br
Rather than add to the lift kit's price by making new front sway bars, McGaughy's includes this trick extension piece that bolts to the end of the sway bar. After grinding away the bar's edge (to make it flat), the extension was bolted in place and torqued to 110 lb-ft.
Rather than add to the lift kit's price by making new front sway bars, McGaughy's includes
As you can see, the extensions made installing the sway bars a breeze.

New sway bar drop down brackets bolted to the factory locations and the sway bar was installed.
New sway bar drop down brackets bolted to the factory locations and the sway bar was insta
Wrapping up the front end, new compression stuts were bolted to the lower control arm crossmember and supplied brackets that bolted to the transmission crossmember. Each nut and bolt was then rechecked for the proper torque rating.
Wrapping up the front end, new compression stuts were bolted to the lower control arm cros
Moving to the rear, the rearend was supported by a pair of jacks, the factory rear shocks removed, U-bolts removed, and C-clamps used to compress the leaf spring. This allowed the leaf spring center pin to be released and the leaves opened up.
Moving to the rear, the rearend was supported by a pair of jacks, the factory rear shocks

The black leaf spring in between the factory grey-colored leaves is the new McGaughy's add-a-leaf. The supplied bolt had to be trimmed down with a cutoff wheel and then the new lift blocks were installed.
The black leaf spring in between the factory grey-colored leaves is the new McGaughy's add
Anti-sieze was used on the new leaf spring U-bolts and then the new McGaughy's shocks were installed.
Anti-sieze was used on the new leaf spring U-bolts and then the new McGaughy's shocks were
Covering all aspects of the install, McGaughy's included this rear bump stop spacer that simply bolted into place.
Covering all aspects of the install, McGaughy's included this rear bump stop spacer that s

2007 Chevy Silverado Buildup Mcgaughys Suspension

FROM THE DRIVER SEAT
Installation was very much straightforward and the only cutting required was on the lower A-arm frame mount, which was easily done with a tape measure and Sawzall. The lower strut extension is a pretty trick setup and the silver powdercoat looks classy and custom. We were impressed with the close attention paid to the details, such as brake line extenders, bumpstop spacers, and the quality of the hardware. If your GM truck or SUV is in need of a height adjustment, the new McGaughy's kit is definitely worth taking a close look at.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Time Spent Working: Approx. 5 Hours
Degree Of Difficulty: Advanced

Tools Needed:
Assorted metric sockets and wrenches, Sawzall, torque wrench, 10mm Allen socket, cutoff wheel, jack, jackstands, Anti-seize, rubber mallet

Parts Used:
McGaughy's 7-inch lift kit for GM 1500 4WD 50720 $1,825.00