The Chevy Silverado is an iconic and reliable pickup truck from a global brand. It is a hardworking, smart, and tough beast in a lightweight package. To make it more powerful, consider a variety of performance upgrades, including bigger tires.
To raise your ride, it is not enough that you pick larger tires. You will also need the right lift kit. It is an aftermarket component that will lift your truck higher to modify its looks and performance. That said, if you are curious about what size lift for 33-inch tires Silverado to choose, read on and find out the answer.
Stay With Stock or Use a Lift Kit?
To lift or not to lift? This is one of the most common questions that confront owners of Chevy Silverado. Using a lift kit is a popular customization option, but it may not work for everyone. Others choose to stay with the stock set-up instead.
Among others, the most common reason why people stick with their stock suspension is the price. A Silverado is already expensive, so many are reluctant to customize as they might not have the budget to upgrade the suspension and install a lift kit.
Benefits of a Lift Kit for Silverado
If budget is not a concern, a lot of Chevy owners will most probably want to lift their truck. One of the reasons to do this is because it will make your Silverado better for off-roading. The higher clearance between the truck’s body and terrain makes it easier to have extra engine muscle.
Additionally, installing a lift kit in a Silverado is a good idea for better visibility. It gives you a better view of the driving obstructions, making it easy to stay safe.
For most people, a lift kit is installed for better aesthetics. While the Chevy Silverado itself already looks like a beast on the road, it looks even better when it is higher. The lift kit will give the truck a monster vibe.
Arguments Against Using a Lift Kit
While using a lift kit has corresponding benefits, it also has several drawbacks. For instance, it is expensive. This is not for people who do not have the budget.
More importantly, it can also void the warranty, so you should seriously think about it first before you make a decision.
Adding a lift kit also makes handling the pickup truck more difficult. It raises the center of gravity, which makes it tricky to turn. It changes the dynamics of the vehicle, and it can take a while of getting used to.
Speaking of changes to a truck, the lift kit adds too much weight. This does not just make it more challenging to drive the Silverado, but it can also exert premature wear on other stock components.
What Size Lift for 33-inch Tires Silverado?
From a tougher appearance to a better off-roading experience, a lift is a great addition to your Chevy pickup trucks. Nonetheless, you must pay attention to the setup and the height of the lift. With this, you should know the right size of the lift kit to use.
A Chevy Silverado with 33-inch tires needs a lift of at least two to three inches. The specific height depends on the requirements of the kit that you will install. This will be enough to raise the height to an adequate level to accommodate the large tires.
Most of the stock models of Chevy Silverado have 31- to 32-inch tires. For a large truck, such tires can be quite small. You can replace it with a 33-inch model, but the stock suspension will not suffice. With this, you need to install a two- to three-inch lift to increase ground clearance and enhance performance.
Things to Know Before Lifting Chevy Silverado
Just because other people are doing it does not mean that you should do it as well. Before you add a lift to your Chevy Silverado, take note of the following:
It Involves Other Modifications
When you install a new lift kit on your Chevy Silverado, you will most likely need to change other components as well, which means added cost. For instance, you might also need to extend the brake lines to keep up with the other modifications in the system.
Fuel Consumption Will Increase
The higher the lift goes and the bigger the tires, the more the mileage drops. You are sacrificing fuel economy as a result of aerodynamics. It increases drag and makes the engine exert more power for the pickup to run, and hence, your bigger tires will be using more fuel.
Know the Law
Depending on the country or state where you are driving, check what the laws say about the maximum lifting requirements as some areas might have an imposed limit. Going beyond the limit could make you liable. Ignorance of the law should not be an excuse.
How It Affects Warranty
Before installing a lift, check how it impacts your vehicle’s warranty. The best thing to do is to contact the dealership to be sure. In most cases, the warranty remains valid as long as the work is done by an authorized dealer.
More so, if it voids the warranty, the latter is true only for the parts that are directly affected by the lift. This means that those it did not touch or cover will still be under warranty.
How to Choose the Right Lift Kit for Silverado
Aside from the right size, here are other crucial considerations when finding a lift kit that fits Chevy Silverado.
Type of Lift Kit
The first thing to do is to decide on the type of lift kit to choose. The most common is a suspension lift kit. It raises the truck’s suspension off the ground. It overhauls the stock suspension components, which include torsion bar keys, coil springs, and spacers.
One of the best things about a suspension lift kit is that it improves the pickup’s suspension capability, especially if you often ride on rough roads. Additionally, it does not leave a visible gap between the body and the chassis. It is also sturdy and can withstand tough conditions.
Nonetheless, there are also some drawbacks to a suspension lift kit, with the most significant one being its cost. It also alters the suspension geometry and requires a wheel alignment. Plus, it elevates the center of gravity.
If you are looking for an alternative, then consider a body lift kit. It raises the entire body of the vehicle from the chassis. The biggest difference from a suspension lift kit is that a body lift kit raises only the body and not the wheels and tires.
The biggest benefit of a body lift kit over a suspension lift kit is that it is more affordable. It also adds clearance, which will let you increase the turning radius. More so, it is easy to install even if you’re a newbie. It can be a DIY modification.
However, one of the problems with a body lift kit is that it makes some components vulnerable to wear. It also does not have any significant ground clearance gain, so it does not benefit the off-roading performance of your truck.
Driving Needs
Installing a lift kit does not make sense if you are not into off-roading. If you will use your Chevy Silverado only on the highway or for city driving, then a lift does not do anything but just change the aesthetics.
Your priority, whether it is a smoother ride or better performance, will dictate the type of lift to choose. Pick one that is compatible with your goal.
Budget
Lift kits are expensive, especially if performance and quality are your priorities. Go beyond the price as you evaluate the alternatives. Do not hesitate to spend more if this means that you can enjoy a top-notch product.
Ease of Use
Depending on the type of lift kit, you might be able to install it on your own. Choose one that comes with a comprehensive manual and everything that you will need. If you aren’t confident of your skills, however, it is best to pay a pro to do the job.
FAQs
Can I fit 33-inch tires on my Silverado?
Yes, you can fit 33-inch tires in Chevy Silverado. They are slightly larger than the stock tires, so you will also need several modifications. Among others, one of the most important changes is a lift, which will raise the ground clearance.
Can I put bigger tires on my truck without a lift?
Yes, you can install bigger tires on a truck even without a lift. However, it is best to limit its size to 33 inches. If you will install larger tires, then you will need a lift to maximize the performance. You will also need other modifications, such as cutting fenders and wheel spacers.
Final Thoughts
You need a two to three-inch lift for a 33-inch Silverado. It will add enough ground clearance to raise the body of the pickup truck, so it can accommodate the larger tires. Without this lift kit, the Silverado is too low, compromising safety and performance.
