If you’re trying to lift a GMT800 (99–06) and still have it drive decent, read this before you throw money at it.
Basic level / keys + shocks
Most guys overthink this for a mild setup.
- Don’t buy eBay “lift keys,” just crank the stock bars within reason
- Add Bilstein 5100s or Rough Country N3s if you’re cheap
- Small crank + slightly taller tire (265/75/16, 285/75/16, 275/60/20, etc.)
- Get it aligned, live with the CV angle, don’t chase 3" out of the front
If you’re on stock control arms and stock steering, stay under 2" of crank. That’s where people mess it up.
Best budget 4–6" full lift (street/trail)
Zone and Rough Country are the go-tos if you’re not made of money.
- Zone Offroad 4" or 6" kit – honestly the best bang for the buck
- Uses decent brackets, rides nice, doesn’t feel like a farm wagon
- Rough Country 4"/6" – cheaper, workable, a little harsher
- Add better shocks (Bilstein 5100s) and it’s not bad
If you tow or daily it, Zone > Rough Country. Don’t waste money on RC “premium” shocks, put that towards Bilsteins.
Mid-tier that actually drives nice
If you want it to feel tighter than stock, not sloppier:
- BDS 4.5"/6" – solid kit, good geometry, lifetime warranty
- Cognito UCA + keys + good shocks combo for a level/lift hybrid
- Cognito UCAs fix the ball joint angle and make it align easy
- Add a good steering brace (Cognito/Pitman-Idler support) once you’re on bigger tires
Costs more than Rough Country, but you feel it every time you hit a bump.
If you care about ride quality
- Don’t cheap out on shocks: Bilstein 5100, Fox 2.0, or King if you’re crazy
- Keep the rear simple: lift blocks or add-a-leafs, no goofy stacked blocks
- Make sure the kit drops the diff properly, or your CVs won’t last long
- Spend money on an alignment at a shop that actually knows trucks
If I had to pick “best” all-around for a GMT800 that gets used:
Zone 4–6" + Bilstein 5100s + Cognito steering brace. Not the flashiest, but it just works.