HD 2500 Rancho Lift GM approved for warranty

[TraceF]

I spoke to a gentleman today named Jerry Sherrod of Sherrod Conversions in Jacksonville, FL. I called him because I saw a Chevy 1500 at a local dealer with a Sherrod conversion, a 4" lift, and I was curious what make the lift kit was and how it effects the warranty.
He advised me that Rancho is GM Approved.

Anyone know anything about this?

Anyone got a 4" lift they can recommend? How about the lift from hell that I should avoid?



Thanks

[ski]

TraceF,

I am looking for a lift also. I am looking for 6 inches as I want to run 35s. I would also like to keep from cutting, so I think I am going with the superlift when I get funded ! The only thing that I do not know about is having blocks in the rear and runninf the hot juice and whether or not I will have axle wrap or not. Anyone with experience in this setup ?

[hoot]

I saw a brand new Chevy 1500 Stepside in a dealer lot with a custom aftermarket offroad package that included a Rancho 4" suspension lift.

I asked and they said yes, full factory warranty on the truck.

[TraceF]

hoot- It was probably a Sherrod conversion too.

ski- I have worked through axle wrap on a lot of vehicles and blocks are a primary cause of this as you apparently know. The best way to control this is with a traction bar ON TOP of the front half of the spring that travels on the same plane and essentially does nothing until the axle tries to wrap.

These are easy to make if you can do a little fab work. I had a terrible wrap problem with my current Jeep mud racer because of all the HP.

Send me an e-mail and I will take a few pics for you.

[Trippin]

If the block is the same dimension as the pad on the rear axle housing. How would it affect axle wrap? :confused: Typically the rear roll center will get moved with blocks but I'm having trouble visualizing the axle wrap getting worse or better with or without a block. I'm not trying to be a "richard" here. Just wondering.

[TraceF]

The block creates a triangle from the spring mounts to the axle in purpose (for lift) but has to create this triangle in the form of a 'T' to keep the spring flexing up and down.

The longer the odd leg of the 'T' (the block) the more prone it is to flex the spring because of the torque.

The spring goes up in front of the block and the spring goes down behind it and actually makes a 'S' shape. This is called wrap. This happens because the axle is trying to turn the opposite direction of the tires because of all the torque trying to turn them.

It's hard on driveshaft angles, suspension components, I've even seen it damage shocks where the mount was close to the axle and the shock hit. It also can cause hop as the axle winds and unwinds. It's bad for traction, especially off road when you want those big meaty mud tires to stay hooked up.

[ 02-11-2003: Message edited by: TraceF ]</p>

[TexasMax]

Axle wrap increases as the distance from the mounting point (at the leaf spring) to the centerline of the axle increases. Think of the difference in putting a short wrench on a bolt and then using a longer one. More leverage.

[Jelisfc]

Regency conversions sell lifted GMC's. Denny Hecker dealers in the MPLS/St. Paul area sell them. The kits I saw were red so they should be Rancho. Regency is in Texas. I would expect a full warranty from them too.

[TXDMAX]

There is no such thing as a Gm warrantied lift kit. See if Sherrod conversions is a member of Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (703)620-6003. I know Regency is a large company and a member and they along w/ most large conversion cos. give you a 3/36000 on the total conversion package. We do alot of business w/ a co. here in Dallas, he is not a member (expensive) but he will warranty all the adds for 3/36000. As said in pvs posts it will void the warranty on suspension componets for sure but SHOULD keep the remaining factory coverage in tact, but be prepared if you run into any problems.

[hoot]

So are you saying the GM dealership is voiding the warranty even before the truck leaves the showroom?

[TraceF]

TXDMAX-

What you say makes sense but as I wrote and as hoot confirmed the dealers 'think' GM is warrantying the kit as oem suspension. Sherrod confirmed (claimed) in our conversation that Rancho was the only GM approved suspension modification for new vehicle conversions.

:confused:

Just the messenger...

[TXDMAX]

We sell trucks w/ lifts here also. They are done by a very reputable shop down the street but it is treated the same way for warranty repairs as if you buy it stock and get it done yourself(disclaimer alert: ;) , I disagree w/ selling heavily modified vehicles off the lot). My biggest worry would be if you had to take the truck to another dealer (out of town etc), would it be covered if something went wrong w/ the drivetrain or any other part that GM could blame the lift being related to the problem. Let me check around about Rancho being "Gm certified", because if they are, I am suprised this is the first I have heard of it. It is the same lift I am thinking about doing. Also check out 4 wheel parts they have a deal going free install amd pro-comp mx-6 shock on all pro-comp ifs lifts. The lift is 6 inches and costs about the same as Rancho.

[TraceF]

TXDMAX-

Any update here ????????