Help! 2wd off road envoy project

[o4EnvoySahara]

hey everyone...i'm new to the website and the main reason i joined was because i really wanted to get access to the forum section...here is my problem..i drive a 2004 gmc envoy..however..it is 2wd. Regardless, i still want the offroad look and capability. Therefore i have chosen to attempt to lift it and put 265/70 R17 for the tires...i have spent a few hours reading over previous posts and i only get confused as to what will work and what wont..so i will just ask again..

ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME: KEEPING IN MIND I ONLY HAVE 2WD...What is the best small lift i can buy(1-2) inches..and what do i need to do to get those tires to fit?

Thanks in advance...
B. Edwards

[ieatglue]

You could go with Maxx Spacers for the front and back, it should lift you an inch or two :yes:

[gmcman]

Once you stuff those Super Swampers in the fenders I would look at one of these::D

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a180/gtofan1/2WDBuddy.jpg


Welcome to the site:thumbsup:

I would look for the skidplates and possibly a suspension lift, the fact you have 2WD will save you some $$ in raising the front.

[trailblazingold]

From what I have heard on here no one makes a liftkit for the trailvoys. If you wanted it lifted the best and cheapest way would be the maxx spacers and some bigger tires. Then add some of those mud flaps with the chrome chicks on them.

[ScarabEpic22]

Only way to lift a TB is the SuspensionMaxx spacers or ordering Japanese lift coils. The spacers can lift you about an inch and change all the way around.

The lift coils are really expensive (like $800 if I remember right) and have to be ordered direct from Japan.

Ohh, and get some larger tires, although you might have to trim the wheelwells. Talk to the roadie about that.

[Dustin]

threr are lifts out there for 2wd. The problem the 4wd owners face is the setup of the oilpan and axles in the front. I saw a guy in phoenix that has a 6" lift on his 2wd. It looked awesome. He said it was a combo of coils and spindles. I leveled mine out by lifting the front with the suspensionmaxx spacers. I hated the way the front sat lower than the back. If you search through the old threads all the info you need is there. That is where I found what I needed. Good luck with the project and post some pics when you are done.:yes:

[ScarabEpic22]

threr are lifts out there for 2wd. The problem the 4wd owners face is the setup of the oilpan and axles in the front. I saw a guy in phoenix that has a 6" lift on his 2wd. It looked awesome. He said it was a combo of coils and spindles. I leveled mine out by lifting the front with the suspensionmaxx spacers. I hated the way the front sat lower than the back. If you search through the old threads all the info you need is there. That is where I found what I needed. Good luck with the project and post some pics when you are done.:yes:
Is that the guy over on chevytruckworld? If so, he has pulled his coils (which were the Japanese ones- 2" lift) and I havent heard what else he has done after that.

And, yes, 2WD will be much easier to lift, but if you want to go offroading, 2WD with a lift completely defeats the purpose. I mean, go right ahead if you just want it for looks, but if you want to go offroading, I wouldnt do it alone because if you get stuck (easier with 2WD), you are screwed.

[the roadie]

Regardless, i still want the offroad look and capability.
You might get the look. The capability is going to elude you. Welcome to the site, but sorry about the bad news. 4WD is the only way to climb rutted trails like this, plus you will definitely need the G80 locking rear differential option. Do you have that?

http://www.roadie.org/espinosa5.JPG

http://www.roadie.org/espinosa6.JPG

http://www.roadie.org/jaspertrail.JPG
and what do i need to do to get those tires to fit?
SuspensionMAXX spacers for a mini-lift. Airlift1000 rear coil bags to prevent sag and stiffen up the rear. 1.5" wheel spacers to get the larger tires to not hit the upper control arm. 3/4" or more of trim on the rear edge of the front bumper and a little wheel well liner bracket bashing to prevent tire rub at full steering lock when compressed as in a braking turn.

It's a project, all right. ;) So's reading a year's worth of postings by the people discussing lifts. Just use the forum search function for the word lift, and sit back and read for a while. Enjoy!! Oh, and I'd carry a winch if I was 2WD going offroad, or always go with a buddy who has 4WD and a recovery strap and who doesn't mind dragging you out of trouble a lot.

http://www.roadie.org/radiatorpull.JPG

Actually, my jeeper friends weren't pulling me out of a stuck, they were helping me get my lower radiator bracket straight from my bending it, and their pull strap was faster than my dragging out the Hilift jack to fix it. But it shows how useful it is to have buddies when you're in the desert like 5 miles from pavement. :D

[the roadie]

threr are lifts out there for 2wd. The problem the 4wd owners face is the setup of the oilpan and axles in the front. I saw a guy in phoenix that has a 6" lift on his 2wd. It looked awesome. He said it was a combo of coils and spindles.
Any chance you got more data, like who made the lift spindles? Total custom control arms can accomplish the same effect for less money, but if he said spindles, I'll have to hold out hope somebody makes 'em.

[Snowman bravada]

yea i wanna know where he got spindles from too..........there are alot of people in az runnin custom stuff...............hmmm



BTW ROADIE

Awesome pics:yes: :eek: :yes: :eek:

[o4EnvoySahara]

well, roadie, i would definately like to have 4wd and i really like what youve done with your envoy..mainly bringing back some utility to it and not making it the soccer mom car it is around my town...but because im mainly going for the look, Im pretty sure i'm going to go with the suspension maxx spacers, i guess the biggest i can get all the way around and just put the 265/70s on it...once the roof rack is added and the spare tire moved up top, ill make sure i put some pictures up...thanks everyone for your help..

[o4EnvoySahara]

actually, there is one more thing...how expensive is it to have these spacers installed? all 4 of them...can i do it myself? and what extra parts might i need if i get these?