The Aluminum vs. Steel Nightmare: How to Order the Right Silverado Lift Kit
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You are ready to transform your 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 from a standard daily driver into a towering, 6-inch lifted beast sitting on 35-inch mud tires. You go online, find a premium lift kit, and hit order.
The massive freight boxes arrive. You spend your entire Saturday ripping out your factory suspension, lowering the differential, and permanently cutting the frame crossmember with a Sawzall. Your truck is in a million pieces. You grab the massive new cast-iron steering knuckles, lift them into the wheel well, and try to bolt your factory tie-rods and ball joints into the holes.
They don't fit. The taper is completely wrong. The holes are too big, and the ball joint simply rattles around inside. You are permanently stuck on jack stands with a truck you can't drive.
You just fell directly into the Aluminum vs. Steel Nightmare.
During the K2XX generation, GM unpredictably assembled Silverados using three completely different suspension materials: Cast Steel, Stamped Steel, and Forged Aluminum. Each of these materials uses entirely different ball joint tapers. If you don't physically check your lower control arms before ordering, you are guaranteed to order the wrong knuckles.
You don't have to ruin your weekend. You just need to check your metal.
In this guide, we explain exactly how to identify your factory control arms so you can confidently order the correct Zone Offroad or Fabtech lift kit. We'll show you why cutting the frame is mandatory, how drop-brackets save your CV axles, and exactly what offset you need to clear 35s without performing the dreaded NorCal Mod.
Compare Premium Lift Kits
Massive Drop Brackets, Dirt Logic Coilovers, or Heavy-Duty Value?
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Lift System |
Top Brands |
Suspension Tech |
Best For |
|
Radius / Crossmember |
Zone Offroad |
Strut Spacers. |
The Ultimate Street Stance. The most popular, budget-friendly way to safely clear 35s. Uses massive 1/4-inch steel crossmembers and heavy-duty top-hat strut spacers to lift the truck while retaining the smooth, factory coilover ride quality. |
|
Performance Coilovers |
Fabtech |
Dirt Logic Shocks. |
Extreme Off-Road Abuse. Ditch the factory struts entirely. This elite system pairs massive geometry-correcting drop brackets with massive, nitrogen-charged 2.5 Dirt Logic coilovers to absorb violent impacts on high-speed desert trails. |
|
Master Lift Kits |
Superlift |
Shadow Shocks. |
Precision Handling. Features laser-cut crossmembers and heavy-duty ductile iron steering knuckles. Engineered to perfectly align the CV axles and tie rods, ensuring your lifted truck drives perfectly straight on the highway. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Lift Kits)
If I install a 6-inch lift kit, can I run 35x12.50 tires on a -24 offset wheel without rubbing?
No, you will still likely need to cut metal.
This is the hardest reality of the Chevy Silverado. The square wheel wells are incredibly restrictive. A massive 6-inch lift clears 35-inch tires easily if you are running factory wheels or a positive offset (+18mm). However, if you push the tires outside the fenders with a massive -24mm or -44mm offset wheel, the turning arc becomes so wide that it will still crash into the rear of your front fender. You will likely have to perform the "NorCal Mod" (cutting and folding the inner cab corner metal) to prevent rubbing.
Will I need to extend my front driveshaft?
Not typically for 4-inch to 6-inch kits.
Premium kits from Fabtech, Zone Offroad, and Superlift are engineered to safely drop the front differential mounting points. This keeps your factory front driveshaft and CV axle angles perfectly in spec, preventing vibrations and eliminating the need for expensive custom driveshafts.
Can I install a 6-inch lift kit in my driveway?
Yes, but it is highly advanced.
You do not need a degree in mechanical engineering, but you absolutely need heavy-duty jack stands, a transmission jack (to lower the differential), and a reciprocating saw to cut the massive steel frame crossmember. It generally takes a skilled DIY mechanic an entire weekend to complete. If you are not comfortable permanently cutting your truck's frame, we highly recommend a professional installation.
Correct the angles. Clear the 35s.
Ditch the dangerous spacers and build a towering, commanding stance with heavy-duty drop-bracket geometry. Shop our verified collection of premium 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 Lift Kits.