FabTech vs. BDS??
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
FabTech vs. BDS??
This is the last question I swear haha!!
I have narrowed it down, I want a 6" lift, and I want just the basics, it will cost me more to upgrade components later on, but I am ok with that, as I might be happy with the basic kit.
I have it down to (2) brands, FabTech and BDS and the prices are as follows:
FabTech: $1000
BDS: $1300
FabTech and BDS appear equal competitors in my book, they have great reputations and loyal customers. But then it comes to the warranty, BDS warranty is unbeatable and from my research they stand behind it as well. Fabtech has a decent warranty, but from how I understand it, it requires jumping though some hoops.
That being said is BDS worth the extra $300 just for the warranty? I dont see FabTech falling apart so should I really worry about it?
I guess something else I am not sure of, who makes better shocks?
I have narrowed it down, I want a 6" lift, and I want just the basics, it will cost me more to upgrade components later on, but I am ok with that, as I might be happy with the basic kit.
I have it down to (2) brands, FabTech and BDS and the prices are as follows:
FabTech: $1000
BDS: $1300
FabTech and BDS appear equal competitors in my book, they have great reputations and loyal customers. But then it comes to the warranty, BDS warranty is unbeatable and from my research they stand behind it as well. Fabtech has a decent warranty, but from how I understand it, it requires jumping though some hoops.
That being said is BDS worth the extra $300 just for the warranty? I dont see FabTech falling apart so should I really worry about it?
I guess something else I am not sure of, who makes better shocks?
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 812
Likes: 3
From: Mad River Valley
Does BDS make shocks? A friend of a friend just put a 6 or 8 inch BDS lift on his GMC 3500. He loves the lift. Said the ride quality improved over stock. His lift came with King shocks.
I don't know a lot about lifts but I believe that BDS is a step up over Fabtech.
I don't know a lot about lifts but I believe that BDS is a step up over Fabtech.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 602
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From: Tacoma, WA
The BDS basic kit comes with BDS brand shocks, not sure if they re-brand something else or if they are made for them specifically. On the F250, you can upgade to FOX shocks for an extra $250 or something like that, or you can go all out and get the dual shock towers for the front and back (in bothe the BDS and FOX shocks)
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 908
Likes: 2
From: Covina, CA.
I went with Fabtech on my truck, but I also upgraded it to dual shocks w/reservoirs, stabilizers, etc.. Ride is awesome compared to stock, both onroad and offroad.
On my Jeep I'm gonna go with BDS and then switch out the basic shocks for Kings separately.
On my Jeep I'm gonna go with BDS and then switch out the basic shocks for Kings separately.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 639
Likes: 1
From: Cool Arizona
might just want to go ahead with the 8". then you wont wish had later. my.02.I've had my lift for 75,000 miles with no troubles less front leaf bushings. But mines an 04. Fabtech builds great stuff.
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 16
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8 inch bds here
might as well go with the 8 inch! i lnow it a bit more pricy but i think it looks good, im running 38x15.50r20 dick cepek (pretty wide tire) on 20x12, had to trim the bumper apron just a littl bit, but no rubbing issues so far, guranteed by bds not to sagggg!! rides good
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 908
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From: Covina, CA.
Mine actually sits a little higher because the tires are bigger then stock. If I had the stock sized tires on it would be sitting very close to 6in.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 908
Likes: 2
From: Covina, CA.
True, if your entertaining the idea of going bigger later, then you might a well go bigger now. In my case, I knew I wanted a 6in lift and wasn't entertaining going any bigger. Today, I have absolutely no desire to go any bigger still so it worked out perfect for me.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 214
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I have an 03 with a 6in BDS lift. It is a quality lift. From my experience with my lift. It's great if you pull a trailer or haul heavy loads in the bed. The springs are stiff compared to other brands. Rides rough when empty but the ride quality and how well the truck controls loaded is worth it.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 602
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From: Tacoma, WA
Great now you guys got me thinking about an 8" lift again haha!!
The thing is I have a single cab long bed, and I am a little worried that if I go with an 8" it might sit me alot higher than 8" and cause driveline, steering and brake issues. Looking at the thread about truck weight,my truck is 2000+lbs lighter than the 4 door diesel trucks..
Also BDS does not have a cheap lift kit in 8" all they offer is a 4-link kit and its around $2,700 for the kit, that is just crazy to me.. Fabtech has an 8" kit with drop radius brackets for $1200..
The thing is I have a single cab long bed, and I am a little worried that if I go with an 8" it might sit me alot higher than 8" and cause driveline, steering and brake issues. Looking at the thread about truck weight,my truck is 2000+lbs lighter than the 4 door diesel trucks..
Also BDS does not have a cheap lift kit in 8" all they offer is a 4-link kit and its around $2,700 for the kit, that is just crazy to me.. Fabtech has an 8" kit with drop radius brackets for $1200..
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 602
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From: Tacoma, WA
I just called Febtech, and we talked about a 6" kit they said this kit has never been tested on a standard cab but due to it weighing less they can imagine it sitting taller in the front, but because the back is a block its going to sit tall in the front. He said if he was to guess it would sit 7" tall in the front and 4" tall in the rear. We then talked about a 8" kit and he said it would probably sit 9" tall in the front and 7" tall in the rear due to the block and AAL. He said they have not tested a truck at 9"/7" so they could not verify if it would cause driveline, steering or brake issues..
He recommended that I get a 6" lift and see how it sits and drive it around for a couple hundred miles to break in the front springs, and if I want to lift it more I can do a spacer up front and do an AAL in the rear. The issue with doing this is the spacer will offset the front axle so I will either live with it or get an adjustable trac-bar..
What do you guys think??
He recommended that I get a 6" lift and see how it sits and drive it around for a couple hundred miles to break in the front springs, and if I want to lift it more I can do a spacer up front and do an AAL in the rear. The issue with doing this is the spacer will offset the front axle so I will either live with it or get an adjustable trac-bar..
What do you guys think??