Raising hitch after body lift

Fitting oversize tires, raising and lowering, suspension modifications...

Moderator: F9K9

User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Raising hitch after body lift

Post by HenryJ »

I swore there was a post on this , but couldn't find a specific post.

The three piece hitch, either GM factory or Valley Industries are easily raised after a body lift. Just drill the three holes on each side , approx. 1.5" higher and raise the center section. (You can not go the full 2" since the top hole needs room for the bolt head.)
Image
This leaves a nice place to mount two recovery hooks too.
Last edited by HenryJ on Wed Oct 03, 2007 2:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
Mike H.
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 238
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2003 8:42 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Post by Mike H. »

I'd swear there was one too. I raised mine. It's looks much better that way.
[size=75][url=http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mikeh3235/lst?.dir=/&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mikeh3235/lst%3f%26.dir=/2002%2bGMC%2bCrew%2bCab-Spacers%26.src=ph%26.view=l&.view=l]Yahoo Photo Pages[/url]
(previous) 2002 GMC Sonoma Crew Cab
(now) 2004 Nissan Titan LE 4x4 Crew Cab[/size]
User avatar
adrenalnjunky
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 895
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 11:32 am
Location: West Monroe, Louisiana
Contact:

Post by adrenalnjunky »

too bad I have the Hidden Hitch class 3 -- it's all one piece

I'll figgure something out
[size=75]Thanks, CHRIS
2000 S10 Blazer 4x4 4Dr. -- 2" PA BodyLift, Daystar Shackles, TB Crank, 1.75" Rear wheel spacers, Yakima roofrack, 30" BFG AT's.
1969 VW Bug -- airbagged and in pieces.
1962 VW Karmann ghia -- rusting over in the corner. "That's not a tool--that's a damn brick!"[/size]
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

Mike H. wrote:I'd swear there was one too. I raised mine. It's looks much better that way.
I'm pretty sure it was buried deep in a post of another topic ;) ( 2" BL, part II and Questions about 2" body lift and Towing with body lift )
adrenalnjunky wrote:too bad I have the Hidden Hitch class 3 -- it's all one piece

I'll figgure something out
You can always do what Melloyellow did, scrap it and buy a new one ;)
Last edited by HenryJ on Fri Oct 10, 2003 7:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
adrenalnjunky
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 895
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 11:32 am
Location: West Monroe, Louisiana
Contact:

Post by adrenalnjunky »

umm ok -- I knew I planted that money tree in the back yard for a good reason :-)



"Stand back -- I have a welder and I (kinda) know how to use it!!!!!!"
[size=75]Thanks, CHRIS
2000 S10 Blazer 4x4 4Dr. -- 2" PA BodyLift, Daystar Shackles, TB Crank, 1.75" Rear wheel spacers, Yakima roofrack, 30" BFG AT's.
1969 VW Bug -- airbagged and in pieces.
1962 VW Karmann ghia -- rusting over in the corner. "That's not a tool--that's a damn brick!"[/size]
User avatar
melloyellow
Webhost
Webhost
Posts: 52
Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:26 pm
Location: Lemoore, CA
Contact:

Post by melloyellow »

Got it done today. Drilled the 3 holes on each side and put in the new hitch. Went off without a hitch. :lol: Looks good. Also got the side bars raised today. Just another day of mods.
[size=75]2003 Yellow S10 Crew Cab ZR5: SuperLiner, PA192 Lift, 3 Leaf Kit, Bilsten Shocks, Yokohama GeoLander A/T + II, ARE IIsi Tonneau Cover with Wing[/size]
proroc

Post by proroc »

Mellowyellow, would you mind posting whuch hitch you bought? Do you have a link? Thanks! :D
User avatar
adrenalnjunky
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 895
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 11:32 am
Location: West Monroe, Louisiana
Contact:

Post by adrenalnjunky »

Also -- Henry and Mello -- How did you go about raising your step rails?

I got a set of Westin rails for Christmas and hate the way they look with the bodylift, but the way they mount to the body mounts doesnt leave any room to raise them.

Pics would be really nice
[size=75]Thanks, CHRIS
2000 S10 Blazer 4x4 4Dr. -- 2" PA BodyLift, Daystar Shackles, TB Crank, 1.75" Rear wheel spacers, Yakima roofrack, 30" BFG AT's.
1969 VW Bug -- airbagged and in pieces.
1962 VW Karmann ghia -- rusting over in the corner. "That's not a tool--that's a damn brick!"[/size]
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

I used the GM hitch kit w/wiring harness part# 12496770 list $144.00 (I paid $120) .

As for raising the step bars. There is some info on my "page"- ThunderII
Pictures of the mounts- Mounts and a thread on the subject- 2" raised Westin Signature Series step bars
Last edited by HenryJ on Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
big_jav's99
New Member
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 6:20 pm
Location: central california

Post by big_jav's99 »

the way i was able to take advantage of the bumper brackets was by notching the bottom inside rails of the bumper
User avatar
sonomadude4x4
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 208
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:23 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Post by sonomadude4x4 »

under the vally industries hitch which one do i pick when it says model? sonoma p/u or sonoma p/u highrider?
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

Highrider is the GMC with the RPO ZR2 package. Crewcabs do not have the ZR2 offroad package.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
sonomadude4x4
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 208
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:23 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Post by sonomadude4x4 »

can some one send me the link to the vallyindustries 3 piece hitch...i found it online but couldnt find a place i could buy it
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

Everything I see now is a new design. You may have to buy the receiver hitch from GM. The part number is listed above and cost is still $122

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
sonomadude4x4
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 208
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:23 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Post by sonomadude4x4 »

the link didnt work for me .....can u send me a link for any 3 piece hitch? cause im getn a body lift next week and i need the hitch cause i tow a boat every weekend
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

The part number is above. Visit your GM dealer, or one of the online GM retailers.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
User avatar
sonomadude4x4
Crew Elite
Crew Elite
Posts: 208
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:23 pm
Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Post by sonomadude4x4 »

is that a 3 piece hitch?
User avatar
HenryJ
Admin K Elite
Admin K Elite
Posts: 12705
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:14 pm
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Contact:

Post by HenryJ »

:lol: Mine was.

If you are looking for a guarantee that you will get a three piece hitch that matches the one pictured above, I can not give that to you. These trucks have been discontinued for over four years now. You are looking for NOS (new old stock). They may now be carrying a different brand or updated model.

That part number WAS correct for the three piece hitch made by Valley industries. Right now it looks like your best shot at finding a "new" one.

You might try a walk through the salvage yards. There should be some there now. they usually run $50 used around here.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK