2007-2020 GM 1500 SUV Technical FAQ

2007–2020 Chevy Tahoe, Suburban & GMC Yukon / Yukon XL 1500 Lift Kit FAQ

What is the difference between TORCH lower strut spacers (2" lift) versus top-mount steel strut spacers (3" lift) for 2007–2020 GM 1500 SUVs?

The choice depends on your desired front lift height and preferred installation method:

  • 2” Billet Aluminum Lower Strut Spacers: Crafted from premium billet aluminum, this is a fast and simple way to level your front end. The spacer installs directly beneath the factory lower strut mount, meaning the strut does not need to be fully disassembled or removed from the suspension to install.
  • 3” Steel Top-Mount Strut Spacers: Fabricated from high-grade steel, these spacers mount directly to the top studs of your factory strut assembly. Designed with an alignment pattern matching the factory studs, they install easily without requiring you to rotate the top of the strut or adjust the position of the coil spring.

Both options offer a straightforward, DIY-friendly installation for your Tahoe, Yukon, or Suburban 1500.

Check out our 2” Full Lift Kit with Billet Lower Strut Spacers or our 3” Full Lift Kit with Steel Strut Spacers & Extended Rear Shocks.

Can I install a TORCH lift or leveling kit on a Tahoe, Yukon, or Suburban equipped with factory Autoride, Air Ride, or Magnetic Ride Control (MRC)?

Our standard TORCH lift kits are not directly compatible with factory air-ride, Magnetic Ride Control (MRC), or auto-leveling adaptive shock systems. Installing a suspension lift in conjunction with an electronic leveling or air system interferes with the ride-height sensors and can trigger dashboard error warnings.

However, TORCH lift kits can be used if your vehicle’s electronic or air suspension is converted to a standard passive suspension first. Many owners install an "active-to-passive suspension conversion kit" to delete the factory auto-leveling suspension or air shocks. Once converted to standard passive struts, shocks, and coil springs, our lift kits can be used. Please contact our tech support team if you have compatibility questions for your specific vehicle.

Why do 2007–2020 GM 1500 SUVs require rear coil spacers instead of rear lift blocks or add-a-leafs?

Unlike Silverado and Sierra trucks that utilize a rear leaf spring pack, 2007–2020 Tahoe, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Suburban 1500 models feature a rear coil spring suspension. Because the rear suspension does not use leaf springs, rear lift blocks or add-a-leaf packs cannot be installed on these SUVs.

Lifting the rear of a 2007–2020 GM SUV requires precision-machined rear spacers designed specifically for coil spring setups.

Explore our premium Billet Aluminum Rear Coil Spring Spacers for GM 1500 SUVs.

What is the maximum tire and wheel size I can run on a 2007–2020 Tahoe, Yukon, or Suburban using a 2"-3" TORCH lift without rubbing?

Tire clearance depends on wheel offset and backspacing. With factory-offset wheels, we recommend the following as a general guideline:

  • 2”–3" Lifts: Up to 33” maximum tires. Tires larger than 33” may also fit, but would require fender trimming for extra clearance to avoid rubbing.
Will installing a 3-3.5" front strut spacer lift cause CV axle wear, upper control arm contact, or alignment issues on a GM SUV?

No. When installed properly, our TORCH strut spacers maintain adequate suspension travel and clearance to preserve near-factory ride quality up to a 3.5” front lift. Upper control arm (UCA) frame contact is not an issue when using our kit on an otherwise stock suspension.

Because the kit is engineered to operate within safe suspension tolerances, alignment shops can typically adjust camber, caster, and toe back to factory specifications using standard alignment cams. While raising the front changes the operating angle of the front CV axles on 4WD models, the angles remain within reliable factory operating limits and will not cause premature wear or strain on your driveline.