Leveling Kit

[Got Duc]

So I have been looking into lifting up my Chevy. I cam accross a leveling kit that will lift up 3". I am not looking for a tremendous lift just a little to get a bigger tire.

Anyone know anything about them?

Any bad points I should know about?

Thanks.

[zzilla]

what is the truck year/model?

is it 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive

I'm assuming it's a pickup.

What are your intentions for the vehicle? Off road capable or mall parking lot cruiser?

I used to be big into the off road scene.

I would recommend suspension lift if you're going to go off road, or a combination of suspension and a body lift to achieve your clearance goal. Or you can cut your fenders to clear the tires and install aftermarket fender flares;D

IMO, a 3" body lift looks ridiculous. As the name suggests, it raises the entire body and bed off the frame. Since the bumpers are attached to the frame, you'll have some aesthetic issues to deal with, if you so choose.

[Got Duc]

Ok I will give a little more....

It is a 2005 Chevy Silverado Z71 crew cab 4WD.

I was looking to be able to do fire roads and some off roading with it. But nothing crazy. I am planning on a tour of the North East next year or the year after so it still has to be able to be half way decent on the highway.

I used to work at an Off Road performance store years ago. We lifted a lot of trucks and jeeps over the years using both springs and body lifts.

This is the first time I have heard of a leveling kit so Iwas looking for more info on it.

A body lift is out of the question. That is a purely cosmetic option and I never was a fan of them.

Jim

[cyrus buelton]

I'd go for a suspension lift.

I use to have a 3" BlackDiamond leave on a 89 Jeep Cherokee.

It was nice, but road like make the beast with two backsing hell. Stiff. Very stiff.

[GAAN]

What kind of front springs are on that truck?

Coils or torsion bars?

I assume it has IFS?

a leveling kit is primarily a front end lift

leaves the rear alone and thus

Leveling Kit

There are some real issues with light lifts as you may know already

the torsion bar leveling kits give you a little knotched adapter plate so you can crank up the torsion bars

this is just tightening a spring

Ride suffers horribly and you don't get any adapters to correct any angles so your CV's are going to burn up quicker


If you have coil springs

you need to pay particular attention to the material that the spring spacers are made of

some are made of machined stainless steel and are adjustable from side to side to compensate for OEM spring inconsistancy = You want that one

some are made of machined stainless steel = good

some are made of aluminum = they will wear unevenly and get a wee bit shorter in time

some are made of cast steel = rusty in 6 months

some are made of plastic = broken in 3 months

some are made of rubber = one will turn back into tree goo

[GAAN]

I've had many lifts by many companies on many rigs

I would have to say that they are all irritating in some fashion that in time made me want to have just left the damn thing stock

The main issue with the light lifts = 3.5 and under

is that usually there is a half assed attempt at steering geometry correction that results in increased bump steer

there is usually not any axle location adjustment so you end up with axles slightly off center because a light lift doesn't require a driveline change

the springs are usually not engineered to do anything besides lift so they are stiff as hell

I could go on and on

So unfortunately my solution is one of these two options

If you have coil springs get the machined adjustable spacers, I think you have a 3/4" to 2" option in these

If you have torsion bars

Go big 6-8"

Spend 2500 to 3 grand and get an entire suspension professionally installed

[Got Duc]

That is what I thought.

I have been out of lifts for a while and the leveling kit was a new to me option.

This is the it I would like to go with

http://www.bds-suspension.com/kits/181H

Though I will check with my old boss to see what he thinks before I do anything.

Thanks Jacob

[GAAN]

That is the way to go

those look to be high steer knuckles maybe?

avoiding a dropped pitman arm is preferable

[Got Duc]

 

[DCXCV]

That is what I thought.

I have been out of lifts for a while and the leveling kit was a new to me option.

This is the it I would like to go with

http://www.bds-suspension.com/kits/181H

Though I will check with my old boss to see what he thinks before I do anything.

Thanks Jacob

Dear lord, you're spending all that money and putting blocks in the back?  Springs or lengthened shackles (or a combination) - no add-a-leafs or blocks.  Ick.

[GAAN]

Dear lord, you're spending all that money and putting blocks in the back?  Springs or lengthened shackles (or a combination) - no add-a-leafs or blocks.  Ick.

Springs aren't worth it if it only goes up 2-3" in the back

2" blocks and an add-a-leaf are more than enough IMO

Helps retain ride

I've seen trucks spit 3" blocks though

and our very own Hooligan Plumber has I believe 4" blocks in his Tacoma and he keeps breaking leaf packs

So definitely agree about blocks being icky in most cases