strickland604

You would think these trucks would be more uniform. As far a having steel and aluminum control arms on the Z71s I wonder if it is depends on if it is an GMC or Chevy. I know that all the GMC Crew Cab Z71s I have seen have had aluminum have not looked under to many Chevys. I do know all Double Cab and 4X4s in the GMC line that I have seen have steel control arms. I'm also starting to wonder if the models such as LS, LT,LTZ or SL, SLE, SLT have anything to do with what trucks get the steel or aluminum control arms and are the ones coming with the max tow, denali or high country packages getting the extended length struts. Would be very interested in knowing why these trucks look to have so many random set ups in the suspension

Oh you have a double cab that explains it. All the crew cab Z71s have aluminum to cut down on weight from what I'm told. On the double cabs it is like you said hit and miss on which models get steel or aluminum.

As for as your control arms being steel I have only seen them on the 4X4's not on the Z71 model yet I have heard some people complain that they had steel instead of aluminum control arms on their Z71's. RC leveling kits for steel and aluminum control arms are the same the only difference is the bolts for the aluminum control arms are longer. The nylon/plastic is designed to cut down on any vibration that may take place. I did not have to remove my cv axle.

Yes mine is a Z71. I have seen the rough country kits installed several ways. You can use the stock shock bolt clips and put washers on the bolt and mount the the level kit the way the bolts were pointing up in the stock position or you can use the nuts, washers, and bolts that come with the kit and put the bolts through the top pointing down to the ground. I used the bolts and washers that came with my kit and used the stock clips that were attached to the shock I did have to use the washers as shims on the back bolt and i have around 1/2" clearance from the cv axle.

I have the rough country 2" level and had to use shims on the side where the cv axle is. I have aluminum control arms so I ordered the kit for aluminum not steel. My buddy who owns a truck stop helped me put the kit own. We did not remove the stock clips from the shocks. He has been in business for 20 years and has been installing these kits since 2008. He said when he first started putting these kits on he removed the clips and used the nuts that came with the clip but after having a few of the nuts and bolts loosen over time he just started using the stock clips and since then has not had one problem. But to make a long story short I had to shim the back bolts to keep them from hitting the cv axle.

I have the same issue with the outside smells getting into my truck. But I had the same issue with my 2012 Silverado. The only upside is the amount of out side air getting in is not as bad on my new truck as it was on my 2012.