I have recently purchased a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4x4 with the 3.0 Duramax. I am looking to put a leveling kit on it pretty soon but have several questions and looking for advise. I am leaning towards a suspension system leveling kit vs torsion key kit and being I have the X31 package (rancho suspension) I have specifically been looking at the rancho 2" level-it-system (RS66310R9) https://www.gorancho.com/products/suspension-systems/chevrolet-gmc-suspension-systems/2020-2019-gm-1500-2-in-level-it-system-rs66310r9.html This suspension kit comes with the RS9000™XL 9-position adjustable series struts and sway bar spacers. It does not come with springs as (correct me if I'm wrong) the OE springs are utilized on this kit. I am leaning towards the suspension leveling kit system vs torsion keys for several reasons that i think are pretty obvious but just to clarify, suspension kits generally keep alignment angles closer to stock, allow proper/adequate spacing on bump stops, and provide a overall better/smoother ride compared to torsion key level kits. Also, a suspension leveling kit "supposedly" will not void my gm warranty... at least from what i have been told. And before anyone tries to sell me on a torsion key kit let me say, i have had several trucks in the past in which i installed torsion key kits on and for the most part i guess i was satisfied but there were some significant disadvantages that i am just not willing to compromise on with a brand new truck. Rougher ride and issues with keeping even wear on front tires just to name a few. Additionally, I don't want to sacrifice my warranty so this option is pretty much out for me.
So with all that said, I would like to get your guys advise on the following,
1. Will this suspension leveling kit provide me with the overall (as close to stock as possible) ride, quality, performance that i am looking for? Are there any other other components that I need to be looking at getting to ensure the ride quality ride and do not encounter warranty issues? For example, I see that rancho (as well as several other brands) also offer aftermarket control arms RS64302 . Are they really needed with a 2" front level kit?
2. The kit i have listed above is actually for a 2020 gmc sierra as they do not have an option for the 2021. To anyone's knowledge, are suspensions different on sierras from 2020-2021 or have they just not updated their website to list the 2021 sierra? I should be able to clear this up by calling rancho and asking but figured i would mention this anyways just to see if you guys had any knowledge on this.
3. WARRANTY!!! I understand by asking this age old question of "will it void my warranty" I will probably get 1000 different answers as it depends on so many different variables. The type of kit, who installs it, and ultimately the dealership and/or person at that dealership you are dealing with. I did contact two GM dealerships to ask about this and this is what I was told. The first dealership i called (the dealership i purchased the truck from 500 miles away) I spoke with the salesman i bought the truck from and he told be that he was 99% sure that as long as it was a suspension leveling kit and not a torsion key kit it would NOT void the warranty. He said it could be installed by whatever reputable shop i wanted as well and did not require the dealership or GM certified shop to install it. The second dealership i contacting (my local GM dealership that I would most likely be using in the event of any warranty work) I spoke to the service dept and was basically told it didn't matter what brand kit, who installed it, or whether it was was torsion key kit or suspension kit, I would be covered and they will NOT void my warranty due to having a leveling kit!!! I wish i could trust that but to put it bluntly, with all the horror stories i have read and been told about dealerships voiding warranties because of mods such as leveling kits i find this a little hard to believe. I also see on the GM accessories website they sell a kit which states it will not void the warranty, which i do believe to a degree but this kit is a front and back lift kit and they are QUITE proud of at around the $1300 range. Surely this is not the only way to ensure your warranty is not voided??? So I guess my question is, how do I ensure they will honor the warranties as I was told? Has anyone ever seen a GM dealership have this stated in writing somewhere or got them to put this in writing for them personally? Seems to me that would be the only "somewhat" sure way of getting a guarantee of their word. Any advise or experience on this would be greatly appreciated.
