Level And Body Lift On '09 Sierra

bmcfadden · October 5, 2009

Hey Guys,

First time posting on here. I've spent hours reading posts on this forum and just want to say thanks for all the info!! I've got a brand new 09 Sierra 1500 Quad Cab with All-terrain package! Loving this truck so far!!

I know the lift/level topic has been beaten to death, but I am ready to purchase my first setup and have a few questions before I do.

I am going with the recommended 2" Rough Country leveling kit and 1.5" body lift. I am set on the RC leveling kit, but my questions are about the body lift.

I know you guys recommend Zone body lifts but I was reading the installation directions on the Zone website and they say you have to cut the front bumper brackets. This kinda freaks me out a bit! Are there any other 1.5" kits that come with replacement brackets or install differently? Or am I over reacting on this??!!

Do you recommend a bumper relocation kit for the rear bumper on a 1.5" lift? The instructions for Zone's kit says you have to cut the mounts off on the rear too!!

Should there be any concern for gaps showing with this kit?

Is anyone else having trouble finding parts on websites for 09 models?

Thanks for any help you guys can give me! Just want to make sure I'm going about this mod the best way!

Matt_ · October 5, 2009

Zone is the only company that makes the 1.5" body lift for the truck... so if thats what you want then you're stuck doing it that way. Definitely get the rear bumper relocation brackets.

But- my recommendation would be to get the 3" body lift and only do a 1-1.5" leveling kit in the front. All body lifts require cutting the stock rear bumper mounts and usually require some cutting up front to trim some tabs that get in the way. Nothing serious, if you want to return your truck to stock you can get new mounts in the back and the fronts not affected.

bmcfadden · October 5, 2009

Zone is the only company that makes the 1.5" body lift for the truck... so if thats what you want then you're stuck doing it that way. Definitely get the rear bumper relocation brackets.

But- my recommendation would be to get the 3" body lift and only do a 1-1.5" leveling kit in the front. All body lifts require cutting the stock rear bumper mounts and usually require some cutting up front to trim some tabs that get in the way. Nothing serious, if you want to return your truck to stock you can get new mounts in the back and the fronts not affected.

Thanks Matt, is that how your truck is setup? 1-1.5" is enough in the front to level it out? If I go 3" on the body, will I have to get gap guards (i think thats what there called?) Which brand do you recommend for the leveling kit as RC doesnt make anything other than 2"

Matt_ · October 5, 2009

I actually only have a 3" body lift, no leveling kit. When my front struts/springs wear I'll probably end up getting the CST coilovers and raise the front up 1". Not sure how your truck is but mine has 2" of rake... From the pictures i've seen, when these trucks measure level, they look like the rear is sagging. So .5-1" of rake is what i personally would shoot for.

I wouldn't do a 3" body lift without gap guards. I made my own gap guards... you'll need 36"x36" sheet of rubber (i used McMaster.com) and some tree clips (lowes/home depot/auto parts store/etc). Cost me a total of $35 to make a complete set of gap guards.

As far as leveling kits... im not sure. They're all basically the same... its just a spacer. Go by price IMO.. a spacer is a spacer. Almost everyone on this site has a leveling kit though so im sure someone will chime in with brand recommendations.

03blackz71 · October 5, 2009

I have the set up you want. I have the 2" RC leveling kit and it leveled out my truck. Also have the 1.5" zone body lift.

I would get the rear bumper kit also. The cutting of the front bracket isn't that bad. It scared me at first but I did it and so happy I did it.

Matt_ · October 5, 2009

^^^ Good point... dont let the cutting scare you..

hell, i let my wife do all the hard work for my body lift:

lsuguy · October 5, 2009

^^^ Good point... dont let the cutting scare you..

hell, i let my wife do all the hard work for my body lift:

How much for her to do mine??

bmcfadden · October 5, 2009

thanks guys. 07blackz71, your truck looks sweet! just the look im going for!! matt, i live in Canada, maybe you and the wife are due for a trip?!? haha

pardon my ignorance guys, but i see the term 'rake' mentioned a lot on here and i have no idea what it means!! my guess is the difference in height between the front and rear???

also, for anyone whose cut their bumper brackets... any tips?

thanks again for the help!

Matt_ · October 6, 2009

thanks guys. 07blackz71, your truck looks sweet! just the look im going for!! matt, i live in Canada, maybe you and the wife are due for a trip?!? haha
pardon my ignorance guys, but i see the term 'rake' mentioned a lot on here and i have no idea what it means!! my guess is the difference in height between the front and rear???

also, for anyone whose cut their bumper brackets... any tips?

thanks again for the help!

You live in Canada huh? Near any good ski resorts?

And "rake" is when the back is higher than the front.... so you were pretty much right on with your guess. I think these trucks are perfect with 1" of rake, which would mean that the front measures 1" lower than the rear.

The bumper bracket cutting for each kit is different. Let us know which kit you decide on (go 3"!! )

bmcfadden · October 6, 2009

thanks guys. 07blackz71, your truck looks sweet! just the look im going for!! matt, i live in Canada, maybe you and the wife are due for a trip?!? haha
pardon my ignorance guys, but i see the term 'rake' mentioned a lot on here and i have no idea what it means!! my guess is the difference in height between the front and rear???

also, for anyone whose cut their bumper brackets... any tips?

thanks again for the help!

You live in Canada huh? Near any good ski resorts?

And "rake" is when the back is higher than the front.... so you were pretty much right on with your guess. I think these trucks are perfect with 1" of rake, which would mean that the front measures 1" lower than the rear.

The bumper bracket cutting for each kit is different. Let us know which kit you decide on (go 3"!! )

Thanks again Matt!! I would love the 3", but cant really afford the rims and rubber! I really like the stock 18" rims that come with the all-terrain package. have you seen them? they look sweet!! Gotta try and find some bigger rubber for them though. i guess i could get big enough tires to warrant a 3" lift... but would that look bad on 18" rims? trying to go semi-budget here!! what kind of rubber do you recommend?

ya, theres lots of ski resorts around! but i prefer skis with a 1000cc engine between them!! Yamaha Apex bud, best kinda skiing around!

Matt_ · October 6, 2009

33s on 18s look great too

There's a lot of great tires out there. I'm loving the Mickey Thompson ATZs, they have the aggressive sidewall and look of an MT, but the lugs are closer together almost like an AT so they're quieter and last longer than an MT (obviously by sacrificing offroad performance when compared to a mud terrain.... but they'll still hang with any AT offroad)

And i have to disagree about the best skiing.... bombing down Blackcomb Glacier takes the cake IMO

GasCan · October 15, 2009

That's pretty funny with your wife doing the cutting while you were taking pictures and likely drinking beer? As for any ski hills up here...plenty in my area out west. I'm in Alberta and we have a few world renoun ski areas right in our back yard.

Banff

Lake Louise

Jasper

Kicking Horse

Kimberley

Hope all works out on your body lift project. I just lifted my 09 GMC but went with a Rancho 4" suspension kit. Quite happy with the truck now.

silverbullet2005 · October 16, 2009

Zone also offers their 3.5" kit which is a 2" front leveling kit with a 1.5" body lift kit with front bumper relocation brackets for $199.99, a rear bumper bracket kit is available under the accessories tab for $49.99.

rscottk90 · October 19, 2009

as far as how bigger tires look on smaller rims.I leveled out my 00 seirra and put 33s on the 16in stockers. I like the look of alot of rubber. But that all changes next week. 6inch rough country and 35s

deepstuff · May 30, 2011

thanks guys. 07blackz71, your truck looks sweet! just the look im going for!! matt, i live in Canada, maybe you and the wife are due for a trip?!? haha
pardon my ignorance guys, but i see the term 'rake' mentioned a lot on here and i have no idea what it means!! my guess is the difference in height between the front and rear???

also, for anyone whose cut their bumper brackets... any tips?

thanks again for the help!

You live in Canada huh? Near any good ski resorts?

And "rake" is when the back is higher than the front.... so you were pretty much right on with your guess. I think these trucks are perfect with 1" of rake, which would mean that the front measures 1" lower than the rear.

The bumper bracket cutting for each kit is different. Let us know which kit you decide on (go 3"!! )

Thanks again Matt!! I would love the 3", but cant really afford the rims and rubber! I really like the stock 18" rims that come with the all-terrain package. have you seen them? they look sweet!! Gotta try and find some bigger rubber for them though. i guess i could get big enough tires to warrant a 3" lift... but would that look bad on 18" rims? trying to go semi-budget here!! what kind of rubber do you recommend?

ya, theres lots of ski resorts around! but i prefer skis with a 1000cc engine between them!! Yamaha Apex bud, best kinda skiing around!

Did you do anything yet? Any Pics?