Leveling Kit

aworden · October 13, 2009

I have a 2008 GMC Sierra Denali, what is the best leveling kit... maybe adjustable? How big of tires can I run? I have the stock 20" chrome wheels. I won't be doing much off road driving with it so I will be going for an agressive all terrain tire. Any help I can get I appreciate

C. Charles Hahn · October 13, 2009

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...te=Leveling+Kit

AK FiveO · October 14, 2009

I put the Ready Lift kit on my 09 Sierra. I bought both the front level kit, and the rear 3" blocks to put some rake back into it for towing my offshore boat. The front leveling kit by Ready Lift leveled the truck perfectly. Pretty damn easy to install too! Should be able to run a 285/50 on those 20's, or a 33/12.5-20. Haven't put new rubber on mine yet ...still have the factory 275/50-20's. But planning on an aggressive 33" all-terrain/mud terrain tire. The rear block kit gives the truck just enough rake for hauling a load, or towing the toys ...yet not as much rake as stock.

The Ready Lift kit was easy to install, and seemed like good quality billet machine work.

aworden · October 14, 2009

I put the Ready Lift kit on my 09 Sierra. I bought both the front level kit, and the rear 3" blocks to put some rake back into it for towing my offshore boat. The front leveling kit by Ready Lift leveled the truck perfectly. Pretty damn easy to install too! Should be able to run a 285/50 on those 20's, or a 33/12.5-20. Haven't put new rubber on mine yet ...still have the factory 275/50-20's. But planning on an aggressive 33" all-terrain/mud terrain tire. The rear block kit gives the truck just enough rake for hauling a load, or towing the toys ...yet not as much rake as stock.

The Ready Lift kit was easy to install, and seemed like good quality billet machine work.

Is the ready lift kit a spring spacer? I have been looking at 33" tires all day, you sure they will fit without problems? I don't think I want to start cutting into my trucks fenders or anything. My stock tires are almost 32" and damn near touch so I'm sure 33s will fit with just a leveling kit. I might add 3/4 ton leafs on the back. That will add a little rake... not much, I don't want much, but will aid in the towing hauling area.

AK FiveO · October 14, 2009

The Ready Lift kit uses a billet spacer above the front coil-overs, and an additional 2 billet spacers on the bottom mount of the coil-overs (two plates for adjusting height. I used both for the full effect).

I would advise against add-a-leafs in the rear ...it will ride like a 1-ton truck! These "level kits" firm-up the ride a bit, but not bad at all.

No guarantee from me on the 33" tires, but thats what the web-site claims for this kit. I plan on running 33" BFTA's on mine. However, if you run those molded mud-flaps, you might get some rub on them at full lock. Thats been my experience in the past at pushing the limits of tire size.

Some before and after pics ...

aworden · October 15, 2009

The Ready Lift kit uses a billet spacer above the front coil-overs, and an additional 2 billet spacers on the bottom mount of the coil-overs (two plates for adjusting height. I used both for the full effect).

I would advise against add-a-leafs in the rear ...it will ride like a 1-ton truck! These "level kits" firm-up the ride a bit, but not bad at all.

No guarantee from me on the 33" tires, but thats what the web-site claims for this kit. I plan on running 33" BFTA's on mine. However, if you run those molded mud-flaps, you might get some rub on them at full lock. Thats been my experience in the past at pushing the limits of tire size.

Some before and after pics ...

I wouldn't do add a leafs, I would go to a junk yard and find the same year truck and get some 3/4 ton leafs and swap them for my half tons. I am going to look into that ready lift kit. My truck didn't come with mud flaps but I will have to put some on when I get all this work done. I appreciate the info, and your truck looks great!

Matt_ · October 15, 2009

Keeping the stock wheels? I had to trim a lot for my 33s with 3 inch lift, but my wheels are 9"wide. also, take a look at the CST adjustable coil overs.

rsfoster · October 15, 2009

Keeping the stock wheels? I had to trim a lot for my 33s with 3 inch lift, but my wheels are 9"wide. also, take a look at the CST adjustable coil overs.

What about the Bilstein 5100 replacement strut, how would it compare to the CST?

Matt_ · October 15, 2009

Keeping the stock wheels? I had to trim a lot for my 33s with 3 inch lift, but my wheels are 9"wide. also, take a look at the CST adjustable coil overs.

What about the Bilstein 5100 replacement strut, how would it compare to the CST?

they're not even comparable. the coilovers have a lot of benefits over just a shock body replacement like the bilstein....they make use of specifically designed perforance springs that are tuned to work with their respective damping ratios, complete adjustability, i think the cst parts are high in quality (they make use of parker seals and glide rings), etc

although i think the cst coilovers are a little over priced....id already have them if they were around 500-600.

rsfoster · October 15, 2009

Keeping the stock wheels? I had to trim a lot for my 33s with 3 inch lift, but my wheels are 9"wide. also, take a look at the CST adjustable coil overs.

What about the Bilstein 5100 replacement strut, how would it compare to the CST?

they're not even comparable. the coilovers have a lot of benefits over just a shock body replacement like the bilstein....they make use of specifically designed perforance springs that are tuned to work with their respective damping ratios, complete adjustability, i think the cst parts are high in quality (they make use of parker seals and glide rings), etc

although i think the cst coilovers are a little over priced....id already have them if they were around 500-600.

Got it. I should have doen a little digging before I aksed, once I looked around a bit I leaned a few of the diferences.

As with any leveling kit will the CST coilovers still bring into play excessive ball joint wear? I seem to recall seeing that it was recomemnded not to go over 1.5 in lift. If they helped compensate for the ball joint wear maybe the extra costs would be worth while. If not it would be hard to fork over the cash even though I'm sure the truck would handle much better with them.

Matt_ · October 15, 2009

unfortunately the balljoint wear is moreso a function of the angles, of which is applicable to any type of leveling kit. (this applies to tie rods, pitman and idler arms as well....as applicable of course)

ive been watching those cst coilovers since they first came out and have hoped that prices would drop to be more competitive with other leveling kits... 500 to 600 would be worth the upgrade imo...but for 900 to 1000, ill wait until my current coil start to wear or i blow a shock body

nola1 · October 15, 2009

i've got a readylift 2.25" on mine and wrapped the stock 18's with 285's. these are considered 33's (32.8 i think is the exact measurement) and i've not had any issues with rubbing. as stated above, ride firms up a lil bit but i've had F150's in the past and it still rides better than any of those even with a 33" A/T that's pretty aggressive.