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Leveling A Truck With New Front Shocks

wes335

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wes335 Enthusiast

wes335

Posted
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Is it possible to level a stock 2004 gmc sierra z71 by just replacing the front shocks? Or is there other parts that have to be replaced if I bought a taller shock?

salden77 Enthusiast

salden77

Posted
Posted
Is it possible to level a stock 2004 gmc sierra z71 by just replacing the front shocks? Or is there other parts that have to be replaced if I bought a taller shock?

 

you could just adjust your torsion bars by tightening the bolts below the torsion keys, i leveled my truck that way, it rides alot tighter now, not uncomfortable just not as much play going over bumps, i got a lil over 2 inches in lift that way and i didnt adjust them all the way up because iv heard people say not to and i just wanted to level my truck anyways, the bolts werent even touching the torsion keys before i adjusted them.

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

The shocks have nothing to do with ride height. The springs hold the vehicle up.

 

There are torsion bar keys that you can use to adjust your ride height with (or "level" your truck). Measure your fender heights, jack up your truck, turn the torsion key bolts all the way in, put truck back down and measure fender heights again. Repeat procedure but back out the torsion bar bolts individually until both sides of the truck are level. You should end up with between 1-1.5" of increased ride height in the front using this method.... then just go get an alignment and you're done. (stock torsion keys for your truck usually don't allow beyond 1.5" of height, and for good reason)

 

Edit: Scott, you were able to get 2" from your stock keys?

  • 2 weeks later...
cheriff Enthusiast

cheriff

Posted
Posted
The shocks have nothing to do with ride height. The springs hold the vehicle up.

 

There are torsion bar keys that you can use to adjust your ride height with (or "level" your truck). Measure your fender heights, jack up your truck, turn the torsion key bolts all the way in, put truck back down and measure fender heights again. Repeat procedure but back out the torsion bar bolts individually until both sides of the truck are level. You should end up with between 1-1.5" of increased ride height in the front using this method.... then just go get an alignment and you're done. (stock torsion keys for your truck usually don't allow beyond 1.5" of height, and for good reason)

 

Edit: Scott, you were able to get 2" from your stock keys?

 

What do the leveling Bilsteins do differently?

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

technically, they do the same thing.

 

your truck doesnt have torsion bars & keys, you have a coil spring and coil body (incorrectly referred to as a strut).

 

for torsion bars, twisting the keys adds preload so less deflection is required to stabilize the trucks weight thereby increasing ride height.

 

for coil springs the new coil bodies do the same thing, they add preload (by compressing the spring) so that when the weight of the truck is applied less deflection is required to stabilize the truck (because the initial deflection is performed by the coil body setting rather than the vehicle weight)

cheriff Enthusiast

cheriff

Posted
Posted

So would you go with the RC kit and mill it down to 1.5" for their special price of $29.95, or stick with leveling the bilstein's if that is how much I planned on spending to begin with?

cheriff Enthusiast

cheriff

Posted
Posted
either would work just fine. i personally would go the RC kit route for the price.

 

 

Done deal then. If for some reason I change my mind I am sure I can sell them and not lose anything. I have a mill at work and know how to use it, so I plan on taking them down to 1.5".

  • 2 weeks later...
linkz1 Enthusiast

linkz1

Posted
Posted

I have an 04 Z-71 that I want to level. If I use the aftermarkets keys (or Ford keys) that lift the truck 2 inches instead of tightening the stock ones will it keep the stock ride?

welscher08 Enthusiast

welscher08

Posted
Posted
I have an 04 Z-71 that I want to level. If I use the aftermarkets keys (or Ford keys) that lift the truck 2 inches instead of tightening the stock ones will it keep the stock ride?

 

 

I would just take it to a shop or do it yourself and have your torsion bars cranked up slightly on the truck. Two bolts underneath the cab part of the truck. I had new tires put on two weeks ago and the shop cranked mine some while it was there. Looks so much better. I mean i liked my truck before but on a RCSB, it took that front rake out for the most part, and still rides the same as before. Just don't go overboard and go above 2 inches. 1.5 is about right. Ryan

linkz1 Enthusiast

linkz1

Posted
Posted

Thanks! I might turn them up and try that. I know I should get an alignment when I'm finished. but will I need longer shocks?

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

you wont need longer shocks, especially since you have the oem upgraded bilsteins.

 

if you want new shocks, get a quality oem replacement... not ones for a lift, they need to be able to compress just as far as stock ones.

linkz1 Enthusiast

linkz1

Posted
Posted
you wont need longer shocks, especially since you have the oem upgraded bilsteins.

 

if you want new shocks, get a quality oem replacement... not ones for a lift, they need to be able to compress just as far as stock ones.

 

 

Thanks!! I'm gonna go for it. I have to wait 'til I get the money for an alignment. I'll post some pics.

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