Installed My 1.5" Leveling Kit

cbsaf · December 31, 2009

Well, I finally got my leveling kit installed. I did it in my driveway using just my own tools and the truck's own jack. I just made sure I stayed out from under it and I didn't pull on anything too hard. It was easy as changing a tire. I was a little worried before I began but it was so easy I finished in 2.5 hours using basic tools.

The kit was a Top Gun Customz kit that is split over and under the strut.

I did have to buy longer bolts because even thought the OEM strut bolts were suspossed to be reused mine were tapered at the ends. They were not long enough to go through the bottom spacers and still have enough threads to grip the lower strut clip. I just bought new M10x1.5x80mm metric grade 10.9 zinc coated bolts. They are 1/4 inch longer than the OEM bolts but are the same thread pitch and the threads go all the way to the end.

I did go through the side of the passenger fenderwell to loosen the upper strut bolts with a ratchet. The plastic folded right out of the way and I avoided all the hoses and wires on that side. The plastic wire clip was able to be reattached to the upper bolt stud on each side in the engine bay. The front lower airdam was also removed.

The before measurements were 35.6" in the front and 38.5" in the rear.

The after measurements were 37.25" in the front and 38.5" in the rear.

I am only planning on a few more mods. I am looking at doing now are replacing the 245-70-17 tires with some 265-70-17 AT tires like the Z71 comes from the factory with. I also want to replace the factory lug nuts with a nice set of aftermarket chrome acorns. GMC, your stupid black plastic lugnut covers were stupid on my Dad's 1992 GMC and they are still stupid on my 2009 GMC.

I still need to check the torque on the bolts but I got them all good and tight. The upper ball joints were easy to do and the use of an allen wrench in the ball joint bolt kept it from spinning and the rubber boot from messing up. I still need an alignment too after I rotate my tires and switch out those OEM lug nuts.

cbsaf · December 31, 2009

Here are pictures of my ball joint angles using the 1.5" kit.

ryan_hermanutz · December 31, 2009

Looks good. Were you looking for more height or just to level it out?

cerbomark · December 31, 2009

Nice, looks better. I haven t decided yet cause of all the negative ball joint posts.

Matt_ · December 31, 2009

looks great

Edit: And I never thought of top gun customz before... they also have a 1" kit for $35. Now i know where im getting mine from

cbsaf · December 31, 2009

Looks good. Were you looking for more height or just to level it out?

Just a little more height. I didn't want to get so level it would look weird with something in the back or a trailer hooked up. The 2 inch kits were getting people less than an inch from level and that was too close for me. I also didn't like the aspect of a polymer spacer or the ball joint issues.

Hopefully a 1.5" kit will be a little easier on the ball joints. I also like that my spacers are steel.

SeirraRR · January 1, 2010

Looks good. Will look even better once you get new tires.

georgecdisc · January 1, 2010

Looks good. Were you looking for more height or just to level it out?

Just a little more height. I didn't want to get so level it would look weird with something in the back or a trailer hooked up. The 2 inch kits were getting people less than an inch from level and that was too close for me. I also didn't like the aspect of a polymer spacer or the ball joint issues.

Hopefully a 1.5" kit will be a little easier on the ball joints. I also like that my spacers are steel.

Plastic spacers will probably way outlast any steel ones , that is, if the plastic ones are made from a decent composite. Not only can they be stronger than steel, they are rust proof. Just food for thought. For the life of the vehicle it won't matter anyways.

cbsaf · January 1, 2010

Here is a better picture from the side. I don't know why I didn't post it before. BTW does anyone know the thread pitch of our 2009 lugnuts?

03blackz71 · January 1, 2010

get a set of these chrome lug nut covers. They are plastic like the black ones but look soo much better. This set is the ones I have on my truck and love them. I tried just replacement lug nuts but they looked weird because they didn't fill the lug hole the on rim enough so I found these covers and have been happy since.

Here is the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FREE-SHIPPI...sQ5fAccessories

georgecdisc · January 1, 2010

get a set of these chrome lug nut covers. They are plastic like the black ones but look soo much better. This set is the ones I have on my truck and love them. I tried just replacement lug nuts but they looked weird because they didn't fill the lug hole the on rim enough so I found these covers and have been happy since.

Here is the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FREE-SHIPPI...sQ5fAccessories

"These CHROME AFTERMARKET covers will only fit dual threaded lug nuts that have a 7/8" hex. Please refer to the picture for an example of the lug nut."

I'm pretty sure the lugs are 22 mm, but 7/8 inch is pretty darn close. And since you are running them there must have been no problem. Description error on seller's part.

03blackz71 · January 1, 2010

get a set of these chrome lug nut covers. They are plastic like the black ones but look soo much better. This set is the ones I have on my truck and love them. I tried just replacement lug nuts but they looked weird because they didn't fill the lug hole the on rim enough so I found these covers and have been happy since.

Here is the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FREE-SHIPPI...sQ5fAccessories

"These CHROME AFTERMARKET covers will only fit dual threaded lug nuts that have a 7/8" hex. Please refer to the picture for an example of the lug nut."

I'm pretty sure the lugs are 22 mm, but 7/8 inch is pretty darn close. And since you are running them there must have been no problem. Description error on seller's part.

I have had them on my truck for 2 years with no issues at all.

bugmenot · January 1, 2010

I like it. Looks great there. I'm not talking about just the truck. It's -37 with the wind chill and more than a foot of snow on the ground here. I would love to be there in the photo with the truck.

cbsaf · January 1, 2010

I like it. Looks great there. I'm not talking about just the truck. It's -37 with the wind chill and more than a foot of snow on the ground here. I would love to be there in the photo with the truck.

Sunny Florida. I wore a short sleeve T-shirt today.

Now if you just had my house payment. My house is just average but EVERYTHING down here is overpriced. We're talking $800 a month trailers in moble home parks. I'd rather put up with snow.

cbsaf · January 1, 2010

I really like the look of 07blackz71's truck with the 1.5" Zone body lift and 285-70-17 tires on it so I thought I should ask opinions. It should be obvious to everyone here that my truck is 2wd. 2wd was all I needed and all I can justify. I won't be doing anything extreme in this truck besides riding through a hay field or two and driving it to work everyday. I originally planned to simply level the front of this truck and add 265-70-17 tires. I wanted a good ride but I also wanted a little taller look. The 2wd factory tires look cheap and wimpy.

I am not a big fan of lifting 2wd trucks. If you are going someplace you need 35" tires you should probably also have 4wd. That's not in my agenda. Would the Zone 1.5" body lift be too much lift on my 2wd? Would 275-70-17 tires be too much? Would I be entering poser territory or would it still be a daily driver without too much tire noise?