2008 Sierra Denali Awd And Bilstein 5100 Leveling Shocks, How High Sho

[kmu]

Hi there, I just ordered a set of Bilstein 5100 leveling struts for the front, what is the max height I could set them at and not have any CV problems or any other problems on a GMC Sierra Denali AWD 2008?

 

I also got the rear matching Bilstein 5100 shocks and 1" rear blocks to keep a small rake.

[BruceW]

i will be really interested to hear how the Bilsteins effect your ride and handling. i considered a similar option for my SD to allow the use of bigger tires. But decided to stick with the standard height to make it easier for my wife and kids to get in and out.

 

The rear is higher to provide a weight bias to the front wheels and keep weight on the front wheels with a load in the bed or on the hitch. When you level the front it reduces the amount of load that can be added to the back without shifting the bias to the rear and reducing steering ability to a dangerous level. I often move heavy loads so I would have lifted the front and rear evenly.

[BruceW]

i will be really interested to hear how the Bilsteins effect your ride and handling. i considered a similar option for my SD to allow the use of bigger tires. But decided to stick with the standard height to make it easier for my wife and kids to get in and out.

 

The rear is higher to provide a weight bias to the front wheels and keep weight on the front wheels with a load in the bed or on the hitch. When you level the front it reduces the amount of load that can be added to the back without shifting the bias to the rear and reducing steering ability to a dangerous level. I often move heavy loads so I would have lifted the front and rear evenly.

[Stex]

A friend of mine runs a good wheel, alignment, front end etc shop. He said to stay around and inch. If you go to the Bils web page they say it does not matter when using their shock..Hmmm

 

On my 09 4x4, cc , z71, I went with the third groove ...1.18" if I remember correctly. Raised the front wheel well about 1 1/4 " . It seemed to sit level, and a level said the same, but the front looked a little high to me...Plus the ride went to heck for my taste. The rears seem to ride a littler rougher (had the rear bils on about two months before the fronts) due to the high front attitude, seemed to make the rears squat or bang down more...

 

I changed to the second groove up, .6", and I got just a little nose down but the ride is much better and the rears are much better...My taste for looks and ride is second groove up ( first groove would be stock height)...if you like high front and/or going with really large tires you may want third groove up...you can always change...At first the fronts were very stiff..but have come off that after about 3000 miles and second groove up...kind of like speakers, what one likes the other will not..just try and see..

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=103661

[kmu]

A friend of mine runs a good wheel, alignment, front end etc shop. He said to stay around and inch. If you go to the Bils web page they say it does not matter when using their shock..Hmmm

 

On my 09 4x4, cc , z71, I went with the third groove ...1.18" if I remember correctly. Raised the front wheel well about 1 1/4 " . It seemed to sit level, and a level said the same, but the front looked a little high to me...Plus the ride went to heck for my taste. The rears seem to ride a littler rougher (had the rear bils on about two months before the fronts) due to the high front attitude, seemed to make the rears squat or bang down more...

 

I changed to the second groove up, .6", and I got just a little nose down but the ride is much better and the rears are much better...My taste for looks and ride is second groove up ( first groove would be stock height)...if you like high front and/or going with really large tires you may want third groove up...you can always change...At first the fronts were very stiff..but have come off that after about 3000 miles and second groove up...kind of like speakers, what one likes the other will not..just try and see..

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=103661

 

 

THX for the review I really appreciate it.

 

Are there only 3 grooves? or is there a fourth one and do you know how many inches it raises the truck?

 

I need to get a large tire on so I need the most lift posible.