Adding A Leveling Kit

ebordeaux · January 25, 2010

I have 2009 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 4X4. Currently I have the stock 20 inch rims with Goodyear Eage LS's. I've been doing alot of research about lifting, leveling, etc. because I want some lift, bigger tires and still be able to fit my truck in the garage.

I thinking about a Ready Lift 2.25" lift to the front accompanied by the Ready Lift 3" rear lift block kit. I've been reading alot of threads and I'm a little confused because I see that some members have opted for new shocks/lift kits for the rear rather than a block kit. I would like to keep a minimal rake for towing and light loads unless there is a better way. Can anyone offer some insight into lift the rear versus blocking the rear? In addtion, I read that some are opting for a RC 1.5" lift kit after leveling? I wasn't sure if I was reading that correctly.

The game plan is to level, keep the exsiting factory 20 rims and add some tires that have meat on their bones,for lack of a better term. The next question, tire size, based on the above without a rub factor and/or modifying the wheel well. I saw one member had 295/55/20 Nitto's. According to the calculator on Ready Lift, I should be good. Has anyone gone to a 305/55/20 without rub issues?

By now the experts on this site have concluded that I am in the beginners class on this topic. Guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in Advance.

blackout07 · January 25, 2010

With leveling kits, it's all about preference really. I wouldn't bother replacing the front struts unless you are unhappy with the factory ride. Ready lift is a quality product, but for the price I would go with the 2" spacer from Rough Country. The price and ease of installation make it an attractive choice, but if you want that little bit of extra height in the front then go with Ready Lift or CCM. Replacing the factory rear block with a 3" block is perfectly fine as well. But, if you prefer to keep the factory block, you could always add a 1.5" add-a-leaf, which is basically an additional leaf that is added to the factory pack to give more arch. As far as tires go, 295/55's are going to require trimming. If the member you are referring to is JB, he had done some extensive trimming already from a previous setup. And you can forget about 305/55's.

Stevens03 · January 25, 2010

Great looking truck and welcome to the site

I recently installed the RC 2" kit and like it. Very easy and cheap to install.

ebordeaux · January 25, 2010

Thank you for the reply. The member y2kz71 has the truck that first caught my eye. Personally, I think it looks awesome. I revisited the pictures from y2kz71 and it appears that the front of the front wheel well liner is the part that was trimmed. Would that make sense? If that is the case, I'm not against a little trim work on the liner. Anything above that, I would consider going smaller. My preference is to have a filled out look to my truck and tires. I'm not fan of trucks that have lift and the tires are too small and/or too skinny.

BTW, you've got an awesome looking truck. Proportioned perfectly. I'd just have a hard time getting in my garage if I went your route.

If you get a moment take a look a y2kz71.

ebordeaux · January 25, 2010

Thank you for the warm welcome. A couple questions:

1. What size Cooper tires do you have on your Sierra after the 2" boost.

2. Did you leave your rear axle alone?

Stevens03 · January 25, 2010

Thank you for the warm welcome. A couple questions:
1. What size Cooper tires do you have on your Sierra after the 2" boost.

2. Did you leave your rear axle alone?

They are actually the factory size, but def. are bigger than stock. 275/55R20's and yes, I left the rear alone.

I admit after the 2" leveling kit was installed, the tires look a little small, but they use to rub at full lock in reverse on my mud flaps. Now they don't.

blackout07 · January 25, 2010

If you get a moment take a look a y2kz71.

Yes that is who I was referring to as well. He goes by JB. He cut the plastic liner as well as some metal due to the rubbing on his previous setup, so it's not really clear what or where you would have to cut to make the 295/55's fit.

bb123 · January 29, 2010

I have 2009 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 4X4. Currently I have the stock 20 inch rims with Goodyear Eage LS's. I've been doing alot of research about lifting, leveling, etc. because I want some lift, bigger tires and still be able to fit my truck in the garage.

I thinking about a Ready Lift 2.25" lift to the front accompanied by the Ready Lift 3" rear lift block kit. I've been reading alot of threads and I'm a little confused because I see that some members have opted for new shocks/lift kits for the rear rather than a block kit. I would like to keep a minimal rake for towing and light loads unless there is a better way. Can anyone offer some insight into lift the rear versus blocking the rear? In addtion, I read that some are opting for a RC 1.5" lift kit after leveling? I wasn't sure if I was reading that correctly.

The game plan is to level, keep the exsiting factory 20 rims and add some tires that have meat on their bones,for lack of a better term. The next question, tire size, based on the above without a rub factor and/or modifying the wheel well. I saw one member had 295/55/20 Nitto's. According to the calculator on Ready Lift, I should be good. Has anyone gone to a 305/55/20 without rub issues?

By now the experts on this site have concluded that I am in the beginners class on this topic. Guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in Advance.

You asked every question I wanted to know as i have the same exact everything except I have the silverado....

Thanks for reading my mind....

billyjnelson · January 30, 2010

e1201,

I've got the '08 version of your truck (2008 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 4x4 w/ OEM 20's) w/ a Readylift 1.5" Leveling Kit... I've gone through the same process you're going through right now and, I'll warn you, you're gonna get a lot of different opinions on what will or won't work... I'm giving you what I have seen for myself and this is what I've found:

With a 2" - 2.5" Leveling Kit and stock wheels, people have made 305/55R20's or 33x12.50x20's work... By "work", I mean they usually have to trim some plastic and they might rub a slight amount at full lock... There are a bunch of photos floatin' around that'll show you examples of these set-ups... I'll be glad to help you find some if you so wish... Also, the RC 2" Kit and the CCM 2.5" Kit are generally two of the more popular kits around here/other forums (there are others, but you see A LOT of these)... They are affordable and I haven't heard anyone complain about the quality of either...

With that being said, I'm putting the 295/55/R20 Nitto Trail Grapplers (JB's tires) on at the end of February... They are essentially a 33x12.50x20, which is exactly what I want... Also, I'm most likely gonna replace the Readylift 1.5" Leveling Kit I have with a CCM 2.5" Kit, just to be safe... I like the way trucks with the CCM sit, so that's what I'm goin' with... Furthermore, I've got a friend in my hometown with the same truck as ours (except it's a Silverado) that has Nitto Terra Grappler 305/55/R20's on OEM 20's, a CCM 2.5" Leveling Kit, NO TRIMMING, and the tires don't rub at all...

Anyways, maybe that'll give you some direction as to what you might want to do... I'll be sure to update with some pics once I get my tires on... Good luck with it...

stlavsa · January 31, 2010

e1201,

I've got the '08 version of your truck (2008 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 4x4 w/ OEM 20's) w/ a Readylift 1.5" Leveling Kit... I've gone through the same process you're going through right now and, I'll warn you, you're gonna get a lot of different opinions on what will or won't work... I'm giving you what I have seen for myself and this is what I've found:

With a 2" - 2.5" Leveling Kit and stock wheels, people have made 305/55R20's or 33x12.50x20's work... By "work", I mean they usually have to trim some plastic and they might rub a slight amount at full lock... There are a bunch of photos floatin' around that'll show you examples of these set-ups... I'll be glad to help you find some if you so wish... Also, the RC 2" Kit and the CCM 2.5" Kit are generally two of the more popular kits around here/other forums (there are others, but you see A LOT of these)... They are affordable and I haven't heard anyone complain about the quality of either...

With that being said, I'm putting the 295/55/R20 Nitto Trail Grapplers (JB's tires) on at the end of February... They are essentially a 33x12.50x20, which is exactly what I want... Also, I'm most likely gonna replace the Readylift 1.5" Leveling Kit I have with a CCM 2.5" Kit, just to be safe... I like the way trucks with the CCM sit, so that's what I'm goin' with... Furthermore, I've got a friend in my hometown with the same truck as ours (except it's a Silverado) that has Nitto Terra Grappler 305/55/R20's on OEM 20's, a CCM 2.5" Leveling Kit, NO TRIMMING, and the tires don't rub at all...

Anyways, maybe that'll give you some direction as to what you might want to do... I'll be sure to update with some pics once I get my tires on... Good luck with it...

The truth is most people that run 4" suspension lifts still have a problem with slight rubbing on 305/55/20 its just a huge tire for a 33. I tried the 305/55/20 with the 2" level kit with a set of wheels that had a more conservative offset than stock, with plastic trimmed, and it still rubbed.. HARD. It rubbed full lock forward, it rubbed with just a slight turn in reverse, and it rubbed @ like half lock in forward if u were on an angle or hit a bump. It was miserable. I ended up putting a fabtech suspension lift on because I was disgusted with the rubbing. Its obnoxiously loud and terrible sounding.

As for as a 295/55/30 goes, its got a better chance.. its not a 33x12.5x20, its much closer to a 33x11.5x20. Its prolly still gonna rub some as its only 10mm skinnier than the 305, but it may help a little. If it were me and I wasnt planning on doing anyting more than a leveling kit and trimming i would run a 285.. its only 10mm skinnier than the 295 so not much smaller, but people can get them to work well with just trimming and leveling and a good offset choice.

y2kz71 · January 31, 2010

As for as a 295/55/20 goes, its got a better chance.. its not a 33x12.5x20, its much closer to a 33x11.5x20. Its prolly still gonna rub some as its only 10mm skinnier than the 305, but it may help a little. If it were me and I wasnt planning on doing anyting more than a leveling kit and trimming i would run a 285.. its only 10mm skinnier than the 295 so not much smaller, but people can get them to work well with just trimming and leveling and a good offset choice.

Dont go by what your calculator tells you, go by the MFG website specifications which states 32.91 X 12.52 to be exact. Trust me, they are every bit of that, very wide imo. www.nittotire.com

I had the 275/60/20 Coopers while I was waiting on these to come in, now those were wayyy to skinny for me...aka pizza cutters

stlavsa · February 1, 2010

As for as a 295/55/20 goes, its got a better chance.. its not a 33x12.5x20, its much closer to a 33x11.5x20. Its prolly still gonna rub some as its only 10mm skinnier than the 305, but it may help a little. If it were me and I wasnt planning on doing anyting more than a leveling kit and trimming i would run a 285.. its only 10mm skinnier than the 295 so not much smaller, but people can get them to work well with just trimming and leveling and a good offset choice.

Dont go by what your calculator tells you, go by the MFG website specifications which states 32.91 X 12.52 to be exact. Trust me, they are every bit of that, very wide imo. www.nittotire.com

I had the 275/60/20 Coopers while I was waiting on these to come in, now those were wayyy to skinny for me...aka pizza cutters

your right its pretty common for the tire to be wider than the actual size. The 305/55/20s I had were a bit wider than 12" as calcuator states, they were over 13" wide.

ebordeaux · February 1, 2010

Great advice guys, thank you. I'm steering away from the 305/50/20's. First an foremost is getting the level kit installed and ready to go. Part two will consist of trying on 285's and 295's. I'm going to try 285's first to see how they look. If I feel I need to go larger, then I'll go to 295's. I'm trying to go with Nitto's...researching on-line for pricing and the local tire stores. I was a little shocked when you go from a "P" to "LT" size. $200 between to the same tire size, but obviously the plys are increased.

Hopefully I can have some before and after photos in a few weeks.

Thanks again for the insite and advice from everyone.

Eric

stlavsa · February 1, 2010

Great advice guys, thank you. I'm steering away from the 305/50/20's. First an foremost is getting the level kit installed and ready to go. Part two will consist of trying on 285's and 295's. I'm going to try 285's first to see how they look. If I feel I need to go larger, then I'll go to 295's. I'm trying to go with Nitto's...researching on-line for pricing and the local tire stores. I was a little shocked when you go from a "P" to "LT" size. $200 between to the same tire size, but obviously the plys are increased.

Hopefully I can have some before and after photos in a few weeks.

Thanks again for the insite and advice from everyone.

Eric

thats what i would do.