Leveling Kit Help For First Truck

[Josh Ma]

I have a 2004 Silverado 1500 Z/71. And i want it to sit level. So i believe i need to crank the torsion bars. So now i have a level sitting truck. Now I want to buy a leveling kit with (2) 2" torsion keys, and (2) 2" blocks, now with this leveling kit i have i level sitting truck with a two inch lift? Is this right? Or does the leveling kit level it and lift it?

 

I'm 15 and i just have no idea about it lol

[Matt_]

hey man, welcome to the site.

 

Unfortunately... on your truck a "leveling kit" is just cranking the torsion bars. There's nothing magical about those expensive "keys" that companies try to sell you.

 

I've been in your shoes and had the same truck. My advice to you- crank the stock keys to level the truck and get an alignment. Then put on a 3" body lift and a nice set of 33s. You'll have a sweet looking truck that doesn't drive like a tank, and you won't be replacing your tie rods and balljoints every other year.

[Josh Ma]

That sounds good but i am tryin my best to avoid a body lift. Will those keys raise the front 2" or are they just a waste of money???

[Stevens03]

If you got the truck level with the torsion bars, your golden. If you've gone over 2" from where you started, I'd suggest lowering it some to safe the front. What you've done is extended the front suspension to far and your ride will suffer, as well as your suspension. I personally would not install keys, You'll have abnormal wear on your front suspension components. Save for a real lift that drops the differentials and you'll be happier. Do a search and you'll see it's not a good idea to add the keys.

 

Welcome to the site.

[Josh Ma]

And i am lookin into a set of 295/75/16 nittos... will they fit

[Matt_]

2" is the max you'll want to go with keys. Your truck will just about sit level at that point.

[Josh Ma]

I'm just tryin to get the look of a suspension lift without the price. I am 15, and i cant afford something like that. I dont want to go with a body lift. So i want as much lift as i can possibly get out of a levling kit and 295/75/26's... without it being to hard on my wallet

[Matt_]

Well... lesson number 1; there's always a price.

 

Best you're going to get is 2". I've done this... the ride sucks, you'll have minimal down travel of the suspension, and parts will wear out faster.

[Josh Ma]

I got an ol beat up truck from a saw mill with 205000 miles on it and i'm sure its probably about done anyways. So thank you for your help

[blackout07]

Unfortunately it costs to look good. But I agree with the others about keys being a waste of money. Crank your stock keys and save the money. I have had aftermarket keys before and I couldn't stand to drive the truck.

[kdixer]

I'm just tryin to get the look of a suspension lift without the price. I am 15, and i cant afford something like that. I dont want to go with a body lift. So i want as much lift as i can possibly get out of a levling kit and 295/75/26's... without it being to hard on my wallet

 

That is the #1 reason you should not "over tax" the front end components. If you try to get too much lift with the O.E. components you will end up with a hefty repair bill. You should be able to adjust your torsion bars to get 1-1/2" to 2" without issue.

[sc4808]

Unfortunately it costs to look good. But I agree with the others about keys being a waste of money. Crank your stock keys and save the money. I have had aftermarket keys before and I couldn't stand to drive the truck.

 

 

+1

[Josh Ma]

If i simply crank the torsion bars to get a level ride height... will 295/75/16's fit without any other modifications? It's a 33.4, will it rub?

[Mckenzie]

I JUST got my truck leveled today using the readylift keys and shock extenders for $300.00 that included the kit,taxes,all labor, and a front end alignment. These keys cant be over cranked,will never snap, and keep the factory ride. I really like the look they gave my truck.oh and btw its an 01 z71

[thewilsons4ever]

This is what you will be sitting like with the torsion bars cranked. As already stated, DO NOT go over 2". You will start to wear stuff out and a front suspension can get pretty expensive. I am running a 275/70R18 which is 33.15x11.11. I had to trim the front valence a little to keep them from rubbing, but only an inch or 2 at the corners. I have been running like this for about 8 nmonths now and have had 0 problems. Forget about spending your money on the aftermarket keys. Your stock keys will do the exact same thing for free.

 

Here is my work in progress....