Leveling My Avalanche

[jtstacy77]

I have an 06 avalanche 4x4 ls. My front end is lower than my dad's Z71 avalanche. His looks pretty much level, mine is heavily raked in the front. I am thinking about raising it by adjusting the torsion bars. I did this on my previous truck 04 silverado. Problem was it rode a little stiff and my local tire shop never got my steering wheel straight after the alignment. Should I buy different torsion keys? Also I have read a recent post about the dealerships doing a better job of an alignment, is this generally the case? Also guessing raising the front end will cut back on my gas mileage. Thanks for any advice!

[Garrett Street]

When I adjusted my torsion bars I wished I had went ahead and bought torsion keys for my truck. A really high quality set can be bought for 250 bucks add in 100 for an alignment and it's worth every penny of the 350 you spend. IMO, spending a little more now will make you happier than just crankin' em up.

[jtstacy77]

When I adjusted my torsion bars I wished I had went ahead and bought torsion keys for my truck. A really high quality set can be bought for 250 bucks add in 100 for an alignment and it's worth every penny of the 350 you spend. IMO, spending a little more now will make you happier than just crankin' em up.

 

Do the new keys make it ride more like stock as opposed to just using the factory ones?

[tyhuck]

No, afteramrket keys do the same thing as cranking the stock keys. The aftermarket onesare indexed differently and will give you a taller stance by just allowing you to crank them higher. THe mechanics are all the same with stock or aftermarket keys. At the end of the day, all you are doing is turning up the preload on the torsion bars.

 

People that tell you that an aftermarket key works better than the stock cranked are IMO full of it. They are fooling themselves trying to justify the $100+ they dropped on an often unneeded part. I know, Im one of them. I have aftermarket keys and I cant tell any difference other than it ssits an inch taller than my stock keys cranked. THe ride isnt bad compared to stock though.

 

Now, I will tell you that some half ton vehicles, Silvys, Tahoes, Avys, need reindexed keys to net you the desired lift. Mine was like that, hence the aftermarket keys. My stock keys only let me go up an inch before they maxed out. The AM keys gave me another inch.

[blackout07]

 

Leveling keys are a complete waste of money, UNLESS, your stock keys won't allow you to crank. Don't crank over 2" and you should ride just fine.

[tyhuck]

 

Leveling keys are a complete waste of money, UNLESS, your stock keys won't allow you to crank. Don't crank over 2" and you should ride just fine.

 

 

You arent pointing at me? I was saying the same thing you did.

[Carder09]

Maybe he is suggesting that both of you are dumb for knowing about that???

[tyhuck]

HUH ???

[Big Whiskey]

 

Leveling keys are a complete waste of money, UNLESS, your stock keys won't allow you to crank. Don't crank over 2" and you should ride just fine.

 

 

You arent pointing at me? I was saying the same thing you did.

 

 

 

 

That sign just means that he is agreeing with you.

 

And, I agree as well. Just crank the stockers first. If you can't get enough lift out of them, then go with aftermarket.

[tyhuck]

 

Leveling keys are a complete waste of money, UNLESS, your stock keys won't allow you to crank. Don't crank over 2" and you should ride just fine.

 

 

You arent pointing at me? I was saying the same thing you did.

 

 

 

 

That sign just means that he is agreeing with you.

 

 

 

Gotcha. Sorry for my ignorance. I guess the sign rings true from time to time.

[blackout07]

 

Leveling keys are a complete waste of money, UNLESS, your stock keys won't allow you to crank. Don't crank over 2" and you should ride just fine.

 

 

You arent pointing at me? I was saying the same thing you did.

 

 

 

 

That sign just means that he is agreeing with you.

 

And, I agree as well. Just crank the stockers first. If you can't get enough lift out of them, then go with aftermarket.

 

 

Ummm....I guess

 

 

 

 

 

[jtstacy77]

Sounds good, I will try the stock first and see if i get enough lift. Will the dealership be able to get my steering wheel back straight? The local tire shop never could on my 04 silverado.

[jtstacy77]

How much lift can I expect to get by cranking the stock keys? 4x4 not z-71.

[tyhuck]

Some get around 2", some get more, but I only got 1". You dont want to go too high or you risk wearing out front end parts. 2" seems to be the magic number.

[jtstacy77]

Some get around 2", some get more, but I only got 1". You dont want to go too high or you risk wearing out front end parts. 2" seems to be the magic number.

 

 

Thanks!