Rough Country Leveling Kit Concerns

[dcheeseman]

I have a 2010 GMC Sierra SLT "All Terrain Pkg." 5.3L, 6L80E tranny, 3.42 rear-end, Ex-Cab.

 

My Concerns are how does this affect the geometry of the suspension. Does it put more strain on the sway bar, rack and pinion, CV axles, up/down suspension travel. What I'm getting at is that I'm no engineer and due to the fact the truck is set to specs from the factory at the current ride height and me installing a leveling kit affect any parts. I do not what to add any premature wear to anything.

 

Anyhow, what do you all know about this and if you have it installed whats your experience with it. Thank you all for your comments in advance.

 

Daniel

[VMaxtastic]

I installed one on my old '07 at about 170,000 km.. Shortly after I found myself doing some minor repairs to my front end, after bouncing down some rough oilfield roads for about a month. I replaced a CV boot, and had a broken sway bar link.

 

I'm pretty sure it adds strain to the front end.

[dcheeseman]

Thanks for the reply, thats kind of what I was afraid of. I really like the look of a leveled truck. Mine is 4X4 so it should sit like one. I just haven't made up my mind if I wanna go for it or not.

[kstruckcountry]

It will add some strain, but a BUNCH of people on here have them and don't have issues.

[dcheeseman]

It will add some strain, but a BUNCH of people on here have them and don't have issues.

 

Thanks for the reply, I'm just wondering down the road say over 200,000 miles on the clock. I plan on keeping her till I run her to the ground.

[RyanbabZ71]

Moving to the suspension area.

 

There are lots of leveling kit threads and not many issues. I have 15K on mine with no issues (knock on wood). It will change the front end geometry which in theory will cause increased wear. In 200K you will have to replace front end parts no matter if you have a level kit or not.

[VMaxtastic]

I'm willing to bet repairs will come sooner, but I doubt they will be more frequent. My new truck has a leveling kit installed by GM, not sure how they differ from the 50 dollar RC blocks you get. But I'm not worried about it.

 

I don't know how often you go offroad, but I know with my job, the little increase in height can be there difference between wrecking a bumper, or making it through intact. That alone pays for itself IMO.

[08G8V8]

I'm willing to bet repairs will come sooner, but I doubt they will be more frequent. My new truck has a leveling kit installed by GM, not sure how they differ from the 50 dollar RC blocks you get. But I'm not worried about it.

 

I don't know how often you go offroad, but I know with my job, the little increase in height can be there difference between wrecking a bumper, or making it through intact. That alone pays for itself IMO.

 

 

 

Do you have more info on the GM leveling kit? Was this an option? Is it an accessory you can buy? I have not heard anyone having this done from the dealer. I saw your post of the pic of your truck on the 6.2L thread, and thought your truck looked leveled.

[VMaxtastic]

Im not really sure. Ive heard of them before, but don;'t know how they differ from the RC ones. When the dealer ordered the truck for me from another dealer, they mentioned that it has a dealer installed leveling kit, and that it will be an extra 750 bucks (Canadian). I'll ask on Monday, as I am also curious now that the initial novelty of owning a new truck has subsided a bit.

 

I know that the RC one only cost me 60 bucks shipped. So I'm guessing there is a lot more to this other one. It also doesn't affect my warranty, as it was dealer installed. I don't know who the actual manufacturer of the kit is, but I will find out, and post back in this thread.

 

I have a feeling its going to be less tension on the front end though, as opposed to the RC one. The extra cost has me thinking that it reinforces everything more.

[TooTall1]

Dealer installed and factory installed are two VERY different things....

[hodo78]

Dealer installed and factory installed are two VERY different things....

+1000

[VMaxtastic]

I called the dealer about it, they are gonna get back to me once they talk to the other one. I never did say factory installed BTW. I reworded my truck's description to avoid confusion

[scz71864]

many people have the RC kit with not problems. I had the RC on mine until i switched to the leveling bilsteins. Truck rides a lot better than it did with the stock shocks+RC. Anything over 2inches on a level kit is cause for trouble your front end.

[TooTall1]

I called the dealer about it, they are gonna get back to me once they talk to the other one. I never did say factory installed BTW. I reworded my truck's description to avoid confusion

 

Ok..but you did say GM installed which would imply factory versus dealer installed.

[VMaxtastic]

If it never leaves the pavement, it's doubtful you will have problems. But if you bought a truck to get down roads cars cant go down, it's likely going to add extra wear and tear. I put the kit in my truck so I don't rip my bumper off chasing rigs all over Western Canada.. The roads we drive on can be BRUTAL. It was after taking it down a particularly bad lease road, that I ended up with a snapped sway bar link. Prior to the RC kit, I had replaced all 4 ball joints, 3 were getting bad, so I just did all 4, so I cant comment on the wear on those...

 

It really depends on how you use your truck IMO... Pavement princess, probably won't be an issue.. Buying a 4x4 to use it like a 4x4.... That's a different story. It certainly affected my VMax. I took it in twice in like 4 months for new front end noses, after putting the RC kit in. But the roads I drive on are unlike what most will drive on.