2014+ Leveling Kits

morrislee · December 14, 2014

i had mine done at capital gmc in edmonton did the 4in lift lift costed $ 1097 plus 720 labor and 180 new wheel alignment

Woh, that is where I bought my truck from yo! And $875 is quoted from them too!

Edited December 14, 2014 by morrislee

5RWill · December 14, 2014

There's a short list of things that are downsides.

Lower fuel economy at high speeds (low speeds shouldn't be affected much)

some have reported harsher ride (due to the steeper angle of the A-arms)

There were many reports of upper ball joint premature wear-outs with this same suspension in the GMT900 when 2.5" levels were installed (over limiting the ball joint angle) I'm sure we'll hear more of this on this model

The roll center is lifted and therefore body roll is increased in cornering/evasive maneuvering

lower checking account balance due to need for new tires, wheels, upper control arms, bull bars, etc., which all work to lower fuel economy more and lower your checking balance even further

But it's all in good fun and recreation.

As you know I plan on lifting with the Bilstein 5100 series adjustables or their new coilovers when they release. I will eventually as you did pick up a new pair of upper control arms to accommodate the lifted front end so I can extend life of the ball joints or at least I think it would help.

I'm still a little baffled by AZ's mpg on that trip.

Daly · December 14, 2014

^^^^Once you lift a truck and put bigger tires on you can't rely on the instant MPG gauge in your trucks DIC. It's tuned to factory equipment, and not that accurate in the first place. If AZ were to get a tune and correct the tire size, his instant MPG would improve but still not be completely accurate. Best bet is to hand calculate the MPG over a few tanks and find out what your actual MPG is. Winter blend gas is also to blame here, there are additive put in it to stop it from gelling in the cold…

My truck has 275/70/18's with a 2" level, it get's driven in the city a lot lately and says it's getting about 10MPG, but after hand calculating it, I'm actually getting 13-14MPG, which isn't bad for the amount of city driving I'm doing, with the Christmas holiday traffic, and with the winter blend gas that's in the tank… I can't wait to go on vacation in the new year and stretch the trucks legs, even with the winter blend I think it should get close to 20-22MPG… Before, when the truck was stock, on long trips with premium summer grade gas, I was getting 28+mpg on long trips. I knew the bigger tires were going to take a hit out of the fuel mileage, but the stock tires and clearance weren't going to get me to my fishing camp…

Edited December 14, 2014 by Daly

Spurshot · December 14, 2014

Guys, Hello, I am new here. I have read a lot of the posts regarding the RC 2" leveling kits.

I have '14 Denali 1500 without any suspension mods yet.

I really like the truck but I am not thrilled with the ride on my rough streets. Definitely due to the 20" rims.

Would love to put more rubber between the wheel and the road.

Don't really want to add a lift since I am short and I do use the bed of my truck.

Was thinking of adding the RC 2" leveling kit.

Not sure what that will allow me to get as far a tires.

Really like the Michelin LTX/MS2 tires. Had them on my last truck and they performed nicely.

However, they don't offer a 275/65/20. And I am not sure a 275/60/20 will give me what I am looking for.

Also, not sure the 2" leveling kit will allow me to get those tires anyway.

If I added the RC 2.5" with the lift, that should allow me to go to bigger tires. But that I think will put me too high.

If I did the 2.5" with the lift, I would love to go to a 280/65/20, do they even make that size?

So my question is this, can I get the 275/65/20 to fit if I do the RC 2" level kit?

If not, what do you suggest?

Thanks,

Jim

Jim,

That's a 34" tire. Some guys have gotten them to fit with a 275 width. It's all about wheel offset. You should check your clearances with the tires you have and calculate how much the new tire size will reduce those clearances. Have a friend turn the wheels to the stop and hold them there (engine running) while you measure or use the seatbelt to hold the steering wheel at the stops. Measure the clearances around the plastic well liner, the sway bar and whatever else is close. If a person is holding the steering wheel, be sure to tell them you'll be in the wheel well and your safety depends on them not moving the wheel. I used a seat belt.

You definitely can go up to a 285 width or even 295 if you go to a 33" diameter tire.

AZGMCZ71Leveled · December 14, 2014

I agree with you all too. I get better mpg around town. My last fill up from a week around the city was 15/16 ish. We lift em and loose some mpg, but we get more looks and I am always bull shitting with people at the gas station about my truck. I think of I stayed around 70 mph I would of gotten better mpg. I also believe in premium fuel. I have been running it my truck since last week and it has increased my fuel economy by alot.

Jim31 · December 14, 2014

Jim,

That's a 34" tire. Some guys have gotten them to fit with a 275 width. It's all about wheel offset. You should check your clearances with the tires you have and calculate how much the new tire size will reduce those clearances. Have a friend turn the wheels to the stop and hold them there (engine running) while you measure or use the seatbelt to hold the steering wheel at the stops. Measure the clearances around the plastic well liner, the sway bar and whatever else is close. If a person is holding the steering wheel, be sure to tell them you'll be in the wheel well and your safety depends on them not moving the wheel. I used a seat belt.

You definitely can go up to a 285 width or even 295 if you go to a 33" diameter tire.

Thanks Spurshot. I think I recall reading that you did the 2" level kit and added the Michelins. If I am correct, do you really think that improved the ride that much? As I stated, I am not really looking to make the truck taller, I just want more rubber between the rim and road. I want that for two reasons, first and foremost, the ride, I want a softer ride. I feel too much road. Second is curbs, want to get the rims away from curbs. But again the ride is my biggest concern.

Thanks and I like your dog. I am planning on selling my tonneau and putting on a cap. I want to get a lab and this truck is just too nice to put the dog in so I want a cap for it. Thinking of getting a LEER xq.

Lang19 · December 14, 2014

I have a question for the people on here who installed their lift kit themselves...if you install a kit yourself on a new truck will it affect your new vehicle warranty in any way?

Thanks,

Jason

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austingta · December 15, 2014

I have a question for the people on here who installed their lift kit themselves...if you install a kit yourself on a new truck will it affect your new vehicle warranty in any way?

Thanks,

Jason

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you have suspension, brake or tire problems, you betcha. GM has enough problems paying for legit warranty work.

elviswas · December 15, 2014

What 4" did you get for $1097?

fabtech control arms shocks, level blocks etc

elviswas · December 15, 2014

Woh, that is where I bought my truck from yo! And $875 is quoted from them too!

i like the 4in lift but stock rims will not fit. factory offset is wrong rubs on the control arm . not sure with a 2in lift since i dont think they change the control arms?

morrislee · December 15, 2014

i like the 4in lift but stock rims will not fit. factory offset is wrong rubs on the control arm . not sure with a 2in lift since i dont think they change the control arms?

I havent got it done yet. Many people did not specify if they had to change anything with 2.5 pad. The GM rep said with $875, no warranty voided BECAUSE no parts are taken out. I am guessing not touching the control arm.

elviswas · December 15, 2014

I havent got it done yet. Many people did not specify if they had to change anything with 2.5 pad. The GM rep said with $875, no warranty voided BECAUSE no parts are taken out. I am guessing not touching the control arm.

i have full warranty since they did it at the dealership with the 4 in if your around edm i can show u the lift and how it rides

morrislee · December 15, 2014

i have full warranty since they did it at the dealership with the 4 in if your around edm i can show u the lift and how it rides

Actually yeah, if you dont mind, it is a good idea to know the difference if any

beard_up · December 15, 2014

Here's pics of mine. Zone 2 inch.

boone9 · December 16, 2014

Putting on the rough country 2.5 and 285/60/20 duratracs. Whats everyone doing about the speedometer calibration. Talked to my dealer today and they said when they lift, or level trucks they don't recalibrate the speedo, but I call B.S. He also said if you calibrate it yourself with a programmer, it could void warranty because they don't know what was programmed, just know it was programmed. Anyone have any experience with this, thanks.