2014+ Leveling Kits

tyrich88 · December 19, 2015

Thanks. Did you notice a very big difference on ride quality and engine performance going from stock tires to 10 ply?

The 10 ply's i originally had were heavy, so there was a noticeable difference here. But between getting these new tires, I actually drove a stock demo pickup and how there was a difference, it wasn't enough that I was left wanting more performance more than loving having the taller tires.

I actually like the ride better with these KO2's.

hurlz07tahoe · December 19, 2015

Installed Bilsteins on all four, top setting.

Got an alignment, and also adjusted my headlights.

Took notes of before and after for fender wall heights.

Stock Rancho Shocks:

* Front Left -- 35.75"

* Front Right -- 35.75"

* Rear Left -- 39.25"

* Rear Right -- 38.75"

Bilstein Shocks:

* Front Left -- 37.75"

* Front Right -- 37.75"

* Rear Left -- 39.25"

* Rear Right -- 39.125"

1.5" of rake, but that's exactly what I wanted.

Waaaaay smoother than the stock Ranchos.

Night and day difference, great investment.

Looks good. Did you put larger tires on? Are those 20in rims? Do you tow or load up the bed much? My rear sinks really easily when I load it up and I'm worried that if I put on the Bilsteins up front it'll make the rear sag too much.

Zachlovesfood · December 19, 2015

Looks good. Did you put larger tires on? Are those 20in rims? Do you tow or load up the bed much? My rear sinks really easily when I load it up and I'm worried that if I put on the Bilsteins up front it'll make the rear sag too much.

275/55R20's on right now. I plan on trying 275/60 and 275/65, since there's quite a bit of room when I cut the wheels and measure. I can for sure put 33's, most likely 34, but 35 will definitely require trimming. I don't tow often, but I have to load up the bed often for work. Usually it's not more than 1000 lbs in weight, and I have yet to try it. I'll post pics and measure the bed loaded down when I can.

hurlz07tahoe · December 19, 2015

275/55R20's on right now. I plan on trying 275/60 and 275/65, since there's quite a bit of room when I cut the wheels and measure. I can for sure put 33's, most likely 34, but 35 will definitely require trimming. I don't tow often, but I have to load up the bed often for work. Usually it's not more than 1000 lbs in weight, and I have yet to try it. I'll post pics and measure the bed loaded down when I can.

If you do end up snapping some pictures and taking some measurements of it with the bed loaded up, I would love to see your results!

Haus_Z71 · December 19, 2015

Who do you all recommend installing the leveling kit? I imagine the dealer is going to overcharge. I'm going with the RC 2.5" and will be having 285/65/18's put on at the same time so I'm looking for an alignment and headlight adjustment as well.

Steeks · December 19, 2015

Installed Bilsteins on all four, top setting.

Got an alignment, and also adjusted my headlights.

Took notes of before and after for fender wall heights.

Stock Rancho Shocks:

* Front Left -- 35.75"

* Front Right -- 35.75"

* Rear Left -- 39.25"

* Rear Right -- 38.75"

Bilstein Shocks:

* Front Left -- 37.75"

* Front Right -- 37.75"

* Rear Left -- 39.25"

* Rear Right -- 39.125"

1.5" of rake, but that's exactly what I wanted.

Waaaaay smoother than the stock Ranchos.

Night and day difference, great investment.

can I ask what you payed? Was on the fence between the bilesteins and the RC2.5. I'm looking to put 275/65/20s ko2s as well but wasn't sure on the fit, don't want rubbing or having to trim. Keep us posted please.

Zachlovesfood · December 19, 2015

If you do end up snapping some pictures and taking some measurements of it with the bed loaded up, I would love to see your results!

Got some pics with the boat attached. 37.75" in front, 38.0625" in back. That's still 5/16" of rake. Granted, if I loaded the bed down more, or put a heavier trailer on, I'd probably end up slightly nose high. I kind of anticipated that being a possibility, in which case I want to look into getting the Roadmaster Active Suspension. It's like add a leaf, but helps handling whether you have a trailer/loaded bed or not, plus you don't have to take anything apart... Worth the research.

Zachlovesfood · December 19, 2015

can I ask what you payed? Was on the fence between the bilesteins and the RC2.5. I'm looking to put 275/65/20s ko2s as well but wasn't sure on the fit, don't want rubbing or having to trim. Keep us posted please.

Front shocks -- $186.24 delivered from AJUSA

Rear shocks -- $143.22 delivered from AJUSA

Install -- $100 local mechanic (I observed the process, took him an hour each, but would've taken me longer trying to figure it out!)

Alignment -- $85 local shop (took about an hour)

So that's $329.46 in parts, $185 in labor.

I aimed the headlights back down myself.

I'll be looking into tires as well, but it'll have to wait until after the holidays.

mjj · December 20, 2015

Installed Bilsteins on all four, top setting.

Got an alignment, and also adjusted my headlights.

Took notes of before and after for fender wall heights.

Stock Rancho Shocks:

* Front Left -- 35.75"

* Front Right -- 35.75"

* Rear Left -- 39.25"

* Rear Right -- 38.75"

Bilstein Shocks:

* Front Left -- 37.75"

* Front Right -- 37.75"

* Rear Left -- 39.25"

* Rear Right -- 39.125"

1.5" of rake, but that's exactly what I wanted.

Waaaaay smoother than the stock Ranchos.

Night and day difference, great investment.

Sorry probably a dumb question but the Blisteins in the rear are not adjustable like the fronts correct? If you wanted to keep more of a factory rake it'd take taller blocks in the rear? How did the right rear get higher/closer to level with the left?

Zachlovesfood · December 20, 2015

Sorry probably a dumb question but the Blisteins in the rear are not adjustable like the fronts correct? If you wanted to keep more of a factory rake it'd take taller blocks in the rear? How did the right rear get higher/closer to level with the left?

You're correct, the rear shocks are not adjustable. They're often described as " 0-1 inches " but with further research, I found that it means it can accommodate a block that's 1" taller than the stock block and still work properly.

I'm not quite sure why that number fluctuated, might have something to do with how full the gas tank is. Chevy lean is no myth haha. It could also have to do with raising the front, slightly shifted the weight to the back and leveled it out a bit.

Edited December 20, 2015 by Zachlovesfood

tyrich88 · December 20, 2015

Looks good. Did you put larger tires on? Are those 20in rims? Do you tow or load up the bed much? My rear sinks really easily when I load it up and I'm worried that if I put on the Bilsteins up front it'll make the rear sag too much.

If you're worried about sag but want the bilsteins... put them on and then if you have a problem with sag, add air bags or an add-a-leaf to the back.

amxguy1970 · December 20, 2015

The 10 ply's i originally had were heavy, so there was a noticeable difference here. But between getting these new tires, I actually drove a stock demo pickup and how there was a difference, it wasn't enough that I was left wanting more performance more than loving having the taller tires.

I actually like the ride better with these KO2's.

Makes sense, ya that is a good difference. I thought I read you had the same tires (might have been someone else). Goes to show how much large swings in rotational mass can change the vehicle performance...

Tyler

Khaase07 · December 21, 2015

What are u guys using to correct the speedo?

tyrich88 · December 21, 2015

What are u guys using to correct the speedo?

My Garmin Cycling gps lol

I just find out how much its off at the speeds I normally go and go off of that.

I may do a tune to the truck and fix it that way, but idk. Not a huge deal right now.

tyrich88 · December 21, 2015

Makes sense, ya that is a good difference. I thought I read you had the same tires (might have been someone else). Goes to show how much large swings in rotational mass can change the vehicle performance...

Tyler

Oh absolutely! Down the road a bit I'm looking into getting some lighter wheels too. Hopefully that will drop the whole set up down quite a bit in weight.