2014+ Leveling Kits

tyrich88 · May 24, 2016

Thanks, you have any pics of your setup?

Here is a link to my build thread

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/181185-tyrich88s-2015-z71-build/

I will PM you some pictures as well

Edited May 24, 2016 by tyrich88

bcbz71 · May 25, 2016

Largest tire I can fit with a 2" level on stock GMC 18" all terrain wheels? The more rubber the better.. I think I saw a lot of 275/70/18? I'd like to avoid any trimming.

275/70r18 will fit without a level. They are taller (33") but actually narrower than the 265/65r18s your truck came with. Some of the fatter ones like the Cooper STT Max look OK. The 275s run about $100 less a tire than the 285s which is why many people run them.

285/65r18 is 32x11. You lose 1/2" height but gain an inch or more of width. Looks much better than the tall/narrow 275/70. They will fit stock with possible minor rubbing. Fit perfect with a level.

295/65r18 is 33x11.8. Very little selection in this tire size, but look amazing on a leveled truck.

Edited May 25, 2016 by bcbz71

Donstar · May 25, 2016

275/70r18 will fit without a level. They are taller (33") but actually narrower than the 265/65r18s your truck came with. Some of the fatter ones like the Cooper STT Max look OK. The 275s run about $100 less a tire than the 285s which is why many people run them.

When you are comparing identical brand tires the 275 will be wider than the 265. I have noticed variations between tire brands and styles in looks and actual measurements. You might create a wider look on the 265 with a smaller aspect (height) but it is still 10 mm narrower than a 275.

16silvdriver · May 25, 2016

For anyone who got a ready lift leveling kit on their truck, how much did it cost you in total? (including leveling kit, alignment, installation) I just got a quote and wanted to see if it was on par.

chevydeth · May 25, 2016

275/70r18 will fit without a level. They are taller (33") but actually narrower than the 265/65r18s your truck came with. Some of the fatter ones like the Cooper STT Max look OK. The 275s run about $100 less a tire than the 285s which is why many people run them.

285/65r18 is 32x11. You lose 1/2" height but gain an inch or more of width. Looks much better than the tall/narrow 275/70. They will fit stock with possible minor rubbing. Fit perfect with a level.

295/65r18 is 33x11.8. Very little selection in this tire size, but look amazing on a leveled truck.

I found 295/65/18 on tirerack in the goodyear duratrac, so on the OEM 18" A/T wheels with a 2" level kit these should not rub correct?

ReactedArc · May 25, 2016

rc 2.5'' level 275/65r20 bfg k02

14Rufus · May 25, 2016

rc 2.5'' level 275/65r20 bfg k02

Sigh... That's a beautiful pic. Reminds me of my old Indigo Blue Metallic. Sure miss that color.

bcbz71 · May 25, 2016

When you are comparing identical brand tires the 275 will be wider than the 265. I have noticed variations between tire brands and styles in looks and actual measurements. You might create a wider look on the 265 with a smaller aspect (height) but it is still 10 mm narrower than a 275.

Mathematically, yes, you are correct. What I am saying is to go to any tire store and roll a LT 275/70r18 up against stock P265/65r18s. Then take a head-on or rear-view look at the difference. The LT 275 will look thinner than the mounted P265. When mounted, the LT 275s will not flex or bulge in the section width, so visually, all you have is the tread to look at. Thus, the stock P265s look wider than the LT 275s so all you are gaining is height which is only seen when approaching your truck from the side. Everyone else watching your truck roll away will just see the skinny treadwidth.

I found 295/65/18 on tirerack in the goodyear duratrac, so on the OEM 18" A/T wheels with a 2" level kit these should not rub correct?

TireRack is a good company, but they charge shipping. I would never buy tires online because if you have ANY problem with them, your installer will tell you the tires are bad....then you have to deal with TireRack to send you replacements. A better way is to go to Sams Club and get their written price (usually $290 a tire) and then get your dealer to price match and do the install with road force balance. Then it's 100% your dealer problem if they won't balance or wear incorrectly.

As far as fitment, technically, yes they should fit on stockers (+24) with a level, but if you hold your steering wheel hard against the lock and look at the rubber to UCA clearance with your stock tires, you will see there is less than an inch before rubber will touch metal. Not a BIG deal as you won't be lock-to-lock often, but the 295 GYs (and any decent A/T) are wider and will have knobs on the side that might impact the UCA (or swaybar) on a tight turn or while parking. The only way to alleviate this is to go more negative offset with custom rims (0 offset is good) or run 1" spacers on your hubs with your stock rims (or avoid full lock steering). 1" spacers will require you to cut your wheel studs shorter.

GY Duratracs don't come in 285/65r18 but lots of other good A/Ts do. Look at the Cooper STT MAX or Toyo OC ATII Extreme.....they have beefy 285s.

Edited May 25, 2016 by bcbz71

Midnight6.2 · May 26, 2016

For anyone who got a ready lift leveling kit on their truck, how much did it cost you in total? (including leveling kit, alignment, installation) I just got a quote and wanted to see if it was on par.

I got a quote of $485 for my ready lift kit including installation and alignment. Yea, it's pricey but my dealer is doing the install before I even take delivery of my truck. (I have a truck on special order) The way I look at it, it will be done before I even drive off the lot so that's one less thing to take care of.

tanner709 · May 26, 2016

I got a quote of $485 for my ready lift kit including installation and alignment. Yea, it's pricey but my dealer is doing the install before I even take delivery of my truck. (I have a truck on special order) The way I look at it, it will be done before I even drive off the lot so that's one less thing to take care of.

That's about average considering you're buying a brand name kit, and dealer installed w/ warranty. Worth the cost imo

Midnight6.2 · May 26, 2016

That's about average considering you're buying a brand name kit, and dealer installed w/ warranty. Worth the cost imo

Correct, it's absolutely worth it in my opinion as well

16silvdriver · May 26, 2016

just got off the phone with a local shop and when i told them that i wanted a readylift 2.25 level (includes upper and lower strut spacers) they said they only do the lower spacer because it is not worth it to do the top one and you only need 1 3/4" and anymore will do things to the suspension. I was perplexed when he said this because ive read a lot of this thread and ive never quite heard this especially because ive heard nothing but good things about the ready lift 2.25 and a lot of people do 2.5" levels. Anybody know why he wouldve told me this? He came out the cheapest by far but i feel like he was really knowledgeable.

Thanks!

kylercochran361 · May 26, 2016

just got off the phone with a local shop and when i told them that i wanted a readylift 2.25 level (includes upper and lower strut spacers) they said they only do the lower spacer because it is not worth it to do the top one and you only need 1 3/4" and anymore will do things to the suspension. I was perplexed when he said this because ive read a lot of this thread and ive never quite heard this especially because ive heard nothing but good things about the ready lift 2.25 and a lot of people do 2.5" levels. Anybody know why he wouldve told me this? He came out the cheapest by far but i feel like he was really knowledgeable.

Thanks!

Any alterations to the truck like a leveling kit will reduce the suspension quality. Make it be the ride quality or the life of your control arms and ext.. there are reason the suspension kits cost a butt load more. Because they actually try and implement a totally new suspension system. It's something people do to enjoy the look of a cheap lift look. If you want a lift but don't want it to screw your ride up change the upper control arm with your level or just go with a suspension lift. I was going to go cheap but I want my truck to last so I'm saving up for a suspension lift.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

tyrich88 · May 26, 2016

I found 295/65/18 on tirerack in the goodyear duratrac, so on the OEM 18" A/T wheels with a 2" level kit these should not rub correct?

I had 285/65/18s without a level and they would rub the felt fender liner at full lock in reverse JUST BARELY, so I would assume these 295s would as well.

I run 275/70s right now and they are in no way narrower than the stock tires as mentioned above. BFG's do run narrow and short though...

My father in law has nitto 275's and they are slightly wider and taller than mine as nitto is more accurate on with height and width of the tires and bfg usually runs small.

I do know that with the 295/65's or if you level and run 295/70's, you can trim the felt liner and that will eliminate the rub