2014+ Leveling Kits

6TEEN5.3 · August 18, 2016

Truck_2 resize final.png

Sorry for the delay. I tried posting last week using the tapatalk app, but it said my pictures were too big. I have since shrunk the photo. Here they are. I must say, what a huge and awesome change. Makes a nice luxury truck (SLT model) feel like a real truck after having the 2" level and new tires.

I had the 2" "Zone" level put on the front. For the tires, I put 285/55/20 BF Goodrich A/T KO2.

Pros

-Truck looks 10x better with the level. (Even with factory tires still on before I put new tired on it looked better)

-New BF Goodrich A/T K02 tires look great on the truck. Not over the top aggressive, but not boring either.

-No rubbing at all.

- Perfect height for what I was looking for.

Cons

-looks about like 1.5-2mpg difference - But I have mostly only driven city miles. With gas $1.80 it's no biggie.

-Noise is not an issue, but the tires are louder than factory. With radio on, you barely can even hear them.

-Slightly rougher ride when going over potholes or traintracks, but not much difference at all.

Overall, without a doubt I'd do this same setup again. It's not too high, not too big tires, just perfect for what I was looking for. I didn't even tell my wife I was doing it. She even said, "Man look at those tires, that looks really good...." she doesn't even pay much attention to my vehicle either. So she noticed.

That looks really sharp! That's the look I'm going for, nothing too aggressive but will catch your eye once you take a second look. Nice work

mrhonestlyinsane · August 19, 2016

Anyone running 275/65/20s with the RC 2.5" kit on stock wheels?

I'm looking at the Toyo AT II the BFG KO2 and the Mickey Thompson ATZ and would like it know if anyone is running a similar size tire and can tell me if it rubs (turning, reverse, gravel/bumpy roads, offroad) and if you had to trim.

2014 GMC RC 2.5"

Thanks in advance

This can be done with no problem. I ran that size tire on my 2 inch rc level before I lifted my truck. Most you will have to do is tie back the fender liner. There are plenty of examples of this set up in this thread. I still have pics of mine in my gallery.

highspeedZ71 · August 19, 2016

Hey everyone, so the rough country 2.5 wants you to unplug the power steering before installation.

I'm wondering can I just disconnect the battery instead?

MOhunter92 · August 19, 2016

Hey everyone, so the rough country 2.5 wants you to unplug the power steering before installation.

I'm wondering can I just disconnect the battery instead?

I'm guessing that would be the same thing. I heard rough country say the reasoning for it is there are sensitive sensors in the electric power steering that can be thrown off when installing the kit if they are left connected. I would rather just disconnect the plugs, seems easy enough. But battery would be just as easy

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highspeedZ71 · August 19, 2016

Hmm that's interesting, I was wondering what the whole point to that was. I was just thinking since I'm gonna install a MIT aswell and should disconnect the battery for that I could get away with not removing that debris cover and disconnecting the connectors to the power steering

Patflynn8734 · August 19, 2016

This can be done with no problem. I ran that size tire on my 2 inch rc level before I lifted my truck. Most you will have to do is tie back the fender liner. There are plenty of examples of this set up in this thread. I still have pics of mine in my gallery.

Did it rub any on rough roads or during full turn after you tied back the fender? And what did you use to tie the fender back?

mrhonestlyinsane · August 19, 2016

With he fender liner tied back it never rubbed. I used cable ties. I poked a tiny hole in the liner and I tied it back.

sensinitas · August 19, 2016

Selling my Rough Country 2.5" level kit if anyone is interested. $50 shipped.

5RWill · August 22, 2016

I always chuckle when I see those kind of posts. They act like a longer strut is better than a spacer giving you a longer strut.. Lol angles are the same, and nothing is really better feeling than the factory set up. You pay for a so so ride and less lift than a spacer kit lol just doesn't make sense. I'm gonna go with the RCX 2.5 then when the truck is out of warranty bds 4 inch

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For the Billies at least, lift isn't achieved due to a longer strut it's due to the springs. Angles aren't entirely the same in the case of Bilsteins either, 1.8" =/= 2.50" there is a reason Bilstein went with 1.8" you could argue that angles are nearly the same with a 2" spacer which is a better comparison, but your still extending the strut with the spacer. Having ridden in both and been in both i'll take my Billy's every day of the week over spacer kits. Of course there are struts that are much longer, but Bilsteins are 1/4th an inch longer than factory. My brothers truck rides like crap (RC2), My cousin's the same (RC 2.5). At the end of the day it's preference and what your willing to spend. Had i had it to do over again i just would've went with more and waited on 6112s and gotten rear shocks with reservoirs. In the end they both work, i vastly prefer one over the other though.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf

Edited August 22, 2016 by 5RWill

Donstar · August 23, 2016

For the Billies at least, lift isn't achieved due to a longer strut it's due to the springs.

I agree that Bilstein's are a good shock but they do increase strut length to achieve lift. They increase strut length by a different method. You will have the same new angles imposed on your other suspension components as a spacer of the same amount of lift. With a 1.5" - 2" spacer lift you should not notice a poorer ride quality than stock. If you do, and have not changed tires, I would get in for service. The Bilsteins have a good reputation for providing a nicer ride than stock.

5RWill · August 23, 2016

The quarter inch might facilitate some help in achieving the lift but the literal length of the strut isn't what's causing the lift. It's the "pre-load" if you will on the spring. Maybe I'm misinterpreting what your saying. Are you saying that by doing that they're basically increasing the length of the strut in a different way?

As to the spacer kits as I said its personal preference. I strongly dislike how my brothers truck rides. Before with stock tires and after with duratracs. I will say my cousins is a little better albeit not much. My brother has stock gm shocks and my cousin has the ranchos that come on the z71

Donstar · August 23, 2016

The quarter inch might facilitate some help in achieving the lift but the literal length of the strut isn't what's causing the lift. It's the "pre-load" if you will on the spring. Maybe I'm misinterpreting what your saying. Are you saying that by doing that they're basically increasing the length of the strut in a different way?

My understanding is that by raising the perch you are pre-loading the spring which in turn is creating lift. The end result is you have increased the distance between the top mount of the strut and the bottom mount. The angles of your control arms etc. will be impacted in the same manner as a spacer of equal lift height. I don't have any special expertise in this area, I'm simply sharing my understanding from the reading i have done. Money is the main reason I chose a spacer over Bilsteins! There are many who report a rougher ride from Bilsteins at max height and there are those that report a rough ride from 2" leveling spacers. The research I have done favors no noticeable negative impact in ride quality from either method.

5RWill · August 23, 2016

I agree the angles are the same of the desired lift either way. But the Bilsteins aren't limiting upward suspension travel just changing the static ride height of the truck. At least that is how I understand it from all that I've read as to why someone would want the Bilsteins over spacers. Maybe spurshot or someone else knowledgeable will chime in and elaborate.

Either way they both get the job done and if your not ramping and pre-running your unlikely to run into problems.

Edited August 23, 2016 by 5RWill

mmwest · August 23, 2016

Here is my dilemma.I currently have a 2 1/2 inch rough country lift that rides pretty rough.I am going to put 5100s on the front but I'm indecisive on to set it at the middle setting and leave the top spacer or put it on the top setting of the 5100 shock.I'm looking for the best ride and also to maintain my 275/65/20's BFGoodrich.

It's hind site now but I regret putting the 2.5"rough country lift on there. Any help on the situation will be greatly appreciated thanks

tyrich88 · August 23, 2016

Here is my dilemma.I currently have a 2 1/2 inch rough country lift that rides pretty rough.I am going to put 5100s on the front but I'm indecisive on to set it at the middle setting and leave the top spacer or put it on the top setting of the 5100 shock.I'm looking for the best ride and also to maintain my 275/65/20's BFGoodrich.

It's hind site now but I regret putting the 2.5"rough country lift on there. Any help on the situation will be greatly appreciated thanks

You could always go with the Rancho quick lifts