2014+ Leveling Kits

AllTerrainX · March 20, 2017

Bare with me...I'm new here. I wanted to post a few pics since this forum has helped me figure out what I wanted to go with. Hopefully, this will help someone else out. I was looking to level my front end without giving up any ride quality, as well as get a little bit bigger tire without losing any gas mileage. I wanted to/and will eventually go with a 295/55, but going from about 42 lbs per tire to about 61 lbs per tire seemed like a big jump. I was going to get a programmer, but I read that with these newer trucks, the dealership can tell if you had programmed it, even if you programmed back to stock, and it could void the warranty. So, I decided I'll wait until my warranty is up before I go with a heavier tire and a programmer. I went with the Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Ride Height Shocks at highest setting (about 1.86) and 275/60 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 on stock 20x9 GMC Wheels. The tires are not an LT, but are an XL, which means they are a 4-ply tire with an extra load rating. They ride about the same as the tires that came on the truck and are the same weight. I do a lot of highway driving with very little off road driving or towing, so I was ok with not going to an LT tire. As far as the 5100's go, couldn't be happier. I read that the ride would be stiffer, but better. Didn't understand what that would feel like until I drove it. Much better...no more bounce. Even my wife thinks it rides better. No rub at all.

275/60, is that bigger then what you had? If so, you recalibrate the speedo? Will that affect "actual" mileage if you dont calibrate?

KTBGMC · March 20, 2017

275/60, is that bigger then what you had? If so, you recalibrate the speedo? Will that affect "actual" mileage if you dont calibrate?

Yes, I had 275/55. Same width, just an inch taller now. I did not re calibrate, but I need to as I think I am off about 2-3 MPG. So if my speedo says 80, I'm really going 82 or 83. I haven't tested it yet, though to know exact. I am going to run by my GMC dealership and see if they can re calibrate the speedo for me, as I have read that they will for a small fee. I would like to go about an inch wider, which would put me into a 295/55, but I'm not ready to go up that much in weight.

sierra1856 · March 20, 2017

Bare with me...I'm new here. I wanted to post a few pics since this forum has helped me figure out what I wanted to go with. Hopefully, this will help someone else out. I was looking to level my front end without giving up any ride quality, as well as get a little bit bigger tire without losing any gas mileage. I wanted to/and will eventually go with a 295/55, but going from about 42 lbs per tire to about 61 lbs per tire seemed like a big jump. I was going to get a programmer, but I read that with these newer trucks, the dealership can tell if you had programmed it, even if you programmed back to stock, and it could void the warranty. So, I decided I'll wait until my warranty is up before I go with a heavier tire and a programmer. I went with the Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Ride Height Shocks at highest setting (about 1.86) and 275/60 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 on stock 20x9 GMC Wheels. The tires are not an LT, but are an XL, which means they are a 4-ply tire with an extra load rating. They ride about the same as the tires that came on the truck and are the same weight. I do a lot of highway driving with very little off road driving or towing, so I was ok with not going to an LT tire. As far as the 5100's go, couldn't be happier. I read that the ride would be stiffer, but better. Didn't understand what that would feel like until I drove it. Much better...no more bounce. Even my wife thinks it rides better. No rub at all.

I recently joined as well. I have been reading for the past 2 weeks just on this one forum. I have been waiting for someone to post pictures of a Pepperdust Sierra with a level. Yours looks really good. Did you happen to take measurements before and after your install? I have been thinking about a 2" RC with Bilstein 5100's but I am gonna try and fit a larger tire.

KTBGMC · March 20, 2017

I recently joined as well. I have been reading for the past 2 weeks just on this one forum. I have been waiting for someone to post pictures of a Pepperdust Sierra with a level. Yours looks really good. Did you happen to take measurements before and after your install? I have been thinking about a 2" RC with Bilstein 5100's but I am gonna try and fit a larger tire.

Thanks. Yeah there's not too many of this color yet. I search around as well. I didn't get exact measurements but my front wheel well was right at 36" off the ground, and now I'm right at 38". I wish I would've take exact measurements, because everything I've read about the 5100's is that at the highest you'll get 1.86", but it sure seems like I got a full 2". I know there's not a lot of difference, but needless to say I got every bit of 1.86". There are other forums that have a lot of discussion about using a 2" RC with 5100's. I found that the best thing to do was type into Google or Yahoo Images what I wanted to see. Most of the time, the photos are linked to a good forum.

Isaac Allen · March 21, 2017

Here's mine with 20x9 Mavericks and 295/55 Toyos, RC 2" in the front only

Edited March 21, 2017 by Isaac Allen

T-Town-Z · March 22, 2017

Yes, I had 275/55. Same width, just an inch taller now. I did not re calibrate, but I need to as I think I am off about 2-3 MPG. So if my speedo says 80, I'm really going 82 or 83. I haven't tested it yet, though to know exact. I am going to run by my GMC dealership and see if they can re calibrate the speedo for me, as I have read that they will for a small fee. I would like to go about an inch wider, which would put me into a 295/55, but I'm not ready to go up that much in weight.

Don't bother with asking the dealer to recalibrate for the taller tires. Been there and was told "no". All the factory tire sizes are close to 31.75" in height, regardless of the rim size. My dealer was straight up about it with me, he said they couldn't do it, and if I used an aftermarket programmer, to even simply adjust for the tire size, GM considers it a "modification" to the factory programming and can/will null your powertrain warranty if you have any issues later. He said it was best to be aware that the speedo was off by a little and just live with it.

KTBGMC · March 22, 2017

Don't bother with asking the dealer to recalibrate for the taller tires. Been there and was told "no". All the factory tire sizes are close to 31.75" in height, regardless of the rim size. My dealer was straight up about it with me, he said they couldn't do it, and if I used an aftermarket programmer, to even simply adjust for the tire size, GM considers it a "modification" to the factory programming and can/will null your powertrain warranty if you have any issues later. He said it was best to be aware that the speedo was off by a little and just live with it.

Ok, cool. Thanks for the heads up. Guess I'll just live with it, then and won't waste my time.

KleinerE7 · March 22, 2017

Progression of my 2016 Z71. Hopefully this helps some members decide on how far to go.

Stock

2" RC Level with stock wheels/tires

2" RC Level with Gear Alloy 20x9 and Toyo ATII 295/55/20 (Very smoky that day due to wildfires in our area).

Cleaned up

2" RC level with Zone 1.5" Body Lift. RC steps added for the wife. Having exhaust pipe raised next week.

Looking for my 2016 Sierra. Which Zone 1.5" BL did you buy? The website only lists a 2014-2015 Chevy/GMC 1500 1.5" kit.

Salty315 · March 22, 2017

I purchased the BL for 2015-2015 models. The instructions actually include steps for 2016 models. I'm not sure why they haven't revised the kit description.

Edited March 22, 2017 by Salty315

Salty315 · March 22, 2017

Looking for my 2016 Sierra. Which Zone 1.5" BL did you buy? The website only lists a 2014-2015 Chevy/GMC 1500 1.5" kit.

I purchased the BL for 2015-2015 models. The instructions actually include steps for 2016 models. I'm not sure why they haven't revised the kit description.

dasimmon · March 22, 2017

Here's mine with 20x9 Mavericks and 295/55 Toyos, RC 2" in the front only

are you leveled evenly w just the 2" in front?

KleinerE7 · March 22, 2017

I purchased the BL for 2015-2015 models. The instructions actually include steps for 2016 models. I'm not sure why they haven't revised the kit description.

Thanks! I'll call and ask them why it hasn't been updated.

KleinerE7 · March 22, 2017

Thanks! I'll call and ask them why it hasn't been updated.

FYI. I just got off the phone with Jeremy at Zone and he told me that they will be coming out with a kit for the 2016 models but it is different from the 2014-2015 C9151 Zone 1.5" BL Kit. He said the bolts should be different and the parking brake bracket will be different and the new kit should be available "soon". That was the best he could offer me.

KleinerE7 · March 22, 2017

I purchased the BL for 2015-2015 models. The instructions actually include steps for 2016 models. I'm not sure why they haven't revised the kit description.

He told me on the phone that the instructions were updated "prematurely"...