2014+ Leveling Kits

heels0303 · December 28, 2018

Guys

I’ve read every single post in this thread, but I’m simply confused on what I need to do for my truck. I have a bone stock 2018 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate 4wd (22” wheels). I’m simply trying to raise the front of my truck up to level with the rear. I plan to keep the same stock wheels and tires. Can someone tell me what I need to get?

Thanks for the help. I’m not knowledgeable about vehicles and I need some help deciphering all the info I’ve been reading.

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kylant · December 29, 2018

14 hours ago, heels0303 said:

Guys

I’ve read every single post in this thread, but I’m simply confused on what I need to do for my truck. I have a bone stock 2018 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate 4wd (22” wheels). I’m simply trying to raise the front of my truck up to level with the rear. I plan to keep the same stock wheels and tires. Can someone tell me what I need to get?

Thanks for the help. I’m not knowledgeable about vehicles and I need some help deciphering all the info I’ve been reading.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

there are kits that level the front and supposedly don't cause any issues. 2" is about max you can go. The issue beyond that starts with the upper ball joint. From what I understand, is that it is not secured in the upper control arm very well. when the angles put on it from leveling, the chances of it popping out greatly increase. Hence the reason for new control arms with a better ball joint cup design. The new upper control arms are generally a different shape, and that is where the issues come from with larger tires and rubbing. However, there have been reports of stock tires rubbing on stock control arms as well.

If all you want to do is level it slightly, I would just get a 2" kit with a Magneride adapter, and be done with it.

texas9011 · December 29, 2018

Just finished installing the Rough Country billet aluminum 2in leveling kit

Before and after

All Terrain · January 7, 2019

On 12/29/2018 at 3:41 PM, texas9011 said:

Just finished installing the Rough Country billet aluminum 2in leveling kit

Before and after

Looks good, any rubbing issues?

texas9011 · January 7, 2019

@ All Terrain

No rubbing issue at all. the only thing I don't like is the upper ball joint angle. I am going to keep an eye on it and if I start to see wear, I will likely go with the readylift upper control arms.

Before/After pics of Upper Ball joint.

Edited January 7, 2019 by texas9011
added pic

Rogerrob · January 13, 2019

Hey guys. I have a 2015 z71 offroad and want to level as high as possible and run as big and fat of tire i can on stock 20 inch wheels. I also want to put fender flare on, hence the fat tire. Can anyone tell me if i can run a 33x12.5x20 tire with just leveling or would that require a lift, which i don't really want to do. I've tried the different websites and things just get more co fusing.

bburnsed_12 · January 21, 2019

On ‎10‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 8:46 PM, sierra91 said:

Not the best photo. Got new tires on this weekend. Went from 295/55R20 cooper stt pro to 295/60R20 Toyo MTs

id like to see a picture of the front and rear of this truck. Ive got a 3.25in level on mine with the knuckle and diff drop, and contemplating doing 35s or 295/60.

sierra91 · January 21, 2019

3 hours ago, bburnsed_12 said:

id like to see a picture of the front and rear of this truck. Ive got a 3.25in level on mine with the knuckle and diff drop, and contemplating doing 35s or 295/60.

sierra91 · January 21, 2019

3 hours ago, bburnsed_12 said:

id like to see a picture of the front and rear of this truck. Ive got a 3.25in level on mine with the knuckle and diff drop, and contemplating doing 35s or 295/60.

sierra91 · January 21, 2019

3 hours ago, bburnsed_12 said:

id like to see a picture of the front and rear of this truck. Ive got a 3.25in level on mine with the knuckle and diff drop, and contemplating doing 35s or 295/60.

Sorry for some reason would not let me post all of those in one post. I am a huge fan of the wider tire look and these do not bother me only being 11.7 wide

sierra91 · January 22, 2019

4 hours ago, sierra91 said:

sonofab · January 22, 2019

I'm new to this site please don't light me up too much. I've got a 2018 cc, standard bed 4x4, all star edition so I've got the 20" wheels which i love. i want to level the truck and keep my stock wheels. my question is do i use the rough county 2" or go with bilstein 5100 on all four corners and front on the top setting? the truck is a daily driver and i farm on the side so it does get used some for what it is intended. what is going to be the best for me in the long run? i plan on keeping this truck for 10 years.

big papa · January 22, 2019

you wont want the Bils at the top setting, crappy ride. My shop wants to do Bils @ 1.5 and a 1 inch spacer. Or I may go 2.5" spacer and be cheap AF.

Edited January 22, 2019 by big papa
add more

TNAZ · January 23, 2019

On 1/12/2019 at 7:14 PM, Rogerrob said:

Hey guys. I have a 2015 z71 offroad and want to level as high as possible and run as big and fat of tire i can on stock 20 inch wheels. I also want to put fender flare on, hence the fat tire. Can anyone tell me if i can run a 33x12.5x20 tire with just leveling or would that require a lift, which i don't really want to do. I've tried the different websites and things just get more co fusing.

I'm not an expert but here goes. You have a 2015 so you likely have cast steel upper control arms (as opposed to stamped steel or aluminum)--that's good news. I have a 2016 GMC regular cab with the cast steel control arms and did a Bilstein 5100 level (top setting both sides) on my truck which only gave me 1.6 inches on one side and 1.8 inches of lift on the other. I have factory GMC 18 inch rims with +24mm offset and 8.5 inches width. I then installed 33 x 12.5 x 18 Toyo MTs ("E" rated tire which is actually a full 12.7 inches wide per Toyo site) all the way around and have zero rubbing issues of any significance (had to zip tie passenger side in one spot). I also have plenty of clearance on all suspension components, even at full articulation. Like you, I read all the threads and still wasn't sure how the tires would fit. I have 8,000 miles on the tires and everything as been perfect. You want to use stock 20 inch rims which likely are 9 inches wide and have an offset from +27mm to +31mm. I think the 33's would fit fine. I would go to Discount tire and have them put one on and if it doesn't work, scrap the plan. They have a policy of allowing returns if you are not happy for any reason--re-confirm this but I asked in AZ and this policy was in fact true. Last thought, if you level higher than what I did, I don't know if the upper or lower control arms might be at a different angle and touch the tire--but I think you will be OK and just do the Discount tire testing.

TNAZ · January 23, 2019

5 hours ago, sonofab said:

I'm new to this site please don't light me up too much. I've got a 2018 cc, standard bed 4x4, all star edition so I've got the 20" wheels which i love. i want to level the truck and keep my stock wheels. my question is do i use the rough county 2" or go with bilstein 5100 on all four corners and front on the top setting? the truck is a daily driver and i farm on the side so it does get used some for what it is intended. what is going to be the best for me in the long run? i plan on keeping this truck for 10 years.

I have a 2016 GMC regular cab 2wd and hated the factory shocks. I installed Bilstein 5100s all the way around and fronts on highest setting and love them. I subsequently installed Toyo MTs (33 x 12.5 x 18) and love the setup. If you want to handle dips and bumps on pavement or off-road as you described, the Bilsteins will be the best you can do for the money and they will also lift your front 1.5-2 inches on top setting (seems to vary). I would go with top setting. I like zero body roll (I corner hard) and the Bilsteins on the top setting have been perfect. They handle certain bumps on the pavement way better than the stock shocks but on other types of bumps the stock shocks were better--so that is a wash. However, these trucks really need 2 to 2.5 inches of lift in the front to be perfectly level. If you are keeping your stock tire size though, the 1.5 inch top setting Bilstein lift is perfect for looks (the tire won't look too small in the front wheel well). Also, Bilsteins alone minimize the concerns about ball joints and warranty denials. See my writeups on all this in the forums. Hope this helps.