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Leveling kit lift..ride sux!

Grumpy Tooch

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Grumpy Tooch Enthusiast

Grumpy Tooch

Posted
Posted

I have the leveling kit which lets me fit my 32" tires on. I also have the add-a-leaf which gave me a few inches in the rear. I like the height, maybe could be an inch or so higher.

 

I am in need of new tires and with the winter coming i'm not sure if i want to wait. Also, I was thinking to up the size maybe to a 33 ir i could. As it is I did trim a little to get full turn lock to lock. I try not have it cranked up all the way because the ride sux...but I like it up that high.

 

So here is the question finally; Is there something I can do to keep the system I have and make the ride more comfortable? I know there is strain on the whole system with these kind of lifts.

I would consider a 4" kit if I could get it just for the front. But I would need a kit that is "bolt on" as I do not have a welder. I am mechanicly inclined enough to put a bolt on kit in if it is available in just a front only, because I beleive the rear is high enough. And if its not , I could measure up and put a 1" or 1-1/2" block and have new u-bolts bent up at a local shop.

 

My goal is really to get the ride back to factory as best I can because I do a lot of driving every day and its hard on my neck and back. I do love a lifted truck so I want to keep it high, but I also want to be able to get to my ladders on the racks and get into my bed.

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scooby5121 Enthusiast

scooby5121

Posted
Posted

Put the truck back to factory and put a telephone book under your Axx. to Raise you up .

Just had to say that......

 

Try a different kind of Seat ? A seat mod of some sort...

Been there and Done that in my early years and hated when the truck handled as you describe.

The one thing I noticed is alot depends also on the quality of the tire you run. Don't cheap out on them.

Good Luck ,scooby

Grumpy Tooch Enthusiast

Grumpy Tooch

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  • Author
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listen scooby Im looking for serious answers...if you dont have anything constructive to add please look past my post

 

thank you

 

oh, and i have high quality rims and tires, thank you

LaserBlueZ71 Enthusiast

LaserBlueZ71

Posted
Posted

You want serious answers?

 

No, there is no way. Your suspension is in a state of permanent travel as I like to call it. Leveling kits are cheap for a reason. If there was a way to maintain factory ride quality with a leveling kit, everyone would be doing it, and everyone with a leveling kit complains about ride quality.

 

It really is this simple. if you want the factory quality ride, you have 2 options.

 

1. Remove the leveling kit and return the truck to it's factory state.

2. Install a QUALITY 4 inch lift from a company like BDS, with high quality shocks.

 

That's it.

Grumpy Tooch Enthusiast

Grumpy Tooch

Posted
  • Author
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my point is you have to be a doosh about it! there was a lot of info in my original post, you could have recommended a lift, a company, a combonation of things..new bump stops...ANYTHING. Other than your wise comments.

MORSNO Enthusiast

MORSNO

Posted
Posted

I did a leveling kit on my last truck, NEVER again. The ride goes to crap as you know and you loose most of your suspension travel. Cognito makes some top quality front end kits that will help your ride, that is the way I would go. Most Cognito kits replace the factory Upper Control Arms (UCA) to help get the lift you want and a decent ride.

 

Do you really need to lift the front to clear 32's? Maybe the offset of your wheels are causing your issue, stock tires in '06 were 31.5-31.7". My 2012 came with 32.7" Michelin's and my winter tires are 33.4" Goodyears, both are on stock wheels with no rubbing.

cparks555 Senior Enthusiast

cparks555

Posted
Posted

I did a leveling kit on my last truck, NEVER again. The ride goes to crap as you know and you loose most of your suspension travel. Cognito makes some top quality front end kits that will help your ride, that is the way I would go. Most Cognito kits replace the factory Upper Control Arms (UCA) to help get the lift you want and a decent ride.

 

Do you really need to lift the front to clear 32's? Maybe the offset of your wheels are causing your issue, stock tires in '06 were 31.5-31.7". My 2012 came with 32.7" Michelin's and my winter tires are 33.4" Goodyears, both are on stock wheels with no rubbing.

:cheers:

blackout07 Senior Enthusiast

blackout07

Posted
Posted

Decrank some. I put leveling keys on my old HD and it was harsh. I removed them and cranked the factory keys right at 2" and the ride was perfectly acceptable. You're most likely maxed out and that's why the ride is so bad.

Grumpy Tooch Enthusiast

Grumpy Tooch

Posted
  • Author
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It's a TRUCK, if you want a Caddy like ride trade it in on a CAR!

never said i wanted a caddy ride diok!

Grumpy Tooch Enthusiast

Grumpy Tooch

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I did a leveling kit on my last truck, NEVER again. The ride goes to crap as you know and you loose most of your suspension travel. Cognito makes some top quality front end kits that will help your ride, that is the way I would go. Most Cognito kits replace the factory Upper Control Arms (UCA) to help get the lift you want and a decent ride.

 

Do you really need to lift the front to clear 32's? Maybe the offset of your wheels are causing your issue, stock tires in '06 were 31.5-31.7". My 2012 came with 32.7" Michelin's and my winter tires are 33.4" Goodyears, both are on stock wheels with no rubbing.

first of all , THANK YOU, for the 1st constructive answer i can use...lol

 

So Cognito you say, i will check it out, thanks. As for mt offset, im not sure what it is. I ordered my rims/tires from 4wheel parts.com and just gave my info. My wheels are Micky Thompson classics, not sure what the offset is. How do i measure it? My tires now are only 31x like 10.5 i think. and i have to have the TB cranked all the way up in order not to rub when i turn all the way

blackout07 Senior Enthusiast

blackout07

Posted
Posted

Seriously though, you don't need expensive Cognito kits to get a decent ride. Turn down your keys or swap the stockers back in, crank. Problem solved.

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
Posted

Everyone relax and get back on topic Consider yourselves warned

 

The thread has been cleaned up. Please do not post any more off topic commentary or inappropriate language/topics. Next time warnings will be issued and this may include days off the site.

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      Yes your absolutely right, I been looking at the 4 inch BDS one and it acutely states you can use the stock 20’s just not the 17’s or 18’s, I also didn’t realize that with my 275/60r20 stock wheels I’m already running 33 inch diameter wheel setup lol so I can just run my stock wheels and tires atleast to start.
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      I would expect that to be lift-kit dependent.  If the kit has interference issues w stock wheels, then the kit/manufacturer should indicate that somewhere.

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