Whats the definitive answer on leveling size/tire size

Scott14 · November 11, 2014

Hey all,

New to this truck but been reading lot's on this forum. Just seems like everyone doing something different with their truck which leaves me confused. If a level kit is designed to raise the front to match the back what is the appropriate somewhat perfect size to level a 2014 Silverado LTZ shortbed 2wd?

When I find out that perfect size what is the largest tire I could use without any problems of rubbing...

Currently have the 275 55 20's that the truck was delivered with.

Anyone have any pictures to go along with their answer would be great.

Thanks.

Scott

fondupot · November 11, 2014

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/153363-2014-leveling-kits/

66 whole pages of discussion about leveling kits, including pictures. Knock yourself out.

Scott14 · November 11, 2014

I guess with 66 pages there is no answer? Thanks for the link but there is where the confusion lies.

blackout07 · November 11, 2014

It's subjective and it's been covered endlessly on this forum and every other forum since the beginning of time. Google will provide you with more than you could ever read and from what I've read on this forum, it's pretty clear and not remotely confusing.

2.5" level. / thread.

redwngr · November 11, 2014

I guess with 66 pages there is no answer? Thanks for the link but there is where the confusion lies.

That's the point. Everyone has a different opinion.

Raise/lower/level/not level/skinny/fat/tall/blackedout/chromed/striped/...etc,etc,etc.....

Back in a Bowtie · November 11, 2014

I agree with you scott.... 66 pages is a hell of a lot to read through.

short answer is 33s

i am personally going w/ 2" level - 20x9 (+1) on 33x12.5 rubber

blackout07 · November 11, 2014

Fewer threads on the same topics makes researching that much easier for new members, and as you spend time on the forums, it gets really old answering the same questions over and over again, when they are accessible via search. Overall, searching makes the forum a much better place.

Back in a Bowtie · November 12, 2014

Fewer threads on the same topics makes researching that much easier for new members, and as you spend time on the forums, it gets really old answering the same questions over and over again, when they are accessible via search. Overall, searching makes the forum a much better place.

yea your right... will fit thread would be awesome... when i had my trailblazer on the forum they had a chart basically tire size then what you would need to fit it (lift, trimming, wheels, spacers, etc)

[email protected] · November 12, 2014

I agree with you scott.... 66 pages is a hell of a lot to read through.

short answer is 33s

i am personally going w/ 2" level - 20x9 (+1) on 33x12.5 rubber

Nicely done! This is the reason we have a forum....people to ask and answer without having to read 60 pages of people saying hey nice truck, nice lift, nice tires, what brand of tires, what color is that, is that plastidipped, where'd you get the fog lights...all in a level kit thread.

Having an info specific thread that is pinned and locked would be awesome. When I had an Xterra, on the Xtrerra forums, there was a locked and pinned post about what fits with what kits etc. My Suzuki DR650...there is a wicked Wiki page that shows what fits with what etc etc. No need to read pages and pages of peoples likes and dislikes.

Much like this post being hijacked....

Though I do agree, the search is a great tool, just not the one on this website.. its impossible. I use google.

IE (search term) Site:gm-trucks.com/forums

Spurshot · November 12, 2014

33s are the diameter that works well. The width is bit more complex. With factory 8.5" wide wheels with 5.5" backspace, I put 305 (12.50) x 33 tires on my truck without any lift. No rubbing. Later I leveled it. The real key to putting maximum width and diameter tires on these trucks is recognizing that wheel offset/backspace gets critical.

Back in a Bowtie · November 12, 2014

i use "customwheeloffset.com" for this kind of thing. They dumb it down with the lift tire size wheel size and offset and any trimming that had to be done.

P.S. Nicely said Matt. Everyone points to that thread and calls you dumb when you ask this question... its 66 pages of crap! same with the HID thread.... too long and they become useless

Scott14 · November 12, 2014

Well I just made it through page 34 of the 66. It was helpful. Gonna make it through the 66! Without being an expert here my choice is currently a 2.25 or 2.5 level. Thought I read 2.5 is perfect then I read nose might be up at 2.5 so 2.25 might be the answer. I'd like to do 305 55 20's. You guys /gals have nice trucks.

soltys · November 12, 2014

I prefer the 2" level. Keeps the nose just low enough that when the rear end starts to soften, you won't get a nose in the air.

blackout07 · November 12, 2014

To get the front higher than the rear would basically take a 4" lift up front.

Bowhunt24 · November 12, 2014

From my limited research I'm going to go with a 2" or 2.25" max. May not be PERFECTLY level, but enough to take the rake look away and NOT mess with geomotry of the steering and susp. too much. I've read that higher than 2" can start to wear ball joints, etc. But again, this is all opinion, but logically, the less amount of lift you give it, the less amount of additional wear and tear.

I'd agree with the max 33" tire size if you're keeping close to stock width. You can always bust out the dremel if you rub a little ;)

Evan