Leveling a 2015 GMC 2500 HD

[SMiller]

Did both of you guys do this to your new trucks ? This is what I mean about there being so many opinions on this subject. Thanks for responding.

Tom G.

I have done this to over 200 trucks, I don't just bs...

[Big Buck]

I respect your experience. Thanks Jim Bob.

[newdude]

Save your money and jack the truck up with the front wheels off the ground turn the adjustment bolt in about 3-4 even turns then do the other side. This will give you about 2" lift in the front, no need for shock extenders as they do nothing, the "A" arm will bottom out on the down travel before the shock will. All your doing is adjusting the ride height.

 

 

One full rotation of the bolt returns approximately .2 inches of raise. I put 5 in my 15 hd. There was roughly 3 and 1/8 inches difference before doing it. Now there is right around 2 inches front to rear difference. 8 turns will net about a 2 inch raise on the new chassis, 2011 and up.

 

 

This is the truth! A quick look will show you the frame A-arm stops are the limiting factor, simply crank the bolts up until you are happy then get it aligned.

 

I find with no snow plow prep that I have to turn the drivers side all the way in and the pass. side damn near all the way.

 

The snow plow prep trucks have much longer bolts and cannot be turned all the way as you will hit the frame stops.

 

You need a 1/2in. clearance on the frame stops for suspension travel.

 

 

Bolts are the same no matter plow prep or not. Only difference between the plow prep and non plow prep is the torsion bars in terms of their weight ratings/spring rates.

[SMiller]

 

 

One full rotation of the bolt returns approximately .2 inches of raise. I put 5 in my 15 hd. There was roughly 3 and 1/8 inches difference before doing it. Now there is right around 2 inches front to rear difference. 8 turns will net about a 2 inch raise on the new chassis, 2011 and up.

 

 

 

 

Bolts are the same no matter plow prep or not. Only difference between the plow prep and non plow prep is the torsion bars in terms of their weight ratings/spring rates.

I can promise you that is not true, go have a look as the snow plow prep bolts are about 3in. long vs 2in. long for standard. I raise up about 20 trucks a week, I never need to do anything more the crank the bolts on a snow plow prep truck to level it but have to install keys to level a standard truck.

 

It doesn't matter how you level the truck as every option does the same thing which is cranks the torsion bars, I don't like shock extenders as I would rather the shock bottom out vs the balljoint.

 

There are some great ways to properly level the truck but it cost money to do it right.

[newdude]

I can promise you that is not true, go have a look as the snow plow prep bolts are about 3in. long vs 2in. long for standard. I raise up about 20 trucks a week, I never need to do anything more the crank the bolts on a snow plow prep truck to level it but have to install keys to level a standard truck.

 

It doesn't matter how you level the truck as every option does the same thing which is cranks the torsion bars, I don't like shock extenders as I would rather the shock bottom out vs the balljoint.

 

There are some great ways to properly level the truck but it cost money to do it right.

 

 

What year truck? 2011 and up hd, bolts are the same part # for the bar adjuster no matter config. Same for 2001-2010 hd. Are you talking the distance they are ran un from the factory? Like stock, if you look at the bolt, one has less bolt showing than the other. Or physically out of the truck?

[KMGZ400]

I've never heard of the bolts being longer.. Not to mention when We installed my keys on my 14non plow prep my buddy installed keys on his plow prep equipped 14 and everything was the same

[Big Buck]

Like I said in a earlier post. There are so many different opinions for leveling a pickup. Its more confusing now than ever. I don't care about cost. Doing it the right way is most important with a 2015, $50,000 truck. Surprised nobody has mentioned leveling the driveshaft as General Motors recommends.

[KMGZ400]

Like I said in a earlier post. There are so many different opinions for leveling a pickup. Its more confusing now than ever. I don't care about cost. Doing it the right way is most important with a 2015, $50,000 truck. Surprised nobody has mentioned leveling the driveshaft as General Motors recommends.

 

If you really want to do it the right way get a Cognito stage 4 level because that is the best kit money can buy to level a GM truck

[brad519]

I'm on the fence about leveling my 2015 HD also. I have read and read post from different sites. Most everyone agrees that all you "have" to do is jack the front of the truck up and then turn the bolts up about 8 turns to get it almost level without going too far.

I've also heard from several folks that "new keys" aren't necessary because the stock keys will get it up enough without going too far up. But that adding Cognito UCA's and shock extenders will help maintain the correct ball joint angles but nothing you do is going to maintain the CV angle unless you do an actual lift.

I just want to get mine up enough to run 295/70/18 tires but I don't want my angles too far out of line so I'm leaning toward replacing the UCA's and getting the shock extenders from Cognito.

 

There are so many opinions on this I'm almost to the point of leaving it alone and not fooling with it. I had a level on my 08 1500 for a few months and then went with a BDS 6" suspension but some how I blew the driver side lower ball joint and lost the tire. Luckily I was in a parking lot when it let go and didn't have any extra damage with the exception of the the driver side wheel stuff (which wasn't cheap).

[Big Buck]

What the heck is the CV angle ?

[Big Buck]

Not familiar with that abbrev. Those Cognito kits look nice. Mite invest in one of those.

[Silverado4x4]

What the heck is the CV angle ?

The angle of the front axle shafts coming out the front diff to the wheels.

[SMiller]

I'm on the fence about leveling my 2015 HD also. I have read and read post from different sites. Most everyone agrees that all you "have" to do is jack the front of the truck up and then turn the bolts up about 8 turns to get it almost level without going too far.

I've also heard from several folks that "new keys" aren't necessary because the stock keys will get it up enough without going too far up. But that adding Cognito UCA's and shock extenders will help maintain the correct ball joint angles but nothing you do is going to maintain the CV angle unless you do an actual lift.

I just want to get mine up enough to run 295/70/18 tires but I don't want my angles too far out of line so I'm leaning toward replacing the UCA's and getting the shock extenders from Cognito.

 

There are so many opinions on this I'm almost to the point of leaving it alone and not fooling with it. I had a level on my 08 1500 for a few months and then went with a BDS 6" suspension but some how I blew the driver side lower ball joint and lost the tire. Luckily I was in a parking lot when it let go and didn't have any extra damage with the exception of the the driver side wheel stuff (which wasn't cheap).

So get the front diff spacers so you can drop the diff and keep your angles close to stock.

[Big Buck]

MaxxCam level kit includes the differential spacers and unique type of keys.

[SMiller]

MaxxCam level kit includes the differential spacers and unique type of keys.

Why would you get keys unless you go beyond what the stock ones will offer???