Top of strut vs bottom of strut leveling kit

[Donstar]

5100 are firmer. I would just keep the stock shocks with a bottom strut spacer no more than 1.5in.. The ride is pretty much stock... even with a few inch of rake, these new body trucks looks level.

Sound advice. My issue now is that labour is the major portion of the cost when you are not equipped to do the work yourself. My intention was to enhance the looks without sacrificing any suspension travel or longevity of other components. It would be a bonus if ride characteristics were actually improved! I may regret spending so much on labour and not go with a leveling shock like the Bilstein. This expense is a hard one to get by the money police and I definitely won't get a second chance if I get it wrong!

[GMC-AT]

I personally didn't think the the Bilstein's were the "cats meow" I can tell you ... the changes in the suspension really starts to turn to garbage when go above 1.5. Plus these truck don't look right unless they have some decent rake - just my personal opinion.

 

Again, I have had 2 of these trucks and tried every level type possible. 1.5in under strut is the only way for me.. ride great and it's cheap. here it is with 275/60/20

 

[Donstar]

GMC-AT's truck's stance looks perfect. A slight rake does look good with a little more than stock space above the front tires. .

[Steve2517]

Trying to figure out if I can fit a 33 inch tire with a 1.5 lift. Or just go to a 2. ? I wanna put as little stress on everything possible. I have the regular 4x4. No z71. Steel control arms. Deff wanna take someone's experience who has had two newer bodied gmc/chevy trucks and tried all lifts possible. My buddy is gonna help me install then straight for a wheel alignment.

And I like that blue a lot by the way and the wheels.

[[email protected]]

Trying to figure out if I can fit a 33 inch tire with a 1.5 lift. Or just go to a 2. ? I wanna put as little stress on everything possible. I have the regular 4x4. No z71. Steel control arms. Deff wanna take someone's experience who has had two newer bodied gmc/chevy trucks and tried all lifts possible. My buddy is gonna help me install then straight for a wheel alignment.

And I like that blue a lot by the way and the wheels.

I have 275/70/18 (33") with no level, lift or body lift. So far no issues but haven't really been "off road." 5100s are sitting on my work bench, just haven't got around to it

 

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[silveradosid]

GMC-AT looks great , love that colour. do you think it makes any difference if you have aluminum control arms, in reference to putting bottom spacers in

[GMC-AT]

doesn't make a difference.

[Donstar]

I'm following GMC-AT's endorsement of a 1.5" bottom of the shock lift. Thanks to the generous people on this forum sharing their experiences so that those of us who can't afford a trial and error approach can get it right the first time! I will do this when I get new tires in a few months. I am intending to install Michelin LTX/MS2 P265/70r/17 tires. This brand has served me well on my last two trucks. I have yet to see anyone post pictures of their leveled or lifted trucks boasting their stock size street tire. Does anyone have a picture of a setup similar to what I am describing? I have joined the category of people who can't climb to get up into a vehicle (or climb up to get out) so a higher tire or lift is not even one of those lottery win type wishes!

[silveradosid]

thanks gmc-at just purchased the 1.5 bottom spacers you reconmended

[OBXCC14]

I have 275/70/18 (33") with no level, lift or body lift. So far no issues but haven't really been "off road." 5100s are sitting on my work bench, just haven't got around to it

 

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What setting are you going to go with on the Bilsteins? You have basically the same set up I am going with. I already added a linex liner and leer 100xq camper shell which has resulted in my back end coming down some leaving only 1.5 inches of rake (36.5" front 38" back). I don't want less than an inch of rake since I frequently use the truck to pull my boat and an atv trailer. I was thinking about the bilsteins at 1.8 with a 2 inch block in the rear. Also any comments on the ride quality / MPGs with the BFGs compared to stock? Sorry for all the questions but with all the reading I have done you have the closest set up to me that I have seen. Thanks.

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What setting are you going to go with on the Bilsteins? You have basically the same set up I am going with. I already added a linex liner and leer 100xq camper shell which has resulted in my back end coming down some leaving only 1.5 inches of rake (36.5" front 38" back). I don't want less than an inch of rake since I frequently use the truck to pull my boat and an atv trailer. I was thinking about the bilsteins at 1.8 with a 2 inch block in the rear. Also any comments on the ride quality / MPGs with the BFGs compared to stock? Sorry for all the questions but with all the reading I have done you have the closest set up to me that I have seen. Thanks.

No worries!

 

My measurements were about the same as you before I put the 33's on. I was surprised at how much the topper dropped the rear end. I like the current stance, but want a tad more height to be on the safe side for the front end tire clearance.

 

Im not sure what setting yet, but probably the third setting for the 5100s. I currently have no rubbing issues, but even with the 1.25" level, I think its going to be too high in the rear. Might add air bags as I tow alot, or just do the rear block like I did my last truck and dial in my hitch a little better. Add-a-leaf is also an option, just dont want too much rear lift.

 

I like the ride with the tires. Steering too me feels slightly different, but in a good way. Truck responds better in my opinion. MPG definitely went down. Still hard to really say exactly as Ive only had them on for about 1500km during the winter. Id guess maybe 13.5 or 14 MPG city. Only one short highway trip and it was about 19MPG. Prior was about 15 City and maybe 20/21 highway. So not horrible now that I look at it.

 

Hope that helps.

[SierraMyst]

I personally didn't think the the Bilstein's were the "cats meow" I can tell you ... the changes in the suspension really starts to turn to garbage when go above 1.5. Plus these truck don't look right unless they have some decent rake - just my personal opinion.

 

Again, I have had 2 of these trucks and tried every level type possible. 1.5in under strut is the only way for me.. ride great and it's cheap. here it is with 275/60/20

 

GMC-AT, what tires are those you're running?

[robvas]

GMC-AT, what tires are those you're running?

Those are BFG All-terrain KO2's

[SierraMyst]

Those are BFG All-terrain KO2's

Thanks!

 

Thanks a great looking tire. Wonder if they are quiter than the Goodyear SRAs?

[robvas]

Thanks!

 

Thanks a great looking tire. Wonder if they are quiter than the Goodyear SRAs?

They are not loud but I don't imagine they are quieter than the stock tire.