Solution: '15 Denali w/Magentic Ride Control & Level/Lift Kit

BlackOps · May 8, 2015

Ok...I can't take complete credit for this fix as this has been done by a couple of members here, but I can take full credit for the way I did it.

For those who have considered lifting or leveling your 2015 Sierra Denali and have had worries about the magnetic ride control affecting the ride, the solution is within.

There is 2 ways to do this. 1 way is to fabricate a bracket with some flat stock, drill 2 holes, connect the bottom hole in the fabricated bracket to the original bracket that is attached to the upper control arm, and then connect the upper hole in the fabricated bracket to the MRC rod. If you search, you can find these photos or maybe someone who has done it like this will chime in and provide pics.

Now, if you want an easier way or just don't have the tools to cut, drill, etc. and fabricate a bracket, a longer metric bolt and a handful of washers net the same result. I have the tools and material to fabricate said bracket, but I wanted go this route as it was trial and error for me. This is due to not knowing the starting position before installing the kit. Sadly, I didn't even know the truck had MRC before installing the kit. It wasn't till I experienced the extremely poor ride after the install that I figured out that it had it.

Anyhow, I would highly suggest you figuring out a way to measure and pinpoint a "home" position for the MRC rod and then after the kit, you can determine how much you need to move the MRC rod to put it back where it started. If you're like me and you never started out with a home position, you can just add washers until you get the desired ride you want. For me, it was a total of 18 washers that equated to 1" in length. I taped them for the ease of installation.

As you can see from the pic, instead of raising the MRC rod by fabricating a bracket, I raised it with washers on the bracket that is affixed to the upper control arm. Hope this helps!

Dangerdick · May 9, 2015

I guess if you're looking for an economy way of doing something on your luxury truck, this is it.

BlackOps · May 9, 2015

Lol! This is "adjustable". U can add or subtract washers as needed. It's getting the job done and a 2" long piece of flat stock with 2 holes in it is no high tech alternative. It's not that serious. Lol

mdrew · May 10, 2015

Seems like an innovative way to find correct amount of distance, to fabricate a block of the correct dimensions at a later date. I like it. I think I would use some SS tubing and a longer bolt after finding exact length.

Which level spacer did you use? On top of, or on the bottom of the shock?

I've been looking into a level, or possibly a lift, but not real happy with any of the options. None of the level kits come with A arms, and all the lifts require heavy cutting and molestation of cross members and drive train components. There's no way in hell I'm about to 'whittle' on my new luxury truck.

BlackOps · May 10, 2015

The bolt I used was over double the length of the stock one. I could substitute tubing or fabricate a spacer equal in length, but I'm in no hurry. There's nothing wrong with the washers I have.

The RC 2.5" utilizes a spacer above and below the strut. I didn't measure the thickness.

I don't believe any level kits come with a-arms and usually only utilize spacers.

mdrew · May 11, 2015

None yet..... Cognito told me they have one in the works....Kinda like the check's in the mail at this point. I may just try the kit that adds a shim under the shock for the time being.

wheelinclam · May 20, 2015

Great idea... going to try adding a a couple of washers to adjust my stock ride. Little to soft for my taste

josh684 · June 24, 2015

Ok...I can't take complete credit for this fix as this has been done by a couple of members here, but I can take full credit for the way I did it.

For those who have considered lifting or leveling your 2015 Sierra Denali and have had worries about the magnetic ride control affecting the ride, the solution is within.

There is 2 ways to do this. 1 way is to fabricate a bracket with some flat stock, drill 2 holes, connect the bottom hole in the fabricated bracket to the original bracket that is attached to the upper control arm, and then connect the upper hole in the fabricated bracket to the MRC rod. If you search, you can find these photos or maybe someone who has done it like this will chime in and provide pics.

Now, if you want an easier way or just don't have the tools to cut, drill, etc. and fabricate a bracket, a longer metric bolt and a handful of washers net the same result. I have the tools and material to fabricate said bracket, but I wanted go this route as it was trial and error for me. This is due to not knowing the starting position before installing the kit. Sadly, I didn't even know the truck had MRC before installing the kit. It wasn't till I experienced the extremely poor ride after the install that I figured out that it had it.

Anyhow, I would highly suggest you figuring out a way to measure and pinpoint a "home" position for the MRC rod and then after the kit, you can determine how much you need to move the MRC rod to put it back where it started. If you're like me and you never started out with a home position, you can just add washers until you get the desired ride you want. For me, it was a total of 18 washers that equated to 1" in length. I taped them for the ease of installation.

As you can see from the pic, instead of raising the MRC rod by fabricating a bracket, I raised it with washers on the bracket that is affixed to the upper control arm. Hope this helps!

Is the arm connected to the sensor pretty much straight across now 90*? I did the same exact this as you as I did not know of the magnetic ride.

Mr_ThomasDenali5.3 · June 30, 2015

Ok so I haven't tried this yet but I'm pretty sure this will work. I found this company that makes the rods for the magnetic ride sensor to be adjustable in length. Company is called adjustableairride.com if anyone wants to try them out go for it. I've contacted the company they said they can make the rods just need a few measurements. I plan to use them for my 15 Denali when I begin my lowering process.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DJ63 · October 15, 2015

Ok so I haven't tried this yet but I'm pretty sure this will work. I found this company that makes the rods for the magnetic ride sensor to be adjustable in length. Company is called adjustableairride.com if anyone wants to try them out go for it. I've contacted the company they said they can make the rods just need a few measurements. I plan to use them for my 15 Denali when I begin my lowering process.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any updates on this?

Mr_ThomasDenali5.3 · October 15, 2015

Any updates on this?

I don't have any updates but I was contacted by the owner of the company and someone else has contacted him and they have made a set of rods for a lifted truck. I have no doubts this will work just contact them.

thelegend · January 12, 2016

I had a Pro Comp Level Kit part # 23235 installed by my dealer on my 2015 Sierra Denali and the result was a very poor ride, so I took it back and found that the tech had not zeroed the sensors, once he did that it was perfect.

6D9 Matt · January 12, 2016

I ordered the Suspensionmaxx kit the other day. Hopefully have it installed in next few weeks.

Kat4 · October 25, 2020

On 5/8/2015 at 12:04 PM, BlackOps said:

Ok...I can't take complete credit for this fix as this has been done by a couple of members here, but I can take full credit for the way I did it.

For those who have considered lifting or leveling your 2015 Sierra Denali and have had worries about the magnetic ride control affecting the ride, the solution is within.

There is 2 ways to do this. 1 way is to fabricate a bracket with some flat stock, drill 2 holes, connect the bottom hole in the fabricated bracket to the original bracket that is attached to the upper control arm, and then connect the upper hole in the fabricated bracket to the MRC rod. If you search, you can find these photos or maybe someone who has done it like this will chime in and provide pics.

Now, if you want an easier way or just don't have the tools to cut, drill, etc. and fabricate a bracket, a longer metric bolt and a handful of washers net the same result. I have the tools and material to fabricate said bracket, but I wanted go this route as it was trial and error for me. This is due to not knowing the starting position before installing the kit. Sadly, I didn't even know the truck had MRC before installing the kit. It wasn't till I experienced the extremely poor ride after the install that I figured out that it had it.

Anyhow, I would highly suggest you figuring out a way to measure and pinpoint a "home" position for the MRC rod and then after the kit, you can determine how much you need to move the MRC rod to put it back where it started. If you're like me and you never started out with a home position, you can just add washers until you get the desired ride you want. For me, it was a total of 18 washers that equated to 1" in length. I taped them for the ease of installation.

As you can see from the pic, instead of raising the MRC rod by fabricating a bracket, I raised it with washers on the bracket that is affixed to the upper control arm. Hope this helps!