New Guy...Leveling Kit Problem.

Frankf300 · December 5, 2015

Been lurking a while but finally needed to post as I'm losing my mind. Came over from the Ram side and now own a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew. So after all these videos and posts and informative stuff I ordered a 2" RC leveling kit for it. Said this is gonna be a piece of cake based on everything I've seen. (I'm no mechanic, but I can hold my own when I need to) Well now I'm here at this ridiculous hour and not even one side done. Tore into driver side first and I cannot get the strut bolts to line up for the life of me. It's a 4WD with aluminum control arms and the Ranchos that come with the Z71. I can fit the spacer in fine. My issue is getting the damn holes to all line up. Videos make it seem like a pry bar will get them in place. I've tried prying, I've put all my weight against that strut and still cannot get the damn holes to line up. I'm about 1/8" away, but it feels like the strut just doesn't have any more give to it. What am I doing wrong here?!?! Any help is REALLY appreciated!! I know...what a way to make a newb intro lol!

LongrangeLauber · December 5, 2015

If need be loosen the strut nuts on top to give it some play, get the bolts in, then tighten the strut nuts back up. I personally didn't have an issue installing my 2" but I'm sure others have. Let us know if this works

SgtShiv · December 5, 2015

Loosening top bolts should help, mine lined up easy, but I had top loose after installing top spacers.

Fishbait · December 5, 2015

My 2015 install went in easy. Are you sure they sent you the right kit?

dbcooper748 · December 5, 2015

Been lurking a while but finally needed to post as I'm losing my mind. Came over from the Ram side and now own a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew. So after all these videos and posts and informative stuff I ordered a 2" RC leveling kit for it. Said this is gonna be a piece of cake based on everything I've seen. (I'm no mechanic, but I can hold my own when I need to) Well now I'm here at this ridiculous hour and not even one side done. Tore into driver side first and I cannot get the strut bolts to line up for the life of me. It's a 4WD with aluminum control arms and the Ranchos that come with the Z71. I can fit the spacer in fine. My issue is getting the damn holes to all line up. Videos make it seem like a pry bar will get them in place. I've tried prying, I've put all my weight against that strut and still cannot get the damn holes to line up. I'm about 1/8" away, but it feels like the strut just doesn't have any more give to it. What am I doing wrong here?!?! Any help is REALLY appreciated!! I know...what a way to make a newb intro lol!

A second set of hands helps tremendously. Also, I had to use a wooden block and tapped it with a hammer to get mine to line up

Frankf300 · December 5, 2015

Loosening top strut bolts did it for me. Passenger side SOOO much quicker. Thanks!! Will post pics soon. Now to get my nerfs on

Travis Whitmore · December 5, 2015

Loosening top strut bolts did it for me. Passenger side SOOO much quicker. Thanks!! Will post pics soon. Now to get my nerfs on

Isn't that weird? My passenger side went right in with no strain. Drivers side took way more effort. Loosening the top strut bolts helped immensely.

dbcooper748 · December 5, 2015

Isn't that weird? My passenger side went right in with no strain. Drivers side took way more effort. Loosening the top strut bolts helped immensely.

Whats even stranger for me, was it was the opposite. The passenger side was a PITA but my drivers side fell right in. Idk

Frankf300 · December 7, 2015

So it turned into a successful weekend! Got the level kit on and threw on my bars. I'm beyond happy with how the truck looks and sits now! I can't justify dropping the money on tires right now, but will be going to a bigger tire when the stockers are more worn. That should complete the look nicely