Leveling a 2016 2500HD

cpap · January 22, 2017

I leveled my 2016 HD today. Looks much better. The stock configuration measured 43.5" at the rear and 39.5" in front. After 11 turns of the bolt on each side, I'm now at 41.75" in the front. So, I have about 1.75" rake that I may just stick with. I also extended the shocks. All in all, very simple procedure. Also, I have the snow plow package so was able to crank away and still have a bunch of threads left.

Amazing how you can lift the front of these trucks at close to zero expense. I lifted my previous truck and it cost cost me $600 and more!

ShotgunZ71 · January 22, 2017

The HD's look best with a little rake. Much like the 1500s, when they are perfectly leveled, they have a nose-up appearance and look awkward. Looks are subjective, of course. I have a friend who leveled his HD, and now with the camper or any load in the back, it squats terribly and looks out of place.

cpap · January 22, 2017

Agreed. A little rake is a good thing... looks/loading.

Going to need UCA's. Going over speed bumps they are tapping. Can't imagine off road. So much for cheap lift. :0/

Cowpie · January 23, 2017

The HD's look best with a little rake. Much like the 1500s, when they are perfectly leveled, they have a nose-up appearance and look awkward. Looks are subjective, of course. I have a friend who leveled his HD, and now with the camper or any load in the back, it squats terribly and looks out of place.

The key words here are... a little rake. Not the cat in heat rake that comes from the factory. And some of us old beat up veterans and others just plain have a difficult time getting in and out of the back with the factory rake. I was truly amazed at how a simple set of 2" drop shackles improved things in that regard. And if the 2" drop is an issue with a squat under a heavy load, hey, there is always air bag kits to remedy that. While the getting in and out thing was a major factor in why I lowered the back, I really didn't like the look of my 2500 with it's butt stuck up in the air so high. You know... like a cat in heat.

I'll leave the raising the front up as a way of approaching this to the younger crowd. My old beat up Army Armored Calvary bones prefer the lowering the back method. Pick what works for you and go for it.

Texas Sandman · January 23, 2017

I leveled my 2016 HD today. Looks much better. The stock configuration measured 43.5" at the rear and 39.5" in front. After 11 turns of the bolt on each side, I'm now at 41.75" in the front. So, I have about 1.75" rake that I may just stick with. I also extended the shocks. All in all, very simple procedure. Also, I have the snow plow package so was able to crank away and still have a bunch of threads left.

Amazing how you can lift the front of these trucks at close to zero expense. I lifted my previous truck and it cost cost me $600 and more!

Can I ask where you got your wheel well opening moldings? I like those a lot.

cpap · January 23, 2017

Can I ask where you got your wheel well opening moldings? I like those a lot.

They came with the truck new. Not sure which packages it's available in. For what it's worth, but mine is an SLT.

DND1 · January 23, 2017

I leveled my 2016 HD today. Looks much better. The stock configuration measured 43.5" at the rear and 39.5" in front. After 11 turns of the bolt on each side, I'm now at 41.75" in the front. So, I have about 1.75" rake that I may just stick with. I also extended the shocks. All in all, very simple procedure. Also, I have the snow plow package so was able to crank away and still have a bunch of threads left.

Amazing how you can lift the front of these trucks at close to zero expense. I lifted my previous truck and it cost cost me $600 and more!

been following this thread and saw your starting measurements. just out of curiosity I went out to the garage and measured my truck(STOCK} Rear 43" Front 40.5" mine is a 2016 Silverado 2500HD W plow pkg with 265/70/18 wheels. I see your is a GMC and your front was an inch lower than my truck but rear was the same. Just figured they would have been the same. although you have the fender trim maybe that has to do with the front measurement differenceFWIW Good looking truck though

cpap · January 24, 2017

been following this thread and saw your starting measurements. just out of curiosity I went out to the garage and measured my truck(STOCK} Rear 43" Front 40.5" mine is a 2016 Silverado 2500HD W plow pkg with 265/70/18 wheels. I see your is a GMC and your front was an inch lower than my truck but rear was the same. Just figured they would have been the same. although you have the fender trim maybe that has to do with the front measurement differenceFWIW Good looking truck though

Thanks for the compliments. My guess is the factory set my bolt to the key differently? Would have cool if I noted how many threads were shown in stock form then compared to yours.

onetontom · January 24, 2017

I definitely need to crank the front of my truck up a bit! I put around 1k lbs in the back with the winter weather to help counteract the plow on the front, but the front sags a lot harder with the plow raised. Crew cabs look easier to level than doubles, the extended wheelbase must even things out a bit or at least make the truck appear to be more level than a double.

onetontom · January 24, 2017

Thanks for the compliments. My guess is the factory set my bolt to the key differently? Would have cool if I noted how many threads were shown in stock form then compared to yours.

Are those the factory GMC wheels? I didn't think GMC was using 5 spoke patterns like Chevy. All I had previously seen was 6 and 8 and then whatever the Denalis get that look like Peterbilt wheels, not sure why they ever started using those things.

FLORIDAMK · January 24, 2017

Did you put the truck on a lift to make the adjustments or just crawl under and crank the bolts?

redwngr · January 24, 2017

Can I ask where you got your wheel well opening moldings? I like those a lot.

It's a GMC only thing.

Texas Sandman · January 25, 2017

It's a GMC only thing.

So they will not fit the Silverado?

Dirtbiker · January 25, 2017

So they will not fit the Silverado?

No they wont the GMC fenders are recessed to allow the factory mouldings to fit. However, Bushwacker makes an "OEM " lookalike flare that is similar and fits Chevys.

cpap · January 25, 2017

Are those the factory GMC wheels? I didn't think GMC was using 5 spoke patterns like Chevy. All I had previously seen was 6 and 8 and then whatever the Denalis get that look like Peterbilt wheels, not sure why they ever started using those things.

Yes, they are an option as 20" 5 spoke polished.