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Level strut spacers and 4X4

Donstar

By Donstar
in Modifications & Accessories

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Icecreman Enthusiast

Icecreman

Posted
Posted

You're right that I may not find the evidence I am looking for. Your current setup is what a local dealership is recommending. I suspect that the end result would be about the same as a 1.5" front only lift.

I felt the same way you do which is why I stayed at 2". I measured before and after and the setup I have brought the front bumper up 2" and the rear bumper 1.25". I wanted the whole truck up higher so it worked out well and no longer looks like a 2wd. That was driving me nuts.

jerseytaylor Enthusiast

jerseytaylor

Posted
Posted

This is an interesting graphic and it strongly suggests that you have information to offer. I would appreciate your comments. What is obvious to you may be helpful to me and others! Thanks.

dont stress it man.

Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
  • Author
Posted

dont stress it man.

(I appreciate the edit) The topic of leveling our trucks has been around for several years and is likely to continue for a few years. I heard a rumor at a local dealership that GM will be offering a level kit in their parts catalogue in 2017. This in itself will serve as an endorsement. It will also serve as quite a contradiction to a letter I received from GM several months ago speaking against such a modification! I am intrigued, not stressed, by the amount of information available on this topic. If a reader finds a good factual explanation of what level kits do to your suspension please share. I found this on a review site by a person named Joe Trent on EXPERT.COM.

 

From time to time I have a customer ask me if installing a leveling kit on the front of his truck is going to cause problems. I tell them as long as they don’t go over 2.5 inches there won’t be a problem.

There are leveling kits on the market that go to 3 inches, I don’t recommend installing them. My reason for this is any kit over 2.5 inches will usually cause the tie rod linkage to run at extreme angles compared to the the factory geometry. Same goes for balljoint angles. If you like rebuilding the frontend of your truck annually, then by all means go ahead.

When balljoints and tierods operate out of their normal range of motion it tends to wear them out at an accelerated rate. Not to mention the potential for bump-steer.

Like I said earlier, up to 2.5 inches you won’t have any problems with steering linkage angles, but you will need to have the front end realigned and the steering wheel straightened after installing a leveling kit. If you really need more that 2.5 inches, you really should be shopping for a lift kit instead.

Read more: http://tire-review-expert.com/will-leveling-kits-wear-out-my-front-end/#ixzz4CDguuXKU

  • 3 years later...
ChevyGuy805 New Member

ChevyGuy805

Posted
Posted

The problem with any leveling kit is the the down travel. The higher you go the less down travel your suspension has. This picture is with a 2.5" leveling kit. I had a 3" kit on for awhile and the constant bottoming out ruined the drive quality. With a leveling kit it pushes the upper control arm closer to the stop limiting the travel. Notice the gap between the control arm and stop. Stock is always better, but with a 2.5" you shouldn't have much trouble.

image2.jpeg

Jacoby Enthusiast

Jacoby

Posted
Posted

Just get a 2” level from Rough Country and call it a day. It won’t effect the ride quality one bit and suspension geometry will pretty much stay the same. Stop over thinking it. 

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