Switching Out Leveling Kits

Chevrojayy97 · September 17, 2017

Hey guys, I have the Rough Country 2" Leveling Kit Bottom Strut Spacer on my 2016 Z71. The shop that installed it was a first time deal, so I'm thinking about taking the 2" RC Bottom Strut Spacer out and putting in a Supreme Suspensions 2.5" Top Strut Spacer. Does anybody have any input before I make this decision? I wouldn't mind the extra .5" because I plan to run 20x10's and 305/55/20's. Thanks everyone.

Sierra706 · September 17, 2017

Hey guys, I have the Rough Country 2" Leveling Kit Bottom Strut Spacer on my 2016 Z71. The shop that installed it was a first time deal, so I'm thinking about taking the 2" RC Bottom Strut Spacer out and putting in a Supreme Suspensions 2.5" Top Strut Spacer. Does anybody have any input before I make this decision? I wouldn't mind the extra .5" because I plan to run 20x10's and 305/55/20's. Thanks everyone.

Easy enough to do in your garage at home. Jack stands are a must, Impact wrench helps tremendously. You'll need to have an alignment done after doing it

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Silverado4x4 · September 17, 2017

Why? Your lift will be the same but with the upper strut lift it will require you to trim the threads off of the top of the strut then install the spacer plus with the 2.5 spacer you will be really stressing your front end components.

cbrsilv15 · September 17, 2017

A 2.5" leveling kit usually consists of a 2" lower spacer and a .5" spacer on top. Why not just buy a top spacer?

Chevrojayy97 · September 17, 2017

The shop that installed the kit was the first kit they've ever installed, and didn't want any future problems.

Silverado4x4 · September 18, 2017

The shop that installed the kit was the first kit they've ever installed, and didn't want any future problems.

Chevrojayy97 · September 18, 2017

The shop that did the install, they had never done a leveling kit before, and I realy don't want to ride on borrowed time IF something is wrong. I had an alignment done 15k miles ago when the kit was on, and it's already time for another. I'm not saying it's the kit, but it would be a nice measure to know everything is good and tight underneath the truck.

cbrsilv15 · September 18, 2017

It comes down to that saying, if you want something done right then do it yourself.

A leveling kit is super easy to do and it's hard to screw it up. Great learning project for those who aren't mechanically inclined. It took me no time at all after watching a YouTube video.

michigan2500hd · September 19, 2017

My experience with the top spacer wasn't good on my 2007 GMC. I had to replace the control arms/ ball joints at 105,000 miles. My 2011 was almost the same truck but I used a spacer on the bottom and at 115,000 I never encountered the same issues. Same type of use, etc. This go around i opted for the Bilsteins on my 2015 so we will see how they do.

I can tell you I'll never do a top spacer again. Unless it's just the 1/2" one to go with my 5100's.

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jd173706 · September 23, 2017

I bought a Supreme Suspensions 2" level kit for my '14 and it only cost me $25 on Amazon. I installed it myself and had to remove the upper ball joint on the drivers side; on the passenger side I just had to loosen it to get the spacer in under the shock.

(FYI- that 6mm hex key to tighten the ball joint and prevent it from just spinning didn't fit on my truck. Possible previous owner stripped it, but I eventually got it tight. Just a heads-up, watch out for that and try not to remove the ball joint nut at all if you can.)

I tightened everything down and got an alignment and after 20,000 miles it's been perfect.

Mine is not the aluminum spacer, its a softer composite plastic material and it works just fine.

When it is time to replace the shocks I will buy the bilsteins, or possibly the Rancho Quicklift 2" taller replacement coilovers, but for now my $25 level kit is doing just fine.

Chevrojayy97 · September 30, 2017

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I believe I'll call and order the .5" Top Spacer and be satisfied and have the shop I take it to make sure everything looks good. I think I'll add a Zone Add-A-Leaf to the rear when I do this, any opinions?

Sierra706 · October 1, 2017

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I believe I'll call and order the .5" Top Spacer and be satisfied and have the shop I take it to make sure everything looks good. I think I'll add a Zone Add-A-Leaf to the rear when I do this, any opinions?

You’ll get some rake back and have a slightly stiffer ride out back with a slightly increased payload capacity in terms of sag, not actual capacity according to brakes, engine, etc.

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