rough country 2.5" level

[Harrison Bailey]

I installed the rough county level kit where you put a 1.5 inch knuckle on the bottom of the shock and a 1 inch spacer in the actual spring. on the website it says it keeps the factory ride quality,  but when i drive and hit any type of hole, bump, dropoff, or speed bump it bounces into oblivion, I'm assuming because the spring is already so compressed. so the question is, is it worth it to have it sitting up that extra space on the front or should i take it off?

[Donstar]

Welcome to the forum!  Did you do the install yourself?  If not, I'd take this up with the installer.  Your excessive bouncing doesn't sound like a reasonable symptom of this type of level.  If you did the work, I'd do it over and just use the bottom mount spacer of 1.5".  This will be easier on your other suspension components in the long term and still look good.  Remember that anytime you alter your front suspension to get an alignment.

[2017SierraSLT]

I have the RC 2" level on my 2017 by using only the lower spacer. My ride is unchanged from stock. When I leveled my 2013 Sierra, I used only the upper spacers, and the ride was quite stiffer over stock.

 

[Harrison Bailey]

I followed the instructions that came with the level and have it aligned and everything. am i missing something else? or should i have the upper spring spacer removed?

[14Rufus]

I thought mine rode fairly rough for the first few thousand miles, and then it seemed to settle to near stock ride quality.  Been great for 30K miles now.

[REDOO2000]

I have the same problem when I drive over a speed bump or pot hole. Very rough ride. I’m thinking the strut is at its max



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[Harrison Bailey]

Since it’s compressed on both sides I figured the strut has to be maxed out or at least pretty close. Was hoping there was someway to loosen something to relieve all that compression maybe. 

[steve76t]

The top spacer can have an affect on ride quality, but that often depends on where its intended to be installed.  If it requires the spring/strut to be disassembled so that the spacer can be installed between the spring and the top plate, then yes ride quality may be a little stiffer.  That's because with this type of spacer system you end up adding some pre-load to the coil spring.  That in effect will shorten and stiffen the springs.  I haven't installed this system on my truck, but since your original post states that you have a 1" spacer installed "in" your spring, i'm assuming that you indeed had to follow this method.

 

Most of the time the spacer systems that go on top of, and/or below, the strut assembly don't affect ride quality as much because they don't "pre-load" the springs. 

[REDOO2000]

The spacer goes below the spring in the strut assembly


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[Bpoole90]

I just installed the RC 2.5” last week. Mine came with a “2inch” lower spacer that goes between the lower arm and shock, and with a “.5inch” spacer that is placed above the coilover. It DID NOT require the breakdown of the coil over.

 

I did it all at my dads, and there is some terrible roads between his house and mine. So I paid close attention to the trip there stock, and home with the modification. I thought I could tell a difference, but it was very minor... if at all. Part of me thinks I felt a difference just because I was expecting it. 

[Harrison Bailey]

What year is it? I guess different years have different top spacers. And has anyone replaced the rear 1 inch block with the 2 inch and noticed any difference?

[74Sprint17SierraATX]

I have been researching this for quite some time as I want to install on my truck. From what you all are saying I am going to do something else...
 

There are two versions of this kit. There is a kit for stamped steel UCAs and Cast Steel/Aluminum UCAs. I contacted RC directly under different names each time and multiple associates have stated that the kits are different because the UCAs are not the same shape. If you order the wrong kit, they claim that contact will be made between the UCAs and the strut assembly.
To my knowledge, Cast Steel/Aluminum use the same kit where the strutspacer goes in between the strut and the frame/hood where it mounts.
The Stamped steel uses the 'preload' spacer.
It seems from what most people are saying that ride quality does not change when its all bolt on, and the spacer is inserted above the strut assembly.
For people who say ride quality did change, they also say they put in the spacer into the assembly. meaning they ordered the kit for stamped steel.

I would like to keep the factory ride. I also have stamped steel... It seems unlikely that ride quality will remain when the spring is further compressed.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED OTHERWISE if youhave the preload spacer/stamped steel arms.

For everyone who installed any version of this kit, any issues with CV Joints? Any issues with any suspension/drive component?

Happy Truckin

[Harrison Bailey]

That’s exactly what I’ve heard and found after looking through multiple resources. I just ended up taking it out because the ride was atrocious and it still sits nice with just that single spacer under. 

[AgDoctor]

I had a 2016 with the non stamped steel UCAs. I put on the RC 2.5" kit and can tell you that I felt a significant difference. The ride down the highway was only slightly stiffer, but down a dirt Rd, rough stretch of pavement or parking lot, or while any weight was in the back, the ride was bad IMO. I could feel the UCAs contacting the frame perches. Mine was the one that didn't require the strut disassembly. I had a RevTek on my 2008 that you broke down the strut in and it was a rough riding machine after that I can tell you. Ball joints toast at 38K.

I have replaced numerous ball joints in the last 11 yrs running RC leveling kits on Chevy half tons, and likely because I carry an ATV in the bed alot causing more over extension of the ball joint. I have also replaced ball joints in an 09 I had without a leveling kit, but it had 90K on it when I started to feel the rattle.

I went suspension lift this time. I figured by the time I buy the RC kit, have it aligned and installed, and then replace ball joints/UCAs at 40K miles, that I wouldn't be that much deeper to buy the suspension kit. Both have impacts on warranty.

I'm not trying to sway your opinion or suggest anything, just some information from a fellow truck enthusiast.


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[SILVER SLED]

I installed the 2 1/2 level on my 15 non Z71 Silverado and the kit for that had the small spacer that didn't  need the shock/spring asm to come apart.  It seemed only a slight bit stiffer than stock.  I installed the 2 1/2 kit on my 18 Z71and with the stamped control arms, it required the round small spacer that required removing the strut.  This set up rides smoother than my 15 set up.