What leveling kit?

Jacob11531 · March 29, 2018

Hey everyone, have a 2wd 03 silverado 1500 LS. Want to get the front leveled with the rear but alot of the leveling kits range from 1" to 3". I dont want to get new tires as im only going to keep it for 1-2 more years. Anyone know how many inches the front needs to go up? Also what is the differnece in the torsion bar keys and the coil spacers? I was just going to get the coil spacers because it seems easier. Thanks!

Jacob11531 · March 29, 2018

Jacob11531 · March 29, 2018

Anyone know how i can upload more pics? It says i can only have 4.88mb but the pics im adding are around 3.05mb. Thanks

carnau · March 29, 2018

What size tire are you going to want to go with?

Now lets get this ball rolling. You can't use torsion bar keys. You have a 2wd truck. Torsion bars come on a 4wd.

You can go with a spacer. I put a set on my cousins truck. Same style as yours. Make sure you get a shock for the front so the ride will be a little better... But it is still going to be terrible. Spacers give you a terrible ride.

Here is the spacer I would use and the shock.

Spacer - https://amzn.to/2IfmpE8 ( $60 )

Lift Shock - https://amzn.to/2Gzyd75 ( $35 )

But with that being said... I would put a lift knuckle on it. The ride would be better and it would be better for the vehicle. Still get the lift shock though. It will be more expensive but you will not lose any ride.

Knuckle - https://amzn.to/2Go1sX9 ( $330 )

Shock - https://amzn.to/2Gzyd75 ( $35 )

Hope this helps.

Jacob11531 · April 1, 2018

I wanted to keep the stock tires and just level the front with the back. Nothing too big but if i will need some bigger tires than i will just forget it.

I was only planning keeping it for 1-2 more years since it has high milege then i will trick out my next truck (this is the one i was learning a bunch off of for example using a DA and getting scratches out of black paint)

If i do get the lift, i will do the shocks for sure but cant really afford the knuckle. I will only need shocks for the front then? Is it still worth it if i dont do the knuckle? Ive seen many videos and nobody has changed their knuckles.

I will measure the truck tomorrow (from ground to bottom fender front and back i think is the correct way) just so i know what size lift to get if i do decide to get one.

Thanks a ton for the help!!

Jacob11531 · April 6, 2018

Also, I measured the distance from the ground to top of fender and here are the measurements:

Front Left: 32in Front Right:33in

Rear Left: 35in Rear Right: 36in

Is a 2 inch lift kit going to be enough? Thanks again

Jacob11531 · April 9, 2018

Anyone?

Chevypickup · April 9, 2018

Hey Jacob,

I have a 2wd 1999 regular cab chevy silverado 1500, and I went with the Daystar KG09101BK 2" coil spacers. They are like $100 on Amazon, however they are good quality parts. I do have 17" rims on my truck and it leveled my truck out perfect. I did not replace the front shocks and did not notice any ride changes at all. Plus they are easy to get to so I will replace them when they wear out. I will add a picture of it in the morning if I remember to.

Chevypickup · April 9, 2018

That is the picture as promised. it is on uneven ground so I could not get accurate measurements. but all sides are around 34 3/4" and they are within 1/4" of each other with the back being higher.

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Jacob11531 · April 10, 2018

Alrighty then, ill just do the spacers for now and maybe shocks but ill see how it rides first. Ill post a pic or 2 also. Thanks a lot for the help.

Chevypickup · April 10, 2018

Your welcome. Also, your gonna need a coil compresser for the job. I rented one from AutoZone. And I had to split my upper ball joints and replace them to drop the lower control arm so be prepared for that as well. Good luck!

Jacob11531 · April 14, 2018

Was going to install the kit today but was looking for torq specs for reassembly and was unable to find any. Anyone know where i can find the torq specs at? Thanks!

Jacob11531 · April 22, 2018

Got most of the kit on today and let me tell you what a bi*** it was to do what seemed like a simple task. Taking everything apart was a easy task but my coil compressors did not allow me to get the clearance to slide it back into place during installation so i had to rig up some hillbilly set up with ratchet ties after seeing a few vids on youtube. Well the first side i started on, the strap slid off the side of the coil and the control arm slipped off the jack and shot down so i tried it again and got it with 2 jacks (one was holding the knuckle for the initial start then the second was used in the coil cutout under the control arm so i could freely move the knuckle to attatch ball joint). When i got to the other side it was the same deal, 15mins to take apart and 2 hours to f*** with the coil. Now i have one problem, i have everything but the abosrber installed because both coil springs kinda bend/banana outwards and the inside (part towards the truck) is rubbing on the absorber which does not allow me to bolt the top of the absorber in if that makes sense. Anyone have an idea what to do? I can try to jack up the control arm more, it just starts to lift off the jackstands when alot of pressure is applied. I kinda need to drive this for monday also. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Chevypickup · April 22, 2018

Did you make sure the bottom of the coil was lined up with the groove on the lower control arm?

Jacob11531 · April 22, 2018

Yes they are both lined up. I was looking on google and it seems to be a common problem where coil springs bow after installing spacers. Mine just bow enough to where i cant install the absorber.