Level, Shackles or Remove Rear Block?

[DenisTheMenace]

I have a 2015 Sierra SLT with the 6.2 on 22" Wheels. I use it as a daily driver and tow my Corvette to the track. I would like to level my truck but not sure what is the best option for me since I tow with it occasionally... Should I level the front, remove the rear block or put rear lowering shackles on it? I want to maintain ride quality, look good, and not sag a ton when I'm towing the Corvette.

 

What do you think?!

 

 

[parthery]

I"m in a similar situation....I tow a 6K boat with my '17 LTZ Z71 6.2.

 

I went with 5100s all the way around and set the fronts on the center "ring"....gave me about 1.25" lift in the front.  I'm left with a tiny bit of rake and I can drop the trailer on it and it's still level.  The ride and handling are much improved, as well.

 

[DenisTheMenace]

PARTHERY, Your truck looks lower in the rear in the picture you posted, maybe it's the angle but to me it looks lower?

[DougFL]

On my 2016 I removed the 2" block and I was pleased with the results.  On my 2010 I replaced the rear hangers and it was a Major PITA to do!  Remember if you remove the spacer block you will have to purchase 2" Spacers for the U bolts to be able to retighten them.  I picked up my spacers from Helwig suspensions.

[jegreenwood14]

I currently have a 2.5" level on mine, but have been throwing around the idea of going back down to stock and pulling the block.  Actually, I think I am going to do that this weekend lol.

 

Truck currently:

 

[goeb34]

That model has1.25” blocks from factory, i done mine in 10 minutes and couldnt be happier, quick and free is good to me, havent had any problems and havent towed anything in a while but i assume you’d have a little squat

[DenisTheMenace]

2 minutes ago, goeb34 said:

That model has1.25” blocks from factory, i done mine in 10 minutes and couldnt be happier, quick and free is good to me, havent had any problems and havent towed anything in a while but i assume you’d have a little squat

do you have any tips or a write up how to do this? I've never removed rear blocks so not even sure what this entitles! 

[iPhonez71]

24 minutes ago, jegreenwood14 said:

I currently have a 2.5" level on mine, but have been throwing around the idea of going back down to stock and pulling the block.  Actually, I think I am going to do that this weekend lol.

 

Truck currently:

 

In my opinion, I think you should not go back to stock. I think everyone should have their pickups level like your. It not only looks better but performs better. GM pickup’s suspension design as stock somehow coincidence once a while when both front and rear tires hit certain pavement surface will produce harmonic resonance like music instruments. It is difficult to reproduce the harmonic resonance because it depends on the surface and points of tire contact and transferring. For us, we define it as shake and vibration but in reality it is harmonic vibration mostly generated from leaf springs. To reduce harmonic resonance by either dampen the vibration transferring material like steel leaf springs or disrupting the vibration by shifting it positions. One way is to level both front and rear. You have done that and reduced the percentage of harmonic vibrations. Why would you want to restore it back to stock? 

[goeb34]

do you have any tips or a write up how to do this? I've never removed rear blocks so not even sure what this entitles! 

I did it at my buddys house and his driveway was weird so we jacked up under the leaf springs just enough to get the tire off the ground (one side at a time) and loosen the u bolts and slide the block out and tighten the ubolts back down, we just used a milwaukee impact

[Racindave]

1 hour ago, goeb34 said:

I did it at my buddys house and his driveway was weird so we jacked up under the leaf springs just enough to get the tire off the ground (one side at a time) and loosen the u bolts and slide the block out and tighten the ubolts back down, we just used a milwaukee impact

Do u have a pic of the leveled truck? Any vibration issues?

[goeb34]

Do u have a pic of the leveled truck? Any vibration issues?

no issues at all

[US Dashworks]

i wanted to level off my sierra also, but i also constantly tow with it. leveling was not an option for me unless i installed airbags. 

[texasaggies16]

2.5" level, leave stock blocks.. looks best and still functional.

[Tyy1907]

11 hours ago, iPhonez71 said:

In my opinion, I think you should not go back to stock. I think everyone should have their pickups level like your. It not only looks better but performs better. GM pickup’s suspension design as stock somehow coincidence once a while when both front and rear tires hit certain pavement surface will produce harmonic resonance like music instruments. It is difficult to reproduce the harmonic resonance because it depends on the surface and points of tire contact and transferring. For us, we define it as shake and vibration but in reality it is harmonic vibration mostly generated from leaf springs. To reduce harmonic resonance by either dampen the vibration transferring material like steel leaf springs or disrupting the vibration by shifting it positions. One way is to level both front and rear. You have done that and reduced the percentage of harmonic vibrations. Why would you want to restore it back to stock? 

What about pinion angles?

[iPhonez71]

17 minutes ago, Tyy1907 said:

What about pinion angles?

In general, automobile platform design as level as possible. However, most of the weight are concentrated at front suspension resulting the front end tends to be lower than the rear. We often think it is for aerodynamic, but I beg the argument. Normally, front tires are wearing out faster than rear because of turning movement from steering; however, they normally wear ou uneventful. Therefore, it is recommended to rotate tires. If suspension is lower than design then both tires are angled like an “A” and if lifting higher than design then both tires are angled like a “V”. Having said that, every time a suspension is lifted up or lower down, it has to be re-alignment. Anyhow, if both front and rear are level as design then both tires are angled like a “U” regardless of the angles from the racks and pinions. They typically are designed as horizontal; however, it will have a positive angle if it is lower and negative angle if it is raised measuring from horizontal point of view.