Leveling Thoughts

huff4x4 · December 19, 2018

Just looking for some input. I just bought a 2018 GMC Sierra Denali and i have been looking through this site for a week or so looking for leveling kit info. I love the truck and ride but i would like to have it sit a little higher in the front. I looked at just doing the shocks all the way around but nothing seems to work with the magnetic suspension. Don't want to go more than 2" level because of the CV angle. I even looked at just doing the 3.5 suspension lift from i think RC but it seems to be getting some bad reviews with the replacement of the upper control arms. I don't off road which means the truck will spend it's life mainly on the road but like to have it there if needed. I would like to keep a little rake for pulling my boat but i can always add a block to the rear if needed. I plan on keeping my stock wheels (20's) but will be upgrading the tires with the level kit.

Any input would be greatly appreciated as far as level kit and tire size. Even if you have some pics of your leveled truck so i can get an idea of what I'm looking at would be great.

Thanks,

Huff

Mikebtte · December 19, 2018

2 hours ago, huff4x4 said:

Just looking for some input. I just bought a 2018 GMC Sierra Denali and i have been looking through this site for a week or so looking for leveling kit info. I love the truck and ride but i would like to have it sit a little higher in the front. I looked at just doing the shocks all the way around but nothing seems to work with the magnetic suspension. Don't want to go more than 2" level because of the CV angle. I even looked at just doing the 3.5 suspension lift from i think RC but it seems to be getting some bad reviews with the replacement of the upper control arms. I don't off road which means the truck will spend it's life mainly on the road but like to have it there if needed. I would like to keep a little rake for pulling my boat but i can always add a block to the rear if needed. I plan on keeping my stock wheels (20's) but will be upgrading the tires with the level kit.

Any input would be greatly appreciated as far as level kit and tire size. Even if you have some pics of your leveled truck so i can get an idea of what I'm looking at would be great.

Thanks,

Huff

A few questions. You said "i would like to have it sit a little higher in the front." Followed by "I would like to keep a little rake for pulling my boat"

To me its a pain to add the blocks for something as simple as pulling a boat. I would recommend a front leveling kit as I have ran them an towed with no issue. Front leveling kits are cheap and you will get a feel for what you like in the truck. You can always just take the front up more and leave the rear alone for towing. You will have to sacrifice some towing control if you want the front higher than the rear. Suspension systems are a little more pricey for not knowing if you will like them. You could also put some weight in the back and see if you like the rear being down lower than the front, be a cheap way to see if you like the look.

Just my 2 cents.

Jdkno · December 19, 2018

I put a 1.5 block in the front of my 17 CC and couldn't be happier. Still has maybe 3/4"-1" of rake but ALOT better than factory.

huff4x4 · December 19, 2018

4 hours ago, Mikebtte said:

A few questions. You said "i would like to have it sit a little higher in the front." Followed by "I would like to keep a little rake for pulling my boat"

To me its a pain to add the blocks for something as simple as pulling a boat. I would recommend a front leveling kit as I have ran them an towed with no issue. Front leveling kits are cheap and you will get a feel for what you like in the truck. You can always just take the front up more and leave the rear alone for towing. You will have to sacrifice some towing control if you want the front higher than the rear. Suspension systems are a little more pricey for not knowing if you will like them. You could also put some weight in the back and see if you like the rear being down lower than the front, be a cheap way to see if you like the look.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the input. I do want to level it and maybe add slightly bigger tires if possible but i don't want any issues with rubbing bit hopefully that won't be an issue with staying with factory wheels. As far as pulling my boat, I thought about just adding bags to the rear if it's to bad of a ride pulling the boat.

huff4x4 · December 19, 2018

46 minutes ago, Jdkno said:

I put a 1.5 block in the front of my 17 CC and couldn't be happier. Still has maybe 3/4"-1" if take but ALOT better than factory.

Did it mess with the ride? Did you change the size and if so what size did you go with? Any rubbing? Could you send pic so i can compare?

Jdkno · December 19, 2018

2 hours ago, huff4x4 said:

Did it mess with the ride? Did you change the size and if so what size did you go with? Any rubbing? Could you send pic so i can compare?

Mine is a SLT so no magna ride. I put the blocks in about a week after I got the truck so it's hard to really say but at the time I dont ever remember saying to myself, damn it drives alot different. I did not change tire size.

damnthetorpedoes · December 20, 2018

How big is your boat? I have a Rough Country 2" in the front with stock rear. I tow a 6k lb boat (probably around 400lb of tongue weight plus gear in the bed) and the sag is hardly noticeable. If I was hauling it long distances every weekend i would probably consider bags in the rear, but its not bad enough to bother me the handful of time that I pull it each year.

huff4x4 · December 20, 2018

40 minutes ago, damnthetorpedoes said:

How big is your boat? I have a Rough Country 2" in the front with stock rear. I tow a 6k lb boat (probably around 400lb of tongue weight plus gear in the bed) and the sag is hardly noticeable. If I was hauling it long distances every weekend i would probably consider bags in the rear, but its not bad enough to bother me the handful of time that I pull it each year.

I was thinking about bags in the rear if i do the 2 inch level. If you don't mind me asking, do you have any rubbing issues and what size tires did you go with.

damnthetorpedoes · December 20, 2018

No rubbing at all in 32k miles. I’m running 275/60/20 KO2’s on stock wheels.

OldBlue61 · December 20, 2018

18 hours ago, Jdkno said:

I put a 1.5 block in the front of my 17 CC and couldn't be happier. Still has maybe 3/4"-1" if take but ALOT better than factory.

I did the same. Zero issues.

Szubi · December 21, 2018

I installed motofab 3 inch front and 1 inch rear lift and installed 20x12 moto metal wheels with 33x12.50r20 on a -44 offset and it looks sweet slight rubbing in the back fender corner easy fix. Truck is 100% level but it's my driveway that's slanted. Fyi tops a 3 hr installation with some knowledge

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huff4x4 · December 26, 2018

On 12/20/2018 at 10:44 PM, Szubi said:

I installed motofab 3 inch front and 1 inch rear lift and installed 20x12 moto metal wheels with 33x12.50r20 on a -44 offset and it looks sweet slight rubbing in the back fender corner easy fix. Truck is 100% level but it's my driveway that's slanted. Fyi tops a 3 hr installation with some knowledge

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Thanks for the pic and info. I just other the 2inch level and new tires. Will pay pics when i get it installed.