Jump to content

CAUTION: leveling blocks underneath the strut MAY do this!!!

Marv’s Trailboss 19
 Share

Recommended Posts

Marv’s Trailboss 19 Enthusiast

Marv’s Trailboss 19

Posted
Posted (edited)

  Hey everyone. So I had the 1.5 inch leveling blocks installed underneath the struts on my TrailBoss. After 3 weeks and 1200 miles the ball joint boots were torn. My ride was the same and unaffected, but still. The angle of the ball joints were not good post-level. 

 This caused me to purchase new UCAs. I went with ready lift and got their plus 2 kit. Overall I’m happy now because the UCAs fix the ball joint angle. Now the ball joint sits straight, and allows for more lift. With the plus 2 kit I’m getting a total of 4inches in front, and 3 in the rear which gives me a half inch rake still. Not bad, half inch isn’t bad at all. See the attached pics and just be cautious when adding leveling blocks to the trailboss. 

FBACB822-1BA6-4C82-856D-CDB4F75E0506.jpeg

CD8BADA8-1928-41B1-9679-B5E4D6704250.jpeg

1861F0D1-ABD0-44D8-BF1B-CCE20CDF5787.jpeg

Edited by Marv’s Trailboss 19
Typos
  • Like 3
badwolf Enthusiast

badwolf

Posted
Posted

I'd assume this only affects trail boss suspension systems since they already have a lift from factory? Probably too much stress on the already lifted components. Motofab offers a more traditional 1.5" spacer lift for Trail Boss suspensions instead of blocks.

tanner709 Enthusiast

tanner709

Posted
Posted
26 minutes ago, badwolf said:

I'd assume this only affects trail boss suspension systems since they already have a lift from factory? Probably too much stress on the already lifted components. Motofab offers a more traditional 1.5" spacer lift for Trail Boss suspensions instead of blocks.

can you explain the difference of spacers vs blocks? I think you answered the issue, with the problem.

 

Motofab only has one 1.5" kit for the trailboss and its the lower strut spacer.

badwolf Enthusiast

badwolf

Posted
Posted
13 minutes ago, tanner709 said:

can you explain the difference of spacers vs blocks? I think you answered the issue, with the problem.

 

Motofab only has one 1.5" kit for the trailboss and its the lower strut spacer.

I apologize, I meant Rough Country. They offer a spacer kit designed for the Trail Boss. The spacer lift fits on top of the front coil springs, whereas the block is bolted below the strut. Same result, but in a different way. Seeing as the trail boss already comes from factory with a lift, I would not recommend the block method. Ultimately the best way to achieve a leveled lift is with front height adjustable shocks, like Bilstein 5100s. But they are not available yet...

here is the link to the rough country 1.5" trail boss kit:
https://www.roughcountry.com/gmc-leveling-lift-kit-1319.html?find=2019-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-381258

Sjordan Enthusiast

Sjordan

Posted
Posted (edited)
22 minutes ago, badwolf said:

I apologize, I meant Rough Country. They offer a spacer kit designed for the Trail Boss. The spacer lift fits on top of the front coil springs, whereas the block is bolted below the strut. Same result, but in a different way. Seeing as the trail boss already comes from factory with a lift, I would not recommend the block method. Ultimately the best way to achieve a leveled lift is with front height adjustable shocks, like Bilstein 5100s. But they are not available yet...

here is the link to the rough country 1.5" trail boss kit:
https://www.roughcountry.com/gmc-leveling-lift-kit-1319.html?find=2019-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-381258

No matter which way you slice it if you move the wheel further from where the UCA is mounted you are going to increase angles.

Edited by Sjordan
  • Like 2
tanner709 Enthusiast

tanner709

Posted
Posted
22 minutes ago, badwolf said:

I apologize, I meant Rough Country. They offer a spacer kit designed for the Trail Boss. The spacer lift fits on top of the front coil springs, whereas the block is bolted below the strut. Same result, but in a different way. Seeing as the trail boss already comes from factory with a lift, I would not recommend the block method. Ultimately the best way to achieve a leveled lift is with front height adjustable shocks, like Bilstein 5100s. But they are not available yet...

here is the link to the rough country 1.5" trail boss kit:
https://www.roughcountry.com/gmc-leveling-lift-kit-1319.html?find=2019-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-381258

Yeah but either way you alter the UCA and balljoint angle. There is no gain in top hat vs lower spacer, with regards to this issue.

5 minutes ago, Sjordan said:

No matter which way you slice it if you move the wheel further from where the UCA arm is mounted you are going to increase angles.

100%.

Marv’s Trailboss 19 Enthusiast

Marv’s Trailboss 19

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Either way, it wouldn't hurt to get new upper control arms because this way you ensure that your angles aren't maxed out whether at full droop or compression. It's piece of mind for me. Just be cautious with any leveling kit that doesn't include UCAs. Check the ball joint from time to time. 

badwolf Enthusiast

badwolf

Posted
Posted

Well... then it seems any additional lift to the trail boss seems to be outside of its acceptable range for it's stock components.

 

Definitely an issue to consider if thinking about lifting/leveling a trail boss...

tannerm24 Enthusiast

tannerm24

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, badwolf said:

I apologize, I meant Rough Country. They offer a spacer kit designed for the Trail Boss. The spacer lift fits on top of the front coil springs, whereas the block is bolted below the strut. Same result, but in a different way. Seeing as the trail boss already comes from factory with a lift, I would not recommend the block method. Ultimately the best way to achieve a leveled lift is with front height adjustable shocks, like Bilstein 5100s. But they are not available yet...

here is the link to the rough country 1.5" trail boss kit:
https://www.roughcountry.com/gmc-leveling-lift-kit-1319.html?find=2019-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-381258

Any idea when the 5100s will be available? 

badwolf Enthusiast

badwolf

Posted
Posted
12 minutes ago, tannerm24 said:

Any idea when the 5100s will be available? 

No idea, but I am patiently waiting. 

AgDoctor Senior Enthusiast

AgDoctor

Posted
Posted

I have read about others with the same issue. If you watch the Readylift vid on YouTube the guy mentions the exact same occurrence. Too much angle must pinch the boot.


Sent via Morse code

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Sad thing is that this doesn't have to be the case. LSPI can be solved without a reduction in TBN. Swap Ca for Mg.  Cats are not a issue if the OEM can get a ring and valve guide seal even at SN levels of SAPS. Dizzy is purring like a kitten with a bowl of warm milk. 200K of Full SAPS oil and zero detonation issues and nice a clean inside and out. This shouldn't be an issue. It isn't 1920.    Tell ya what AMSOIL SS is excellent at, internal cleanliness. The new formula is even a step up from their already outstanding cleanliness levels. Can't say the OEM offering is quite that clean. There marketing suggest the SS is cleaner.     That is the only defense with at shelf oil. Nothing wrong with them if you ignore the marketing and OEM 'recommended' OCI and use a thimble full of common sense. 😉 You go sir. 
    • StingerZ16
      Roll up bed cover experiences

      By StingerZ16 · Posted

      I started with a folding cover by BAK PAC on my 2500. It went bad after close to 5 years. Bent and vinyl coming loose. Contacted BAK and they gave me a very good discount on a Revolver. Had it a number of years. Mostly outdoor storage. Some garage storage. Vinyl started to come loose. Still under warranty so they replaced to cover. Sold the 2500, bought the 1500 and got another revolver for it. Had it a couple years now and no issues. I store it indoors. Got a bit of discount when buying it as well. If you are seeing problems, contact BAK or real truck and let them know. Customer service was pretty good. But I think they changed their warranty.
    • Chuck FB
      Towing In Loose Gravel

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      I agree, there is no one answer fits all as every rig is different, one may be pulling some little aluminum fishing boat while another is towing a monstrosity that weighs a lot and hopefully the owner if the rig has some prior experience to know what drive mode they should choose.    It also struck me and this is from watching a few of those boat ramp escapades videos in the past, Ford being one of the vehicles that has the auto front axle hubs and sure enough its found out that one hub has crapped out and won't engage and may not have manual hubs to even select on both sides so they are on the boat ramp stuck with no four wheel drive and spinning .... they flat out need a tow to get up the ramp and deal with the vehicles new found issues. That can happen to all brands of pickup, finding out either four wheel drive or 4 low isn't working right at the time its needed it to work as some electronic crap has failed. 
    • Chuck FB
      Towing In Loose Gravel

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Its possible you never had the joy of the crappy boat launches we tend to have around here or really some of them are just grades down to the river if its a river scenario and the conditions change all the time with the river levels and silt deposits. Some of the lakes we went to years ago, there was no such thing as a cement pad that went down into the water that the trailer stayed on, it was gravel maybe up to the water line and then duck crap much beyond that so sinking the boat tires into mud. Of course some of the more established lakes had a cement bar type boat ramp but sometimes it was covered in green slime closer and certainly within the water and a two wheel drive had all sorts of fun if one had to touch that slime with the rear tires.    A neighbor of mine had made a comment years back with his chev truck that was probably about the same year as yours but a half ton extended cab 4x4 and he a a fiberglass boat with an inboard so it wasn't a feather weight and he had gone out to one of the large popular lakes in the area and don't ask me how this happened but he was in two wheel drive as he figured he didn't require four wheel drive for that boat ramp and somehow upon pulling the boat out he twisted one of his drive axles. I suspect it must have spun and then grabbed on the cement ramp and shocked it to the degree of twisting it. He would have had the standard 8.5 or whatever it was axle housing as the 9.5 ring gear like my truck has also has larger drive axles as far as I know. Anyway he was feeling a vibration driving home and had it checked out and a shop found that the tire/hub was wobbling because of the axle had twisted so in went a new drive axle. After that bad experience he said he made sure to put it into four wheel drive to lower the stress on the rear axle. Of course that is where an HD truck can handle a lot more stress and no doubt these newer half tons with their larger ring gears probably have larger drive axles as well to match vs back in the day. 
    • asilverblazer
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      Desirable - as in does someone WANT one, aspire to have one. Could reasonably buy any car they want and CHOOSE these instead.    I didn't watch the video, why did they win?

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...