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

[Marv’s Trailboss 19]

  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. 

Edited September 30, 2019 by Marv’s Trailboss 19
Typos

[tanner709]

good to see ya post this up!

[badwolf]

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]

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]

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]

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 September 30, 2019 by Sjordan

[tanner709]

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]

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]

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]

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]

12 minutes ago, tannerm24 said:

Any idea when the 5100s will be available? 

No idea, but I am patiently waiting. 

[bullet3z]

What exact kit did you run that caused the damage?

[AgDoctor]

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

[Marv’s Trailboss 19]

This is the exact kit I used which caused the damage. 

[Marv’s Trailboss 19]

They are lower strut blocks