Has anyone leveled a 20/21 3.0 Duramax?

John Spencer · November 19, 2020

I just got my new truck and the dealer is leveling it to keep my warranty. I did a bunch of research and there’s a few out there that won’t work with the 3.0 apparently. They’re using readylift and mine will be the first they’ve done. Anyone have issues? Heard the CV shaft and shock can touch with the wrong kit. If you have what size tire are you running?

Tulkas · November 19, 2020

Leveling is a new term to me in this context, can you explain? Thanks.

John Spencer · November 20, 2020

23 minutes ago, Tulkas said:

Leveling is a new term to me in this context, can you explain? Thanks.

Most trucks have a lower front end or a “rake” and a leveling kit raises the front end to make the truck level or closer to level depending the size you get. 2” is the most common I’d say. I did find the answer to my question because the bottom strut style leveling kits don’t work with the diesel. Rough Country makes one for the diesel so going with that. It’s to get it level and help fit bigger tires without a full lift. I can’t do a lift or I void my lifetime powertrain warranty.

Tulkas · November 20, 2020

Thanks for explaining that to me, appreciate it.

blckblt · November 20, 2020

What truck and trim did you get with the 3.0? The GM (trailboss/at 4) should be fine as you can get the AT4 with the 3.0.

John Spencer · November 20, 2020

I got it figured out. Rough county makes a kit that works apparently that’s either new or somehow looked over it and the dealer also couldn’t find it originally. It’s the RST trim package.

felipe.batlle · November 23, 2020

I just bought a 2021 Silverado LT yesterday; the 5.3. Looking into leveling it also. Do you know if the kit you found also works for 5.3 by chance? Or can you can you share the part no./kit no.?

John Spencer · November 23, 2020

24 minutes ago, felipe.batlle said:

I just bought a 2021 Silverado LT yesterday; the 5.3. Looking into leveling it also. Do you know if the kit you found also works for 5.3 by chance? Or can you can you share the part no./kit no.?

It might but I’d just google a leveling kit. There’s a ton out there. The issue is the diesel motor with 99% of the kits. Some come with shocks and there’s different styles so I’d research it yourself.

2017Summit · November 24, 2020

I went with the Zone off-road 3.5” kit. It’s a bit more than a “leveling kit,” but I haven’t had any issues with it in about 3k miles.

2020 Sierra 4wd 3.0 Duramax.

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BurnsMax · November 24, 2020

The dealer had a ready lift kit in mine when I bought it, it was ok. I have switched to Bilstein shocks all around and removed the level kit, since you can adjust the front up to 2.5". Way better ride and handling with this setup

Cpl_Punishment · November 24, 2020

What's different about the front end on diesel trucks that make them difficult to level?

Pyroman_28 · November 25, 2020

There's pretty much nothing different in the 3.0 vs any other sierra when it comes to lifting outside of the fuel lines needing a small drop bracket to clear the driveshaft if you go 6+ inches of lift.

Pyroman_28 · November 25, 2020

12 hours ago, Cpl_Punishment said:

What's different about the front end on diesel trucks that make them difficult to level?

There's pretty much nothing different when it comes to doing a lift kit on a 3.0 Diesel vs any other engine other than the fuel lines needing a small drop bracket to clear the driveshaft if you go 6 or more inches of lift.

Cpl_Punishment · November 25, 2020

10 minutes ago, Pyroman_28 said:

There's pretty much nothing different when it comes to doing a lift kit on a 3.0 Diesel vs any other engine other than the fuel lines needing a small drop bracket to clear the driveshaft if you go 6 or more inches of lift.

Makes sense to me but I don't understand why this thread exists, then.