LIFT KIT/LEVEL

ski7541 · July 5, 2021

Wanting to 3x2 kit on my 2019 sierra 4x4 1500. The question I have has anyone done the 3x2 lift without the upper control arms. Reason I'm asking I was told if you do the 3 or 3.5 inch lift you will need UCA also. There is a considerable price differences in the kits . Just looking for some solid information on this, Thanks in advance.

Ski

andrewb24 · July 6, 2021

I installed a 2.5" front and 1" block in the back didn't replace my control arms. I was also told when I was looking at having installed by someone else that they would need to replace them if I went 3" or higher on the front.

Gangly · July 6, 2021

For a stock 4x4, you can add a 2" lift and up to a 1.5 spacer (3.5 inch total), or a 3.5" lift before you get into dangerous UCA angles.

Think of it this way, Trail Boss' have a 2" factory lift and people put 1" or 1.5" spacers (3" or 3.5" total lift) on all the time with no issues, but I wouldn't recommend going higher.

Dunn · July 8, 2021

I have a 3X2 AT4 lift on GMC elevation.....i put a UCA on because of experience for one and after i did 3 people showed up to shop i had mine done that leveled their TB and broke their stock arms....its just physics man, arms can only do so much within a certain range.....dont have to be expensive with a fancy name, just needs to correct the angle....the stock units are pretty pathetic when you see them off the truck in hand.....i already had wear on the boot in 3k miles on mine (b4 lifting)..

rather be on minimum side than maximum side....even if it doesnt break at maximum capacity the binding wont be good for ride quality........way i look at it anyway

.

Edited July 8, 2021 by Dunn

Gangly · July 8, 2021

8 hours ago, Dunn said:

its just physics man, arms can only do so much within a certain range.....dont have to be expensive with a fancy name, just needs to correct the angle....

rather be on minimum side than maximum side.....

Bingo!

Its not a big or expensive issue to install UCA's so I'm not sure why so many make UCA swaps a deal breaker when doing a lift. If I ever go any higher than my 2" lift, UCA's and GM extended axles will be installed along with whatever else I'm doing. Its relatively cheap compared to the rest of the suspension system and keeps everything moving how its supposed to.

Dunn · July 8, 2021

Yeah idk why people really don't want to do it either.....50k plus truck, not that expensive to do and everything will work better together

andrewb24 · July 9, 2021

Also I should've mentioned that the best time to install the upper control arm is while you are installing your lift kit because all the work is pretty much done I believe once you remove the front strut to install the lift kit anyway. (assuming you use an upper strut spacer or replace struts) Kind of wish I had went ahead and installed new arms while I was doing the lift.

JT2000 · July 9, 2021

On 7/8/2021 at 2:04 AM, Dunn said:

I have a 3X2 AT4 lift on GMC elevation.....i put a UCA on because of experience for one and after i did 3 people showed up to shop i had mine done that leveled their TB and broke their stock arms....its just physics man, arms can only do so much within a certain range.....dont have to be expensive with a fancy name, just needs to correct the angle....the stock units are pretty pathetic when you see them off the truck in hand.....i already had wear on the boot in 3k miles on mine (b4 lifting)..

rather be on minimum side than maximum side....even if it doesnt break at maximum capacity the binding wont be good for ride quality........way i look at it anyway

.

This may be a dumb question, but I just bought a new 2021 AT4. I know on my regular 2015 Sierra I just leveled it. With the AT4 I know it’s already lifted, but had the rake still.

So my question is if I just want to level it out what do I need to do, to do it the right way?

newdude · July 9, 2021

CVs have pulled out on these trucks too with levels. They aren't bolted to a stub flange like the older trucks, they are retained by snap ring.

If you level and maybe even lift, get the Trail Boss CV shafts which are longer, as well as UCAs.

If you are already in a Trail Boss/AT4, I'd advise against a level.

ALSO...GM is now requiring authorization from GM for UCA replacement during warranty period. Dealers must submit pictures of the failed component so if you have a level, lift, etc. that is not from GM (aka the 2 inch kit they sell), GM can reject warranty on UCA failure.

Edited July 9, 2021 by newdude

JT2000 · July 9, 2021

9 hours ago, newdude said:

CVs have pulled out on these trucks too with levels. They aren't bolted to a stub flange like the older trucks, they are retained by snap ring.

If you level and maybe even lift, get the Trail Boss CV shafts which are longer, as well as UCAs.

If you are already in a Trail Boss/AT4, I'd advise against a level.

ALSO...GM is now requiring authorization from GM for UCA replacement during warranty period. Dealers must submit pictures of the failed component so if you have a level, lift, etc. that is not from GM (aka the 2 inch kit they sell), GM can reject warranty on UCA failure.

Yeah I have a GMC Sierra AT4. I don’t have to do anything, but wouldn’t mind getting rid of the rake.

Jeremiah Levy · July 13, 2021

I got a 2.5" upper shock mount level kit for $50 but looks like UCA set for the lift is $400...Should I just drop another like $200 and buy a full proper kit?

Gangly · July 14, 2021

If your gonna spend $400 for the UCA and spacers, you might as well spend $600 and get a real suspension lift and be better off for it. Eibach Pro Truck Lift or Bilsteins, hands down better than factory, a million times better than a spacer kit, and your ride/handling characteristics will be superior to any stock setup.

Edited July 14, 2021 by Gangly

JT2000 · July 14, 2021

3 minutes ago, Gangly said:

If your gonna spend $400 for the UCA and spacers, you might as well spend $600 and get a real suspension lift and be better off for it. Eibach Pro Truck Lift or Bilsteins, hands down better than factory, a million times better than a spacer kit, and your ride/handling characteristics will be superior to any stock setup.

If I am just wanting to level out my AT4 is the level kit by rough country alright? I don't want to make the ride worse.

Gangly · July 14, 2021

Spacers do no mechanical work so you wont notice any difference in handling. With aftermarket UCA's, you wont bind at limits and so you wont notice any changes there as well.

However, with spacers your geometry changes slightly but the adverse handling characteristics would be so minimal that a driver will rarely notice any difference at all. If they do, its more a result of camber change than anything and the vehicle might feel like its darting around a bit, but I would HIGHLY doubt that you would notice it.

The bottom line is no, you probably wouldn't notice any difference at all with a spacer and UCA swap. Regardless, it's always best to do an alignment after any suspension changes.

Flyboygt · July 14, 2021

I went with the Zone Lift Level kit for the TB. No issues, 35s with some fender liner movement.

with a stock TB or AT4 you are already at 2" over stock. if you put in a spacer or anything that lifts close to 3.5 or beyond I would just put in UCAs for peace of mind. $630 is an inexpensive way to not end up at the dealership or with blown out joints.

and in all honesty it took me 5 hours with distractions of kids during the install to complete the lift and control arm install. its really not that bad.

https://zoneoffroad.com/products/175-in-leveling-kit-2019-2021-chevy-silverado-trail-boss-gmc-sierra-at4?variant=39468191154264