Best option for 2" lift for 2021 RST Z71

malibu43 · October 20, 2021

Hey everyone. I posted this in the 2019 leveling thread, but did not get a response. So I'm reposting in a dedicated thread.

I just traded in my 2015 1500 4x4 for a 2021 Z71 RST. We also recently purchased a 25ft travel trailer that I'll be pulling every month or so with this truck.

My old truck had 2" level, and at some point I'd like my new one to sit a little higher as well. However, since I will be towing with it I want to maintain the factory rake (which is just under 2"). Even with the WD, the back end drops a little more than the front.

I was thinking of making the upgrade functional instead of just cosmetic and doing Blistien 5100's up front and setting them for a 1.5-2.0" level, rather than just adding spacers. I was going to go with the 5100's (and shock extenders) for the rear as well to help with towing and adding a 2" block as well to lift the same amount as the front.

Any issues with this approach, or is there another option I should be considering? Is there a better option for the rear than the Blistien 5100's plus a block?

TLDR - What I basically want is to give my truck a "Trail Boss" lift, but I'm looking for something that's functional vs just throwing spacers in the front and back.

Edited October 20, 2021 by malibu43
clarity

avalanched · October 21, 2021

I am interested to know as well so I can't help, but that's a great picture.

Transient · October 21, 2021

I'm biased, and recommend going with the GM Accessories kit that's just like the Trail Boss. It's more than just spacers. You get new shocks, front camera calibration, power steering calibration, longer CV axles, and it comes with a GM warranty so that the warranty you have on your truck isn't affected. Link is below. And, using Trail Boss towing numbers, and looking at the pic you provided of your trailer, this will reduce your towing capacity to a little over 9,000 lbs but that's still more than what your trailer will weigh fully loaded. You'll be good to go here.

https://accessories.chevrolet.com/product/lift-suspension-upgrade-system-for-4wd-vehicles-84993582?model=Silverado 1500&modelId=491&bodyId=22&body=Crew Cab Pickup&wheelId=651&wheel=Short Box&trimId=4962&trim=RST&driveId=8&drive=4WD&engineId=2059&engine=5.3L V8 GAS&bodyNumDoors=5&year=2021&make=Chevrolet&categoryId=98004

malibu43 · October 21, 2021

5 hours ago, Transient said:

I'm biased, and recommend going with the GM Accessories kit that's just like the Trail Boss. It's more than just spacers. You get new shocks, front camera calibration, power steering calibration, longer CV axles, and it comes with a GM warranty so that the warranty you have on your truck isn't affected. Link is below. And, using Trail Boss towing numbers, and looking at the pic you provided of your trailer, this will reduce your towing capacity to a little over 9,000 lbs but that's still more than what your trailer will weigh fully loaded. You'll be good to go here.

https://accessories.chevrolet.com/product/lift-suspension-upgrade-system-for-4wd-vehicles-84993582?model=Silverado 1500&modelId=491&bodyId=22&body=Crew Cab Pickup&wheelId=651&wheel=Short Box&trimId=4962&trim=RST&driveId=8&drive=4WD&engineId=2059&engine=5.3L V8 GAS&bodyNumDoors=5&year=2021&make=Chevrolet&categoryId=98004

Thanks for that. I had seen people mentioning that package but had never actually looked it up. The warranty is a good point to bring up and one that I hadn't thought of. When I started leveling my last truck, it was well out of warranty and I did all the work myself. I certainly would not want to do something to affect the warranty on a brand new truck.

The downside is that that package is quite a bit more expensive than the Blistein + Rear Blocks option that I had priced out ($750 vs $1200), and the GM package still needs dealership installation added on top of that...

Oh - GVWR on the trailer is only 6440lbs, so towing capacity is fine. What I'm finding is more of an issue is the payload capacity of my 1/2 ton truck. I only have about 1700 lbs to work with, and tongue weight of the trailer is probably between 700 and 900 lbs. So that doesn't leave a lot of room for gas, family, and any extra gear that's not in the trailer. I need to get more towing in with the trailer and make sure I have all my weights dialed in before I do any mods to the truck...

Edited October 21, 2021 by malibu43

Gangly · October 21, 2021

My suggestion would be the Eibach Pro Truck Lift or Bilsteins. They are both a superior suspension system to the Trail Boss Kit and the Eibach system comes with front springs as well. If you get a chance to drive a TB or AT4 with factory suspension and then drive any Silverado, TB or not, with Eibach or Bilstein suspension components, you will notice a HUGE difference. However, like Transient mentioned, Bilstein and Eibach components do not come with the additional GM factory support that GM would provide with their system. Though I have never heard of a single instance where GM denied warranty coverage due to a 2" suspension lift, in the end you must go with what you are comfortable with and the GM kit does add peace of mind to those who worry about such things, I personally don't.

Gangly · October 21, 2021

14 minutes ago, malibu43 said:

Thanks for that. I had seen people mentioning that package but had never actually looked it up. The warranty is a good point to bring up and one that I hadn't thought of. When I started leveling my last truck, it was well out of warranty and I did all the work myself. I certainly would not want to do something to affect the warranty on a brand new truck.

The downside is that that package is quite a bit more expensive than the Blistein + Rear Blocks option that I had priced out ($750 vs $1200), and the GM package still needs dealership installation added on top of that...

Though recommended, the suspension does not need to be installed by GM. Once the install is completed, you can take the truck to the dealership and they can upload the calibration changes to the vehicle as it was included in the price of the kit.

Also, as mentioned above, I have yet to see a warranty dispute due to utilizing a different shock than the factory shock.

Edited October 21, 2021 by Gangly

EagleRising · October 23, 2021

I just installed the Eibach Pro Lift with 2in RC blocks in the rear. It was a super easy install. I probably could have gotten the 1.5in blocks but time will tell. I could tell the difference immediately! Not to mention I actually had a blown Rancho on passenger side front that I was not even aware of. Took us roughly 4hrs give or take from start to finish.

malibu43 · January 4, 2022

On 10/23/2021 at 12:50 PM, EagleRising said:

I just installed the Eibach Pro Lift with 2in RC blocks in the rear. It was a super easy install. I probably could have gotten the 1.5in blocks but time will tell. I could tell the difference immediately! Not to mention I actually had a blown Rancho on passenger side front that I was not even aware of. Took us roughly 4hrs give or take from start to finish.

Sorry for the very late response! Do you have an link to the exact kit you installed?

I went to 4 Wheel Parts yesterday to get recommendations and pricing. The guy there recommended going with the 6112s in the front instead of just the 5100s, with the reasoning being the 5100s will compress the stock coil more to get the lift and hurt the ride quality up front. It's $800 for the pair of 6112s vs $185 each for the 5100s, so it's an additional $400 ($1800 installed vs about $1400). You guys think the extra $$ is worth it for the 6112s?

rbdjr · January 9, 2022

2021 RST 4x4 crew, 3.0L -
Ok went with the Motofab 2" lift, Front( 1.5"spacer ) top strut spacer, front now approx 1 higher than the rear, wish I went with 1.5" lift.

Then I installed 1" Rear Lift Kit Blocks " U" bolts from Supreme Suspension, now truck is level + - 1/4" all around.

Next step 5100 s in the rear, front feels fine.

malibu43 · January 27, 2022

So I placed my order with 4WP this week. Going with 6112's up front (set to a 2" lift) and 5100's in the back. I didn't like the price/options they had for rear blocks, so I bought the 2" rear leveling block from Motofab and they'll install it for me when they do the shocks. ~$1880 for shocks and installation.

While I'm excited to see how the truck looks with the all-around 2" lift, I'm also excited to see how the ride improves. We took the trailer out last weekend and things felt pretty bouncy.

latreille89 · January 27, 2022

3 hours ago, malibu43 said:

So I placed my order with 4WP this week. Going with 6112's up front (set to a 2" lift) and 5100's in the back. I didn't like the price/options they had for rear blocks, so I bought the 2" rear leveling block from Motofab and they'll install it for me when they do the shocks. ~$1880 for shocks and installation.

While I'm excited to see how the truck looks with the all-around 2" lift, I'm also excited to see how the ride improves. We took the trailer out last weekend and things felt pretty bouncy.

I just ordered 5100 ride adjustable shocks for the front and longer 5100's for a 2" lift in the rear as well. Going with the Readylift 2" blocks in the rear. Unfortunate part is the back order on all this stuff, looking at 4-6 weeks for the shocks to come in! I'd bet the ride will be much more stable with the Bilsteins. Couldn't justify the price for the 6112's though. Good on yeah for going that route!

malibu43 · February 1, 2022

On 1/27/2022 at 2:04 PM, latreille89 said:

I just ordered 5100 ride adjustable shocks for the front and longer 5100's for a 2" lift in the rear as well. Going with the Readylift 2" blocks in the rear. Unfortunate part is the back order on all this stuff, looking at 4-6 weeks for the shocks to come in! I'd bet the ride will be much more stable with the Bilsteins. Couldn't justify the price for the 6112's though. Good on yeah for going that route!

Finally heard back from 4WP. The 6112s should be in in early March, but the 5100s in the rear are looking like mid-April! So looks like I've got over two months of waiting. Oh well. Hopefully it will be worth it when the time comes.

xsquid · February 2, 2022

I have the same set up. Set at 2 inch in front. Only have 1.25 blocks in the rear. Only because I had them. Worked out great. Running 275/65/20 tires. 34.1 It's worth the extra cash. You will be happy. Had the rough country 2 inch leveling shocks up front but they settled a lot. 6112's are holding strong.

Edited February 3, 2022 by xsquid

malibu43 · February 2, 2022

5 hours ago, xsquid said:

I have the same set up. Set at 2 inch in front. Only have 1.25 blocks in the rear. Only because I had them. Worked out great. Running 265/65/20 tires. 34.1 It's worth the extra cash. You will be happy. Had the rough country 2 inch leveling shocks up front but they settled a lot. 6112's are holding strong.

Awesome. Do you have any pics?

Byrds8 · February 2, 2022

I ordered the Eibach system back in Dec. Still on backorder. After they get installed, other than an alignment, is there anything else that needs to be done? What is the steering calibration that was mentioned?