Level or Lift 2021 Sierra Denali

jaysusedcars · April 1, 2022

@2017GMCALLTERRAINMan your truck looks awesome! I've got the exact same truck minus the black wheels. Now you've got me debating lift over level. I've owned 4 Sierra Denali's and love the ride so that's my biggest concern. If you had to do it all over again would you go lift or level? I ran the G2's on my last Denali and loved them. My tire shop is saying the Toyo AT3 is one of the best on the market now so I think either will be a good choice.

2021DENALI1500 · April 1, 2022

28 minutes ago, jaysusedcars said:

@2017GMCALLTERRAINMan your truck looks awesome! I've got the exact same truck minus the black wheels. Now you've got me debating lift over level. I've owned 4 Sierra Denali's and love the ride so that's my biggest concern. If you had to do it all over again would you go lift or level? I ran the G2's on my last Denali and loved them. My tire shop is saying the Toyo AT3 is one of the best on the market now so I think either will be a good choice.

I love the look of the 3.5’ Lift I wouldn’t change it back but when I purchase my next truck I will be going the level route instead of the lift. Anything above 4’ you’re just trying too hard. I think 3.5-4 is the perfect ride height and stance for the Denali. When I was tire searching I wasn’t bent on tire width. My main concern was the length of the side wall to fill the gap in the wheel well. Most people purchase 20” wheels with their new tire purchase which brings in a whole new world of tire sizes that makes it easier to fit without any rub. My wheels are the stock wheels I just painted them gloss black which makes it look so much better IMO. If this is your first lifted truck I would say get the 3.5’ lift you won’t be disappointed I promise just be aware of all the other headaches that may or may not come with lifting your truck. If you’re ok with that then do the 3.5’ just like I did. Get the 285/50/r22 not the 285/55/r22. That 1’ of tire size is honestly negligible.

jaysusedcars · April 2, 2022

2 hours ago, 2017GMCALLTERRAIN said:

I love the look of the 3.5’ Lift I wouldn’t change it back but when I purchase my next truck I will be going the level route instead of the lift. Anything above 4’ you’re just trying too hard. I think 3.5-4 is the perfect ride height and stance for the Denali. When I was tire searching I wasn’t bent on tire width. My main concern was the length of the side wall to fill the gap in the wheel well. Most people purchase 20” wheels with their new tire purchase which brings in a whole new world of tire sizes that makes it easier to fit without any rub. My wheels are the stock wheels I just painted them gloss black which makes it look so much better IMO. If this is your first lifted truck I would say get the 3.5’ lift you won’t be disappointed I promise just be aware of all the other headaches that may or may not come with lifting your truck. If you’re ok with that then do the 3.5’ just like I did. Get the 285/50/r22 not the 285/55/r22. That 1’ of tire size is honestly negligible.

Thanks for all your info. After your advice I’m leaving towards the level and 285/50/22’s. You’re right though, the 22’s severely limit our options compared to 20’s. I’ve had several leveled GMC Denalis but have never taken the jump to a lift. I’m not sure the trade off for looks is worth the increased wear induced by a lift though.

Its a tough decision bc it does look really good with the 3.5” lift

2021DENALI1500 · April 2, 2022

33 minutes ago, jaysusedcars said:

Thanks for all your info. After your advice I’m leaving towards the level and 285/50/22’s. You’re right though, the 22’s severely limit our options compared to 20’s. I’ve had several leveled GMC Denalis but have never taken the jump to a lift. I’m not sure the trade off for looks is worth the increased wear induced by a lift though.

Its a tough decision bc it does look really good with the 3.5” lift

The pictures dont do it justice haha. The level will look great. I will be posting a list of my truck mods on here soon with prices I paid for all of it. I felt like I was scouring this site for answers to questions not to mention hours of YouTube videos. I want to make a thread that everyone can go to have their questions answered. Post pics when you get it done I want to see!

Edited April 2, 2022 by 2017GMCALLTERRAIN

jaysusedcars · April 2, 2022

23 minutes ago, 2017GMCALLTERRAIN said:

The pictures dont do it justice haha. The level will look great. I will be posting a list of my truck mods on here soon with prices I paid for all of it. I felt like I was scouring this site for answers to questions not to mention hours of YouTube videos. I want to make a thread that everyone can go to have their questions answered. Post pics when you get it done I want to see!

I’m in the same boat now lurking the site for info and real world experience. Your truck looks great. The black factory wheels really set it off.