Leveling an HD

[Bloody Marty]

Can someone tell me the difference in a "leveling kit" as opposed to just cranking up the existing torsions with stock keys?  Most all kits I see are just keys anyway.  I know to get an alignment regardless.  I just swapped out my '22 3500 LT (that I turned up the torsions on with no apparent problems after 10K miles) for a '23 2500 LTZ that's still completely stock for now.

Thanks for any responses!!

Edited November 18, 2022 by Bloody Marty

[kylant]

if you just turn up the keys you reduce the available travel of the shocks, and more than likely create a top out condition. makes the ride harsh.

cranking keys also changes the angle of the UCA ball joint. the new angle can cause ball joint failure. more likely to happen on 1/2 ton trucks because the ball joints are much weaker. I just saw this the other day. UCA ball joint failed, ended up destroying the UCA, LCA, ripped the cv axle out from the diff, tore all the abs and brake lines. 

 

so to do it properly, you should get longer shocks (not a fan of shock extensions)

and get new UCA's that address ball joint angle.

also, some say a diff drop kit is needed. I am on the fence about this one. i had one on my 2020, but not on my current 2022. no issues yet. a diff drop does not do anything to address the tie rod angles. i feel the tie rod joint angles are more of a concern than the angle of the cv axles (within reason)