Leveling kit questions

[Deereguy85]

I have been reading the forum quite a while for information on leveling and lift kits. Some answers have been back and forth on what is true or the best thing to do so, I'm looking for a general consensus on a few things. For reference I have a 25 silverado LT (non trail boss) 3.0 duramax with max tow. 

1. Are aftermarket UCAs needed for a 2inch leveling kit on a standard (non trail boss) truck?

2.If new UCA's are needed is there a brand that will work with stock 20" wheels and an 11.50 wide tire with no spacers?

3. All of the 3" - 3.5" lifts should be avoided due to cv axle / tie rod angles being bad?

4. I'm looking to fit 35x11.50 tires on stock 20inch wheels with as little trimming as possible. Which would do it 1.5"(readylift), 2.0 (motofab level), or only possible with 4" zone/bds kit when it becomes available?

 

Thanks for any help. 

[DenaliSS]

In short, yes on aftermarket UCAs. 

The offset of wheel is an important factor to consider and if little trimming is desired, I'd save for a lift to accommodate 35s.

[Deereguy85]

On 3/5/2025 at 4:16 PM, DenaliSS said:

In short, yes on aftermarket UCAs. 

The offset of wheel is an important factor to consider and if little trimming is desired, I'd save for a lift to accommodate 35s.

Thanks for the reply! 

[Ezekiel2517]

I have a Rough Country 3.5" with 34s (275/65r20) and they fit fine.  Narrow-ish 35s would fit fine on stock wheels with this.  The offset comes in when the tire is too fat - it will rub on the new control arm.

 

When I had 2" lift and stock control arms I could run 305/55r20  on stock wheels and it would not rub.

[Deereguy85]

10 hours ago, Ezekiel2517 said:

I have a Rough Country 3.5" with 34s (275/65r20) and they fit fine.  Narrow-ish 35s would fit fine on stock wheels with this.  The offset comes in when the tire is too fat - it will rub on the new control arm.

 

When I had 2" lift and stock control arms I could run 305/55r20  on stock wheels and it would not rub.

Thanks for the response.  I think I'm going to go with a motofab 2.5" spacer up front and 1.5 block in the rear on some +1 offset wheels with 275/65r20 tires. Also do zone ucas. Trying to find diff drop spacers to fit my truck while I save up the $$ to do everything to keep cv angles from getting to bad. 

 

Thanks again. 

[Ezekiel2517]

Just FYI, amazon has the rough country M1 3.5" struts right now for $340.  Killer price.  Those can be adjusted down to 3.0 or 2.5 i found out when i contacted RC.

 

This would let u do 2.5 now and later jack it up to 3.5. 

 

The wierd thing is that everyone keeps talking about differential spacers for the T1 trucks.  But there is literally not a single kit, BDS, Fox, Eibach, or other that includes them for 4" and under.   I cant even find a legit youtube on installation for them.   Plenty on the K2s.  But not the 2019+ T1s.

Edited April 1, 2025 by Ezekiel2517
Update

[pepe48134]

I did the Billstein 5100 adjustable ride height shocks set at 2"  with 1" rear blocks from 2018 silverado on my 22 refreshed silverado. I ran 275/65R20 Nitto Recon Graplers on stock Rims. 37,000 miles and not 1 issue Drove like new when I sold it. 

 

Picked up a 2025 Sierra and did the exact same thing, except I bought a set of take off AT4X 18" Wheels and Stock LT275/70R18 Teritorry MT. Tire calculators say these are 0.5" shorter then the tires I had on the 22 but I had them side by side and these were slightly taller than the Nittos with 37k miles in them.

[gmcdawg]

Joe, no UCA's?  Just the Bilsteins?  I have a 24 Pro trim level, want to level and maybe do the same AT4 wheels in 18".

[Mason Ross]

Has anyone added a rear 1 inch block to add just a tad bit of rake with the 2 inch level up front? Im pretty limited on lifts due to the adaptive ride control. Currently have factory 22s on my denali and looking to go to a 22x10 or 22x12 with either a 33 or 34 inch tire at 12ish to 12.5 wide.