I didn't have to buy the "green keys"

1st new GMC · February 4, 2005

After debating for a long while about doing this mod,I read a great thread at fullsizechevy.com about this subject last night(23 pages long). I decided to buy the green keys and do it today. I get back from the dealer w/ the green keys ($25 each) get my jack and stands, take a few measurments and got started. After I jacked up the truck and crawled under it, I found out that my truck already has the darn green keys! I guess the HD suspension/tow package put these on the truck.

I ended up cranking them up almost all of the way. I have about 2-3 threads left. I was hoping the green keys would have not used up so much thread on the bolt. I've got the front fender height set at 38 1/2 " now, realizing that it will settle a little over the next few days.

I'm still debating on using the phord keys. I really don't want the key turned up so close to the cross member/mount.

The ride slightly firmed up, but it feels better to me. The truck felt too "mushy" to me before. Steering feels a little "lighter", as reported by everyone else who has done this. I haven't felt any "bump steer", and I purposly went driving down roads that have bad crowns in them.

Anyone else found the green keys on their truck by surprise? I got the impression that these keys were only on snowplow prep 2500's.

Valsport · February 4, 2005

What year is your truck? The torsion bars could be severely fatigued and the previous owner replace his factory purple keys with green keys, or are you the original owner?

1st new GMC · February 4, 2005

What year is your truck? The torsion bars could be severely fatigued and the previous owner replace his factory purple keys with green keys, or are you the original owner?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Absoultly brand new. I bought it with 12 miles on the clock. The truck is an '05 Sierra K1500 W/T. It has the HD suspension and the towing package ( w/ the blue Monroe high pressure gas shocks)

I was happy to see these on the truck, I was able to return the ones I bought and get my $55 back. I'll get an alignment on Monday. The place that's doing the alignment does alot of the "green key" mods. and they recommend dialing a little neg. camber into the front end, and I fully agree with them.

Yukon04 · February 4, 2005

AIM industries makes their own keys that are indexed to allow "more threads" Try www.tsliftkits.com I ordered mine from them...

BTW - they call them 2" lift keyways.

neonbee · February 5, 2005

Are these what your talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...sspagename=WDVW

How hard are they to install?

My truck has a slight "rake" to it and would like a level look.

Is this what I need to do it??

Much appreciated,

~Neon~

1st new GMC · February 6, 2005

Are these what your talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...sspagename=WDVW

How hard are they to install?

My truck has a slight "rake" to it and would like a level look.

Is this what I need to do it??

Much appreciated,

~Neon~

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just checked out the eBay ad. Those are the ford keys, or a clone copy (like the Hills4wheeldrive ones). You can buy the ford keys new from the dealer for $24 each ( at least that's the price around here)

go to www.fullsizechevy.com and read the tech article about installing these. There's great pics to look at. I'm a school trained mechanic so it was simple for me,but I think that almost anyone w/ a little mechanical appitude, and the CORRECT tools, can do this job. If you don't have a 7 ton gear puller, and you don't want to spend the $35 at sears to buy one, then don't even attempt this job.

Using the re-indexed keys will raise the front end enough to level out the truck. I've seen at least 4 other companies selling different "styles" of keys that all do the same thing. I'm going to buy new shocks, as my front shocks are almost completely extended. I can feel them "top"out (fully extend) when the tire drops into a pothole, which will very quickly destroy the shocks.