lifting the front end

JOHN D · November 6, 2001

I'm new here. I have a '01 1500 silverado 2WD. I was thinking it would look nice with a more level ride and a little bit bigger tires. I want (I think) 255-70R16 tires. How can I raise just the front end about 1 inch?

chevy4x4trucks · November 6, 2001

Does your truck have coil springs or torsion bars.

Coil Springs: Coil Spring Spacers available at all auto parts stores

Torsion Bars: About 4 turns each for an inch of height.

wahoo · November 6, 2001

I bought some coil spring spacers for my 96 Extended cab 2wd for the same purpose. However, I have not been able to install them yet. I jacked the truck off the ground to relieve the tension on the spring but I was unsuccessful in getting the spacer in the spring.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Wahoo

brooksman9 · January 27, 2002

I have a 2001 2wd stepside myself, and agree that it doesn't look right. I hope someone can give us some answers. I see lots of post about 4wd and Z71's but not many 2wder's here. Mine came with 235's. Thinking of getting some 265's or 275's if they will fit. Still lots of good info here.

Pat

dukbludvl · February 21, 2003

have any of you put in coil spring spacers on a 2wd yet? If so, how did you do it? i want to put them on my rear springs on my 2000 2wd yukon and crank the front end up a bit, too.

Tucson_02Silverado · February 22, 2003

Fabtech

EXJAY · February 22, 2003

well your probably gonna need to get a pair of coil or strut compressors(which ever clamps on the outside of the spring) to compress the spring down enough to remove it or to slide the spacer in. you can get those free at auto zone but you have to put a refundable deposit down first. i did a 3" suspension lift on my old jeep xj(cherokee) and had to do the coil swap. not 100% on teh 2wd gm trucks but should be fairly easy expecially if you have access to air tools. 1hr tops i would imagine for the entire process. good luck.

Cyclic · February 23, 2003

Coil spring spacers are kind of a pain to do on the new trucks.

The springs are under tension even with the suspension unloaded. Use a spring compressor if you must use the spacers. I went with the Fabtech set-up. The 3 inch spindles were very easy to install. The rear used 1.5 inch blocks, also easy. It took about 4.5 hours TOTAL in my half ass garage. Only thing even diffucult was grinding the brake mount for some clearence. Best tool for that is a 4 inch angle grinder. Tools required include the right size metric sockets,torque wrench, jack stands, and a floor jack. Check their sight and you can down load directions. Check my web sight if you want pics of my truck.

Matthew4:19 · February 24, 2003

I just lifted my 2500 this weekend, added 3" spindles to front to get it level. My opinion on spacers: they will focus all the weight of the truck on the points where the spacers are instead of equalizing over the entire spring.(your call)

Pics

woyster_00z71 · February 24, 2003

I have some spring spacers on my 1997 2wd truck but I think they are different than what everyone here is describing. Mine are about the size of a large nut. They have a hex head on them and you just use a VERY LARGE ratchet with a cheater bar on it to POP them into the springs. I have two installed per side. Ran me a total of about $15 back in '98. They have enabled me to run 31x10.50r15's ever since.

I don't know if they make them anymore but it would be worth a try. They probably aren't the best on your suspension but they work.

Just my two cents.

B.J.