Leveling Kit Question...Please Help

Squid · April 14, 2005

I know this question has probably been asked before on here, but after searching the site for hours and not finding it I decided to go ahead and post it....

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra Z71 and a few months ago had the torsion bars turned up, however the front end is still sagging a bit. I am going to install the leveling kit in the next couple of weeks and am also going to upsize the tires. My question is, what is the maximum size tire that I can run after doing this. I really want to go with 305/70/16's (currently running stock 265/75/16's) but have heard conflicting stories on whether or not they will fit.....some people say yes with no trimming, some people say yes with minor trimming, and some people say no way they'll fit and that 285/75/16's are the biggest possible that will fit---I find this hard to believe since a friend of mine has the exact same truck and ran 285/75/16 Goodyear MTR's with simply having the torsion bars raised a little and no leveling kit. So, has anyone tried to fit 305's after installing the leveling kit, and if so how did it work out and did you encounter any rubbing? I'm just trying to make the truck look more like a truck and stand out a little bit without putting $2000 into a lift kit with installation (I am still in college so money is quite tight...). Thanks in advance for any replies and information that you can give!

Bryan Williams

Jasonsupafly · April 15, 2005

Um,I have 305s with just torsion bars turned...no trimming either.... trash those 265s ...By the way what kind of leveling kit are you talking about ? 01 Z71

Elwood 2000 · April 15, 2005

I have 285's and I could not go with any more tire if I wanted to. I have seen others with larger tires do just fine. From what I have gathered on many message boards, GM uses a few different torsion bars for the 1500 series trucks and that is what makes the difference in how much front end height you have in the stock form.

Squid · April 15, 2005

The leveling kit I am talking about involves switching out the factory keys and going to larger ones. There are several on the market that I have seen and there's a lot of people who have changed out the factory keys to go with the Ford keys to give more adjustment and a level appearance.

Jason, when you had the torsion bars turned, did your truck still sag a bit in the front or did you get it to sit level with the back? My thinking is that if I can get the truck level that the 305's will fit with no problem since the rear of my truck sits so high (it has never hauled anything nor had much of anything in the bed---bought it recently from an elderly gentleman who used it as an around the town vehicle). How do you like the performance of your truck with the 305's? Is it really slow on acceleration and how much did your gas mileage decrease?

melbertbloosfan · April 15, 2005

The leveling kit I am talking about involves switching out the factory keys and going to larger ones. There are several on the market that I have seen and there's a lot of people who have changed out the factory keys to go with the Ford keys to give more adjustment and a level appearance.
Jason, when you had the torsion bars turned, did your truck still sag a bit in the front or did you get it to sit level with the back? My thinking is that if I can get the truck level that the 305's will fit with no problem since the rear of my truck sits so high (it has never hauled anything nor had much of anything in the bed---bought it recently from an elderly gentleman who used it as an around the town vehicle). How do you like the performance of your truck with the 305's? Is it really slow on acceleration and how much did your gas mileage decrease?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Squid, I don't know if you know the ford number already, but here it is:

XL3Z5B328CA. Go to fordpartsonline and order - only $19 each. Freaks on Ebay are selling the same keys for, like, $100/set. I hate seeing people get ripped like that.

If you need a good guide on install, here ya go:

http://homepage.mac.com/darketernal/TBT.html

Good luck!

Jasonsupafly · April 15, 2005

Squid, I just turned bolts all the way in.. I know theres different opinons about this but I am not going to get into it....This leveled the truck out perfectly on my truck, it may be different with yours...My 305s fit with no problem. The bigger tires really make it look like a truck and fill out the wheel wells. I was going to do the key change and probably will if the front ever starts to sag over time, but I dont do any offroading...Just pull a 20 ft bass boat and it still sits level, but like I said some people dont have the same results....But it did stiffen the ride up a bit....If by turning them ever wears anything out and Im sure it will over time, I will just spend the money and replace everything...What I really want is a small suspension lift and will probably do it before long...

Squid · April 15, 2005

melbertbloosfan and Jasonsupafly,

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I think I'm going to order the Ford keys and see what happens...Just wish I had the extra money for a small suspension lift myself. Would love to have about 4-6" under it....maybe when I get out of college and into the real world. Jason, do you have any pictures of your truck? Would love to see how it looks...I'm sure it looks great! Thanks again!

Jasonsupafly · April 16, 2005

Sorry Squid. No pics... It looks really good though...I beleive you asked in an earlier post , if the 305s made my truck sluggish but I didnt notice much if any difference with the slightly bigger tire...