leveling front of truck

RadoSilver · July 25, 2002

I have the two wheel drive 1500 silverado. I don't have torsion bars. What other options do I have to level out the front of my truck.

carguru · July 26, 2002

The 2wd trucks are much more level than the 4x4. I thought they looked fine when I had my '99. There isn't much you can do to adjust the height the front end of the 2wd. I believe there are some lift kits made and there are some drop kits. Alternative is to lower the rear slightly to match the front. Either that or carry 200-300 lbs in the bed to level it out.

Off Road Red · July 26, 2002

I think you can get spacers for the coil springs, they go between the coil and the cup where the coil seats on the frame.

caddelma · July 26, 2002

I think you can get spacers for the coil springs, they go between the coil and the cup where the coil seats on the frame.

I just got some for my 1998 C1500. They are made by Daystar and are supposed to lift 1-1.25 inches. Made of a soft urethane, not really worth the $69 I paid for them, but didn't find anyone else who made them. Good 'ol supply and demand. Depending on the schedule I am going to try and install them this weekend, depends on my older bro's work schedule (he has the air compressor, maybe Santa will bring me one). If someone had access to a lathe, they could probably turn a set using a soft plastic for cheap. This would make them stiffer (noisier) than the molded urethane however.

5.3LSilverado01 · July 30, 2002

Hey, Check out Fabtec. There the experts with 2wd lift kits. They have a 3" Spindle System or a 3" Performance System and a 6" Ultimate lift for 2wd 1500 Silver's.

The 3" Spindle System:

1 FTS1599-7 3" Lift Spindles

2 FTS9110 3 Way Performance Front Shocks

2 FTS7299 Performance Rear Shocks

1 FTSBK15 1 1/2" Rear Block Kit

1 FTS1500UBK Rear U-Bolt Kit

or

The 3" Performance System:

1 FTS1500-3 3" Lift Coil Springs **Standard Cab**

1 FTS1599-3 3" Lift Coil Springs **Extra Cab**

Use One Of The Above Coil Springs

1 FTS1599-6 Upper Control Arm Kit with Ball Joints

2 FTS9330 3 Way Performance Front Shocks

2 FTS7299 Performance Rear Shocks

1 FTSBK15 1 1/2" Rear Block Kit

1 FTS1500UBK Rear U-Bolt Kit

Go Here: http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/html/chevyc1500silver.html

"3” Performance

This system utilizes upper control arms, coil springs, front and rear shocks to increase travel by 4”, providing the best combination of on and off road performance and ride. Tire size can be increased to 265/75R16."

Hope this helps!

Cyclic · July 31, 2002

I have the 3" spindle kit with rear blocks. Its beautiful, truck sits level, looks kind of like a stock 4x4 but level. It is the way GM should have made the new trucks. One of these days I'll get the pics posted on my web page. If you want mild lift, great road handling, good ground clearence, and a tuff looking truck go with the 3" Fabtech lift.

5.3LSilverado01 · July 31, 2002

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for that?

Stepside Z · July 31, 2002

I have the 3" spindle kit with rear blocks. Its beautiful, truck sits level, looks kind of like a stock 4x4 but level. It is the way GM should have made the new trucks. One of these days I'll get the pics posted on my web page. If you want mild lift, great road handling, good ground clearence, and a tuff looking truck go with the 3" Fabtech lift.

Sounds really nice. I to would like to see the pics. Did you change the tire size and if so what did you go with?

fgrimm · July 31, 2002

Fabtech and 5.3 Silverado,

I'm going to put 285/75's on a 2003 4x4 Tahoe. Can this 1-1.5 inch kit be added to just the front? Is the ride going to be any different? If so, it might be cheaper and easier than the Ford key thing. What do you guys think?

Frank

5.3LSilverado01 · July 31, 2002

Check out there website, I think I posted it a few posts up. They also make great kits for 4wd, and you can purchace the parts individually too, i think.

RadoSilver · August 1, 2002

Thanks for the info.

That lift spindle system sounds like what I'm looking for.

Does anyone know how much they are, and the cost of installation? Or are they simple enough to install on my own?

Cyclic · August 1, 2002

I think I paid $650. It included everything, shocks and all. I installed it at my home. Rear used 1.5 inch tapered blocks and longer shocks. Frount uses replacement spindle and replacement shocks.

Tools needed.................

Torque wrench

Jack stands

Hand tools (some larger metric sockets for ball joints)

Grinder (to clearence brake bracket)

Simple remove and replace job. I did the rear first. On the front one thing that helped me was after removing all the bolts/nuts and tying up the brakes was to use a piece of wire to hold the spindle to the upper control arm ( so it doesn't drop and crush your right ring finger). And yes the finger still hurts. Hardest part was hitting on the spindle to loosen the ball joints. DO NOT HIT THE THREADED END OF THE BALL JOINTS. The end contains an allen wrench to allow you to tighten the nut on the ball joint. IT WILL DEFORM VERY EASILY! I'll try today to post my pics.

Cyclic · August 1, 2002

OK I posted in the PICS section. But you can just go to my home page then to the truck section. HUGE pictures but worth it.

5.3LSilverado01 · August 2, 2002

Damn! That looks sweet! I'm going to have to do that to my truck!!!! Hows the handling, better, worse? Whats it look like with the stock rims/tires on it?

Cyclic · August 2, 2002

Handles great, you MUST change to aftermarket rims though. It requires a different offset. And those are my stock 255 tires. I didn't wanna waste money on new tires as I only have 1500 miles on the truck. Aren't you in Texas? I'm right next to Ft. Hood/Killeen.