I leveled my truck

Shaners · October 30, 2001

I figured with 2K on my truck, the suspension has settled by now. I went and checked measurements first at the wheel well (I know that isn't the place to check) and then off the frame in 3 different places on each side.

I checked the body measurements at the front wheel wells just to see how far off the body is. The body at the bottom of the flare is 1/2" lower on the drivers side with the frame level.

The frame was lower 1/2" on the drivers side. I cranked 4 turns into the torsion bar on the drivers side. It now sits about 1/16" lower than the passenger side. I left a little sag in the drivers side to compensate for the approx 150-175 lb of fuel in the tank.

I have 55 psi in all 4 tires and measured at 3 identical spots side to side and after a test drive I measured the final numbers.

I actually wanted to crank 4-6 turns in each side to get about 1/2" front to back, but since the truck was so crooked to begin with I settled for it being OK side to side.

Both torsion bar bolts had about the same adjustment on them from the factory, and I have at least an inch of threads left if I decide to crank it up a little more.

My truck will be aligned by GM at 3K to correct an off center steering wheel, so I don't care if I screw it up a little by cranking on it...

chevy4x4trucks · October 31, 2001

not bad, levels the truck and gets his alignment done for free, I should be taking notes

tbyrne · November 5, 2001

How is your ride quality now?

Tom

Shaners · November 5, 2001

I haven't noticed any difference in ride quality. I was hoping to turn up both sides but when I saw how uneven the truck was, I just turned up the drivers side. I may put 2 more turns on each side just for the heck of it before the dealer re-aligns for me...

This is a rather long truck, so even a slightly lower ride height in the front looks exagerated...

Kansas Kid · November 5, 2001

Come on guys, I'm telling you that sandbags work great for leveling a truck. Not only from front to back, but also from side to side. You guys with the 2500HD's might need 500lbs + of sand bags, but it can be done. ;)

PCAB · November 6, 2001

Shaners,

What points on the frame did you measure from? Mine was off too and the dealer shimmed the bed, cab and replaced the left rear leaf spring to help level it. I also cranked the left front torsion bar up one turn and it sits fairly level. Did yours sit low on the left rear? I've seen the new ones coming out leaning to the left rear.

Also, can you tell how much frame twist you get going over uneven surfaces? How much does the cab and bed split apart when you get one wheel up?

Shaners · November 6, 2001

PCAB,

There is no doubt my body could use some shims. I measured my frame from about the front cab mounts back to about the middle of the passanger door. All three were off the same.

I know the frame twist is much better than in my 1/2 ton I traded, so I don't really think it's bad at all... I'll have to check that and the rear side to side when I get a chance.

BDBWTE · April 30, 2002

Why mess with what GM supplies from the factory. My truck got tired of sitting unlevel and fixed it's self. I don't know maybe I just got lucky and the truck wanted to be level but my experience shows that if you cycle the suspension a few times fully then they, the leaf springs, will level themselves out.