New Guy Here And A Leveling Question To Boot

ssduane · November 1, 2007

Hi all, names Duane and from the San Diego area. I have a 06 2500HD DMAX CC 4x and am 24k miles into the stock tires and need to replace them in about another 2-3k. I'm looking at going to a 265 or 285 from the stock 245's. Did some reading on past topics on the leveling issues.

Looks like there is 3 ways to go about it.

1. Just crank the torsion bars tighter, but won't that affect tire wear?

2. Aftermarket torsion keys, basically maintians the stock torsion setting but changes a-arm positon.

3. The Cognito kit, different arms and but everything stays the same, can also add aftermarket keys and get more lift.

Am I missing anything here? 1=free, 2=100 bucks, 3=500 bucks.

masterp2 · November 1, 2007

Hi all, names Duane and from the San Diego area. I have a 06 2500HD DMAX CC 4x and am 24k miles into the stock tires and need to replace them in about another 2-3k. I'm looking at going to a 265 or 285 from the stock 245's. Did some reading on past topics on the leveling issues.

Looks like there is 3 ways to go about it.

1. Just crank the torsion bars tighter, but won't that affect tire wear? Not if you get an alignment

2. Aftermarket torsion keys, basically maintians the stock torsion setting but changes a-arm positon. not exactly, new keys do nothing but give you more lift ability, by themselves a waste of money because they lift you too high for the stock suspension to accomodate, you get pogo ride quality and failed shocks from topout fatigue.

3. The Cognito kit, different arms and but everything stays the same, can also add aftermarket keys and get more lift.

Am I missing anything here? 1=free, 2=100 bucks, 3=500 bucks.

Shaners · November 1, 2007

265's may fit without any adjustment at all. However, in my opinion, a couple of turns on the torsion bar bolts help to give the truck a less nose heavy stance.

If you decide to crank the t-bar bolts, I would recommend setting the truck on level ground with the wheels poinitng straight. Measure off the frame and not off the body panels. The body panels could be off 1/4 to 3/8". Most likely your truck leans to the drivers side so you will probably have to put an extra turn on that side. Dirve the truck a few miles and then come back to original level ground and remeasure from your frame rails. Make any small adjustments if needed.

If you only go a couple of turns you may not need an alignment. I didn't aligne mine when I changed my tires when the truck was new, and at 14.5K miles, I'm not noticing any abnormal tire wear. however, you are about to make a big investment in some new rubber, and @ 25K miles, an alignment might be considered a good idea even if you don't crank your bars...

BTW, I only went 2 turns on the passanger side and three turns on the drivers side to get my truck to the stance I like... I didn't want the truck to sit level frt to rr because anytime you are towing or carrying a load then the truck looks tail heavy.

CR REV · November 2, 2007

I just went through all these options and decided to go with 285 BFG AT turned the bars up 4 turns passenger 5 turns driver. Allignment, Cognito Pitman/idler kit, Bilstein shocks, and I am very pleased with the results. Now the front is just under an inch from being level with the rear (perfect for my towing needs). I also removed the nerf bars and it looks like a new ride, aggressive w/o being too big for the wife and kids. When it's time for ball joint I'll upgrade to the cognito UCAs.

ssduane · November 2, 2007

265's may fit without any adjustment at all. However, in my opinion, a couple of turns on the torsion bar bolts help to give the truck a less nose heavy stance.

If you decide to crank the t-bar bolts, I would recommend setting the truck on level ground with the wheels poinitng straight. Measure off the frame and not off the body panels. The body panels could be off 1/4 to 3/8". Most likely your truck leans to the drivers side so you will probably have to put an extra turn on that side. Dirve the truck a few miles and then come back to original level ground and remeasure from your frame rails. Make any small adjustments if needed.

If you only go a couple of turns you may not need an alignment. I didn't aligne mine when I changed my tires when the truck was new, and at 14.5K miles, I'm not noticing any abnormal tire wear. however, you are about to make a big investment in some new rubber, and @ 25K miles, an alignment might be considered a good idea even if you don't crank your bars...

BTW, I only went 2 turns on the passanger side and three turns on the drivers side to get my truck to the stance I like... I didn't want the truck to sit level frt to rr because anytime you are towing or carrying a load then the truck looks tail heavy.

Great advice you got there.

I got home and did a little experimenting. Cranked the bars two turns on both side, she raised up a hair, finally ended up doing 4 1/2 P-side, 5 on drivers. She raised up nicely. Rides really nice except when I hit a couple whoops, but overall, Wow, great improvement. BUt I will take it back down a few turns tomorrow, probably go 2 and 3 turns, and see how the tires look.

I do also tow a trailer quit often, 35 foot fiver, with about a 1700lb tongue load, but already have airbags in the rear.

Thanks for the advice all.

pwall · November 2, 2007

By the way, welcome to

cvandegna · November 11, 2007

265's may fit without any adjustment at all. However, in my opinion, a couple of turns on the torsion bar bolts help to give the truck a less nose heavy stance.

If you decide to crank the t-bar bolts, I would recommend setting the truck on level ground with the wheels poinitng straight. Measure off the frame and not off the body panels. The body panels could be off 1/4 to 3/8". Most likely your truck leans to the drivers side so you will probably have to put an extra turn on that side. Dirve the truck a few miles and then come back to original level ground and remeasure from your frame rails. Make any small adjustments if needed.

If you only go a couple of turns you may not need an alignment. I didn't aligne mine when I changed my tires when the truck was new, and at 14.5K miles, I'm not noticing any abnormal tire wear. however, you are about to make a big investment in some new rubber, and @ 25K miles, an alignment might be considered a good idea even if you don't crank your bars...

BTW, I only went 2 turns on the passanger side and three turns on the drivers side to get my truck to the stance I like... I didn't want the truck to sit level frt to rr because anytime you are towing or carrying a load then the truck looks tail heavy.

Great advice you got there.

I got home and did a little experimenting. Cranked the bars two turns on both side, she raised up a hair, finally ended up doing 4 1/2 P-side, 5 on drivers. She raised up nicely. Rides really nice except when I hit a couple whoops, but overall, Wow, great improvement. BUt I will take it back down a few turns tomorrow, probably go 2 and 3 turns, and see how the tires look.

I do also tow a trailer quit often, 35 foot fiver, with about a 1700lb tongue load, but already have airbags in the rear.

Thanks for the advice all.

Any chance of you taking a pic of your rear bag setup? Am looking at throwing some on - but with the 6" lift I'd like to see a real kit on so I can imagine what kind of fab work I'm gonna have to do... Also, the kit mfr and model that you have would be awesome too!

Thanks in advance,

Chris