Leveling Kit

chevy350_1980 · November 5, 2007

Would it hurt to run 16 in rims instead of 17 in rims for aftermarket, i like the look of more tire than the rims. I have heard it would make the ride worse, but how bad. I have seen just a couple of guys do 16's but in 06 chevy went to 17's and thats what i have, seen most trucks fixed up with 17 in after market rims on the 06 or bigger. But all i want to run is 285's and could i do that with a leveling kits?

jhoff8487 · November 5, 2007

From my knowledge, GM started using 17" rims in 06+ because of clearance for the front disc brakes. They had to up the size of the rotor and needed another inch of clearance or so I thought. Just my .02 cents...

richfancher · November 5, 2007

Ok first of all, IMO, the less wheel and more tire you have creates cushion and a softer ride(ie 17" will seem smoother than 20"). Too much tire and not enough wheel though and it will begin to have a squirelly feel to it(ie Body Roll). You have to go with a 17" wheel in order to clear the brake calipers. Hope this helps.

black jack · November 5, 2007

Would it hurt to run 16 in rims instead of 17 in rims for aftermarket, i like the look of more tire than the rims. I have heard it would make the ride worse, but how bad. I have seen just a couple of guys do 16's but in 06 chevy went to 17's and thats what i have, seen most trucks fixed up with 17 in after market rims on the 06 or bigger. But all i want to run is 285's and could i do that with a leveling kits?

if you put the leveling kit you should be able to put up to 33s on. ive got an 05 avalanche z71 and i have the leveling kit which it gives it nice look and plan on putting 33s. now you said you wanted to put 285. i had an 02 avalanche z71 and it had 305 70 r17s with out a lift and looked good. hope this helps.

chevy350_1980 · November 6, 2007

Thanks guys, i have heard like just like one or two guys with doing 305's, but i want bigger look, is 305's better to have than 285's or maybe 295's cuz they have that size to, but iam not sure it will fit on it the 285's are 11.50 wide, the 295's are 12.13 and the 305's are 12.36 and the 305's are almost 34in tall, what kind of leveling kit would yall suggest, cuz am sorta scared to put keys on it, cuz i have heard it puts strain on it...how bad or atleast if you go over the 2.5 in's, and some kits i seen with the keys it comes with like four shocks? Off road unlimited has the kit with two shocks and four, looks like i have to change all the shocks on the 4 kit that kit cost 450 and the one with two is 290...or is it better to get some other shocks that know are good shocks? Just for the keys are 200 out of summit for a maxx cam 2 keys, or just bit the bullet and go ahead and get a 6in lift? Or 4 in suspension lift. I mean thats a good bit of money to put just a little bigger tire under the truck cuz i have 265/70/17's on it now.

cvandegna · November 6, 2007

Ok first of all, IMO, the less wheel and more tire you have creates cushion and a softer ride(ie 17" will seem smoother than 20"). Too much tire and not enough wheel though and it will begin to have a squirelly feel to it(ie Body Roll). You have to go with a 17" wheel in order to clear the brake calipers. Hope this helps.

Besides the body roll feel - you can also get an odd highway wander - not sure if it has an official name. The truck actually wanders side to side as the wheel floats inside the sidewall give of the tire. The tire tracks straight (more or less), but the truck feels swimmy. Depends alot on the brand of tire and stiffness of sidewall, but definitely something to consider. TSL Swampers did it the worst, ProComp MTs not as bad, Nitto TerraGrapplers don't seem to do it.

I wouldn't go with a tall sidewall to make up for lack of ride in the suspension - i'd fix the suspension issue. Keep the tall sidewall for rock crawling - but otherwise I have found little use for it - other than the inflated tire prices for 18+ fittment.

As far as what levelling kit - I did the keyway swap and torsionbar adjust, and hated the effect on ride quality. Too stiff for me. If clearance is what your after and not necessarily stance, and $ is a concern - do a 3" body lift. There's enough stuff out there to close up the gaps it creates between body and frame, and is a DIY job.

If money is not a primary concern - bite the bullet and do the 6". Then you can go with an adjustable shock (if ya want), some come with add-a-leafs. I did the ProComp 6" with add-a-leafs and I can't believe how nice my empty 3/4 ton rides. And I can stiffen the shocks when towing the RV - best of both worlds.

chevy350_1980 · November 10, 2007

I went by the chevy dealer today to ask some questions and there sat an 05 silverado z71 with a leveling kit and that guy had the nitto grappler 285's and on the stock rim. It was ok looking but i want some thing to look bigger, could maybe i go with the 295's or maybe hopefully the 305's with just the leveling kit? The 295 isnt that much bigger, so could i go with the 305's? I mean iam not going to do no off roading, or try to flex it that much. Or would i have to go with a six inch lift or four inch lift instead of the leveling kit?

happybg81 · November 20, 2007

I went by the chevy dealer today to ask some questions and there sat an 05 silverado z71 with a leveling kit and that guy had the nitto grappler 285's and on the stock rim. It was ok looking but i want some thing to look bigger, could maybe i go with the 295's or maybe hopefully the 305's with just the leveling kit? The 295 isnt that much bigger, so could i go with the 305's? I mean iam not going to do no off roading, or try to flex it that much. Or would i have to go with a six inch lift or four inch lift instead of the leveling kit?

I just traded in an 05 Z-71 that I had put a leveling kit on. I went with 33/12.50/17's. I had to remove the very bottom black skirt on the front and trim back the bumper valance about an inch. Just used a razor knife and cut it back at an angle, didn't look bad at all. Other than that there were no clearance issues. Hope this helps.

K.Jump · November 22, 2007

My 00 sierra wthe ford keyways, TBs not cranked very far in, 33s on 17x10 wheels. I only did some minor trimming to the air dam. Maybe this will help.

black jack · November 23, 2007

the 305 70/r17s i had on my 02 z71 was on stock rims and filled out the wheel wells nicely and no rubbing. so to answer your ? if will fit yes they will . the tires i had was goodyr wrangler.

chevyfan05 · November 26, 2007

My 00 sierra wthe ford keyways, TBs not cranked very far in, 33s on 17x10 wheels. I only did some minor trimming to the air dam. Maybe this will help.

purdy sharp lookin truck, but doesn't cranking the tbs limit wheel travel?

chevy350_1980 · November 30, 2007

On the keys...how many of yall think it rides like crap...i have heard this from some people, how different is it? I dont have the z71, mine is just the LS, is that any different in it? I seen the superlift for a 2.5 in leveling kit suspension lift for 800 bucks. A four for 1000 and who knows the cost to put it on...is it worth the money for the suspension, or just the dealer to crank the keys for 40 bucks? The guy at the dealer said do a body lift, i want it to look level and not looking down, he said 300 for the body lift and about 300 to put it on. And thats him doing it some where else cuz the dealership wont do it. I just dont want to mess my truck up.