Leveling Kit?

[georgerosen06]

i was looking at parts for my truck and is the only way to level it to crank the torsion bars? or is there actually a kit to do it?

 

the truck is a 2004 silverado z71 1500

[leboyd]

i use and recommend 4WheelParts.com. (No, I'm not associated with 4 Wheel Parts in any way )

[2000DV4.8]

Leveling kits for our trucks are just re-indexed torsion keys, which allow you to crank the t-bars further than the stock keys. If you crank at all, your ride will get stiffer, and if you go much over 1.5", the truck will ride like a tank, and wear out parts a lot faster (tie rod ends, CVs, ball joints, pitman/idler arms, etc.). I'd just crank the stock keys about an inch to an inch and a half and then go get an alignment.

[Guest Riggs]

so where do you find stock ride height?

 

i still have about 1" - 1.25" inches left on the BOLT... i was just under there today...

[2000DV4.8]

so where do you find stock ride height?

 

i still have about 1" - 1.25" inches left on the BOLT... i was just under there today...

 

I think the GMT400s can crank a lot further on stock keys than the GMT800s, so it makes sense that you've got a lot of bolt showing, but that much really sounds like a lot.

[georgerosen06]

Leveling kits for our trucks are just re-indexed torsion keys, which allow you to crank the t-bars further than the stock keys. If you crank at all, your ride will get stiffer, and if you go much over 1.5", the truck will ride like a tank, and wear out parts a lot faster (tie rod ends, CVs, ball joints, pitman/idler arms, etc.). I'd just crank the stock keys about an inch to an inch and a half and then go get an alignment.

 

so if i go about an inch will it be level or closer to level? im worried about ride quality but am also thinking about new shocks so i figure crank them about an inch and put on the new shocks in the near future i should be good. and do i need a special tool to crank them or how do i go about doing that?

[Guest Riggs]

its a 18 mm bolt... and an impact is your friend

[2000DV4.8]

Leveling kits for our trucks are just re-indexed torsion keys, which allow you to crank the t-bars further than the stock keys. If you crank at all, your ride will get stiffer, and if you go much over 1.5", the truck will ride like a tank, and wear out parts a lot faster (tie rod ends, CVs, ball joints, pitman/idler arms, etc.). I'd just crank the stock keys about an inch to an inch and a half and then go get an alignment.

 

so if i go about an inch will it be level or closer to level? im worried about ride quality but am also thinking about new shocks so i figure crank them about an inch and put on the new shocks in the near future i should be good. and do i need a special tool to crank them or how do i go about doing that?

 

 

There is about 2" of rake stock, so if you go up an inch, it won't be completely level, but the stance will be a lot better.

 

I went up 1" first, then the alignment shop cranked the passenger side 1/4" and the drivers side 1/2" to level it side to side, and I didn't notice a difference in that small increase in height, but I definitely noticed a difference over stock. I also replaced the shocks right before I cranked, and after everything, the truck rides a little rougher, but it handles a lot better, and feels a lot more firm.

 

To crank them, you will need an 18mm socket (and obviously a ratchet ). First, take some fender height measurements with the truck on level ground. Then jack up the front of the truck until all of the weight is off of the front wheels, and put it on jackstands. Make a mark on the adjustment bolt and on the cross-member so you can keep track of the revolutions. On my truck, 1 full turn of the adj. bolt was about 1/4" of height. Crank it as much as you want to, then let the truck down, bounce on the bumper a few times, and drive around the block and make a few hard stops to let the suspension settle, and re-measure. Repeat until you get to the desired height.

 

EDIT: We all know how rusty my truck is, and I did it fine with a 1/2" drive ratchet and some penetrating lube sprayed on a few days before, so you don't need an impact. I liked using the ratchet since it was easier to keep track of the number of rotations.