A Couple Questions On A Lift?

[mas110]

I just bought a 05 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab. I am reading all these posts on lifts and turning things to raise the front, etc., etc., etc... I would like to raise the truck in the front to match the back for the least ammount of money possible. On the other hand, I want it done right, so if that costs money then that means that I just have to wait a little longer to actually do it. Here is what I need from you guys- In Lehmans terms and pictures if you have them- what gets turned to raise the front? Why do I need to put a leaf spring in the back? Do I need knew shocks?

Thanks in advance.

[gm4yrs]

The cheapest way, is adjust the torsion bar bolt, and have an alignment. Have the shop adjust it up, to where the caster, can still be aligned. The ride will be firmer, but not too bad. No need to touch leaf springs or shocks. Adjustment is around 1 inch.

[mas110]

Does anybody have any pictures of the torsion bar bolt being adjusted being done? More than likely, I will get this done when I get new tires at the shop but I am somewhat handy and may take a stab at it if I had the details so I can see them. Thanks again in advance.

[Majorleaguebass]

dont do it yourself, tell you alignment shop to adjust them, yea, new shocks are a good idea up front when you get it leveled, tell the alignment shop you want to front to level out and they will do it in the alignment and shouldnt charge you extra for it...

[J-man67]

I thought shocks weren't needed up front when adjusting the t-bars. You aren't increasing the travel amt, you are just adjusting how far the suspension travels up.

[2000DV4.8]

I thought shocks weren't needed up front when adjusting the t-bars. You aren't increasing the travel amt, you are just adjusting how far the suspension travels up.

 

In theory, you wouldn't need new shocks. But, on my truck, the shocks do act somewhat as a 'limiting strap' (ie the shock tops out before the UCA hits the droop stops). I'm still considering getting the shock extenders, and I'm weighing whether it's worse to top out the shock, or bottom out the shock (which would happen much less often).

[mas110]

I thought shocks weren't needed up front when adjusting the t-bars. You aren't increasing the travel amt, you are just adjusting how far the suspension travels up.

 

In theory, you wouldn't need new shocks. But, on my truck, the shocks do act somewhat as a 'limiting strap' (ie the shock tops out before the UCA hits the droop stops). I'm still considering getting the shock extenders, and I'm weighing whether it's worse to top out the shock, or bottom out the shock (which would happen much less often).

 

So what I am understanding is that maybe I should get this done at a garage, get new shocks all the way around, get an alignment, and not tell the wife how much it all cost! To be honest, I was looking for an excuse to get out of the Z71 suspension. There are 46,000 miles on the truck, but to be honest the suspension feels more like a suburban than it does a truck? I want my truck to feel a little firmer than my SUV.

What kind of shocks should I get to go along with my adjusting of the t-bars? I was looking at the middle of the road price wise- maybe Monroes or KYB- I think Bilsteins are a little out of my price range. Thanks for the info so far.

[J-man67]

That will def make it feel more like a truck, but not over-bearing. I would go with Rancho. I think they are better then the Monroes, but cheaper then the Bilsteins. Good luck!!

[mas110]

That will def make it feel more like a truck, but not over-bearing. I would go with Rancho. I think they are better then the Monroes, but cheaper then the Bilsteins. Good luck!!

Thanks for the info up to this point. I have been researching the rancho schocks- rs9000xl and the rancho rs5000 and I think that is the brand that I am going to go with. Before I started this post I had a friend who has ranchos on his truck and he swears by them. So for my application, would I be good with the rs5000's? 05 GMC sierra 1500 crew cab, I pull a utility trailer one day a week yearly with lawn equip, and about a dozen times a year filled with mulch and/or stone, I plan on getting a small travel trailer within the next year, I occasionally haul stone, firewood, etc, and this truck is still my personl vehicle.