Leveling Kit and Tires

[GMGuy84]

I've tried to search the forums for some good direction, but didn't have a lot of luck. I have an 05 Z71 1500. I want to add a 2" leveling kit and I need new tires as well. Once I put the leveling kit on I want to put the largest tires on possible. There a lot of differen't leveling kits out there, what my best option? Tires? Thanks for you help!

[JrocK817]

take your pick really. I just ordered the Rough Country kit. Others get the Zone Offroad kit. There are a few others. I havent seen any bad reviews for any kit.. On this forum at least.

 

Just put "level" in the search box and have at it. You'll get at least 5-6 pages that will help you out.

[Big Whiskey]

If you have an '05 model, I would just crank the torsion bars up, and see how much lift that gives you. It may be enough...and won't cost anything...except for the price of an alignment afterwards. If your factory bars have sagged too much, then you can look into re-indexed torsion keys, which will give you more lift from your stock bars. I wouldn't go any more than 2". What size rims are you running?

[GMGuy84]

Right now I have the stock 17" rims on there. I plan on keeping those and running a larger tire.

[Big Whiskey]

Gotcha. A 285/70/17 would fit easily (ran them on my '06 with just a t-bar crank)...and a 295/70/17 would probably fit if you kept the stock rims. I've also seen guys run a 33x12.5x17 with aftermarket keys and a little trimming...but those wouldn't be ideal for your stock 7.5" wide rims. If ride quality and MPG are more important, you could run a 275/70/17, which is available in a 6 ply (most 285's are 10 ply). A member on here (dirtfan21) has them on his truck, and I think they look great.

[dirtfan21]

Well thank you there buddy!! ^^^

 

To the OP, I have stock keys cranked around 1.5-2" and I still have about 1" of rake. The reason I haven't gone the re-indexed key route is because my angles now are within my comfort zone and I really don't want to go more. I went with 275/70/17 Cooper ST's because my truck goes affroad quite often out in the fields and I didnt want to chance rubbing. Plus, with the 6 ply my MPG's barely took a hit. You could fit a 285/70/17 but in off camber situations it may rub.

 

My advice to you would be crank your stock keys and see where it get's you. If they are a bit tired then pick up a set of keys and crank to where you want, no more the 2-2.5".

[KMGZ400]

i have an 03, and i got a 3" leveling kit and rear AAL from fat bobs garage. factory keys cranked will not level the truck.

 

as for tire size, you can probably fit up to 305's but i think that 285's are a good size and it looks proportional. any bigger then that it really kills MPG and the way the truck drives.

 

sig picture is 285's and leveled without rear AAL installed

[GMGuy84]

Thanks a lot you guys! This has helped out a ton. Dirtfan21 that is almost the exact look I am going for. Again I appreciate the help and I will post some pics after I get things done.

[dirtfan21]

Make sure to keep us updated and post pics! Good luck!

[Big Whiskey]

I will post some pics after I get things done.

 

Looking forward to the pics!

 

Well thank you there buddy!! ^^^

 

Yup! Seeing your truck is the reason I went with my 275/65's, which is the 18" equilivant to yours. They look much better than stock, the 6 plys ride nice, and MPG is very close to stock.

 

 

factory keys cranked will not level the truck.

 

Sometimes it works, sometimes not. My '06 sat dead even with the stock keys cranked...and still had a little bolt left. My buddy ran his all the way up on his '04, but it still sat .5" lower in the front. Go figure.

[GMGuy84]

Well it took me a little while to get back on here with an update, but I've made some changes that I'm pretty happy with. First I did the Rough Country 2" leveling kit. I decided to go with Cooper Discovery AT3 285/70/17. I love how good it makes the truck look! While I was at it I de-badged the tailgate and removed the pinstripes. I also installed new Rockford Fosgate speakers. I've been busy!!

[zach1990]

Looks sharp!

 

Sent from my SGH-I927 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[Big Whiskey]

Looks good man! I think you'll like those AT3's!

[Mckenzie]

35s will fit if the aftermarket torsion keys are fully cranked with minimal/mabe no trimming...buddy had a Z71 tahoe with just keys and he had 35 inch rocker radials which are actually bigger than a true 35x12.5

 

37x13.5s will fit with a 3 inch body lift and keys

 

33s will fit with little to no lift and it will give you a good look without totally killing your mpg

 

I say go with 35s !

[KMGZ400]

looks great. has exact same stance as my truck