2014+ Leveling Kits

malibu43 · June 1, 2021

Hello everyone. I have a 2015 with the 2" Motofab lower strut spacer that I installed early in 2020. I'm getting ready for a wheel and tire upgrade, but want to go with a 3" level first. I'm planning on adding Rough Country UCA's and doing the Motofab 3"/1" F/R level.

Anyone see any potential issues or things to watch out for going with this setup?

https://motofablifts.com/i-30558235-3-front-and-1-rear-leveling-lift-kit-for-2007-2019-chevy-silverado-sierra-gmc.html?ref=category:1390599

https://www.roughcountry.com/gm-forged-upper-control-arms-19401a.html?find=2015-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-738185

edit - also could go with the Motofab UCA's. Any thoughts on Rough Country vs Motofab?

https://motofablifts.com/i-30558322-14-16-chevy-gmc-silverado-sierra-1500-upper-control-arms-with-forged-steel-upper-control-arms.html?ref=category:1390599

Edited June 2, 2021 by malibu43

TX018Z71 · July 23, 2021

Alright, coming up on needing new tires. Currently running 285/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2s with really no rubbing. However, I'm really interested in seeing if I could go bigger on current setup even if I have to pull some fender liners and trim some plastic.

Sitting with only 2" Rough Country leveling kit up front. Thoughts with this setup if I can get more sidewall height in there? Thanks for any input.

jthoske · July 30, 2021

Hey guys, way too much info to sort through here...

I've got a 2018 LT Z71 Crewcab w/ factory 20" wheels. I added AirLift bags to the back earlier this year to reduce squat when pulling my 28' TT and improve ride quality. With the AirLift bags I'm measuring 39.5" in the rear and 36.5" in the front.

I've got 30k miles on the truck now. Once the factory Goodyears give up I'm wanting to get 33" A/Ts on the factory 20" rims.

What is the best leveling kit to get me close to level without worrying about rubbing with 33s, replacing UCA, ball joint wear, etc?

Edited July 30, 2021 by jthoske

mikeyk101 · July 31, 2021

10 hours ago, jthoske said:

Hey guys, way too much info to sort through here...

I've got a 2018 LT Z71 Crewcab w/ factory 20" wheels. I added AirLift bags to the back earlier this year to reduce squat when pulling my 28' TT and improve ride quality. With the AirLift bags I'm measuring 39.5" in the rear and 36.5" in the front.

I've got 30k miles on the truck now. Once the factory Goodyears give up I'm wanting to get 33" A/Ts on the factory 20" rims.

What is the best leveling kit to get me close to level without worrying about rubbing with 33s, replacing UCA, ball joint wear, etc?

I was just the opposite of your scenario. On my 2016 w/20" rims, I had added the Rough Country spacers that gave me about a 2" level on front and matched the rear. I didn't need to change anything else out. I finally got around to changing out the tires last December and went with 275/60R20 Falken Wildpeaks. This size will give you 33". I have no rubbing at all. Then I finally picked up my 2021 Wildwood FSX Toyhauler in March. It's a 25' and even with correctly setup WDH, my sag in rear, although completely normal, put the rear too low and had my headlights pointed skyward at night. I then added the Airlift 5000 bags and air them up to just under 20lbs when towing. That seems to work just fine. When not towing, I run maybe 5-10psi and that keeps me level.

So my point is a 2" spacer level should be all you need to run 33" tires.

Edited July 31, 2021 by mikeyk101

MikeBMW · July 31, 2021

On 4/4/2021 at 12:46 AM, MikeBMW said:

Yes, I had 33s prior with just a 2" level, got rubbing on the UCA.
Went with the 3" and my guy told me he wouldn't do it without new UCAs.
And, yes, after the body lift, a laborious task no shop in my are wanted to do to so I had to do it myself, the 35s fit fine.
I did go to the installer of the 35s and asked them to install the fronts so I could check clearance. before committing to the install. If they didn't fit, I was ready to put back on the 33s.
Happily, the 35s were fine and, with the Motofab UCAs, no rubbing.
To be fair, I had already measured everything and trimmed a small part of the front fender liner on the inside.No one would even notice it, except me.

I posted this a bit ago.
Even with the 2" level, on stock rims, you'll need to replace the UCAs.
I used Motofab UCAs and, even with my 35s and a 1" extra lift from the Bilsteins as well as the 3" Motofab level, and a rear 1" block and 1.5" rear spring lift and a 1.5" body lift, the 35s fit comfortably.
As mentioned by @mikeyk101, 33s will fit on a 2" level, but, you will get some rubbing if you don't replace the UCAs. (with 33x12.5s)

Edited July 31, 2021 by MikeBMW

jthoske · August 6, 2021

On 7/30/2021 at 10:23 PM, mikeyk101 said:

I was just the opposite of your scenario. On my 2016 w/20" rims, I had added the Rough Country spacers that gave me about a 2" level on front and matched the rear. I didn't need to change anything else out. I finally got around to changing out the tires last December and went with 275/60R20 Falken Wildpeaks. This size will give you 33". I have no rubbing at all. Then I finally picked up my 2021 Wildwood FSX Toyhauler in March. It's a 25' and even with correctly setup WDH, my sag in rear, although completely normal, put the rear too low and had my headlights pointed skyward at night. I then added the Airlift 5000 bags and air them up to just under 20lbs when towing. That seems to work just fine. When not towing, I run maybe 5-10psi and that keeps me level.

So my point is a 2" spacer level should be all you need to run 33" tires.

Thanks. I was kind of thinking the 2" is what I needed. Is your ride quality any worse when unloaded? I bought the AirLift 5000 that has the internal jounce bumpers so when I'm unloaded I usually let all of the air out of it. I felt like the AirLift also raised the back end up ~1" or so unloaded, even with no air in the system.

Did you buy the RC leveling kit that goes above or below the shock/strut?

Daws18LTZ · August 31, 2021

Got my 2.5” Rough Country leveling kit installed, accompanied by 2” wheel spacers all around and Nexen Roadian MTX 33” tires wrapped on stock rims. Needed a bit of trimming in the front but overall nothing drastic.

MikeBMW · September 1, 2021

10 hours ago, Daws18LTZ said:

Got my 2.5” Rough Country leveling kit installed, accompanied by 2” wheel spacers all around and Nexen Roadian MTX 33” tires wrapped on stock rims. Needed a bit of trimming in the front but overall nothing drastic.

Great job! Nice looking truck!

NWI Denali · September 9, 2021

On 7/30/2021 at 10:35 AM, jthoske said:

Hey guys, way too much info to sort through here...

I've got a 2018 LT Z71 Crewcab w/ factory 20" wheels. I added AirLift bags to the back earlier this year to reduce squat when pulling my 28' TT and improve ride quality. With the AirLift bags I'm measuring 39.5" in the rear and 36.5" in the front.

I've got 30k miles on the truck now. Once the factory Goodyears give up I'm wanting to get 33" A/Ts on the factory 20" rims.

What is the best leveling kit to get me close to level without worrying about rubbing with 33s, replacing UCA, ball joint wear, etc?

If you are worried about balljoint wear, stick with a 1.5" or 2" leveling kit.

MikeBMW · September 9, 2021

25 minutes ago, NWI Denali said:

If you are worried about balljoint wear, stick with a 1.5" or 2" leveling kit.

True.
Or, go with a new UCA set up for a level to help alleviate such issues on up to a 3" level.

Hotnhere · October 16, 2021

On 9/8/2013 at 11:31 AM, greenhead85 said:

Before and afterhttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/09/gudubavu.jpg http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/09/y4eqezut.jpg

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

Very nice thanks for posting b4 & after pics

T Buchanan · November 25, 2021

I have a 2in motofab leveling kit that’s been great and accommodates my TIS 544, 33/12.5/22 with a little trimming and slight rub. Couldn’t be happier for $150.

FishNJ · January 31, 2022

On 7/22/2021 at 9:14 PM, TX018Z71 said:

Alright, coming up on needing new tires. Currently running 285/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2s with really no rubbing. However, I'm really interested in seeing if I could go bigger on current setup even if I have to pull some fender liners and trim some plastic.

Sitting with only 2" Rough Country leveling kit up front. Thoughts with this setup if I can get more sidewall height in there? Thanks for any input.

what did you end up doing?
2018 z71 crew due for new shoes.
was hoping to go with 5100s in the front and nitto 295/70/18. Tx

rockclimbermi · January 31, 2022

On 4/29/2021 at 10:25 AM, rockclimbermi said:

Sorry if this is a dumb question. I have read many of the posts and I'm more confused now than before. I want to do 2 things: 1. install some sort of leveling kit/ device along with new shocks front and rear and 2. put on the biggest tires that will fit. I was thinking I was going to get the Bilstein 5100's. I thought that these included a method of leveling my truck, but I have seen people mention spacers. Not sure if they mean spacers for the rims or to provide the leveling of the front end of the truck. I have a 2016 1500 Silverado Z71 5.3L with the stock black 18 X 8.5" rims, which have a 24 mm offset. I was also believe that BFG KO2 275 70 R18's (33.2 X 10.8") will fit without rub... hopefully. These are 1.6" taller and 0.4 inches wider than the stock Duratracs on it now. I don't go off road very often, so I suppose it's mostly for looks. I do drive down Michigan dirt roads every day which are almost always rutted. I have noticed the stock Rancho's can get pretty squirley in the rear and the fronts seem to be rather soft. I am hoping that the Bilstein's would help that problem. I don't know, maybe I am better off with something else? Any help or knowledge as to exactly what I need is greatly appreciated. Maybe the part numbers for the front and rear Bilstein 5100's. Do I just get the shocks/ struts or do I need something else? I am more concerned with keeping the truck driving well on regular roads than being some sort of awesome off road beast. Going off roading is fun too though, but not my number 1 concern. Thank you for any help, I really appreciate it!

Update: Sorry for the slow update. I did go with the BFG KO2 275 70 R18 tires and the Bilstein leveling kit with the 5100 shocks. I haven't had any rub. The tires were installed 7-10-21 and the leveling kit a couple of days prior to that. On the negative side, my truck isn't perfectly level. Probably could go up around another quarter of an inch. No big deal. On the positive side. The truck looks good and rides great. It goes over rutted roads with a lot more control. It doesn't 100% control it, but it is hugely improved. The front end going down too far in certain conditions is also gone. The Bilsteins look like a high quality product, as they should be for the price. No paint to flake off, just stainless steel. Hopefully they last a long time. The leveling kit is all built in to the front struts, so there is nothing else to buy or install. I haven't noticed any negatives as far as how the truck handles. Just improvements. Measured heights before kit and tires: Height of just tires: 30.5 (with 50k + miles), 36.5" from ground to bottom of front fender prior to level kit. 39.25" from ground to bottom of rear fender prior to level kit. After leveling kit and tires: Just tires: 32.5 (tire height with 0 miles), 39 from ground to bottom of front fender after level kit, 39.5 from ground to bottom of rear fender after level kit. So in the end the tire diameter increased by 2 inches (1 inch of vehicle height), front end rose 2.5 inches and rear end rose 0.25 inches. Bilstein claims a 1.8 inch front end lift. I would think they should do a full 2 inches, but I think they did a max of 1.8 because more than that would start to cause geometry issues. You can also choose less of a front increase with the Bilsteins. I think there are 3 or 4 choices including factory height.