2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What's the best leveling kit out there?

[DConrad]

I'm getting ready to put a leveling kit on my rig but there are varying opinions on what the best one is. I've read several posts about alignment issues (good and bad). I don't mind spending the money to get a good one but if the best one is less money, I'm not opposed to that either. I'd like to hear from other members about their leveling kit experiences and see pictures if you've go them. Let 'er rip.

 

[dknoch]

I have a Tuff Country spacer in my truck, it is all metal. I have DT Profab +1/2 in control arms with a DT Profab adjustable track bar. I have been pretty happy with it. I would love to do the Carli front and rear springs though.

 

[David411]

I just picked up some kore VR coils and will be matching them up with bilstein 5100s and maxxlinks.
Ill post pics

 

[Regcabguy]

Don Thuren has some new softride coils and can supply the 5100 Bilsteins and endlinks. Carli has something similiar and provides the hemi rated coils on the 2nd gens to deliver a 2. 5" front lift with a nice ride. Good companies.

 

[DConrad]

I looked at Carli's website. That stuff looks pretty sweet. I may even do a starter kit if I go that route. I checked out Don Thuren's site too but I couldn't find the coils for a 94-97. Does anyone know if Thuren has a kit? It looked to me like Thuren caters more toward later models. Anyone have anymore info on Thuren?

 

[SVick]

I have the Rancho front level system, it comes with new slightly longer lower control arms so you can set the front end the same and not have to have an alignment done after, just slightly adjust the steering wheel back to center. I am also running the Rancho RS9000 shocks that are adjustable.

 

[Regcabguy]

I looked at Carli's website. That stuff looks pretty sweet. I may even do a starter kit if I go that route. I checked out Don Thuren's site too but I couldn't find the coils for a 94-97. Does anyone know if Thuren has a kit? It looked to me like Thuren caters more toward later models. Anyone have anymore info on Thuren?

Don's coils should work for '94+. He's a good guy to talk to. He's catered to 2nd. gens from way back. The tow is usually off with any leveling system. You should get an alignment

 

[JMcCoy]

If you have the T style steering, you should not have to get it aligned. If you have the Y style steering, your toe will be out. I would upgrade to the hd T style if you have not already. I have the cheap Pro Comp 2. 5" level kit. I have been happy with it. It was very easy to install. It maintained the stock driving characteristics of the truck (actually better because it no longer bottoms out on rail road tracks). I will probably go with a replacement coil spring next time, for a little more articulation. If you don't go off road, I would just stick with a 2. 5" spacer and some "good" shocks. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

 

[2Rowdy]

I have helped install 3 Hell Bent Steel 2" kits. They were very good. Side note. all were 3rd gens though.

 

[David411]

I looked at Carli's website. That stuff looks pretty sweet. I may even do a starter kit if I go that route. I checked out Don Thuren's site too but I couldn't find the coils for a 94-97. Does anyone know if Thuren has a kit? It looked to me like Thuren caters more toward later models. Anyone have anymore info on Thuren?

Thuren offers many accessories for the 2nd gen.

However, he has no mini-packs in the works for 2nd gens unfortunately.

His new soft-ride linear coils for the third gen trucks will work on a second gen but it wont be a 3" lift, Don told me more like 4-4. 5".

 

[DConrad]

I you have the T style steering, you should not have to get it alighned. If you have the Y style steering, your toe will be out. I would upgrade to the hd T style if you have not already. I have the cheap Pro Comp 2. 5" level kit. I have been happy with it. It was very easy to install. It maintained the stock driving characteristics of the truck (actually better because it no longer bottoms out on rail road tracks). I will probably go with a replacement coil spring next time, for a little more articulation. If you don't go off road, I would just stick with a 2. 5" spacer and some "good" shocks. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

What's the difference between T and Y steering?

 

[DConrad]

Talked to Mike at Carli today. Their leveling kit gives me 2. 75". He told me I may need control arms too depending on what tire size I end up with. That's another $700. I hope they don't rub! Waiting to hear back from Don Thuren.

 

[JMcCoy]

There are several excellent write ups, with pictures, on this forum. They would describe it way better than I ever could. It is simply a difference of drag link mounting location. I believe '98 is the first year of the heavier duty T-style steering. If you plan to replace your ball joint steering links, just order the entire setup for a '98 and newer. It will bolt right up and the cost is about the same.



I had to "persuade" my front fenders a bit to clear 35x12. 5/17. 33s cleared no problem. Wheel offset will also affect rubbing. Good luck.

 

[DConrad]

The spacer is certainly more economical. The only reason the guy at Carli could give me as to why I should use their springs instead of the spacers was that it would ride nicer with their springs. I found the Tuff Country spacers for under a hundred bucks. They look identical to the Pro Comps. What about sway bar end links? Will they need to be replaced with the taller ride?

 

[JMcCoy]

I see no reason to change the sway bar end links. Both sides of the sway bar just tilts down a bit. It still opperates as designed. The only reason I can see for companies pushing extended links, is to sell extended links. If you plan on changing the links as maintenance, it would not hurt to get the extended ones. On a side note, I read many times about people breaking the max links. My factory links are still good so I don't know.

 

[Hammer]

I used the SkyJacker D25 coils to level mine as I got them for the same price as the leveling blocks. I did later go to a 1/2" longer aftermarket control arm to recenter my front axle to keep the 315's from rubbing the rear of the front fenderwells. I also later did the MAXX Links for the front sway bar as my stockers were shot. The MAXX links have been on since February of 2008 and I have not had one issues with them at all. I do know guys are having trouble with the rear MAXX Links breaking though but I do not have them as my stockers are still in b good shape.

 

[DConrad]

So the 315s rubbed? I was hoping that wouldn't be an issue after I leveled the front end.

 

[Hammer]

Yep...

The 315's rubbed the back of the inner fenderwells and drove me nuts as I detail my truck alot and couldn't stand the constant rubbing. The aftermarket wheels on my truck are standard dish with the proper offset and it made no difference in the rub. I would imagine that anyone who ran a wider wheel would have even more of an issue.

 

[DConrad]

I may be ok. I'm going to a 17x9 but the offset is going from 12mm to -12mm. I need to go back to the calculator but I think the 315/70-17 on that wheel wasn't "supposed to" create any tire clearance issues. We shall see. I see lots of other guys running big tires. I wonder if theirs rub too. Any comments..... anyone?

 

[DConrad]

I talked to a guy at KORE today. He told me their leveling kit won't work well on the pre-98 models due to the weight difference in the 12 and 24 valve engines. I didn't realize there was a significant weight difference between the two. Does anyone know what the difference in weight is? He said the spring rate is different. They no longer make the springs for the 12 valve trucks.