To level on not to level?

[DaveO9]

I’m torn on whether or not to install a 2” Rough Country leveling kit on the front of my 2013 LT 4wd. I’m upgrading to 18” stock wheels from a 2016 era truck (from 17”) and going with 275/65/18 (essentially 32”) from 265/70/17 (essentially 31”). I don’t expect rubbing to be an issue with the slightly larger wheels and tires, so leveling it becomes just a matter of preference.
As I see it, pros: improves aesthetics (not towing) and slightly increases clearance. Cons: increased wear on suspension, steering, CVs, etc, mileage penalty (slight) and decrease in towing performance, along with a possible squat (I have a 20’ travel trailer)

Anything I’m missing? Is it worth it to install the kit?

Rig as it sits now:

I’m installing a set of these rims:

 

[OR VietVet]

Do not lower, lift or level.

 

[mikez71]

Honestly I think it looks perfect as is.

Some reason I feel 18" usually look better than 17" on our trucks..

I have the same wheels, but different colors/fenders..
But I don't know if I will keep them, I heard you need a 1/4" spacer for the silverado brakes to fit behind them..

 

[15burban]

How much of a rake does it have as it sits now? Hard to tell from the picture looking at the fender gap but it looks like less then a 2" difference. If you do I'd leave a little rake. Nothing worse then a vehicle dragging a** in my opinion.

 

[DaveO9]

Honestly I think it looks perfect as is.

Some reason I feel 18" usually look better than 17" on our trucks..

I have the same wheels, but different colors/fenders..
But I don't know if I will keep them, I heard you need a 1/4" spacer for the silverado brakes to fit behind them..

Thanks, posting your pic helps a lot. Yeah, I think the new rims will be enough of an improvement. I'm going to skip the leveling kit and avoid the downsides that come with it.

How much of a rake does it have as it sits now? Hard to tell from the picture looking at the fender gap but it looks like less then a 2" difference. If you do I'd leave a little rake. Nothing worse then a vehicle dragging a** in my opinion.

Yeah, not much of a rake now. the 2" kit may be too much, and it would definitely be too much with my trailer hooked up, even with a weight distributing hitch. The rake was more pronounced before I redid the front suspension. I took measurements before and after I did that, and it brought the front up by an inch or so.

thanks, fellas for the comments. I'm skipping the kit. I'm hoping I can get the wheels on tomorrow after work. (Got the tires mounted and balanced over the weekend. new TPMS as well) I'll post a pic or two in the next couple days.

 

[swathdiver]

Leave it. More durable stock and won't squat like a hooptie mobile when towing with your headlights pointed into the sky.

I was all set to do this too with 5/8 inch spacers for an even more conservative "level" and ultimately decided not to. The spacers are still in the drawer after all these years.

How's the new axle doing?

 

[15burban]

I'm not sure if they do for your rig but bilstein usually has front struts (5100 series I think) that have a clip on the strut that can raise the spring and give you some lift. Usually there's different clip positions so the same strut can give multiple lift heights. Maybe you already that, but it's an option if you'd want to get it a little closer to level.

But but if you just replaced the front struts then that money would be wasted.

 

[SilverSurfer5300]

If you want to level it and it's 4x4, one of the best options would be Bilstein 6112s. It's at least a couple tiers above their 5100s and the price reflects that, but their street manners are as good as they are off-road so it was worth it to me. Setting three gave me a perfect level with factory rear everything. It does not squat the rear on mine when towing a loaded 16' trailer (when using a proper adjustable drop hitch). I posted a 20,000 mile review of them just yesterday.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Almost entirely a matter of choice and personal taste, IMO. In the 60's and 70's, I liked my cars to have a slight rake, but that was then, and it was to make the cars look more **** (WOW r-a-c-y is bad?). Now, I prefer the level look, part of getting old, perhaps.

I believe with my Z55 (and Z95 for newer trucks), I have the best of both worlds. The truck is level when empty, and it is level when loaded, thanks to the air assist rear shocks.

 

[DaveO9]

Leave it. More durable stock and won't squat like a hooptie mobile when towing with your headlights pointed into the sky.

I was all set to do this too with 5/8 inch spacers for an even more conservative "level" and ultimately decided not to. The spacers are still in the drawer after all these years.

How's the new axle doing?

Yep, I'm definitely going to at least see what it looks like with the new wheel/tire combo first. Almost surely will leave it.
New axle is doing great. No issues so far. I am thinking in the next year I will do rear wheel bearings. One thing interesting, both were G80s, but the 9.5 seems "tighter." I can sometimes feel/hear it turning into my driveway or a tight parking spot.

I'm not sure if they do for your rig but bilstein usually has front struts (5100 series I think) that have a clip on the strut that can raise the spring and give you some lift. Usually there's different clip positions so the same strut can give multiple lift heights. Maybe you already that, but it's an option if you'd want to get it a little closer to level.

But but if you just replaced the front struts then that money would be wasted.

Yeah, Bilsteins are definitely something to consider for next time I do struts. Current ones are new, but they're Monroe, not sure how long they're going to last. I'm hopeful that I'll like the look of the new wheel/tire combo without doing anything.

 

[DaveO9]

If you want to level it and it's 4x4, one of the best options would be Bilstein 6112s. It's at least a couple tiers above their 5100s and the price reflects that, but their street manners are as good as they are off-road so it was worth it to me. Setting three gave me a perfect level with factory rear everything. It does not squat the rear on mine when towing a loaded 16' trailer (when using a proper adjustable drop hitch). I posted a 20,000 mile review of them just yesterday.

View attachment 477511

That does look nice. I will definitely consider Bilsteins for the next strut go-around.

 

[DaveO9]

Got the new wheels on last night. Did front sway bar bushings at the same time - been meaning to do that for a while. But NO leveling kit. 1 3/4” difference from top of tire to bottom edge of fender difference between front and rear. I can live with that. Some day would like to upgrade to bilsteins or similar to allow adjustability for
towing, but for now it’s good.

I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Going to get new acorn lug nuts with closed ends to improve looks.

Old vs new.

 

[Fless]

Going to get new acorn lug nuts with closed ends to improve looks.

Be sure to get solid ones, not the ones that are capped.

 

[OR VietVet]

Does it rub anywhere when turning?

 

[Charlie207]

Does it rub anywhere when turning?

It shouldn't be rubbing with 32s.

 

[DaveO9]

Be sure to get solid ones, not the ones that are capped.

Definitely. Also want get some that have proper 7/8 (22mm) hex. I’ve seen some that are smaller.

Does it rub anywhere when turning?

Nope. Haven’t heard any yet. Turned in and out of some tight parking spaces at lunch today - no issues.

 

[Sir_Hiro]

Honestly I think it looks perfect as is.

Some reason I feel 18" usually look better than 17" on our trucks..

I have the same wheels, but different colors/fenders..
But I don't know if I will keep them, I heard you need a 1/4" spacer for the silverado brakes to fit behind them..

View attachment 477470

What is your suspension setup? This is absolutely the look I want and will feel pretty dumb if you say stock lol.

I also want to get 18s to get rid of the 20s

 

[mikez71]

I believe I was on a 1.5" front spacer, stock z71 rear springs, with 3rd row removed.

The look can vary depending on how level the ground is.

I initially had 2", which I thought looked pretty good, but too level.. Figure any load in back and it will be dumpy looking.

Then I tried a 2.5" with 1" lift in back, way too raked!
Then I went 1.5"..

Now I'm back at 0" lift... (with KYB monomax struts before settling)

I might lower the back 1" so my 20" wheels look better in there..
OR I might throw a 1" lift up front.. (-IF- I don't run 20's!)
..or I might install a drawer with tools, that might level it out..

It never ends!

 

[LSCALADE]

Those police wheels look awesome on the GMT900!

 

[mikez71]

Anyone who buys those wheels has good taste forsure!
Thanks for the positive reviews of your wheels! I love them too..
although I like my e-rated 17's too.. (picked up a screw within days of throwing those cop wheels on)

I really wanted a 4wd truck, but after lifting it and not being able to stuff much tire in there, ehhh..

Now with the police wheels I might have to lower it a tiny bit..

This process is neverending.. I think my KYB fronts settled a tiny bit..
It just has to look right and I'll leave it alone.. (Those pictures are the good angles, sometimes it doesn't look right)