Leveling kit Differences

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Zarati

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New to the Yukon platform and I noticed there are 2 distinctly different styles of leveling kits. One is basically a U shaped bracket that mounts at the bottom of the strut. The other appears to be a round spacer that melts at the top of the coil Spring. That seems more secure and safer but what is everyone's thoughts on the much cheaper U-shaped bracket at the bottom of the strut? Looking at the Rough Country one but open to other options.
 

Dustin Jackson

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I’d say it’s safe to run the U style for like 1 inch anything past that you’ll want to get the style that goes on top for obvious reasons.

They are all basically hunks of metal so brand to brand I don’t think there much difference just make sure they’re metal.
 

Drgracin72

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New to the Yukon platform and I noticed there are 2 distinctly different styles of leveling kits. One is basically a U shaped bracket that mounts at the bottom of the strut. The other appears to be a round spacer that melts at the top of the coil Spring. That seems more secure and safer but what is everyone's thoughts on the much cheaper U-shaped bracket at the bottom of the strut? Looking at the Rough Country one but open to other options.
I've got some rough country ones I didn't use if you're interested. I'll sell em cheap
 
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Zarati

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Well now you guys have me thinking about just putting 5100s on instead of the rough country horse shoe spacer. I'll probably drive it for a month here and figure out if I need other suspension stuff too before I dig into it. Thanks for the help and suggestions.
 
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Zarati

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I've got some rough country ones I didn't use if you're interested. I'll sell em cheap
Thanks. I'll let you know. Currently waiting for State patrol inspection and once I start driving at I'll determine whether I'm doing a spacer or if it needs front shocks I'll just go to 5100 route as well.
 

fondupot

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Never been a fan of spacer type leveling kits, either the top spacer or the bottom ones.

I've always leveled my trucks with Bilstein style ride height adjustable struts. No doubt the spacers are easier to install, but if you're going in to do the work on a spacer, it's only a little more work to do the entire strut. Especially if struts are on the list to replace soon anyways.
 

Charlie207

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it's only a little more work to do the entire strut.

I had the Rough Country leveling kit up until the other day, and just installed Bilstein 5100s, and this isn't really true at all.

The 5100s require you to remove the existing coil spring (some people can't do that at all), and acquire suitable spring perches as the 5100s don't come with any. This is on top of buying the top shock/strut mount if the old ones are rusted up tight or have wrecked threads.

The leveling kits are super-easy, compared to doing the 5100 install, and if you have a 2wd rig, require only four nuts/bolts to install (five for the 4wd front suspensions) versus renting spring compressors, dealing with that top shock nut, assessing clapped out spring isolators, buying a bunch of new parts on top of the new shocks.
 

fondupot

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I had the Rough Country leveling kit up until the other day, and just installed Bilstein 5100s, and this isn't really true at all.

The 5100s require you to remove the existing coil spring (some people can't do that at all), and acquire suitable spring perches as the 5100s don't come with any. This is on top of buying the top shock/strut mount if the old ones are rusted up tight or have wrecked threads.

The leveling kits are super-easy, compared to doing the 5100 install, and if you have a 2wd rig, require only four nuts/bolts to install (five for the 4wd front suspensions) versus renting spring compressors, dealing with that top shock nut, assessing clapped out spring isolators, buying a bunch of new parts on top of the new shocks.

That's why I said the Bilstein's are more work. I guess "little" was more of a sarcastic use. But all the rest of your points stand valid.
 

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