Level a 2011 Chevy

[foosed]

I just got a 2011 Chevy 1500 ext cab z71, and i'm looking to get it to set about like a 3/4 ton. According to some measurements off of a friends 3/4 ton, i would need to lift the front about 3" and the rear 1" and run a 33" tire to be close. I read nothing but bad things about the rough country 3.5" lift, but i havent heard anything about the ccm 3" lift. Does anyone have pics/info on this kit? Also i cant find a 1" block for the rear, does anyone know where I can find one? Thanks

[GCncsuHD]

Technically speaking, comparing stock to stock, 2" all around would get you to the same height as a stock 3/4 ton.

Well first off, 3" is about the limit as far as leveling kits go, any further causes excessive wear on steering, CVs, and ball joints as well as reduced down travel. Both the CCM and the Rough Country use upper strut spacers to achieve the lift, the exception being Rough Country supplies upper control arms and diff drop brackets to relieve the angles on the CV shafts and upper ball joint and regains some down travel. The lower ball joint, tie rod ends, and ride still suffer.

Personally I wouldn't go over 2" leveling kit for those reasons, instead I would invest in the 2" leveling coupled with a 1.5" body lift to get the height you want. Keep in mind the increased height of the 3/4 ton is mostly due to the taller frame height (2" taller) which basically provides the effect of a 2" body lift. Also, many of the taller upper strut spacers require cutting the stock strut studs, making it impossible to return to stock, while most 1.5-2" lower strut spacers are much easier to install and have no issues if you decide to return to stock later.

As far as the rear, you shouldn't be looking for a 1" block if you want to go up, your truck already has a 1.25" block back there, you should be looking for a 2" or 2.5" block to replace it with to achieve ~1" of lift back there.

[foosed]

I appreciate you prompt response. I will look into what you have suggested. Do you have a certain kit or brand that you would prefer over the others?

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by foosed

I appreciate you prompt response. I will look into what you have suggested. Do you have a certain kit or brand that you would prefer over the others?

Whichever is cheapest. For the most part, a spacer is a spacer. Although I prefer lower strut spacers to top spacers for ease of install and ease of returning to stock. Not to mention, they are usually cheaper, although you can't get as much lift from the bottom spacers.

[foosed]

Thanks for your help. I like the looks of the fat bob's kit http://fatbobsgarage.com/i-7189721-c...2007-2012.html What do you think?

[GCncsuHD]

I haven't heard much about that particular brand, but appears that it will do the job just fine. Looks to be a 1.5" upper spacer combined with a 1" lower spacer. (That way they can get by without cutting the stock upper strut mount bolts).

Nice thing about it you can add/remove the lower spacer as you wish to get the exact height you want.

[foosed]

Thank you very much, you have been a big help. I will be ordering this kit and will post the results when I am finished

[grayharville]

I just put a rough country 2 leveling kit on the front of my 2010 and like it very much, if you want additional lift in the rear, get a stock block from a 99-06 z71.

I wouldn't recommend anything over a 2.5 inch spacer, my angles look bad enough with a 2"
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[919cw313]

How do those kits affect the factory warranty?

[grayharville]

It wont as long as it doesn't directly cause the problem, such as premature balljoint wear or something of that nature. I've had no problems with mine
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[GCncsuHD]

Generally they won't affect the warranty, but it is very easy for a dealer to invalidate the warranty on parts such as ball joints, cv axles, axle seals, tie rod ends, and even drivetrain components because of the larger tires that usually go along with it.

[grayharville]

You are correct sir. I just put stock size mudgrips on mine, so that mpg won't suffer and hopefully not much hassle at the dealership if anything goes wrong
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[foosed]

I just recieved my kit from Fat Bob's Garage yesterday, and I am not happy. It came with the front spacers and the u-bolts for the rear only, no blocks. Also, I thought that the front spacers looked awful thin, so I took a tape to them and the top and bottom spacers combined measured about 1 1/4". I called the place and told them they had forgot my blocks and that I asked for a 2 1/2" front lift, and the spacers that I had recieved were only 1 1/4". He told me (rudely) that there is no way you could have 2 1/2" of spacers and the the 1 1/4" will lift the front 2 1/2". How is this possible?

[foosed]

After researching online, I found that strut spacers are only supposed to be half of the size of the lift. Can someone please explain to me how this works?

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by foosed

After researching online, I found that strut spacers are only supposed to be half of the size of the lift. Can someone please explain to me how this works?

It is simple geometry....think of it this way, your struts are roughly 1/2 the way between the frame and the wheel.

Look at it this way, think of the area from the pivot point of the control arm to the wheel as a triangle, with a smaller triangle inside from the strut to the wheel. If you make the inner triangle bigger, the big triangle outside will grow proportionately.



This is the same idea behind getting 10" of wheel travel from only using a 5" travel shock.

[foosed]

Thanks, I understand now. The company has sent out my rear blocks and they should be here by the beginning of next week.

[foosed]

I should have updated this thread months ago. I got the leveling kit on without a problem, and am very happy with the results. I put it on over my Christmas break and got it aligned. I also had the front windows tinted 15% to match the rears and tow mirrors put on. I got a nice low profile tonneu cover from access which is also a very good product. I debadged and de molded the whole pickup days after I got it. I chopped off the factory muffler and clamped on a cherry bomb glasspack with a turn down, it sounds great. I paint matched the rear bumper as well. Just recently I put on a set of 20 inch moto metal mo962 wheels with 33x12.50 cooper discoverer tires. Some trimming of the fenders was needed to clear the tires with no rubbing (google norcal fender mod from duramax forum). That is about it.
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[foosed]

Picture
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[grayharville]

Looks great! Need more pics!
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[foosed]

Another one


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[foosed]

From the back


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[grayharville]

What's the backspace on those wheels? Looks tough
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[foosed]

Last one to show how far the wheels stick out. 20x9 0 offset 5 inch bs.


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[foosed]

Originally Posted by grayharville

What's the backspace on those wheels? Looks tough
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Thanks, I think it does too. I am worried about rock chips now so I am going to look into the 3m film to put along the bottom of my doors.
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[Cole Trickle]

I have a 2009 with the ccm 2.5" front spacer and 33" nittos.

No issues and no rubbing with the 17" kmc hoss wheels