2" (or larger) leveling kit on 2009 - maybe not such a good idea
#18
03-16-2011, 11:42 AM
I'm quiet because I'm speachless (yes, me) 
All I can say is - those poor balljoints....
It never ceases to amaze me why folks will compromise the ride quality, travel, reliability and safety of their stock suspension geometry for something as ethereal as a 'look'.
There are ways to do this correctly - and that ain't it.
MGD
All I can say is - those poor balljoints....
It never ceases to amaze me why folks will compromise the ride quality, travel, reliability and safety of their stock suspension geometry for something as ethereal as a 'look'.
There are ways to do this correctly - and that ain't it.
MGD
Instead of putting a 2" spacer on top of the strut and pushing the entire assembly down and out of the range of motion that factory specs call for, you can put a 1" spacer up there and be fine. The other spacer goes in the strut giving the other inch of lift. This should not be compared to 2" pretension spacers, because that's too much, it results in a harsh ride. But the 1" spacer is actually perfect, because the small amount of pretension offsets the heavier wheel and tire.
Here's an example of one of these kits.
http://trailmastersuspension.com/det...KIT&Active=Yes
#19
03-16-2011, 11:47 AM
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#20
03-16-2011, 12:01 PM
I have no idea what kit was on your truck, but mine has the Performance Accessories kit. Rides and handles like stock.
#21
03-16-2011, 02:13 PM
Similar issue
I installed the Autospring 2' and I had the same issue upon install but only on my drivers side...When everything was put back together but still on the jackstands there was a space between the upper arm and spring on pass. side but the driver side was hitting. However when I got the truck aligned the space between the arm and spring is even on both sides now. I have not raised the front of the truck off of the ground since so I dont know if they hit. My guess is yes because there are marks on the springs....I hope it doesnt cause any issues but the ride is exactly the same :/ (with the exception of turning radius) and Autospring says it wont damage your arms and springs At the bottom of the ebay link it says the 2" is good for towing and hauling...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTO-...Q5fAccessories Im not answing your question, but I am telling you I have the same thoughts about the AS 2".
#22
03-16-2011, 05:04 PM
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Also, as far as the 'Well when you do the math, if the 5100's lift the truck 2" ' comment, I would like to know the spacing between the stock (0") and other snap ring locations so I can compare it the thickness of the AS 2" kit. Since my 2" AS lift kit lifted my front nearly 3", so I am not confident that manufacture claims on how much their product will raise my front are accurate.
Did anyone measure the distance between the snap ring locations on the 5100s for an '09 4x4? Also, are there three or four options on this shock? (The images on the Internet show both.)
While I am at it, how much do the 5100s impact the ride from stock? I am considering swapping all 4.
Thanks!
Last edited by 2009KR; 03-16-2011 at 06:27 PM.
#24
03-18-2011, 01:42 PM
I put on a 2" AS leveling kit on my 2009 4x4 last year. I have posted my pictures and concerns about the extreme angle of the upper control arm earlier this year, but now have a new concern. After reading the Bilstein literature (thinking about swapping my leveling kit for a 5100 to have a little lower front end since I am going to tow a 4 ton trailer this summer), they claim an issue with leveling kits is that they prevent the strut-limiter from engaging properly resulting in suspension damage. Well, on my truck, the strut clearly no longer limits the suspension travel with the leveling kit installed. The photo below shows that my upper control arm can hit my spring (truck is jacked on the frame here).
And this photo shows the scar on the spring from the impacts it has had with my upper control arm. This is with a truck that is not driven off road.
I am removing my 1" stacked block next week and adding Firestone airsprings to level out the back, both unloaded and loaded. (Without the 1" stacked block, my front was 1/2" higher than my rear with the 2" kit.) What do you think about swapping out my 2" AS kit, which raised my front nearly 3", with Bilstein 5100's set to 1.5"?
And this photo shows the scar on the spring from the impacts it has had with my upper control arm. This is with a truck that is not driven off road.
I am removing my 1" stacked block next week and adding Firestone airsprings to level out the back, both unloaded and loaded. (Without the 1" stacked block, my front was 1/2" higher than my rear with the 2" kit.) What do you think about swapping out my 2" AS kit, which raised my front nearly 3", with Bilstein 5100's set to 1.5"?
#25
04-09-2011, 03:04 AM
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