Leveling for 2000 Chevrolet 2500LD

I have a Chevrolet Silverado 2500LD (light duty). I sit much lower in the front than in the back, I have been looking at leveling kits to adjust this. I am looking for the cheapest yet most effective way of doing it. I originally wanted the Fabtech 3" Lift Spindle, but it is $429 for two peices of metal. I also looked at Spring blocks, there are 2" spring blocks but that isn't quite the amont of lift I need. Then I have heard of adjusting torsion bars, but I have heard this is not good for the torsion bars and will cause the need for replacement. Any help would be great.

Sean

Put stuff in the back of the truck, that's the real way to do it since the rear is higher so when it's weighted down it doesn't look or act like it's sagging. That's my method, you may wanna do more work or spend more money or make it more permanent but I'm lazy, cheap, and always changing my mind so.....

I have a 1996 2500 HD, and I would like to do the same thing.
I've been told that cranking the torsion bars up can do damage
to the ball joints, but not the torsion bars themselves. I have
also heard it makes your tires wear uneven, but I havent seen
any proof.
Mine are staying put until I find out more info.

Yea your right it may be the ball joints that are hurt by this. I also like the lifted look, so its not that i just want it to sit level, i want it to sit high and level. Im so picky :P

I just put some Ford torsion keys on my '99 Silverado the other day. Ended up raising the front about 2". Most of what I read also said there could be some adverse effects. But I will tell you, I think that it handles better now, not nearly as wallowy in the front end. So I'm happy so far. It now looks different than the 2WD trucks which is what I wanted. I guess time will tell if any thing wears out faster. (Truck has over 100,000 mi. on it) . I would say that if you want anything more than a couple inches you should look into a lift kit.

BTW, Ford torsion keys @ http://www.parts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213787&chapter=DP2020&appSectionid=19&groupid=20152&subgroupid=61922&make=10&model=F150%20pickup&year=1999&catalogid=1
for $18.14 each
I've seen sets for almost $200 on ebay, ...crazy.

ya they over charge on ebay because they think they can

torsion bars do not hurt if you get an alignment afterwards. if you do it at home it will wear wrong on many parts. they make caps that go over your springs that raise also on my 2000 2500 it set about 3-4" low and it would only be $55 a spring to have new ones made any height i wanted. check and see if their is a spring shop nearby

Yea your right it may be the ball joints that are hurt by this. I also like the lifted look, so its not that i just want it to sit level, i want it to sit high and level. Im so picky :P

Norwood...off topic but did you buy longer shocks for the rear when you put in the add-a-leaf? I really like the stance of your truck and have pretty much decided to duplicate your lift on my 2004.

Thanks

I have a Chevrolet Silverado 2500LD (light duty). I sit much lower in the front than in the back, I have been looking at leveling kits to adjust this. I am looking for the cheapest yet most effective way of doing it. I originally wanted the Fabtech 3" Lift Spindle, but it is $429 for two peices of metal. I also looked at Spring blocks, there are 2" spring blocks but that isn't quite the amont of lift I need. Then I have heard of adjusting torsion bars, but I have heard this is not good for the torsion bars and will cause the need for replacement. Any help would be great.

Sean

Sean, is your truck a 2wd or 4wd? I can't tell from the small avitar. As far as I know, the Fabtech lift spindles are for 2wd's only. 4wd trucks have torsion bars. If it is a 4wd, try just cranking the torsion bar bolts. It won't hurt the bars but it does create added stress to the C/V joints in the front axles, but I've never had any problems. An alignment is imperative after adjusting the front suspension height if you value tire life and safe handling.

Oh, now I see that Sean's post was from LAST YEAR. :screwy:

Guess I should have read the date before I replied to the original question now that it's been rehashed. Hopefully he has his answer by now.

Norwood...off topic but did you buy longer shocks for the rear when you put in the add-a-leaf? I really like the stance of your truck and have pretty much decided to duplicate your lift on my 2004.

Thanks

Nope, still running standard shocks yet and it's been the better part of a year with no adverse effects off-road or on. When the time comes for new shocks, I may look into getting slightly longer ones, but I'm not convinced that's necessary.