'05 2500HD 2" leveling kit questions

[oldirty]

hello all,

i am seriously thinking of the 2" leveling kit for my rig for two reasons. 1) to make the truck sit level obviously and 2) to make absolutely sure i have NO rubbing in front when i install my LT285/75R16 BFG A/T's/stock 16x6.5 wheel combo.

first off, will i need new shocks in front when i install the new torsion bar indexing keys. one web site that sells them said yes and i think it's just an evil ploy to get more money out of the customer because if you look at it like this: the rear is already 2" higher than the front and it uses the same shocks correct?

secondally, will installing the new indexing keys effect the 4WD system in any way?

finally, i should have no rubbing up front with this done and the tires i am installing correct?

thanks in advance to anyone who can give me any insight.

~aaron

[catback23]

I hear alot of negative comments on the higher rear ends on trucks but personally I like em better that way. I use the truck for it's intended purpose of hauling crap on the back and I hate sagging rear end syndrome along with the terrible handling it creates. So I like the fact that the truck levels out with a load on the back instead of sagging from an unloaded level position. But that's just my thinking since I drive loaded trucks pretty often.

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by oldirty

hello all,

i am seriously thinking of the 2" leveling kit for my rig for two reasons. 1) to make the truck sit level obviously and 2) to make absolutely sure i have NO rubbing in front when i install my LT285/75R16 BFG A/T's/stock 16x6.5 wheel combo.~aaron

You will not have any rubbing issues on your HD with 285's and the bars tightened.

Personally, I suggest that you try just turning the adjusting bolts in equally and see where that gets you before wasting money on a re-indexed key set. I turned mine in 8 turns and ended up with 2" more front end height. I had 1/2" toe in as a result, so an alignment was necessary. My factory shocks are still in place with no issues.

My buddy paid an alignment shop to do the same thing to his '04 after installing 285's. They got it up 1 3/4" and realigned for 90 bucks! I see he has quite a bit of threads left on his adjusting bolts if he wanted to go a little higher.

[twomorestrokes]

Oh, I did need to trim the plastic lower valance a little bit on my '02. V-e-r-y slight contact on turns. No problem on the fender liners.

The 285's look nice on there.

[oldirty]

now with the bars cranked, will there be any 4wd problems? i've heard from people that it is problematic on the 4wd system when you crank-up the bars? also, i have heard that the ride is much stiffer when the bars are cranked versus installing the new indexed keys.

money is no option so i don't mind spending the $100 or so for the new keys. what i'm just trying to find out is the best way to get 2" more in front without suffering DRASTIC ride quality AND 4wd system performance.

i figured some of you can give me first hand experience with these scenerios.

thanks.

~aaron

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by oldirty

now with the bars cranked, will there be any 4wd problems? i've heard from people that it is problematic on the 4wd system when you crank-up the bars? also, i have heard that the ride is much stiffer when the bars are cranked versus installing the new indexed keys.

It does put a greater angle on the C/V joints, so it could possibly shorten the life. I've never experienced the problem on any of my IFS Chevys.

On my two '88-'98 body style trucks, it did indeed stiffen the ride. On this '02 HD it did not seem to change the ride at all. It feels the same as it did, just higher. Must be different geometry of the control arms.

As far as stiffer ride with the bars cranked versus re-indexed keys, that doesn't make sense. Both ways do the same thing...raise the front suspension by putting more twist on the bars. Raising 2" by "cranking" creates the same tension on the torsion bars that re-indexed keys would if raising the same amount. Claims of a smoother ride by using the keys are a crock. The only advantage of using the keys is the possibility of raising the front a little farther because you may run out of bolt threads with the stock keys, as I was about to. Luckily, I was only looking for 2" more height and I was able to obtain that without spending any money.