leveling kits, do they really make it level?

[the1laf]

The owner of my rig before me was really hard on the suspension... somehow he broke 3 leafs on each side in the rear. I replaced them with a set from a salvage yard with 88k miles about a year ago, and still have the original front springs with 271k...

Now I'm trying to level out my truck, but there is close to 4.5" difference in between the front and rear wheel wells (measuring from the top of the wheel-well to the ground) with the rear sitting at 43".

So the question is, how high are our trucks supposed to set with a leveling kit, do they really make the wheel-wells level, and can i jack up the front end that 4.5" to make it level without screwing anything up?

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

you can safely go about 2" before you have to change other stuff like trac bar brackets, shocks ect. for your setup your better off buying new leafsprings for the front and see if that will help you come closer to level...

-Raul

[the1laf]

With as many miles as i have, newer springs were at the top of the list, I was looking at something close to a fabtech 3.5" shackle because i heard the AAL's make for a rough ride, but i'm open to suggestions.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

i had the 3.5" hanger kit on my truck... it does great but it uses your factor leafs.... i did the 3.5" hangers and add a leafs in the rear and it sat perfect level....i was able to clear 35's this way

[the1laf]

How much did you have to change with the shakles and the AAL's, track bar etc.

[TiredIron02]

I have a 2 and a half inch superlift leveling kit on my 02 with 251,000 on it and believe me it was a contractors truck before i had it on the stock springs and it sits quite level. See the pics if u need to.

[roccodart440]

I have xcodes and a bds 2 1/2" shackle kit i the front and 4" leafs i the rear and it sits just right.

[CT Performance, Inc.]

Once you decide the overall stance you want your truck at, its easy to recomened a kit to get you better than stock ride quality. Since your truck is 4.5" lower in front your front springs are shot. New stock springs with the correct hanger kit and shocks will ride better than stock. When it comes to add-a-leafs they will not help the ride quality..better ways to raise the rear if needed.
If I can help please PM me.

Cary

[the1laf]

roccodart440, how do the "x" codes ride, I thought about using them instead of the "v" codes that came stock, and how well do the bilstien's do on their part?

one more question... how far is it from the top of your wheel well to the ground, as far as how far the body is in the air, even though your running 35's.