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The EASY way to install a Rough Country leveling kit!

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135K views 61 replies 40 participants last post by  Alderson  
#1 ·
I'd like to get people's take on this. If it's really this easy, I will attempt it myself. I was figuring I'd have to have a shop do it, because I am not that savvy with suspension work.
Thanks for your feedback!
 
#28 ·
I plan to adjust the headlights. I will set up a grid on my garage door before we do the leveling, and then readjust the beams to the original marks after we do the leveling.

So yes, it will throw off the headlights a fair bit, and they should always be re-adjusted after a leveling is done.
 
#30 ·
Optimus said:
The only thing I saw with that, is on my Top Gun Custom kit, I had to drop drop the knuckle to get the bolts in from the top down. If I went bottom up like they did, the bolt and nut contacted the axle shaft... My kit was more like a 2.5" block than a 2"... First side took a while, but it took longer to take the tires off and put them back on than it did to do the second side... If you have the tools and gumption, get 'er done!
I also installed the ebay spacer that you did.. I just cut some length off of the bolt that looked like it was going to contact the cv axle.... I also found that I had to remove the sway bar end link... vs. Just loosening it like shown in the video... not sure if it was due to the extra thickness over the RC unit or what.. but it went in much easier that way.

Also EK... Check out the new Toyo AT2... They have an almost identical tread pattern to the terra graps... but there are lots of good prices on them right now..
 
#31 ·
Eric, look into Wild Country XTX Sports, made by cooper here in the states!!! AT tire that is great in snow( so far) good road manners too, pretty good in water too!!!! I have them on my 09 CC, and like them very much!! Got my installed and out the door for just under $800. 265/65/18! So 285s would prolly be a bit more!! Gotta go raised whites!!! Look in my pics, those are the wild counties!!
 
#33 ·
Gereke09 said:
Eric, look into Wild Country XTX Sports, made by cooper here in the states!!! AT tire that is great in snow( so far) good road manners too, pretty good in water too!!!! I have them on my 09 CC, and like them very much!! Got my installed and out the door for just under $800. 265/65/18! So 285s would prolly be a bit more!! Gotta go raised whites!!! Look in my pics, those are the wild counties!!
Those do look great. $800 for all 4 tires is a pretty good deal.
Maybe you should do a leveling, too? :) It would look awesome!
 
#38 ·
That kit requires the struts to be removed as well. You can follow the video up to the point of installing the lower blocks. At that point you would need to remove the three nuts (3 on each strut) on top of the strut. This will let the strut drop down so you can install the upper spacer and then you bolt the strut back up into place. Once you've done that you are back on track with the video to install the lower spacers. This kit also involves changing out the rear lift blocks as well as the u-bolts which is not covered in this video.
 
#39 ·
Mr.Joshua said:
That kit requires the struts to be removed as well. You can follow the video up to the point of installing the lower blocks. At that point you would need to remove the three nuts (3 on each strut) on top of the strut. This will let the strut drop down so you can install the upper spacer and then you bolt the strut back up into place. Once you've done that you are back on track with the video to install the lower spacers. This kit also involves changing out the rear lift blocks as well as the u-bolts which is not covered in this video.
Thanks
 
#40 ·
id like to thank everyone that has posed in this thread on leveling kits and like most here been all over the net trying to decide on how high and what brand. since iv added the winch mount and winch to the front of my 2012 GMC Sierra RCSB its been sitting like its sniffing the dirt :lol:. Thanks to this thread and others iv read iv decided on going with the Rough Country 2.5" kit. now to find were to get the kit for the best price and shipping to Canada.
 
#43 ·
kit is now installed. As u can see from the second pic top of front rim is about level with top of front bumper. Second pic top of front tire is about level with the top of front bumper.

measured from center of axle from ground to bottom of wheel well
front stock 36 1/8", after lift 38 3/4"
rear stock 39 1/4", after lift 40 1/4"
 

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#45 ·
That video is hogwash and I wasted time by following it. I did my RC kit today (will post pics later) and it took me FOUR DAMNED HOURS. PArt of that time was going to Harbor Freight for a pry bar though. Once I actually (completely) unbolted the sway bar, it was much easier than trying to leave it connected. I didn't touch the tie rod, and I unbolted 90% of the top ball joint. The RC instructions gave the wrong allen size too...7/32 when mine was 5mm. The 2nd side went MUCH smoother once I had the learning curve down. I added my 285/70s at the same time and MAN that truck looks mean. Mine's a 2wd.
 
#46 ·
Wakko said:
That video is hogwash and I wasted time by following it. I did my RC kit today (will post pics later) and it took me FOUR DAMNED HOURS. PArt of that time was going to Harbor Freight for a pry bar though. Once I actually (completely) unbolted the sway bar, it was much easier than trying to leave it connected. I didn't touch the tie rod, and I unbolted 90% of the top ball joint. The RC instructions gave the wrong allen size too...7/32 when mine was 5mm. The 2nd side went MUCH smoother once I had the learning curve down. I added my 285/70s at the same time and MAN that truck looks mean. Mine's a 2wd.
i fond a 6mm worked on mine instead of the 7/32 and u are right the second side was way smother
 
#47 ·
I got this kit for my 14. A buddy of mine who works in a tire shop said hed help me out. He says all we need to do it take out the bottom strut bolts and use a pry bar and the spacer will slide in. If so, it would be easier than the video looked, although the video looked pretty easy already. If you have an extra set of hands, will just undoing the strut bots work?
 
#48 ·
allterrainjoe said:
When I was down in Mississippi on holiday last week I had a 2.5 '' readylift leveling kit installed.total cost - kit,install,alignment,tax = $ 370.00. Which is a heck of a lot less than I was quoted up here.So for me it was worth having the pros do it.Hope it helps you decide.....
That seems like a hell of a lot of money to have a a simple leveling kit installed. Whatever works for you I guess.
I have been installing the front leveling kits for $100. If they do the rear blacks I charge another $50.
 
#51 ·
Just did mine last Saturday on my 2013 Silverado. Second side went faster until tightening the sway bar link to torque specs. First side torqued right up. Second side, the nut on the sway bar linked stripped out around 20 foot pounds. Ran down to Napa for a replacement and it torqued right up. Loving the new stance. Front is a half inch lower then the rear now. The ride feels better, tough to say how but it just feels more comfortable. Firestone said they don't do lifted or lowered vehicle alignments by me. A private shop is doing the alignment on Friday morning.