How to install leveling kit on 2014 - current Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra

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Complete step-by-step guide to installing a leveling kit on your GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado, and other GM full-size truck or SUV.
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[@XerSuperNational]

Good job. As a tip, for installation, after doing a couple trucks myself, there is no need to remove the sway bar links if you have both wheels removed and both hanging at the same time. You only have to remove the sway bar link if you jack up one side of the truck if you do each side independently. Figured to share this tip, sometimes the sway bar links threads and nuts are rusty and a pain to remove.

[@J92Qjamz]

Video was made 3 years ago and no one in 2021 is smart enough to put the camera on their head and record ! Awesome video sir best I've seen

[@timmarquezdiy2079]

Great tutorial, everything looks straight forward. I loved that your video was straight to the point and didn't waste my time with fancy intros and worthless music. Bravo!

[@marquezn8]

Great Video! I watched it a few times prior to installing the leveling kit and during the tear down and installation. You make everything look so easy, I had a hard time with placing the ball joint back into the spindle. Thanks for posting I saved myself $300 by DIY. Thanks.

[@JoseLopez-gq5zh]

I just wanted to let you know, your video saved my ass yesterday!!! I installed a 2.25 leveling kit on my wife’s 18 silverado!! Thanks again for a very detailed informational video brotha!! ✊🏽🤙🏽💯💯

[@probey76227]

That's a great video, excellent speed and commentary with just the right about of detail, thanks.

[@Nick24824]

Great video. Never had any type of auto background, just basic mechanical knowledge and this video got me through without any problems.

[@JCK363]

I installed a 3"F/2"R leveling kit today. I'm comfortable with a wrench, but have never done suspension or steering related projects before. Your video was awesome for getting through it. It covered the unforseen things like a spinning tie rod bolt, lining up the bottom two strut bolts under difficult angles, you name it. Thank you for putting out this video! I might still be under the truck without it!

[@drummerboyb.4009]

Is your truck sitting evening with the 3/2 leveling kit? I just purchased one for my Silverado, comes in tomorrow. And you have to get an alignment after

[@JCK363]

Drummer boy B. Yes I did have to get an alignment afterwards. It’s been about three years now and I’m still very happy with the results. I’ve driven the truck over 100,000 miles since I installed the leveling kit and have not had a single issue.

[@drummerboyb.4009]

Thanks, I appreciate it

[@ilyxuan_]

John Knisley did you stay with stock control arms?

[@JCK363]

Xuan Hoang yes the only thing I installed was the leveling kit like the one shown here and bigger tires.

[@nrfa6229]

Awesome step x step video man! Finally someone who actually takes the time to do step x step. I thumbs up, subscribed and hit the bell for any new videos you come out with. Thanks so much. Pls keep them coming. ✌🏼🇺🇸

[@mrmidnight32]

Great instruction. I already did mine but I’m glad I watched. You explain it so clearly and we’ll. Wish this came up when I was looking for videos to install my spacer. Better than the other ones I watched.

[@sierranick6293]

Thanks for making this video. Made installing my 2.25" procomp kit a breeze. My tie rods did not remove as easy as yours. Had to pry them out, ended up tearing the boot.

[@bankswooten2281]

Thank god finally a good video of an install. Good job man!!

[@littleD3B03]

Thanks for the video, guy. Super helpful and detailed, much more confident about buying a leveling kit

[@ignaciomartinez718]

Thanks for sharing your video. I will be installing a new 3" front kit this weekend and I am so glad and grateful for your AWESOME VIDEO. THANKS

[@Mason-vc9pd]

it’s been a while but how did it go v

[@thearchitecturalgamer6652]

Lot more detailed than the Motofab one dude. Helped us when we got stuck putting it back together lol. Keep it up👌🏻

[@mikec3454]

Excellent, straight to the point video. Only thing it was missing was some before and after shots of the truck... was hoping to see that!

[@jimmyjack333]

Thanks for the video. Followed step by step and turned out great.

[@Tanner8585]

Great video bro! Helped me on the decision to get a spacer for the top. I was worried about the bottom bolts lining up. You made it look uncomplicated!

[@adammccallum7493]

Yep just spent almost 6 hours putting on my leveling kit but I had a lot of issues trying to put my on with a little rustier truck

[@jimwise5626]

great video explained everything to install the leveling kit

[@donaldbenke9542]

Very therow,i was impressed.the best video ive seen on instructions.

[@dannydanial805]

Very very accurate I am impressed. Keep up the good work buddy

[@kyle9683]

Great instructional video! Nice job!

[@Kevechab]

best leveling kit video thank man!!!!

[@andrewdonahue5196]

Awesome video man, thanks!!

[@robbiehayes2060]

You made that look easy. I had so much trouble trying to get my bolts started on the bottom of the strut.

[@CarlosMolina-eg7sb]

Robbie Hayes lol me too

[@tybrown1448]

Ive had the same problem, had to buy two new ones in the process

[@haydenwhitley4201]

@@tybrown1448 did you get the bolts at a part store? Broke the clips and bolt on mine lol

[@tybrown1448]

@@haydenwhitley4201 damn my bad, just seeing this. I ended up getting em from the dealer, but you could prolly find some at the parts store or Fastenal

[@jaysiddall9149]

Really clean well done video.

[@jmdpo17]

Great detailed and simple video.. Keep it up.

[@m8sandman]

I've been a full time mechanic for decades and have never had a ball joint or tie rod end seperate that easily. Don't expect it to be that easy when doing it yourself.

[@marcaliventialiventi765]

You forgot about the wife stopping you halfway through the installation process to do crap for her

[@pedrorodrigueziii4859]

Modern day solution? I'm doing this install on my wife's truck.

[@chrisf7953]

If you want proper ball joint angles you should install some aftermarket UCA's if you're going with any 2.5" + leveling kit. Rides alot better too and you won't be replacing stuff constantly. Check out the ones from Rough Country

[@ParanoidWarpig1]

Awesome video thank you

[@dunfamily]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@alexmitchell5133]

Great video 🔥

[@RideWithTheWolf]

i wish you showed the finished truck and before

[@southtexasff]

Its a little easier to take off the upper suspension bolts from under the hood with a longer extension attached to the socket..

[@andrewreyes1068]

Thank you bro

[@armandomunoz846]

I bought this leveling kit, the only thing I didn't like and they didn't think about making the screws that come with the kit a little longer to be able to put the clips of the cables that go over the shock absorber

[@tha1Gemini24]

No ball joint issues with that 3in spacer?

[@fernandoroybal5074]

How much do you tighten down the sway bar end links? I installed my kit and tightened them down but wasn't sure how tight to go. I could have still turned them more but wasn't sure how tight was to tight.

[@basknbark6601]

I’m having the hardest time putting everything back together nothing is wanting to line up right nothing wants to be even close to the hole like the sway bar it’s so far away from the hole I’m afraid I’m gonna bend something if I jack it up further I think I’m just gonna go back outside in the morning and take everything back off and start assembling like u did step by step same way u did see if that helps and maybe get a better longer pry bar cuz I’m using a torque wrench as a pry bar lol

[@mikey1000tx]

Beautiful Nice.

[@tyreldrover4741]

Nice 👍

[@victorortega2718]

Great vid man

[@everythingatv1704]

You have too do a wheel alignment. When done

[@Manofwar9431]

Can you install a 3in front and to 2in rear on a factory z71 suspension on a 14 silverado?

[@dominicerickson232]

If only things came apart this easy in Michigan

[@alexlawson7322]

Used your video to install a leveling kit on my 2017 silverado. It was a great help however we could not get the spindle loose shown at 2:35. We had to disconnect the entire control arm. Something about the 2017 silverados have a weird top on the spindle and we couldn't figure out how to get it loose. Just giving a heads up for anyone that has a 2017 or newer.

[@MrCmode]

Had the same problem with my 17 GMC Sierra. Very difficult to separate. Air hammer worked good but still had too whack it several times. Finally won.

[@MAL-92]

Had the same problem. Started on a Tuesday, got to that part and couldnt get it loose i said forget it i gotta wake up at 430 am for work ill save it for the weekend. I do have a 2017 z71 too. Hopefully it goes smooth.

[@mariochingon3842]

Great tutorial! Would i need an alignment after this?

[@thedealerofdeath100]

Yes

[@ericeaton9181]

Yes it is highly recommended.

[@codyrandall6952]

great video but the hitting of the spindle with a hammer to knock the ball joint loose was a little deceiving since you cut off frame. This takes a long time of banging that bad boy.

[@lennydonofrio2849]

Great video... What type of leveling kit did you use??? I’m looking to go 2 inches on my 2011 Silverado

[@ericeaton9181]

Motofab 3" in this video.

[@omarmontoya8885]

Do you need to do alignment

[@kevinlozano9279]

What if the upper ball joint will not budge lose?

[@hellzsniperII]

why did you remove the clip nuts if you were going to reuse them?

[@BDN355]

Does the kit affect camber

[@rogervee689]

Question, do you have to disconnect the electric steering before installing a 2” lift kit?

[@ericeaton9181]

No

[@JulianFRosales]

Do these leveling kits for a 07?

[@angelag2452]

Do I have to get new upper control arms after installing a 2.5 ??

[@ericeaton9181]

No. It wouldn't hurt to do so but not necessary. 2.5 -3" is the max without aftermarket control arms.

[@andresleal7284]

I just bought this kit, tried installing it on my 2018 Silverado 1500 4x4 and couldn’t for the life of me get the the lower strut bolts to line up through the lower control arm into the strut. Seems that the top of the strut wasn’t allowing the bottom to sit correctly onto the lower control arm. Any tips? Or am I doing something wrong?

[@MrCmode]

It's tough but they go. Just have to want it. The angle grew so it makes it tough.

[@rahalati]

I installed this kit on my gmc 1500 truck successfully but unfortunately I started getting Traction control and stability light coming up … any idea why or what causes this

[@dannyruby1434]

Kinked/stressed ABS line, possibly. That was the issue when I lifted my Tacoma anyway. Just had to give it slack where it was tight near the bracket on the UCA. Easy fix, no issues beyond that.

[@rahalati]

@@dannyruby1434 thanks, problem solved after doing wheel alignment

[@keithmassey1141]

What is the diameter of that spacer?

[@Truth-prevails831]

You skipped the part where you tighten back the control arm, that nut and joint wont stop spinning when tightening..any suggestions?

[@johnm.runyon3682]

I’m having same issue.

[@buckskinz]

Do you have to get an alignment after with a 2.5' kit on a 2014 4wd

[@dluker23]

You should get a alignment any time you alter the suspension geometry on any vehicle

[@JustBrewing]

Absolutely, no ifs, ands, or buts!! Lol

[@derekmastel1703]

Does it affect the the alignment at all?

[@croomrider9785]

Derek Mastel you will need to get an alignment after installing the level kit, my local place only charged me $50 for an alignment

[@brandongarnett5582]

should i get an alignment afterwards?

[@AutoRex101]

Yes. An alignment is recommended after any change to the suspension.

[@truckin_nation6703]

Do you had to do an a alignment after this installation?

[@AutoRex101]

An alignment is recommended.

[@ryans6449]

Might as well do a 6inch lift

[@1LSUredneck]

I’m so frustrated right now. Got everything torn down and the spacer installed and the whole strut assembly back on and could not for the life of me get the ball joint to move up into place. Pitting a floor jack under the lower control arm would actually lift the truck up. Fought with it for 4 hours only to tear it back down and remove the spacer and reassemble it back to factory. I’m lost as to why the assembly wouldn’t rotate up.

[@2chavey]

Same boat as you. I did exactly what he showed (before seeing the video) but could not get the lower shock mounts on- top of the lower A-Arm. See 5:45 in the video - my lower shock mounts were still 2" under the A-Arm. Got a spring compressor which got me to about 1/2" off, but when lifting the lower shock with a floor jack it lifted the truck off the jack stand. (2015 Silverado LTZ 4x4 Z71). I've taken everything apart and called the Mfgr of the leveling kit. Suggested I use ratchet straps around the upper and lower A-Arms to pull them together. We'll try in a couple weeks. One thing I noted is that the upper A-Arm mounts had much more metal around them preventing the A-Arm from dropping too far. See 8:30 in the video where the Upper A-Arms mount to the frame. Mfgr suggested I grind those down. Maybe I'll try that in a couple weeks.

[@zacharystiver6419]

@@2chavey I have the same truck and just bought a 3 in leveling spacer from supreme suspension. hope I don't run into the same issue..

[@jaredhankins5605]

@@zacharystiver6419 I'm just wondering if you've had issues with your 3" install? I've just purchased a 3" from supreme suspensions as well and am worried the angle it creates will be too much for the ball joints over time.

[@chosenwon5618]

In real time how long does this take from start to finish?

[@mrcloatz1832]

Couple hours

[@Echo6Tango]

You gotta swap the strut assemblies...driver side will go to the passenger side and vise versa

[@dumbeezy5480]

instead of rotating the bottom bushing?

[@Echo6Tango]

@@dumbeezy5480 what bottom bushing? If your installing the spacer that goes at the top of the strut tower...then you will need to flip passenger side with drivers side. If your doing that spacers that go under the strut then just install them. Not need to even drop the strut assembly at all just loosen it

[@dumbeezy5480]

@@Echo6Tango I gotcha, i just did it on my cousins Chevy. Thx

[@lamontcranston3185]

One thing people forget to mention about level/lift kits is now you've changed the angle of the CV joint so be prepared for premature wear and cracked boots in about a year.

[@Mason-vc9pd]

do you have to swap the assemblies?

[@mikem8475]

How many ball joints has that suspension gone through in the last year ??

[@kirstanlorrow8621]

I cant get my top a arm to go all the way into the spindle

[@ericeaton9181]

The nut will pull it in as you tighten it down.

[@JuanHernandez-dy2ed]

Hoy many inches are you up.

[@david_gloria4_pb]

was you able to but the wires back on the top of strut bolts after you installed leveling kit?

[@bridger911]

No the bolts aren't long enough to clip them back on

[@julianrivera20]

My ball joints won’t come off after almost bending the thing with a big sledgehammer this doesn’t make sense at this point wth

[@dannyyarbrough3409]

I don't take all of the ball joints etc off.

[@kevinkelly9303]

He didn't line the Sturt Tag back up facing out as it was when he removed it. Or does that Matter??

[@camaroboi13]

Are your ball joints still alive? That’s some ugly angle you have on them now. I’m not going above 2” to make sure I don’t wear mine out. Heard 3” is rough on the joints

[@cancan5812]

It wore my cv boots out on Mine after I did a three in. I was slinging grease like crazy. Plus my tie rod boot broke on both tie rods by being that stretched out. So I wouldnt recommend going above a 2 in

[@jameskeene1340]

He forgot the wire fasteners on top of the strut bolts.

[@SuperPostman33]

You dont have to have a 4 wheel drive to have a 2 in leveling kit right. Plus if you have factory wheels on should you get bigger wheels after putting on 2 in leveling kit?

[@brycesholar3985]

SuperPostman33 nah you don’t need a 4wd

[@ericeaton9181]

It will work on a 2wd. Bigger wheels are not required but most people do this to fit larger tires.

[@donmario9233]

I installed this kit on my truck and the gas tank fell out!

[@Dediskated]

Use power tools man

[@marcoespinoza471]

Hand tools are always a safer alternative when speed isn't required. Or you aren't pushed for time.

[@roymitchell150]

Dont have to remove all that shit to level the front of a gm LOL

[@tylersmith6979]

Don't do a leveling kit your electric steering rack will clunk nonstop

[@kevinpye8225]

Please speak more about this as I might be having this issue. The loud clunk happens when I’m in 4x4

[@tylersmith6979]

@@kevinpye8225 Let me guess clunks only at low speeds in parking lots or pulling out of your driveway

[@kevinpye8225]

@@tylersmith6979 yes. It sounds like the cv axle is trying to freeze up or something. Crazy.

[@tylersmith6979]

@@kevinpye8225 put the truck in park and turn your steering wheel and see if it makes the same noise that you're hearing do one full turn one way do another full turn the other way and see if it clunk

[@darrellteague8629]

And no results to look at ?! Hm !

[@UvidCo]

Ratchet dude ratchet. Make your life do much easier.

[@littlej3777]

Why add a leveling kit on the front. If it sags does that mean somethings wrong?