Leveling options for 2000 Sierra. Not my area of expertise...

Fabrik8

Fabrik8

Overcomplicator
Joined
May 27, 2015
Location
Huntersville
My neighbor has a 2000 Sierra with 4WD, I think it's a 1500. I'll find the rest of the specs soon. He knows what I do for a living, so of course I'm automatically the subject matter expert for things loosely related, like... ...trucks. Not my area of expertise. But, he's the nicest guy you'll ever meet, so how can I not try to help him...?

He bought the truck new, and plans on keeping it for a long time. I think it's got close to 300k on it.

He wants to go through it and refresh the front bushings, ball joints, etc., and level it while he's at it. It appears that around 2-2.5 inches should level it pretty well.

He asked for my advice, but I'm not really versed with the options for trucks with torsion bars, etc., and don't know what brands are good. I'm much more familiar with performance parts, and not things like torsion bar keys and OEM replacement shocks.

What are some good options out there for leveling kits and shocks? I've seen some of the kits include shock spacers for OEM shocks, and I'm up in the air in my mind about whether that's a "proper" solution to the shock travel problem.

Truck experts, weigh in, I'm totally out of my element here....
 
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Every day use put factory replacement bilstiens on the truck and run standard indexted keys for lift. Easy peasy. The travel change is not significant due to suspension style and geometry of factory components. He will have less drop because of the style bumps and more up travel at ride height but only to factory compression. Keys do nothing more than preload the torsion spring giving it lift. All other travel parameters do not change.

I generally provide keys, instal, and an alignment. Pm me if interested.
 
Stock shocks and adjust the leveling screws on the torsion bars. No need to pay money for keys if the stock screws move them far enough. Take a look at the Frame mount end of the torsion bar and it should be readily apparent.
 
At 300k miles, the bars have probably sagged enough that it'll need a set of keys. Definitely replace the shocks too...on a 1500 they're barely long enough at ride height.
 
Bilstein 4600?

He knows he needs new shocks, I already told him his right front position was bad. I think he hit a pretty good pothole from what he says, and it feels like he blew a seal. That's a huge ride quality thing though, so if he wants to refresh the truck then that's top on the list.

I've been looking around a little, and I like the key kits with the replacement shock brackets. That seems like a good way to go for OEM-length shocks, although not the cheapest key kits out there. Tough Country, Pro Comp, etc.
 
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Fabrik8 said:
he blew a seal.
Click to expand...

so this penguin walks into a mechanics shop to have his car looked at....

the mechanic says "gimme an hour... go have some ice cream across the road"...

the penguin has no hands.. just flippers.... so its real hard for him to eat an ice cream cone... he drips some on his chest.....

he goes back to the mechanic a bit later and the mechanic says... "looks like you blew a seal"....


the penguin said "no, its just a little ice cream"..........
 
For a 1/2 ton truck, find the torsion bar keys from a 2500 or 3500 GM truck of the same era. They're basically what an aftermarket supplier is selling, and you won't be maxing out a factory torsion bar. Just remember the thread count difference between the two sides to maintain the ride height between the right and left side.
 
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