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INSTALLED: GM leveling kit + GM tie rod sleeves

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8.6K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  RustyLane7  
#1 ·
Posted this on ZR2zone.com but think it will be of interest to many here, too.

Finally got my GM leveling kit and GM tie rod sleeves installed. I'm super happy with the way it came out and I now have 1/2" to 3/4" or so of rake. No squeaks, rattles, sounds or anything. Drives just like stock but maybe a HAIR firmer.

Yes, this is the cheaper $150 kit and not the more expensive "ZR2 lift kit". It is advertised as not being compatible for the ZR2 but is in fact 100% compatible, as several others and now I myself can confirm. It is a split-spacer design with lower pre-load spacer and a strut top spacer. It is designed to be a happy medium of both types and not an extreme of either.

As far as the GM tie rod sleeves, they were expensive and hard to find but supposedly the best, as longer (ie. Peak) ones reportedly overprotect the tie rod and transfer the weak point to the steering rack. Peak recently released a new "shorty" version that makes it comparable to the GM one but for a fraction of the cost.

Not the best photos, but I wanted to snap some on the way home from the shop.

Wheels are 17x8.5" 20mm offset AlphaEquipt Commands. Tires are Falken Wildpeak AT3W's in 265/70/17 (1" taller than stock).
 

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#9 ·
I just had the GM level Kit installed and I caught a few breaks. During scheduling the dealership quoted me almost $700 installed with alignment and an oil change I threw in. I questioned the price of the alignment as it seemed high. The guy agreed and he set my install for the level Kit for just 1.5 shop hours to help offset the alignment cost making it just over 600. Figured that was good enough (planned on another $250 off with GM rewards) and booked it. They ended up taking all day to get these installed and couldn't get around to the oil change since by the time they finished the level install it was already 25min after the shop was supposed to have closed so they gave me another $50 off the install price for having to wait and cancelling my oil change and gave me a free oil change voucher to use on another day. Going to use my GM rewards on the kit and install for the $250 off and that should have me coming in at $290 for the kit with install and an oil change in a week or so lol. No complaints here. I know it's not much of a lift but I noticed it even walking up to the truck. Looks good. Hoping this gives me enough room to stuff 32s with 0 offset rims in the wheel wells. Pre level it didn't look like it would clear with the wheel turned in the back of the front wheel wells.
 
#13 ·
Also interested if you went 32s and if so do you have some clearance pics with the wheel turned enough to get close to the pinch weld area? I figured the level would help me get 32s in but I also have 0 offset rims. My tires are at 40k miles which seems to be somewhat nearing end of life for what most people are getting out of the stockers. Want to step up to 32in Yoko G015s when I get new tires. I might just buy one tire soon and fit it on my 5th rim and do my own fitment tests if I can get confirmation that I can get enough of a return price on a 0mile tire. Tire place offers fitment tests but it's about $200 quoted which seems like a bad deal if the tire doesn't fit especially.