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Leveling Kit Question - Rough Country vs Supreme Suspensions

11K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Hunter62  
#1 ·
Hello!

I just signed up as I have some questions and thought the best thing to do is go to the ones who know these trucks inside and out.

I am no rookie to working on cars and DIY stuff. I come from years of working on Volkswagens and Audis. But this truck world is another dimension to me kind of.

Truck:
2005 GMC Canyon 2wd w/ Off Road Package

Wheels:
Pro Comp Bandido
17x9
-6 Offset

Tires:
BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2
275/70/17

Suspension:
Bilstein 4600 Series (front/rear)

Problem:
Tires rub when steering is fully cranked (left and right)

I am looking to lift the truck a little to help with the rubbing but cant decide what route to go as I am unfamiliar with leaf springs, torsion bar suspension. I've taken the truck on light trails and decent grade hills but nothing crazy and probably wont do anything crazier than that. This truck is also daily driven.

Supreme Suspension Front And Rear Lift Kit ($232):
Rear shackles
New torsion keys
https://supremesuspensions.com/collections/gmc/products/2004-2012-chevy-colorado-gmc-canyon-full-suspension-lift-kit-install-tool-2wd-4wd?variant=21398734405712

Rough Country Leveling Kit ($70):
Rear Shackles
Torsion Key Spacer
Shock Spacers
https://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspension-lift-kit-920.html

My dilemma is brand new torsion keys vs torsion key spacers. I know nothing about these things and am wondering what are the pros and cons of the 2. Pros and cons of both the kits as well if any.

Looking for the more reliable route and if there are any better leveling kits than the ones I listed above please share.

Any help and insight is much appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Pictures attached of before and after wheel set up.
 

Attachments

#2 · (Edited)
Both those kits achieve the same thing using basically the same method... both are torsion bar lifts. One just uses spacers with the torsion bar keys bolts to reposition the key, the other uses reindexed keys
What are the tires rubbing on?? A torsion bar lift may make it worse.

Cons of both: Both those kits will twist the torsion bar which in turn will reposition the lower control arm to a steeper angle. This pushes up the front of the truck but it also brings the wheel/tires closer to the frame and sway bar which could make the rubbing worse. You are also losing downward suspension travel and gaining upward.travel,basically changing the resting position of the stock suspension. These lifts also put more angle on the ball joints and tie rods which lead to more wear and tear. Suspension will feel stiffer because of the loss of downward travel. Make sure you get an alignment after you lift it

Pros of both: more ground clearance and looks a little better.
Pros of the Rough Country: it's cheaper, LOL

No other option for leveling kits... its just the way torsion bar suspension works
 
#3 ·
If you really want to level it look up Badland Industries. It's a small company runs by a friend of mine. His kit will be more expensive than the $70 spacers,his kit consists of reindexed keys and shackles but also comes with hardware to reposition the upper ball joint so it's not at a bad angle. This helps with front end alignment and helps with the rough ride by keeping the upper arm from smacking down on metal and cracking
 
#5 ·
The stock keys work the same as the after market ones do. Like other said, when raising the control arms go in, your front wheels will sit inward more the the rear wheels will, others will never notice but you may since I mentioned it, sorry some installed wheel spacers on the front







these guys were the go to guys for the 2004-12's before the new colorados



https://www.suspensionmaxx.com/store/product/SMX-MCJRC2WD


they also have the ball joint spacer kit