Topic: help, need a leveling kit

[mbab]

285 is 33".  I went online at justlevelingkits.com and everything you need to level the AVY is in the kit for $129.99 + shipping.  They told me that I will be able to put a set of 305 tires on it with just the front 2" leveling kit. shock extender brackets if applicable for the application. I am just wanting to know what tools may be needed, if anything special, and how to install.

[chevyfan]

Welcome!

It is highly recommended to get the torsion key tool. Hopefully someone you know has one. I would try some local 4x4 shops and see if one of them would let you borrow it if you were to put a deposit down. I fyou end up buying one they run around $100. The route I went was trying to use a c-clamp and it flew across the garage a couple times, you will need some good nerves if going this route, the torsion bars are under a lot of pressure. The other things you will need is a floor jack, jack stands, sockets and ratchet or impact gun. If you were in the St. Louis I would help. Anymore questions, just ask.

[mbab]

Welcome!

It is highly recommended to get the torsion key tool. Hopefully someone you know has one. I would try some local 4x4 shops and see if one of them would let you borrow it if you were to put a deposit down. I fyou end up buying one they run around $100. The route I went was trying to use a c-clamp and it flew across the garage a couple times, you will need some good nerves if going this route, the torsion bars are under a lot of pressure. The other things you will need is a floor jack, jack stands, sockets and ratchet or impact gun. If you were in the St. Louis I would help. Anymore questions, just ask.

  thanks for the offer (i'm in Houston, Tx. Area) but I was told a gear puller would work for the application, if i didnt have a torsion key tool.  I will keep you posted, I should get kit in this week, but don't know if I will be able to install this weekend or next.

[chevyfan]

Just be careful either route you go and be sure to take pics when you are done. Good luck. You can borrow the gear puller from Autozone or another place that loans tools. Be sure to use the big end of the gear puller ( the smaller end tends to fly off also!)

[Eric_FXST]

Make sure you get a kit with shock extensions unless you are buying longer shocks.
I went 6 months with a weird binding feeling in the suspension whenever I would go over speed bumps or hard bumps.  I tried sway bar bushings and sprayed WD40 on bushings, etc.
I finally bought some extensions for $20 off ebay and installed them Sunday.  What a difference!
I forgot how smooth the AV used to ride.  No more binding over bumps.  It now feels like it is riding on air again.  Evidently the shocks were maxing out causing it to max out harshly causing almost a pogo effect.

[oHIobellboy]

Make sure you get a kit with shock extensions unless you are buying longer shocks.
I went 6 months with a weird binding feeling in the suspension whenever I would go over speed bumps or hard bumps.  I tried sway bar bushings and sprayed WD40 on bushings, etc.
I finally bought some extensions for $20 off ebay and installed them Sunday.  What a difference!
I forgot how smooth the AV used to ride.  No more binding over bumps.  It now feels like it is riding on air again.  Evidently the shocks were maxing out causing it to max out harshly causing almost a pogo effect.

You put the longer shocks on before your body lift was done?

[Eric_FXST]

I have had the 2.5" leveling kit on for about 6 months now with OE length Monro shocks.  I bought keys without the shock extensions.  The GM garage said I wouldn't need them.  Ever since they were installed the AV has ridden oddly.  The front end has seemed to bind when going over big bumps.  I thought it was from have the torsion bars cranked up.
Here it was the shocks maxing out as the body would lift upwards after compressing.  With the shock extensions it doesn't hit hard at the top of the stroke.  It just rebounds nice and smoothly as it did before the leveling kit.

[oHIobellboy]

I have had the 2.5" leveling kit on for about 6 months now with OE length Monro shocks.  I bought keys without the shock extensions.  The GM garage said I wouldn't need them.  Ever since they were installed the AV has ridden oddly.  The front end has seemed to bind when going over big bumps.  I thought it was from have the torsion bars cranked up.
Here it was the shocks maxing out as the body would lift upwards after compressing.  With the shock extensions it doesn't hit hard at the top of the stroke.  It just rebounds nice and smoothly as it did before the leveling kit.

Got a link for those?

[Eric_FXST]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shock-Extension-Mounts-Avalanche-4x2-4x4-6Lug-2002-2006-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQfitsZModelQ3aAvalancheQ201500QQhashZitem27b56f7b74QQitemZ170547706740QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

First one took me 30 minutes to install, the second about 10.  Truck rides much better now with them installed.

[oHIobellboy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shock-Extension-Mounts-Avalanche-4x2-4x4-6Lug-2002-2006-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQfitsZModelQ3aAvalancheQ201500QQhashZitem27b56f7b74QQitemZ170547706740QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

First one took me 30 minutes to install, the second about 10.  Truck rides much better now with them installed.

Thanks. I'll see if that takes care of the bit of a different ride I have since the lift has been put on.