2" Leveling Kit Installation

[TXST8tj]

I recently installed a Rough Country 2" leveling kit on my wife's 2010 Tahoe.
My wife is used to me modifying every vehicle we own and have ever owned, so why would this be any different?........well this time SHE asked for it to be done.

In my spare time, I install a lot of lift kits and accessories; mainly on Jeeps, but on just about any truck and SUV as well. I happen to install a lot of Rough Country products. I install whatever kit and brand my customers want, but so many of them choose RC for their wide range of kits and low prices. I am very familiar with the RC 2" leveling kit for 07+ Tahoes, Suburbans, and Silverados. When it came time to pick a kit, it was an easy enough choice.

I have installed about 13 different brands of leveling kits for our platform and they all accomplish the same thing. The RC kit is the fastest install because it does not require removing the strut assembly. Most of the steps in this write-up applies to the upper mount style of spacer, this one just bolts to the bottom.

Let's get started.


Here is a pile of tools. I use an impact where possible/needed; however, it is not needed. Basic handtools get the job done.



In that pile, you are looking at a floor jack, jack stand, hammer, socket wrench, various metric sockets, various metric wrenches, socket extensions, flathead screw driver, and an allen wrench.



Step 1

Pop off center wheel cover.




Step 2

Break lug nuts loose.




Step 3

Jack up one side of the truck from under the lower control arm.




Step 4

Place jack stand under frame and lower vehicles weight on jack stand. Keep the floor jack under the lower control arm with light pressure for support.




Step 5

Remove lug nuts and remove wheel.




Step 6

Using an 18mm deep socket and several inches of extensions (I use two that equal 15"), loosen but do not remove the upper strut nuts.

*an 18mm wrench can be used from the side of the wheel well if you don't have the ability to come from the top.





Step 7

Using a 15mm socket, remove the lower strut bolts.




Step 8

Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the lower nut clips. (only if installing this style of spacer)




Step 9

Using a 15mm socket from the bottom of the swaybar link and a 15mm wrench from the upper nut, remove the bolt and link.




Step 10

Using a 21mm wrench, remove the tie rod end nut.




Step 11

Using a hammer, knock the tie rod end loose by knocking the spindle.




Step 12

Disconnect the ABS connection at the plug.




Step 13

Remove the ABS line to allow additional slack when lowering the lower control arm in a future step.




Step 14

Using an 18mm wrench, remove the ball joint nut.




Step 15

Using a hammer, knock the upper ball joint loose by knocking the spindle.




Step 16

Lower the floor jack enough to make space to slip the spacer in.




Step 17

Install the new bolts, washers, and nuts through the spacers and struts.

 

[TXST8tj]

Step 18

Using the floor jack, raise the lower control arm to reconnect the upper ball joint. Just start the nut to hold it together at this time.




Step 19

Using a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench, tighten the bolts and nuts.




Step 20

Using a 10mm wrench on the tip of the tie rod stud to prevent it from spinning and a 21mm wrench on the nut, tighten the nut.




Step 21

Using a 7/32 allen wrench on the underside of the ball joint stud to prevent it from spinning and an 18mm wrench on the nut, tighten the nut.




Step 22

Reinstall the swaybar link using the 15mm socket and wrench.




Step 23

Reconnect the ABS wire.


Step 24

Reinstall the wheel/tire


Step 25

Lower vehicle back to the ground and torque lug nuts.


Step 26

Reinstall the center wheel cap.


Repeat on opposite side.

 

[LTN09]

damn wish you were closer, Im not able to do this on my own. Might mess something up.

 

[akbrener]

Nice write up, you did alot of extra work though. All I did was pull the sway bar end links, popped the ball joint loose, and lower shock bolts. about 10 mins on each side.

** edit, missed your note about showing stuff for top mount installs as well.

 

[Regency]

Nice man, looking into these leveling kits as I'm gauging interest can you post a link to where you got it from?
If you can thanks man
Sorry just saw the post on top.

 

[TacHoe]

Dont have a NNBS but have done plenty of write ups for the Audi, wanted to give a kudos as this is very simple to follow! Thanks!

 

[Chrisalecia]

Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into that.

 

[TXST8tj]

Thanks, and no problem guys. My write-ups typically have much better photography, but I literally decided to do it when I started the passenger side, after finishing the driver's side.

The RC instructions are actually quite good...as they typically are...but sometimes it helps folks to have slightly better/more specific pictures. Of the countless brands of kits I have installed on various vehicles, Rough Country ALWAYS has the best instructions.

 

[ToddEdge]

Great write up!

I just installed a very small(1") leveling kit on my '07 Denali. The good thing about 1" and 1.5" kits(spacer under the strut) is that you don't have to seperate the upper ball joint or tie rod. Just push down on the caliper and you have just enough space to slide the spacer in.

Todd

 

[jrob56]

Besides ease of installation, any advantages/disadvantages to this vs the top spacer style? Reliability/longevity etc? Cant think of any really, but curious.