Leveling question.

[Tractoman]

I installed my ccm 2.5/1 kit yesterday with new 5100's in all four corners. I did not measure before but it looks way better. Found a 2-3 piece broken off a spring in the rear so will replace those soon with Moog 81069's. My question is what are we trying to level? I have always measured from the center of the wheel or hub to the fender. Are we trying to make that distance the same front and rear? Ground up to fender doesn't seem like the right place to measure. I am asking because I am wondering if the new rear springs will raise the rear at all. Here's before and after pics.

 

[Lil_Stump]

I always took it as you are trying to level the front with the rear so the fender wells match in height and space between the top of the fender and the top of the tire. Instead of having say 3 inches between top of tire and fender on front compared to 6 inches between top of tire and fender on rear., you have an even amount of room between each if you get a leveling kit.

 

[PG01]

That looks really good.
I always thought ground thru center of hub to fender lip. That being said, if you look at side view of truck and when those measurements are equal that is level.
Keeping what you have 2.5/1 and 5100's and then getting the moog springs may put you at almost factory rake i think.
Please, someone correct me if im wrong.

 

[NGAneer]

I look at two things. The fender to the top of the tire and step/rocker to the ground. Because the fenders are cut higher in the rear than the front, you will have the front of the rocker higher than the rear to level the wheel wells and vice versa if you level the rocker panel.

When I had just my TGC on the front, the wheel wells were level but the back of the rocker was lower than the front. Looked goos from most angles but kind of goofy from the back. I added a 1" coil spacer from Summit performance that brought it to some kind of equilibrium. The wheel wells are close to level but so is the rocker, though neither really is.

 

[Tractoman]

Here is the follow up with the new Moog 81069 springs installed. The new springs raised the rear 5/8" and it sits within 1/8" side to side. I assume these will settle down a little but the ride is fine and no more broken spring. I replaced the lower rubber isolators too. On to something else.

 

[contraption22]

Thank you for posting all you've done along with pictures. To clarify, the Moog 81069 raised the rear 5/8 over the OE Soft ride springs?

Thanks again.

 

[Tractoman]

Thank you for posting all you've done along with pictures. To clarify, the Moog 81069 raised the rear 5/8 over the OE Soft ride springs?

Thanks again.

That is correct. With the CCM 1" spacer installed in the rear, the new springs raised the rear 5/8" over the OE springs with the spacer installed. I am assuming they may settle out a little over time. Ride is great with the Bilsteins and new rear springs. Also installed new sway bar bushings and end links in front.

 

[contraption22]

Thank you again.

 

[NGAneer]

So... I've always heard when you replace the ZW7 shocks you have to replace the springs or you're rear end will sag. This tells me that sag may only be 5/8"... sounds pretty minimal.

Anybody done Bilsteins in the rear and kept the stock coils?

 

[NGAneer]

Here is the follow up with the new Moog 81069 springs installed. The new springs raised the rear 5/8" and it sits within 1/8" side to side. I assume these will settle down a little but the ride is fine and no more broken spring. I replaced the lower rubber isolators too. On to something else.

How did it ride with the stock springs and the bilsteins?