Leveling kit or Bilstein 5100's
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 96
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From: Tooele, UT
So what's the difference between using the Bilsteins and putting a spacer on the current struts? Obviously the new struts will cost more, but is it a better solution? I desperately want to level my truck and the local Les Schwab quoted me $230ish to put in spacers and align it. Which sounds good, but will doing that introduce problems later? The truck has a hair under 130k on it and I have no idea if the struts have been replaced yet. But here is my biggest worry, will leveling the truck cause other issues? Stuff like wearing out the ball joints faster, putting more pressure on the suspension and blowing other stuff out, or causing klunk and clank noises when turning or going over bumps. I really know very little and want to make an educated decision because I don't have the funds to fix stuff constantly.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 248
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From: Escondido, Ca
I had a Daystar leveling kit installed when my 04 FX4 Scab was new...I only have a little over 40,000 miles on it, but I haven't had a single issue with it. The original tires are still on the truck, so alignment is not an issue.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 183
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From: Alberta
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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I measured in the garage prior to the install and had just under 6" tire to fender clearance, after I installed them I drove it around for a few minutes and pulled it back in the garage and measured exactly 8" ...so I'm guessing I got 2"- 2.25 +/-. The back has 8.5 from tire to bed, I like the way it sits now.
Took about 1 1/2 hrs to install ....taking my time, pretty easy.
Took about 1 1/2 hrs to install ....taking my time, pretty easy.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 547
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So what's the difference between using the Bilsteins and putting a spacer on the current struts? Obviously the new struts will cost more, but is it a better solution? I desperately want to level my truck and the local Les Schwab quoted me $230ish to put in spacers and align it. Which sounds good, but will doing that introduce problems later? The truck has a hair under 130k on it and I have no idea if the struts have been replaced yet. But here is my biggest worry, will leveling the truck cause other issues? Stuff like wearing out the ball joints faster, putting more pressure on the suspension and blowing other stuff out, or causing klunk and clank noises when turning or going over bumps. I really know very little and want to make an educated decision because I don't have the funds to fix stuff constantly.
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