2014 Silverado Level/Lift Questions and Concerns

[kojackJKU]

If your not hard on your rigs, then these easy leveling kits work great. funny thing is on my 2005 and 2008 F150s I had to use a leveling kit to fit 33's. However, on my 2003 I did not even crank my torsion bars to fit them. Go figure. The trucks are way bigger now, but can't fit bigger tires without help. On our 2010 avalanche the 265s were close to rubbing without leveling help.

 

[CRolandLJ]

On our non-offroad stock NBS suburban(don't have it anymore but had it up to 200k) and NNBS friend's Silverado (100K+ miles work truck) the ball joints are original.

My current offroad/towing NBS suburban I replaced them at 100k, and even with a leveling kit for 50k miles they still looked good. For off-road reliability I now replace them at the 50k major service mark and am over 220k miles. Now a few changes in, with the NAPA brand ones, not one has felt like it's failing when replacing them... However, I must say, getting the lower ball joints out after a few thousand miles, is sometimes a PAIN. The usual caliper tool works super easy 9 out of 10 times, however I have had one or two where a 20ton shop press with heat and prep barely did the job.

Great info, thanks.

 

[p nut]

If your not hard on your rigs, then these easy leveling kits work great. funny thing is on my 2005 and 2008 F150s I had to use a leveling kit to fit 33's. However, on my 2003 I did not even crank my torsion bars to fit them. Go figure. The trucks are way bigger now, but can't fit bigger tires without help. On our 2010 avalanche the 265s were close to rubbing without leveling help.

Stock 2015 F150 with 33's (275/70/18) and no rubbing. Maybe because I kept the width the same as stock. A relative with an 05 F150 also had the same size tire, no lift, and no rubbing.

 

[duckhunter71]

I'm not sure but i've definitely heard about it in relation to GM trucks prior to this discussion. And i can't seem to get anyone who has experience with exactly how premature this wear is... like 80k miles instead of 100k.... or 15k in stead of 60... i have no idea what to expect on ball joints on my truck to begin with.

I'm not sure about the K2XX (2014-2016) trucks, but the GMT-900s (2007-2013) were prone to early ball joint failure even in stock form. I replaced them on my 2008 and 2010 Silverados at 40k-50k miles and my dad's 2011 Sierra needed them by 60k. Hopefully they've changed/upgraded the parts for the K2XX trucks because that seemed like ridiculously short life spans for such a simple part.

 

[kojackJKU]

I could not run 285/70/17 on my 2005 without a leveling kit. I don't even have my torsions cranked on my 03 and it fits the 285s perfect.

 

[Bushcoat]

Stock 2015 F150 with 33's (275/70/18) and no rubbing. Maybe because I kept the width the same as stock. A relative with an 05 F150 also had the same size tire, no lift, and no rubbing.

This size also fits a stock '14/15/16 GM 1500

 

[thezentree]

I'm not sure but i've definitely heard about it in relation to GM trucks prior to this discussion. And i can't seem to get anyone who has experience with exactly how premature this wear is... like 80k miles instead of 100k.... or 15k in stead of 60... i have no idea what to expect on ball joints on my truck to begin with.

I've put something like 90k miles on my truck since I installed the leveling kit, which puts total mileage around 170k. I replaced the factory ball joints two weeks ago.

Keep in mind that my truck has become basically a really inefficient commuter car, so it doesn't see much dirt these days, but I had to change ball joints on my old '97 K1500 just about annually. That means that I'm happy with the wear life on my "new" truck, haha.

 

[jimi breeze]

2010 half ton with a Rough Country 2" leveling block on the the front springs. I did this mod a few weeks after I bought brand new, have 63k miles on the clock with plenty of off highway action with NO PROBLEMS.
I'm running 285/70/17 tires. The pic shows the stock steel wheels. No rubbing in the front but do you believe they rubbed in the rear along the backs of the fender well. I have since switched to 0 offset wheels, same tires, trimmed the front fender and now the tires rub when backing up while turning. Go figure?

 

[KAkers]

I run the 5100 to get the most lift out of them. I have about 70k on them on a 2010 crew cab. Best mood ever. The stock shocks suck compared to these. They are much stiffer ride but to me it is way better than stock. I also put an add a leaf in back, have a hidden winch in front with a topper. Ball joints are stock with 85k on them. Tires wear good. I run 265 70 18 which are 32 inches.

Now the bad. These trucks come with car tires, sure companies renamed them SUV instead of "P". If you want to avoid flats and go to a LT tire you will loose mileage no matter what anyone tells you.