Finally leveled with Cognitos

Finally got around to getting Cognitos and leveling the front end. I cheated and went to Total Auto Pros in Phoenix. They got me the shocks for $80 each (vs $85 at Trail Duty), 1 hours of labor at $85 and an alignment. They did a great job, knocking out everything in about 90 minutes including a road test. Did a couple of quick measurements and it looks like it's 24" from center of wheel to fender. Measured the sliders and the front is 1/2" lower than the rear over that 6' span so there's still a bit of forward lean.

I tried to do a comparo in one photo but my photoshop skills suck. New first, old second. You'll have to scroll to compare.



Haven't notice a difference in ride yet, maybe a little less brake dive than before. Of course I've only put about 30 miles on so it's hard to tell. Nonetheless, it looks better!

Looks great. Are you keeping the tires or getting bigger? Do you know off hand how much it knocked off your original alignment?

Looks good. My guess is that bigger tires are in his future.

Looks good! I have my numbers from when I did mine Josh if you need them.
 
 
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quote:

I have my numbers from when I did mine Josh if you need them

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I may take you up on that. I'm going to do leveling/tires/alignment in march come bonus time.

yep, tires are next, maybe with the tax return. I have mixed feelings on the different sizes, may just do 33s as I don't like the extra weight/stress of the 35s. Didn't get the alignment numbers - just let them do everything while I ate my breakfast.

That looks great!

Looks really good leveled!

Nice look....

Way to go Bro!!!  We will, of course, expect a ride update after a couple of weeks of driving. 
 
Nose dive while braking was one of my concerns, as is nose lift when you get in the gas a bit.  I would like to dampen those both down as much as possible.  Please give us some feedback later.  Thanks.

looks great, al!  nice job.  i'll probably follow your lead when it comes to having someone else install it.

About three weeks ago I leveled my H3 using the stock keys. I also ordered the Cognitos about the same time, but had a little delay in receiving the shocks. So I drove around a bit with the lift and stock shocks before installing the Cognitos. Unfortunately, I didn't do any real offroading during this time to provide any feedback. But here is what I noticed as far as highway driveability:
 
* Leveled and stock shocks: I noticed a bit more nose dive on hard braking and maybe a little more lift during hard acceleration. I also noticed a little more pronounced "feel" through the streering wheel on rougher pavement. No complaints on open highway w/ smooth roads.
 
* Leveled w/ Cognitos: There is a definite improvement in ride quality. The nose diving and lifting has improved. MUCH smoother feel on rough pavement.
 
NOTE: I did notice when I removed the old stock shocks that there was a little oily moisture on both shocks. Not bad, but enough that made me wonder if they were starting to leak a little. If this was the case, then there is no question that new shocks would be an improvement to my overall ride quality.
 
I am happy with the leveling and the Cognitos. I did all the work, so this only cost me $170 (cost of shocks). Now I am waiting patiently for my stock (265) tires to need upgrading!!

Looks great, thanks for the similar side shots.  Planning on almost leveling ours Sunday, just put the Cognitos on last Sat, and wondered how bad it would look leveled with the stock 33’s. We’re 24.5 in the rear and 21.75” on the driver’s side and 22” passenger’s side, so im thinking 23.5 or 24.

The FAQ writeup recommends 24.25 at the front but I feel that 24 is pushing it a bit for me. (I was about 21.25 before). It feels like I'm leaning back too much on acceleration but today's only day 2; I'll get more feedback soon. I'll have a buddy ride alongside in his vehicle and let me know how it looks. Maybe it's just my personal adjustment time and the truck is fine.

Yeah, my 32s looks small

alrock,
Looks good, I have a question? I already had mine leveled Tortion bar adjustment and had the alignment. My question is.. if I get new cognitos installed, do I need to get another alignment?? 

I'm curious about the Cognitos ride..You all say that nose dive is improved which would mean a stiffer shock, but the ride feels smoother on rough surfaces which would make you believe its a softer shock..??
 
I'm leveled with ProComp shocks and they are definetly softer than the stock shocks.  Nose dive is much worse but the ride over rough surfaces is much better...
 
I have the adventure package which I think has different shocks than non-adv package models, the stock shocks I had were very jarring when you go over bumps, the softer shocks I have now took care of that but then theres that nose dive thing I dont like.
 
I know theres valving and all that stuff in quality shocks that can give you the best of both worlds, so if what you say is true about the Cog's they may be a good way to go.

SteveO - I can't answer for certain (Doc? Gunner? anyone else?) but I doubt a shock would affect the alignment. I can't see how it materially changes your stance, just how the truck handles the road.

mfish - It's not a softer shock, maybe better tuned. No change that I've noticed in straightforward driving over potholes, etc. I would say it's stiffer but definitely not stiff. More trucklike without being uncomfortable.

One thing I've noticed - I've got to adjust my headlights. Before the top of the lights used to cut off at the top of most cars' trunks. Now it's at their headrests. I think I'm seeing the rear squat more under acceleration than before but maybe I'm just being sensitive to blinding people. I'll adjust the headlamps and report more.

Also, mfish, I've only heard one forum member not like the Cognitos. I don't think the Cognitos have any of the harshness that trucks are believe to have. I would say the handling of bumps, etc., is better controlled, not softer. You may feel them a bit more but not any way that penalizes the ride.

As I ponder my ride I'm considering rear Cognitos (I think hummbebe has them) but that's a bit away for me.

I cannot see how adding cognitos after an alignment, would necessitate another alignment.  The shock is not a lifting component/spring, so your ride height will stay the same.  I think you're good SteveO.
 
Alrock, when you do the headlight adjustment, note then the Owner's Manual has it backwards??     See:   headlight adjustment   I would also note certain forum members....ehum...took the end of that thread for a ride.  
 
I also just edited HummerGuy's post to enlarge and bold the correct direction to turn the adjusting screw:  Clockwise lowers the beam and Counter-Clockwise raises the beam.
 
 

Thanks Doc, I was just about to do the search myself.

Question about the Cognito's:  When everyone is leveling, are they keeping stock rear shocks?  Also, are you using a leveling kit along with the shocks or just turning up the stock keys??
 
thanks
 

quote:

Question about the Cognito's: When everyone is leveling, are they keeping stock rear shocks? Also, are you using a leveling kit along with the shocks or just turning up the stock keys??

Pretty much everyone is keeping rear shocks. I saw a thread awhile ago about someone who found Bilsteins that had the same valving as the Cognito's, and was running them on the rear. I'm about to do the mod myself, and I'm going to just use the stock keys. From what I've read, it's a waste of money to buy a leveling kit. Just reindexes where you start. Not really a point unless you are lifting above the "leveling" point.

Nice job Josh!!!  Right on the point brud.     Like the man said, no need for a levelling "kit", spend the $$ saved on the shocks. 

Thanks...oh and search > ME haha
 
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