Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (Full Version)

Hummer Forums >> Hummer Lineup >> Hummer H3

Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value?

GarrettMoore -> Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/29/2007 3:48:42 PM)
So I just installed a Ready Lift leveling kit onto my H3, and I'm wondering why I even bought the kit. We all know you can simply level the truck by tightening the bolt through the stock torsion key. All this does is pull the torsion key down, rotate the torsion bar, and ultimately lift the front end. Now, all the Ready Lift kit (or any kit I would assume) does is rotate the torsion bar by indexing the set of teeth that grab the torsion bar; which is absolutely no different than simply rotating the bar by tightening the bolt on the stock torsion keys. Maybe I'm missing something here, but it seems like I've been screwed.

shortbus -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/29/2007 5:22:00 PM)
sorry to have offered my opinion. it may not be politically correct . . . . . . therefore it's been deleted

novasaigo -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/29/2007 6:51:48 PM)
When I had my keys turned up for free at the Hummer dealer, they turned the keys as far as they would go and my truck was still not level. The TruXXX kit keys is turned a bit on the inside to turn the torsion bars further to acheive a level stance. The difference was about an inch and a half more.

GarrettMoore -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/29/2007 7:54:31 PM)
It was my understanding that the truck could be completely leveled with the stock keys. If this is not the case, then I understand the point of buying a kit, otherwise, I'm still confused. Shortbus, you aren't going to offend me, so shoot me a PM if you have some input.

naluboy -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 4:08:39 PM)
I initially had my t-bars cranked to level the truck off, and also to accommodate the 35's I threw on. Appearance-wise the H3 looked awesome, Ride-wise I was bouncing all over the road, got kind of dangerous at higher speeds. So I picked up the Truxxx leveling kit and it level off the H3 but retained the stock ride. Overall, I'm very pleased with the kit. The only bummer about the whole experience is that I paid twice to have the truck aligned=( once after cranking the t-bars, and a 2nd time after the kit was installed...

mfish -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 4:18:40 PM)
I also have the Readylift kit. Did you use the shock extensions it came with?? If so how is the ride? Did any of you truxx kit guys use the shock extensions? I opted to get new shocks that would fit without having to use the extensions, the shocks I got are a little on the soft side, their a nice ride on the road but I get a little front end dip when I brake and for off roading they are a little soft. I am about to replace them but I am scared that the next step up in stiffness may be to stiff....wondering if I should of just used the extensions. I have been looking everywhere for adjustable shocks but nobody makes them for a leveled H3[:@].

H3_SLC -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 4:24:35 PM)
I am about to get the Truxx kit. I am glad to hear you liked it.

novasaigo -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 4:58:48 PM)
I had the Truxxx keys taken off and put on the ReadyLift keys because the Truxxx keys had welds that were cutting into the nut and causing lots of noise when driving. I like the idea of the ReadyLift one piece key like the factory keys instead of the Truxxx welded keys. Besides $230 is a better price than $400. It was an expensive lesson having to have two alignments, but I am happy that I changed the kit. I used the extensions that came with the kit and the ride is just as smooth as it was before I had the truck leveled.

mfish -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 6:13:42 PM)
I didnt know the truxx were welded....and more expensive..that makes a whole lot of sense. I'm glad I went for the Readylift kit[:)]. I am tempted to put the stock shocks back on with the extensions. Thanks for the info!

novasaigo -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 8:03:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: naluboy I initially had my t-bars cranked to level the truck off, and also to accommodate the 35's I threw on. Appearance-wise the H3 looked awesome, Ride-wise I was bouncing all over the road, got kind of dangerous at higher speeds. So I picked up the Truxxx leveling kit and it level off the H3 but retained the stock ride. Overall, I'm very pleased with the kit. The only bummer about the whole experience is that I paid twice to have the truck aligned=( once after cranking the t-bars, and a 2nd time after the kit was installed... I noticed in your photos you had stock rims. Are those 35's on stock rims? If so did you need a spacer to keep them from rubbing when offroading?

importkiller -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 8:50:28 PM)
if you cranked the t-bars to level the truck and you cranked them to the point that your ride is harsh then you are up against the bumpstops. A simple replacemnt of the bumpstop with a mico thin one is all that is needed to regain a smooth ride. Also by cranking that much you may have gone past your shocks lenght range and were actually over extending the shocks...that will make the ride terrible. longer shocks and bump stops would have made the ride smooth again. Remember all a t-bar is is a rod that actss as a spring, so if it takes you a ton of cranks to level off the front end then for some reason your t-bars are worn out and are sagging. Mine took 3 turns to completely level, so have the other 5 or 6 h3's that I have leveled off for people. A lot of times t-bars come from the factory sagging, don't know if its the manufacturing process or whatever but I have see it often. If you have a front grill guard and or winch the t-bars will wear out alot quicker and will sag due to the added weight to the front end. You can easily replace the t-bars for much cheaper than buying a leveling kit and will raise the front end and give you a higher spring rating to boot.

novasaigo -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 9:10:11 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: mfish I didnt know the truxx were welded....and more expensive..that makes a whole lot of sense. I'm glad I went for the Readylift kit[:)]. I am tempted to put the stock shocks back on with the extensions. Thanks for the info! You are welcome. Bryan McCravy of Extreme Off Road put the TruXXX keys on and noticed that they were biting into the nut because the welds were sticking out. Rick, the tech at TruXXX (who is also the owner), told him to shave off the protruding welds and it did not help. Notice in the picture that the end where the nut goes is a thin sheet of metal bent and welded to the other piece. The pressure that it places on the factory aluminum nut cuts into the nut and caused sqeaking. They are down to $300 from the original $387 http://www.fatbobsgarage.com/cart/products/Hummer_H3_3_Leveling_Kit-267-33.html I had them on for a few weeks (the squeaking was driving me nuts!) as I tried to convince Rick, the tech at TruXXX (who is also the owner), to honor the warranty because he told Bryan to dremel the welds. So Bill over at Fat Bob's Garage took care of it for me and sent me this kit for $230 (the price has never changed.) http://www.fatbobsgarage.com/cart/products/Hummer_H3_1_5_2_5_Adjustable_Leveling_Kit_2006_2007_Free_UPS_2_Day_Air-338-33.html The kit worked out excellent. Look at my photos and you will see my truck with factory Goodyear 265's (saving up for some 305/70R16s for my factory rims) and the ReadyLift leveling kit at Road Atlanta at the free Hummer Happening event. Now this is a new kit made by TruXXX that was $267.00 now they are down to $175.00. http://www.fatbobsgarage.com/cart/catalog/Hummer-33-1.html The price drop may indicate negative popularity for those kits OR you may end up getting one of the best deals for a leveling kit, but I have not asked about it so I can offer no advice. In addition Bill found me a really nice black locking gas cap which screws right into the plastic ring so that you don't have to drill any holes. Give Bill Griffiths a call over at Fat Bob's Garage. Tell him Nova sent you. He took really good care of me. He would be able to answer all of your questions. 801.725.2134 Have a great day, Nova...

novasaigo -> RE: Leveling Kits - Can Anyone Explain Their Value? (7/31/2007 9:15:47 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: importkiller if you cranked the t-bars to level the truck and you cranked them to the point that your ride is harsh then you are up against the bumpstops. A simple replacemnt of the bumpstop with a mico thin one is all that is needed to regain a smooth ride. Also by cranking that much you may have gone past your shocks lenght range and were actually over extending the shocks...that will make the ride terrible. longer shocks and bump stops would have made the ride smooth again. Remember all a t-bar is is a rod that actss as a spring, so if it takes you a ton of cranks to level off the front end then for some reason your t-bars are worn out and are sagging. Mine took 3 turns to completely level, so have the other 5 or 6 h3's that I have leveled off for people. A lot of times t-bars come from the factory sagging, don't know if its the manufacturing process or whatever but I have see it often. If you have a front grill guard and or winch the t-bars will wear out alot quicker and will sag due to the added weight to the front end. You can easily replace the t-bars for much cheaper than buying a leveling kit and will raise the front end and give you a higher spring rating to boot. How much do the t-bars go for and would you know the usual labor cost? Nova...

Page: [1]

Return to Hummer Forums home page or view the Full Version of this page.