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Leveling the Av?

Ski Edition

Ski Edition

SM 2009
SM 2008
Full Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2007
Messages
1,141
Location
Smyrna, TN
Have done my research and have decided on the front keys, 2" rear coil spacers and extended shocks to give the AV a little lift.? I know all about the leveling front to back, but I am running into a situation in the rear where the drivers side is 1/2" lower than the passenger side.? Is this normal?? Is this spring sag or maybe because I have a full tank of fuel or is this just me overanalyzing 1/2"?? Suggestions or solutions?? '04 Z71? Thanks for your responses!
 
Could be a damaged spring ?  Doubt it though. But more than likely a weight issue, fuel , ie. Being there variable rate springs. Which means they actually resist compression under a load. I'd guess to say though possible it may be something simpler your over looking. You don't have any extra weight in the cargo area on that side do you? Did you measure the height of the spring when you had it out installing the spacer? Or are you measuring the AV height (L verses R) from the quarter to the level surface after the install?  Is your AV sitting on a level surface? Are your tires the same brand, series and size? Is the tire wear similar. Rotating tires often leads to mixing the outcome of wear issues, etc. It could be just slight differences in tire pressure that may be giving you a false impression the AV's 1/2" inch different. Let us know..........Good Luck!
 
Is the front level from side to side. One torsion bar may be adjusted more than the other effecting the rear also. Kinda like a table with uneven legs.
 
Have the keys and the front shocks and will put them on this weekend.  I will take all this good information into consideration when I get into the front end.  Will decide on coil spring spacer size once I get the front end fixed up and aligned.  No extra load in the truck, but my garage does have a small grade right to left.  Will update!
 
Not sure about on AVA but I know on Jeeps all the torque from the motor is directed to the rear passenger side causing that spring to be the first to sagg or show signs of sagging. Just a thought I had, if this is not so on the AVA then I am not sure what it could be
 
DONE!!!!? YEA!!!!? ?It wasn't an hour job by any means. I didn't have right tools for the job, but I toughed it out and got it done.? Ford Keys and front shocks done yesterday.? I got a full 2 1/4" lift in the front from the keys and shocks and the picture will show that I have a lot of bolt left if I want to go up more. I took it for a ride the morning and love it!!!!!!!!!!!? Will show a before and after pic.? BTW--had a busted front shock and the rear is level within a 1/16"
 

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Shocks and you can see from the pic that I have a lot of bolt left if I want to go higher, but I don't!!
 

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This will show what can happen when you try to use a 10" long ratchet handle to turn a gear puller!!  War wounds!!!!!!!!!!!! :E: :E: :E:
 

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Ski can you tell me what shocks you went with?  Also, which keys?  Did you do anything to the back?

How's the ride?
 
erickpl said:
Ski can you tell me what shocks you went with?? Also, which keys?? Did you do anything to the back?

How's the ride?
Click to expand...
I went with the KYB Monomax.  Part number for an '04 Z71 was 565076.  That part is for a 1-3" lift on the front.  I went to the Ford dealer and got my keys there.  Part number XL3Z-5B328-CA.  Raising the front 2 1/4" actually took me higher than level in the front.  I am going to put a 1 1/2 - 1 3/4" coil spring spacer in the back (not sure which one yet) and put KYB Monomax part number 565105.  With the front accomplished, I can actually see the hood in the air and the ride is GREAT!!!  I actually had a broken shock in the front.  Rides better than stock in my opinion.  PM me or respond to this post and I can help you out.  I actually e-mailed KYB for the exact application--very helpful.  Actually the rear shock is for a Dodge--go figure. 
 
03whitediamond said:
Nice Looking Av there Ski Edition, nice work and Ouch on the war wound! We've all been there and its worth every layer of skin and ounce of blood!? :laugh:
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Thanks 03 and you're right- It was well worth every drop of blood! 
 
Ski Edition said:
I went with the KYB Monomax.  Part number for an '04 Z71 was 565076.  That part is for a 1-3" lift on the front.  I went to the Ford dealer and got my keys there.  Part number XL3Z-5B328-CA.  Raising the front 2 1/4" actually took me higher than level in the front.  I am going to put a 1 1/2 - 1 3/4" coil spring spacer in the back (not sure which one yet) and put KYB Monomax part number 565105.  With the front accomplished, I can actually see the hood in the air and the ride is GREAT!!!  I actually had a broken shock in the front.  Rides better than stock in my opinion.  PM me or respond to this post and I can help you out.  I actually e-mailed KYB for the exact application--very helpful.  Actually the rear shock is for a Dodge--go figure. 
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Making note of the parts here.  Do you have a link to KYB's site?  I'd be interested to learn more about the parts and the maker. :)
 
erickpl said:
Making note of the parts here.? Do you have a link to KYB's site?? I'd be interested to learn more about the parts and the maker. :)
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http://www.kyb.com/ or I emailed Customer Service and communicated with Dan several times.  His email address is d.bresnahan@kyb.com.  http://www.kybshocksonline.com/ is the website of the online store I bought the rear shocks from.  Summit Racing had the front shocks a little cheaper.  Summit had a 2 week back order on my rear ones.  Let me know if you need any more info.  Hope this helps!
 
So to clarify you went with 565076 in the front (for the 1-3" of lift) and 565105 (for a Dodge) in back. Correct?  Any reason why you went with the 105 vs the 103 in the back?

 
565103 is stock length rear,565104 is 2 inches longer,565105 is 4 inches longer.the factory length is a little short to begin with so the 105's give just a little more droop than stock when used with spacers.
 
erickpl said:
So to clarify you went with 565076 in the front (for the 1-3" of lift) and 565105 (for a Dodge) in back. Correct?? Any reason why you went with the 105 vs the 103 in the back?
Click to expand...

I got clarification from KYB before I made my decision.  Below is there response to my question of what I should go with for a 2" lift.

We only list the front shocks for your vehicle which are the 565076 they
are good for a 1-3" lift but on the rear we have 3 different shocks that
will work one is the part number you listed (565104) and that is 1"
longer on the compressed length and it is 2" longer on the extended
length or you can use the 565105 which is 2" longer on the compressed
length and 4" longer extended which would give you a little more travel.

Thank you,
Dan
KYB America LLC
 
jimbo53188 said:
565103 is stock length rear,565104 is 2 inches longer,565105 is 4 inches longer.the factory length is a little short to begin with so the 105's give just a little more droop than stock when used with spacers.
Click to expand...

Correct--Good answer!
 
erickpl said:
That is a great post giving the specifics.? Thanks for that information!!!!!
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That's what the forum is all about--helping others.  I got a lot of help from a couple other members that did this same mod in some form or fashion.  I just contacted KYB to make sure their equipment fit what I was looking for.  I'm a little picky when it comes to modifying a $40K+ vehicle that I depend on, as most others are too.  Glad we could help out.  Would love to see some pics of your Av if you decide to do this!!  Good luck! (y)
 
All I have right now is driver-side leaning, stock Av with custom leather interior. :)  I started broaching the idea of a lift/level and upgraded brakes with the wife last night and she's not opposed to the idea, esp if I can get the keys and shocks for about 300 total (my Jeep lift was over 1000 for all parts I needed).  So the Avy is a bargin - assuming I go the key route.
 
$300 is a little conserative, but not by much.? Shop around--there are deals out there.? Let me know if I can be of any help.? Was contemplating the Daystar 1 3/4" coil spring spacer, but I emailed them yesterday about it (Some off-road distributors show the 1 3/4" spacer, but Daystar's website only shows 3/4" spacer) and they came back with a negative response.? Response below from Dan McMillan at Daystar:? So I will go with the Suspension Maxx 1 1/2" spacer.

We don't offer the 1 3/4 spacer for the rear of a Avalanche because the coil spring may not stay seated in place over hard bumps or with air ride shocks.  Dan 
 
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