2” front leveling kit raised it 3.5”

I just had a shop install a Rough Country 2” leveling kit (shocks/springs) in the front of my 2006 Sport and rear stock height shocks (they also removed all of the X-reas system). They sent me photos before proceeding with the alignment, to see what I thought… it seems the front springs had quite a bit of sag (212k miles) and the kit lifted the front end maybe 3.5” instead of the advertised 2”. The rear remained the same height after rear shock install. Pre-install on everything, the front end was 3” lower than the rear.

I'm not hating the look, I really just wanted it leveled but it is what it is. Bilsteins would have been easy to adjust, but my shop said these would have a better ride on the street, where I am 99% of the time. Any opinions? I’m going to run with it as-is for awhile, I can always change the rear springs with new or use a spacer to boost it .5-1” if it starts to bother me. Tires are 265/70/17, new wheels coming soon.

 

I hope somebody chimes in soon with more experience than me

 

That’d be a no from me, dawg.

2” is a reasonable lift. An outcome of 2.5” would be borderline reasonably acceptable. 3.5” resulting in a Carolina Squat is not acceptable. I’d be looking for a a refund and a new shop.

 

I can’t really hold the shop liable, they installed the kit as advertised - if anything Rough Country should take the kit back. If I decide to go that route. Also the install was today, no settling yet…

 

I think you need to go thru a couple of iterations on adjustments and see how it goes. Give it 300 to 500 miles for things to settle and then make adjustments. The look is fine and what matters is whether you like or not. That's the opinion that counts.

 

If the rear could come up by an inch or so it would look even better, but it's not horrible the way it sits now. Like others have said, give it some time and miles and hope it settles a bit.

 

I haven’t had a chance to put a tape on it, but I would say it has at least 1” of negative rake now, from 3” of normal rake. 4” of lift from a 2” kit? Could the stock springs really have been that bad?I think I’m going to talk to the shop… I’m really not a lift guy, I just wanted it leveled. And the wife hates it.

 

Is there any pre load that you can set up on rhe front shocks? It seems like they're on the highest perch or maybe something isn't lo ked in right..

I would take that back

 

Yeah I would swap the rear springs with either an Eibach(1") or Wheelers T12 (1.5"). If you want to level it out or keep a minimal rake.

 

I’m going to see if the shop would replace with just a new set of zero lift springs and struts. If the factory combination was really sagging 2”, that should correct it to where I want it.

 

I think you need to let it settle, and then add some taller rear springs. The front looks fine, if the rear was a little taller as well. Rear springs can definitely sag.

 

We’re going to do a straight across swap and install a stock height shock/strut kit, same brand. We discussed and don’t think it’s going to settle out much, not if I need a 2” drop. This should give us the 2”-ish lift, hopefully, so I should have 22” height in the back and 21” in the front, pretty close to factory rake.

 

Your OEM suspension was not still factory height due to age. It's sagging, you acquired 2" of lift from what would be factory height. Put 1" spacers in back for now and save to do the back as well. You need it.

 

Did you ever get it to sit the way you wanted?

 

dont you have to change the upper control arms now that it is above 3 inches? I personally dont like the look, its making the tires look small

 

Getting the stance corrected Monday. I’ll report back on the results.