Hello all,
Im new here, and was hoping you all could help me decide the best route to leveling my beast.

It has the Rancho 4/2.5 lift w/ 17" wheels and 35" tires. My problem is that the back sits about 1-1.5" lower than the front. Its kinda hard to tell, but here she is;
2003 Big Horn 4x4
http://webpages.charter.net/bosorio/Truck/IMG_0814.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/bosorio/Truck/IMG_0817.JPG

I took it to a local shop, and they recommended an add a leaf and a block change to level it out. But they said that the add a leaf will likely make it ride like ****. They quoted me $392 for the whole job.

What do you all think?

And, as a side question, I also want to get headers, different gearing, and possibly exhaust, where is a good online place to get parts, aside from Summit? I cant find much for this truck online.

Thanks for your time

 

I put an add-a-leaf on mine, and it rides fine, not overly stiff or harsh. But changing blocks is a piece of cake, if it has a 2" block just get a 3" block. If you have the front bars cranked then you could take a few turns out of the keys and drop the front a bit. The second option is free, so depends on how much you want to spend.

 

I'd venture to say that your front bolts are cranked. I have the Rancho kit and my front and back measure the same.

But I'm sure you don't want to lower the front, so, like said, get you a couple 1" blocks and add them, or remove the 2" block in favor of the 3" blocks...

 

Thats interesting. I just assumed the kit came uneven like this for some reason (I bought the truck as it is).
I dont necessarily want to lose lift, but I certainly will in exchange for saving $400.

Thanks, Ill definately look into adjusting the front.

 

Yep, it sounds to me like someone cranked the bolts up originally to level the truck, then whoever installed the suspension kit never brought it back down to original height before putting the kit on.

But you really need to find a new shop, Add-A-Leafs are readily available for $65-$75 and take about 30 mins a side to install. So $400 is WAY out of line. Hell, Midas will sell and install a set here for $225 plus tax. But if you know how to turn a ratchet, this is a simple job in the driveway with a jack.

Also, bringing the rear up by pulling your 2" block and putting a 3" block with new U-bolts in would cost you under $100 and again, you can do it yourself if you know how to turn a ratchet.

Or you could simply crank your bolts down until level. I'm just pointing out that you can raise the back to meet the front for nowhere near the $400 that shop quoted you...

 

HELL NO! You want to go up not down. Err...at least I want you to go up

 

Well on second though, I guess if I find that they are cranked up, and then I lower it, I should then get the front aligned. Which will be just slightly less than the cost of an add a leaf. You know what that means.

 

On a side note, as far as pulling the 2" blocks and adding a 3" block, they are available all over for about $59 a set. I just looked at the U-bolts came with my Rancho kit (sorry, been almost 4 years since I installed it, had to go see), they look long enough for even 4" blocks.
So you should be able to do it yourself in no time for just the cost of the blocks unless you are totally sold on the Add-a-Leafs...

 

x2 on getting a 1" taller set of blocks. Your talking about a $50 fix, you cant loose. Switch them out and start enjoying your ride.

 

I dont want to switch to a taller block. Seems like the worst possible way to lift a vehicle.

Im going to go with the add a leaf, and go from there. Ill do it myself though, Screw that shop. I never really had a problem doing it myself other than being lazy.