There are numerous ways to lift your truck while retaining your factory ride quality. Leveling suspensions can often include lift spindles, spacers, coilovers, blocks, shackles or add-a-leaf setups. If you spend a few minutes searching the Internet for '99-to-'06 Chevy 1500 suspension systems you will most likely run into a slew of kits containing the above components. However, spend a few minutes on any Chevy truck forum and you will learn most 1500 owners aren't very happy with the ride quality of most aftermarket kits. We chose to install a system that always seemed get praise, the Rough Country 3-inch leveling kit. The kit comes complete with 3-inch lift spindles, four Hydro 8000 shocks, 2-inch rear lift blocks, U-bolts and hardware. Rough Country recommends a certified technician install this kit. We decided to head on over to Dependable Off-Road in Anaheim, California, to give us a hand considering they are true aftermarket experts. If you plan on attempting this install on your own, please read through the included instructions thoroughly.The kit comes complete with 3-inch lift spindles, four Hydro 8000 shocks, 2-inch rear lift Once we got the truck safely suspended on jackstands, Dependable removed the tire and then removed the caliper from the brake rotor assembly. In order to save yourself the trouble of having to bleed the brakes, we recommend you hang the caliper out of the way with a bungee cord, zip tie, or wire coat hanger.Once we got the truck safely suspended on jackstands, Dependable removed the tire and then The hardest part of replacing a spindle is breaking free the connection at the ball joint. Typically, you can remove the nut and hit it with a hammer a few times. If this technique doesn't work, you will need to break out a ball joint tool. These can be found at most hardware and tool shops.The hardest part of replacing a spindle is breaking free the connection at the ball joint. With the spindle free, we removed it from the brake mounts. It's easy to see where the 3 inches of lift comes from when you stack the old spindle next to the new.It's easy to see where the 3 inches of lift comes from when you stack the old spindle next Make note of the brake line mount location change. On the old spindle the mount was located on top, on the new it is located on the upper inside of the spindle.Make note of the brake line mount location change. On the old spindle the mount was locate Make sure to run the brake line in between the coilover and the spindle. If not, the brake line will not reach the mount. Removal of the sway-bar may aid in getting the new spindle on the truck if necessary.Make sure to run the brake line in between the coilover and the spindle. If not, the brake With the new spindle on the truck, it was time to replace the factory shock. The easiest way to remove the upper shock mount is to secure the shock shaft with a pair of vise grips and an open-end wrench.With the new spindle on the truck, it was time to replace the factory shock. The easiest w The lower shock mount simply bolts into the factory location using the factory hardware. In order to install lift blocks under leaf springs, you need to droop out the rear end. Without the use of a lift system, you can achieve this using a pair of jack stands and a floor jack.In order to install lift blocks under leaf springs, you need to droop out the rear end. Wi Adding the 2-inch lift block is a pretty easy install. We removed the factory U-bolts and slid the block under the leaf spring. There are front and rear markings on the lift blocks, please be sure to look for them during your install. Once the blocks and U-bolts are secured, we took a Sawzall and removed the excess bolt length.Adding the 2-inch lift block is a pretty easy install. We removed the factory U-bolts and The new Hydro 8000 rear shocks bolt directly into factory location. We previously had 31-inch all-terrain tires. They barely fit and rubbed a lot. These before-and-after images show that 3 inches of lift provided the perfect amount of room for the tires and gave our truck a much-improved look. Aside from looks, we chose to install the Rough Country kit because our ride quality was a concern....We previously had 31-inch all-terrain tires. They barely fit and rubbed a lot. These befor .....It's also worth noting that it will not affect our towing capacity. We can't thank the guys at Dependable Off-Road enough for their help; the install went smoothly and was completed in less than three hours......It's also worth noting that it will not affect our towing capacity. We can't thank th Sources Dependable Off-Road 1542 N. State College Blvd. Anaheim CA 92806 714-774-1471 www.dependableoffroad.com Rough Country Suspension Systems 1400 Morgan Road Dyersburg TN 38024 800-222-7023 www.roughcountry.com By Jordan May Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
