Ok. I can't stand the 2" rake on my 09 Seirra 1500 4x4. I love my truck and the 315 horses but that dang stance erks me. Here is my question. Is there a front end leveling kit for my truck? Will it make a differance in the front end alignment? Thanks for any input.
Yes your alignment will be off, but depends on how much of a change your going to make. Small adjustments, you should be fine unless you want to go for a custom alignment to your preference of driving. I do most of my driving out on the highway so I have more of a Caster and less of a Toe-in on my Jimmy ( 0 toe), I personally find the Jimmy more stable out on the highway and less tire wear. But keep in mind that with the less of Toe-in, the Jimmy fill follow the ruts and groves on the road.
Toe-in means the front of the tires are closer to each other than the rears. The opposite is toe-out. Toe is measured in inches relative to straight ahead, or zero toe. With zero toe, a car's tires are exactly parallel to each other.
Fine-tuning toe settings will allow a measure of control that's often overlooked. It also has a significant effect on how a car behaves in a corner. Front toe settings make a big difference in how the truck handles in the first third of the turn, the critical turn-in phase where cornering force is initiated. The toe settings can be critical for allowing the driver of a rear-wheel-drive car to accelerate harder and sooner out of a corner.
Like all chassis tuning, too much of a good thing will cause problems. Too much toe-in or toe-out will create tire wear on the inside and outside edges of the tire. Any toe setting past 1/8-inch will cause excessive tire wear. Aggressive toe has probably ruined more tires on lowered or raised trucks than any other chassis adjustment.
Below are guidelines for setting toe and how it can affect feel and handling.
Front Toe-Out
Just Right
Reduced understeer at turn-in Improved steering response Counteracts natural tendency for front- and all-wheel-drive trucks to toe-in under throttle load
Too Much
Instability during braking Straight-line instability, especially over single-wheel bumps or split-traction surfaces Unrecoverable understeer
Front Toe-In
Just Right
Generally helps make the car feel more stable
Too Much
Wandering under braking Refusal to turn in or rapid turn-in followed by under-steer
AS for your question about the leveling kit, here is a link for you about leveling kits for your Sierra, good luck and be safe.
http://www.gmfullsize.com/tech/torsion401.html
