I want to install a leveling kit on my O8 2500. after looking around i think i want to go with a Cognito kit. I would like some of your guys opinions on this kit, and any other kits you all might be running. Are you happy with them? Any problems with them? Im not so much worried about the ride quality, but do want to a beefier stance for my truck.
Cognito also offers a Pitman idler support kit, an Idler pivot assembly with weld in gusset, and a HD tie rod steering kit. is it worth it to purchase any or all of these extra options? Any info would help. Im looking to buy fairly soon. THANKS!!

I am thinking about doing the same thing once I get the truck... Waiting for the best deal and I think that will be once the 09's come out. Everyone I have talked to said the pitman arm and idler support kit is a must. They say that is one of the best kits available. They also said to avoid turning the torsion bars to keep the stock ride. If you turn them to much the truck will ride horrible. I believe they use the keys instead and recommend going to a different shock, Bilsteins.

love the Cognito 2''-3'' and all the other stuff. Improves the look and the ride compared to t-bars cranked. Def go for the bilsteins and pitman idlers. tierods not a bad idea either.

Cognito Leveling kit is an Upper Control Arm kit or UCA for short. No keys needed, just longer shocks, which really should be used even if you are just cranking the t-bars. Do a search for cognito UCA, you can read about them til your head spins. NorCal Nick a vendor on here can hook you up with the correct setup you need. If you are just wanting a higher stance, you can lift your truck for free about 1.5" over stock by turning up the torsion bars, may need new shocks, but all it takes is about 5 minutes to lift the truck by turning the bolt controlling the torsion bars. That's all I needed. Rides great and cleared my 33's. You need to keep at least 3/4" spacing between UCA and the metal bumpstop (I've got about 1" spacing). IMO, UCA's are only needed if you can't get what you want by cranking your torsion bars. Cognito allows you to turn your bars up more without hitting the bumpstop, also, when you go that extreme of lift, it also corrects the angle of the balljoint, which if over cranked can put excess stress on them causing them to fail. Like posted above, if you want 2-3" of lift, Cognito is only way to go, IMO. If you don't want to go that high, turning your bars up is a perfect way to get some height. Not sure what your going to use your truck for, but if you plan to tow, if you get the truck level. When loaded, you'll be squatting, which is not how you want things to be when towing. Might need blocks in the rear to gain back the rake if necessary. That's why I went cranking the torsion bars. When towing my 14K lb 5ver now, with the bags, I'm perfectly level front and rear. Check out NorCal Trucks site here in the Vendors section. Great writeup that will answer all your questions and pics to describe what I'm writing. Have fun reading, you'll find out more info than you care to know!! Chris

SUSPENSION AND STEERING SECTION! Not engine specific!

sorry ri silveradoman. im new to this website. can i move it??

This kit allowed me to increase the height in order to fit 33 x 12.50 toyo mt's and still retain the factory ride. I would recommend Blisten shocks rather than shock extenders if you can as blisten is far better than the stock shock. I did crank my torsion bars up till I had 3/4 inch clearance between the bump stop and it still rides nice and the tires do not rub. I load a 3500lb camper and the best thing to keep the truck from squatting is air bags however 2 inch blocks can also be used to get the factory rake back.

If you crank your bars to acheive the same amount of lift as replacing the keys with "green keys" the ride quality will be the same. I wouldn't replace your keys unless your sure you need to. There is a good chance that they would be a waste of cash. Keep in mind that when you crank your t-bars that you are increasing your up travel and decreasing your down travel. The cognito UCAs increase total total travel by adding more down travel. So with the cognito UCAs you can recover the lost down travel and get it back to stock specs and increase the up travel and correct the ball joint angles. Another advantage is that the ball joint in the Cognito UCA's is a bolt on unit and in the factory UCA that are part of the UCA, so when they go bad you have to contact the general and buy the whole arm. The cognito UCAs don't have much downside, and I think can be used with most lifts, if you choose to go higher in the future.

This was started and could help you see who is using the Cognito Leveling:
Cognito Club (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255651)


Here is some good reading:

Leveled & Rough Ride

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1641068&postcount=7 (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1641068&postcount=7)



what shocks,and leveling kit(tow vehicle)
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254984 (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254984)


funny key question
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207498&highlight=keys


green keys
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246414

Wizzards thats exacly what I am looking to do. What kind of offset and backspaing do your rims have? It looks like your tires are flush with the fenders and thats the stance I want but I can't seem to figure out what rim specs I need to make the truck sit like that. thanks for any help. Im looking at the XD diesels with o offset and 5in backspacing

Mike

Wizzards thats exacly what I am looking to do. What kind of offset and backspaing do your rims have? It looks like your tires are flush with the fenders and thats the stance I want but I can't seem to figure out what rim specs I need to make the truck sit like that. thanks for any help. Im looking at the XD diesels with o offset and 5in backspacing

Mike


Offset is +25 and bs is 5.98