Leveling Kits: Good or Bad
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 177
From: Vancouver, BC
1" (or was it 1 1/2" I can't remember what i put in....lol) level blocks just to take a little rake out of the truck while unloaded and to not create saggy butt when I'm loaded or hauling a trailer. Sort of a "compromise".
Attachment 283980
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 51
From: SoCal
Its obviously not the spacer, either top or bottom mounted, that causes any issues. Its the track bar, caster cams, brake lines, sway bar drops, bump drops, alignment....do you really not understand this or just being facetious?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 51
From: SoCal
I can't stand that red neck nose dive look. Looks like you're lifting your skirt to the cars behind you. Its all personal preference anyways, complete waste of time arguing the merits of personal preference.
Tuned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 442
Likes: 2
From: The Buckeye State
People get their feelings hurt too easy in this day in age.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 71
Likes: 12
I have put it on my 2016 and 2017 trucks, very simple to put on and have not had any problems with either. Truck still goes straight down the road, steering doesn't seem to be affected, and didn't need the brake line extenders. On my 2017 it felt like the shocks may been topping out or extending to their limit so I used that as an excuse to get some Fox shocks for it.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
as a matter of function, a level kit could potentially get you in trouble if you have a lot of tongue weight while towing. if the rear squats under hard braking, then the front tires become less weighted, negatively impacting braking performance. theoretical? perhaps. certainly more of an issue in 1/2 ton trucks....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 51
From: SoCal
not being facetious. given that the majority of level kits do not ship with trac bars, caster cams, brake lines, sway bar drops, or bump drops, i tend to think of a level kit as upper or lower spacers, shock extensions, and maybe track bar drop bracket if you're really swinging for the fences. i figured maybe he knew something that others didnt. those other niceties seem to be more common in full on suspension systems.
as a matter of function, a level kit could potentially get you in trouble if you have a lot of tongue weight while towing. if the rear squats under hard braking, then the front tires become less weighted, negatively impacting braking performance. theoretical? perhaps. certainly more of an issue in 1/2 ton trucks....
as a matter of function, a level kit could potentially get you in trouble if you have a lot of tongue weight while towing. if the rear squats under hard braking, then the front tires become less weighted, negatively impacting braking performance. theoretical? perhaps. certainly more of an issue in 1/2 ton trucks....
I get no squat with an 1100lb tongue weight. Everyone I know that tows anything heavier has airbags (lifted or not) for the increased ride comfort and adjustability. I had them on my half ton, haven't felt the need yet on my SD.
And while I agree, your theoretical scenario sounds plausible, I highly doubt anything like that happens in a real life scenario unless you're way over your payload ratings. Way, way over. At which point 2.5" of rake isn't going to do anything for you anyways. Just my $0.02
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
I don't think those things are only reserved for full suspension lifts, Carli, Icon, Pure Performance, etc all include them, and while they might not be absolutely required for your truck to function, I bet most of the issues people have with level kits is because they buy the cheapo kits that don't include everything you need to keep the correct geometry. You spend $60-80k on the truck, why cheap out and get a junk $200 kit instead of a real one for $1000. Seems silly to me. If you can't afford to do it right, you're probably not really able to afford the truck in the first place.
I get no squat with an 1100lb tongue weight. Everyone I know that tows anything heavier has airbags (lifted or not) for the increased ride comfort and adjustability. I had them on my half ton, haven't felt the need yet on my SD.
And while I agree, your theoretical scenario sounds plausible, I highly doubt anything like that happens in a real life scenario unless you're way over your payload ratings. Way, way over. At which point 2.5" of rake isn't going to do anything for you anyways. Just my $0.02
I get no squat with an 1100lb tongue weight. Everyone I know that tows anything heavier has airbags (lifted or not) for the increased ride comfort and adjustability. I had them on my half ton, haven't felt the need yet on my SD.
And while I agree, your theoretical scenario sounds plausible, I highly doubt anything like that happens in a real life scenario unless you're way over your payload ratings. Way, way over. At which point 2.5" of rake isn't going to do anything for you anyways. Just my $0.02
With the tongue weight comment, under normal conditions, probably not an issue. But you do have to ask yourself whey every single pick up truck available comes with a factory rake. I suspect it has to do with protecting/optimizing the handling attitude of the truck under extreme conditions. additionally, the IC of the radius arms raised with a level, resulting in more anti dive and less braking power by the front wheels. maybe it's theoretical, until it isnt, haha. your mileage may vary....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 51
From: SoCal
With the tongue weight comment, under normal conditions, probably not an issue. But you do have to ask yourself whey every single pick up truck available comes with a factory rake. I suspect it has to do with protecting/optimizing the handling attitude of the truck under extreme conditions. additionally, the IC of the radius arms raised with a level, resulting in more anti dive and less braking power by the front wheels. maybe it's theoretical, until it isnt, haha. your mileage may vary....