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Thinking about putting a leveling kit on my 2020 F150 XLT. Don't know a darned thing about them except they make a truck look better. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
Thinking about putting a leveling kit on my 2020 F150 XLT. Don't know a darned thing about them except they make a truck look better. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
IMO They only make the truck look better if you also add larger tires. Otherwise the small stock tires will look even smaller.
I added leveling kits to a few of my trucks, but I never went for the perfectly level look. I did it to reduce the amount of rake but not to completely eliminate the rake. That's subjective though. Some people like the perfectly level look. But to me perfectly level can look nose high if not on level ground and can be nose high when towing or with weight in the bed.
IMO They only make the truck look better if you also add larger tires. Otherwise the small stock tires will look even smaller.
I added leveling kits to a few of my trucks, but I never went for the perfectly level look. I did it to reduce the amount of rake but not to completely eliminate the rake. That's subjective though. Some people like the perfectly level look. But to me perfectly level can look nose high if not on level ground and can be nose high when towing or with weight in the bed.
Many truths in this post...as always.
I like to leave a bit of rake, around 1" or so as the proportions of the wheel wells to body lines doesn't align (to my eyes) when it's perfectly level.
Going with 5100s on my truck next week set at 1.75" in conjunction with the RAS out back.
Thinking about putting a leveling kit on my 2020 F150 XLT. Don't know a darned thing about them except they make a truck look better. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
Well now, firstly, measure your truck from the ground to the top of your wheelarch, well, front and back to get an idea of how much rake you have right now. I'd suggest leaving some, an inch is good. These 150's sag pretty quickly with out a lot of weight. Myself, I prefer a coilover, that's a complete replacement of the OEM shock/spring, Rancho's can be had for about $450USD.
Next would be a spacer that goes on top of the strut between the upper mount and top of strut. Least expensive, $100 or so, usually less.
And there is the Bilstein shocks that use a collar to adjust the spring height on the lower spring mount, very popular setup, and not too expensive, but labor will get you with them. Those require a spring compressor to disassemble the strut, and some bravery. Better off letting a shop do those, the springs have a LOT of potential energy just waiting to bite someone.
Here is my truck with 2.5" coilover level, and a 2" rear block, it has about 1.25" of rake.
I did a ready lift 2.25" inch up front.....then removed the rear block and did a 3" block in the back...it lifted it a little bit then also gave it that "factory looking rake".....
I know some people like the level kits.
I am old fashioned. A truck has rake so it sits level with a load.
Both of my trucks have no levels and never will while I own them.
another thing is I dont like levels because they change the geometry of the front end and not in a good way.
I know some people like the level kits.
I am old fashioned. A truck has rake so it sits level with a load.
Both of my trucks have no levels and never will while I own them.
another thing is I dont like levels because they change the geometry of the front end and not in a good way.
So noted. Whatever works for you.
The back of my truck was 3.75" higher when I bought it, max tow crew cab with a 6.5' bed. Looked kinda silly with that much rake. So, leveling worked for me.
I had a spacer installed on mine, but went with the smallest one available (it added 1" to the front).
That was just enough to make it look right to me.
I know some people like the level kits.
I am old fashioned. A truck has rake so it sits level with a load.
Both of my trucks have no levels and never will while I own them.
another thing is I dont like levels because they change the geometry of the front end and not in a good way.
Must not be THAT old fashioned. Back in the day trucks didn't have their a$$ end up in the air like a cat in heat. They had stiffer springs and such and rode like a, well a truck. Nowadays since trucks are basically the most purchased vehicle people wanted a more comfortable ride. To obtain that comfy ride and still be able to carry a load the suspension got softer and had to go higher. My truck has one of the highest payload ratings and now that it's level, it doesn't sag much when loaded. I prefer the more leveled look than the rear end jacked up like in the old days with air shocks.
