Why level a truck?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
Likes: 1,635
Mostly looks and to clear larger tires, but a level gives you a little more ground clearance. I did it on my last two F150s but I also didn’t tow anything heavy enough to sag the back end much. The F350 I have on order won’t see any of these mods. I don’t want to take away from towing performance.
It DOES change your approach angles, however, which can help a bit.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 370
Likes: 178
I see lots of posts about leveling kits and I am curious why people want to level a truck. Seems they ride a little higher in the back so they level out when you put a load on them. Is it just for looks or is there a practical reason for it? Maybe to fit larger tires?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,433
It's done for different reasons, but in most cases looks. I personally don't like a true level stance, preferring some rake, but I don't like how little up travel there is up front. Take a look at how little space is between the front bump stops and pad. To gain some up travel I will probably bring the front up 1"-1.5", subjectively improving the look and increasing the up travel. Since my truck has 3"+ rake, I would still be left with some rake.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,425
Likes: 697
From: Minnesota
It's so they can complain about the rear end sagging in the rare event that a load is put on the truck. It also helps justify spending more money to bolster the rear suspension.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 71
Likes: 21
From: Woodstock, GA
Because it looks better and fits 35-37" tires better.
In the end, it's your truck, do what you want to it. People will be jealous of your truck or they will hate it (most haters are just closeted on their jealousy), but what's it matter as long as you are happy?
In the end, it's your truck, do what you want to it. People will be jealous of your truck or they will hate it (most haters are just closeted on their jealousy), but what's it matter as long as you are happy?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
Some vehicles are tools and some are toys. Either is fine as it's a free country and no one else's problem, but it would be wise if everyone changing the angle of their vehicle checked their headlight aim so they can see and so they don't blind others. (Approaching vehicle who can't see clearly may end up in your lap and not everyone has excellent night vision to compensate.
Some mods like the Carolina squat are functionally mongtarded and I suspect often due to buying too tall a vehicle for the owner, but at least if I buy one used I'll know it wasn't heavily loaded. I live in SC and enjoy it but it's not ~48th in education by accident and that reflects most everywhere including lowering vehicles in a state with many poor roads. I don't spend time staring at my trucks when parked preferring to use them instead but to each their own and it's still not as silly as sacking all four springs with a torch to get a ghetto low rider.
Some mods like the Carolina squat are functionally mongtarded and I suspect often due to buying too tall a vehicle for the owner, but at least if I buy one used I'll know it wasn't heavily loaded. I live in SC and enjoy it but it's not ~48th in education by accident and that reflects most everywhere including lowering vehicles in a state with many poor roads. I don't spend time staring at my trucks when parked preferring to use them instead but to each their own and it's still not as silly as sacking all four springs with a torch to get a ghetto low rider.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 418
Likes: 145
From: Back home in MT
I find the term 'haters' to be petty, small minded and highly overused. Just because someone disagrees, dislikes or differs in opinion, does not mean they 'hate' something. Labeling people as 'haters' due to a simple issue of someone having a different view is pretty small in my opinion.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 71
Likes: 21
From: Woodstock, GA
I find the term 'haters' to be petty, small minded and highly overused. Just because someone disagrees, dislikes or differs in opinion, does not mean they 'hate' something. Labeling people as 'haters' due to a simple issue of someone having a different view is pretty small in my opinion.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 398
Likes: 110
From: Southwest Montana & Idaho
I find the term 'haters' to be petty, small minded and highly overused. Just because someone disagrees, dislikes or differs in opinion, does not mean they 'hate' something. Labeling people as 'haters' due to a simple issue of someone having a different view is pretty small in my opinion.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 1,171
From: East TN
I like the look of my leveled truck. I like the improved approach angle when off-roading in my hilly / mountainous State. I also like not blinding oncoming traffic when I tow my dual axle trailer with tractor, bush hog, tiller, lime, fertilizer - so I added air bags in the rear. I personally think all the people who put wheels / tires that stick out way past the fenders are silly. Rocks chipping up the fender paint, rain / water being slung up the side of the truck, etc. Yet that seems to be a big trend nowadays. My truck was outfitted like that by the dealer. I promptly changed the wheels to move the tires back under the fenders as far as I could. I sold the dealer supplied Fuel wheels for enough that it covered the new wheels, mounting and balancing. No harm no foul.
To each his own. My only qualifier would be that the truck should be safe and legal to operate, in whatever configuration you choose to put it.
To each his own. My only qualifier would be that the truck should be safe and legal to operate, in whatever configuration you choose to put it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 791
Likes: 156
Level? Yes, and preferably jacked up 4-8 inches also, so you can put at least some 37"+ mud terrains on it. This gives you more ground clearance and it comes in handy on the old logging roads in Maine where you may have to traverse beaver dam floods, washed out bridges or deep snow. Not the best set up for towing, but I only do that on occasion.