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So my new F350 SRW is in transit and the dealer reached out to me about accessories. One of the options is a readylift level kit. A diesel mechanic I take my current truck to has told me that when I get my new truck I should consider a level kit and new shocks because the factory shocks are junk. The level kit from the dealer is $595 and the level kit and new shocks the diesel guy referenced totaled ~$3000. I tow a 15,000 lbs fifth wheel intermittently in summer.
My questions:
1. Is a leveling kit important and why
2. Is Readylift a quality kit?
3. What other level kits do you all recommend?
4. What other information should I consider?
Almost everyone that levels a truck AND tows is back on here in a month asking why is my truck sagging so much. Then the following month they are back asking what air bags to buy.
Save your money and don't level it. It's already designed for its intended purpose.
I honestly don't see the point in leveling a truck. I think a lot of people do it to put bigger tires on. But if you're towing something, why would you want your truck to look like it's squatting even more than normal? If you got a truck to look pretty and get groceries, go for it. If you're gonna use it to do truck stuff, it's probably a waste of money and not practical.
Almost everyone that levels a truck AND tows is back on here in a month asking why is my truck sagging so much. Then the following month they are back asking what air bags to buy.
Save your money and don't level it. It's already designed for its intended purpose.
So my new F350 SRW is in transit and the dealer reached out to me about accessories. One of the options is a readylift level kit. A diesel mechanic I take my current truck to has told me that when I get my new truck I should consider a level kit and new shocks because the factory shocks are junk. The level kit from the dealer is $595 and the level kit and new shocks the diesel guy referenced totaled ~$3000. I tow a 15,000 lbs fifth wheel intermittently in summer.
My questions:
1. Is a leveling kit important and why
2. Is Readylift a quality kit?
3. What other level kits do you all recommend?
4. What other information should I consider?
Thanks
1. Is a leveling kit important and why
They are not important but, if you do level, how you do it is important. Personally, I don't see the point. The truck has rake so it levels out with a load in the bed. The leveling kit these trucks are built for is putting a 1-2,000 lbs in the bed or hook up a heavy trailer. If you level and still plan to do work stuff, you're likely going to want air bags to keep the back end up and avoid the squatted truck look.
2. Is Readylift a quality kit?
Meh, it's alright, nothing spectacular but they get the job done.
3. What other level kits do you all recommend?
I'd look at a kit with replacement springs vs. spacers if it were me.
Almost everyone that levels a truck AND tows is back on here in a month asking why is my truck sagging so much. Then the following month they are back asking what air bags to buy.
Save your money and don't level it. It's already designed for its intended purpose.
Pretty much this….
I have leveled or lifted my last 4 trucks. Never anything crazy but there is always a compromise on something.
Your diesel mechanic should stick to changing filters..
Stock shocks are made by ConocoPhillips. Not terrible. Actually, not bad at all.
IMO. No level. Looks stupid.
I think leveling kits are dumb. But that’s just me. Defeats the whole purpose of a truck
I never got the whole *** low, nose high trend. But that's just me. I like the rear raked a little higher to take up some of the squat if I have a load. I could maybe see replacing shocks if one hated the ride but not changing the stance of the truck.
But then I also have always hated the big wheel bagger thing with motorcycles too. Just an opinion. I don't make other people's truck payment so it doesn't really matter what I think.
You can add a leveling kit and/or replace factory shocks anytime during the truck's life. Drive the truck for a while before deciding on either. Based on your post, you are not looking to level for appearance or to go to larger tires but because your dealer suggested it (as extra profit for them). No need to rush into it.
I chose to use level mine with readylift leveling springs because I offroad more than I tow and appreciate the improved approach angle and larger tires. If all I did was tow than I’d stay stock. And I still have 1+ inch of rake so it takes a decent load to really sag.
The readylift kits offer a lot of bang for your buck and comes with a lot of items lower end kits don’t such as brake line extensions, sway bar drop brackets, bump stop extensions etc. I’d say it’ll keep your truck as close to “stock” feeling as possible however if you want an improvement over stock go with Carli or icon.
If you level it you should also adjust the 4 headlights. Should level it if you like that look. The stock FX4 shocks are ok for stock weight tires. If you get heavier tires you might want to get better shocks. Stock unleveled will fit 35” tires, so if you’re only running 35”tires or smaller you don’t need to level it.
You can add a leveling kit and/or replace factory shocks anytime during the truck's life. Drive the truck for a while before deciding on either. Based on your post, you are not looking to level for appearance or to go to larger tires but because your dealer suggested it (as extra profit for them). No need to rush into it.
THIS !!!!
All trucks squat when you hook up your trailer (unless you really messed up the trailer loading). Before you raise the nose of the truck, try towing your trailer to see how it works before you make any changes. A leveling kit may end up looking like a "Carolina Squat" with your trailer hooked up.
Stock shocks are made by ConocoPhillips. Not terrible. Actually, not bad at all.
That's odd, I thought ConocoPhillips was an oil and gas company. Where can this info on them being in the automotive shock manufacturing buisness be found?
Op, as for the level, the $5** dealer level will probably make the truck nose high and not even include new shocks. I would pass on that. Take your time, drive the truck, read some more threads on the topic.
I leveled mine and tow every day with the truck. No complaints….and yes I leveled mine because I like the look.
BUT I didn’t totally level the truck. I did 2” up front and then raised the rear about 1” with a taller block since my ‘21 came lower than previous 17+ trucks from the start. So it took some of the rake out but not all of it and it sits a little higher like I prefer since the truck does some minor off road driving. Not rock crawling but the added clearance isn’t a bad thing for me.
the moral of the story is do what you want with your truck. It is yours after all and if you’re like me you get bored and like messing with things. It’s not as horrible as some of the above posts make it out to be and my truck does absolutely everything it was intended to do from the factory.
Just keep in mind if you go much higher than 2” you’ll definitely want a taller tires to fill those wheel wells. Which I think looks great. These trucks look awesome with around 3” of lift and 295 tires. Which will likely be what replaces my stock Michelins.
now if you are max towing frequently then I agree just leave it alone but most of us aren’t if we’re being honest.
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