Why level it?

[Vermonster]

I need to better understand why so many folks like to level their trucks. I’ve seen so many super duty trucks around my area with a bad case of squats. Some don’t even seem to have a load. Given, these are mostly years old, but it seems like the rake is attractive on these trucks.

Thoughts?

 

[nominion]

I need to better understand why so many folks like to level their trucks. I’ve seen so many super duty trucks around my area with a bad case of squats. Some don’t even seem to have a load. Given, these are mostly years old, but it seems like the rake is attractive on these trucks.

Thoughts?

Symmetry and clearance.

The gap between the tires and the fenders is larger in the front than in the back. It looks better if they are closer to the same measurement. Some people get a little overzealous and increase the height in the front too much causing the truck to look nose high. It may actually be level at that point, but it looks worse than before.

To allow for slightly larger tires to fit without causing the tires to rub on the fender well or suspension components. It is also cheaper than a full lift kit if you only want to increase the height by fewer than 4 inches.

There really isn't any other functional reason to level ones truck. Unless you have adjustable airbags in the rear, it's important to leave the front a little lower than the back to account for the rear end squatting when loaded.

This is why I have the snowplow prep kit on my truck. The springs that come with that seem to raise the truck in the front enough so I don't have to level it. It looks perfect.

I can't explain why anyone would want the front of the truck higher than the rear, which I think might have been what you were looking for an explanation on. It looks horrible.

 

[Vermonster]

Symmetry and clearance.

The gap between the tires and the fenders is larger in the front than in the back. It looks better if they are closer to the same measurement. Some people get a little overzealous and increase the height in the front too much causing the truck to look nose high. It may actually be level at that point, but it looks worse than before.

To allow for slightly larger tires to fit without causing the tires to rub on the fender well or suspension components. It is also cheaper than a full lift kit if you only want to increase the height by fewer than 4 inches.

There really isn't any other functional reason to level ones truck. Unless you have adjustable airbags in the rear, it's important to leave the front a little lower than the back to account for the rear end squatting when loaded.

This is why I have the snowplow prep kit on my truck. The springs that come with that seem to raise the truck in the front enough so I don't have to level it. It looks perfect.

I can't explain why anyone would want the front of the truck higher than the rear, which I think might have been what you were looking for an explanation on. It looks horrible.

Yes. Your last paragraph was absolutely my point. Many of the super duty trucks I see look like prerunners. The front is much too high once leveling is done. It looks like a plow truck without the plow and torsion bars cranked.

I love gaps, don’t get me wrong. But uneven fender gap is not one. I like them to be equivalent front and rear aesthetically - but I’ll always lean hard to rake. Seeing the trucks on the lot new - I don’t see any issue stock. So I must be missing it.

 

[Potato Wilson]

Yes. Your last paragraph was absolutely my point. Many of the super duty trucks I see look like prerunners. The front is much too high once leveling is done. It looks like a plow truck without the plow and torsion bars cranked.

I love gaps, don’t get me wrong. But uneven fender gap is not one. I like them to be equivalent front and rear aesthetically. Seeing the trucks on the lot new - I don’t see any issue stock. So I must be missing it.

I'm with you guys. The original Highboys all had substantial rake. When loaded down they would approach level, maintaining good steering/handling. Looks cool too, kind of a muscle look. I'm keeping mine stock. But I'm old school.

 

[5.8 Venom]

Yes. Your last paragraph was absolutely my point. Many of the super duty trucks I see look like prerunners. The front is much too high once leveling is done. It looks like a plow truck without the plow and torsion bars cranked.

I love gaps, don’t get me wrong. But uneven fender gap is not one. I like them to be equivalent front and rear aesthetically. Seeing the trucks on the lot new - I don’t see any issue stock. So I must be missing it.

For me, I can see the rear is a little higher, but not enough screw with it, I think its level enough. One of the reasons I bought the Tremor was I wanted off the lot, good to go. I'm good with the way its sits.

 

[Gingersnap155]

So I leveled mine by dropping the rear. This didn’t really “level it” I still sit higher in the rear than the front by about 1”. I honestly would of left it alone if I could have but my garage is 63” tall my truck did not fit. So it was the answer for me.
I really was happy I still had some height difference with mine.

 

[Vermonster]

So I leveled mine by dropping the rear. This didn’t really “level it” I still sit higher in the rear than the front by about 1”. I honestly would of left it alone if I could have but my garage is 63” tall my truck did not fit. So it was the answer for me.
I really was happy I still had some height difference with mine.

Frigging garage ceiling heights. It’s a pain. I’m lucky enough to have a home with some tall doors and ceiling. I think the depth of the garage may be my problem. I’ll have less than 1’ when I park inside. Lol.

 

[Skibum1681]

There are a lot of 2011-2016 F250's around here that were nose high from the factory. They look terrible.

I put a 2.5" Ready Lift level in my 2017 F250 and was 1/2" lower in the front than the rear. It looked good without a load but the soft 250 rear springs made it easy to get the nose looking high. My reason was to get the giant air dam up off the ground, give a little more tire clearance for 35's, and I think a leveled truck looks better than one that has a lot of rake. I am unloaded 90% of the time so I lived with nose high the other 10% of the time.

I plan on doing 1.5" level in my Tremor. For this one it will be for looks and a touch more clearance. The overloads should touch before being nose high. I have about 3.5" of rake now so I will still have 2" after the level

I work on construction sites and put a lot of miles on the highway so I am not interested in a full lift kit but I want as much clearance as I can to clear ruts and mud left from heavy equipment.

Edit: this set up also keeps me under 84" which is the limit for car washes around here. I need it washed a few times a week and am too lazy to hand wash that often.

 

[Renegade06]

Im fine with mine, no garage clearance issues and Im with you on like the rake, so Im leaving as is from factory.

 

[Gingersnap155]

Frigging garage ceiling heights. It’s a pain. I’m lucky enough to have a home with some tall doors and ceiling. I think the depth of the garage may be my problem. I’ll have less than 1’ when I park inside. Lol.

Yeah I have a 11ft ceiling height but a 7ft door well 6’11” ? I thought about putting in an 8ft door but decided this was cheaper and it allowed me to 100% fit in the parking garage at work which is advertised as 7’0”

 

[Cococounty]

You do see some guys that like the front higher but I just like them level most of us level them for clearance with wheels and a little more lift most leveling kits are still going to be a little lower in the front

 

[stufarmer]

Because it looks right. Couldn't take it jacked up like it was .. Carli 3.5 leaves a slight rake, perfect for towing.

 

[c-ne-elk]

I personally do not like the nose down look but each to his own! 90% of my driving is without a load or enough load (hauling my side by side on a pipe trailer) that pulls the back end down.

 

[Vermonster]

Because it looks right. Couldn't take it jacked up like it was .. Carli 3.5 leaves a slight rake, perfect for towing.View attachment 23779View attachment 23780

Do you have a side profile look? Just curious.

 

[Vermonster]

I personally do not like the nose down look but each to his own! 90% of my driving is without a load or enough load (hauling my side by side on a pipe trailer) that pulls the back end down.

Right on, brotha.

 

[Loshad]

Just hooked up my TT with about 1000 lbs of tongue weight.
Mjöldir went from 3" extra gap at the rear to about 5/8".

BINGO! Virtually dead level. Perfect towing setup!

 

[RedZilla]

Just hooked up my TT with about 1000 lbs of tongue weight.
Mjöldir went from 3" extra gap at the rear to about 5/8".

BINGO! Virtually dead level. Perfect towing setup!View attachment 23783

Nice. And that is why every truck sold by every manufacturer has rake designed in. When used as designed it works.

 

[Vermonster]

Just hooked up my TT with about 1000 lbs of tongue weight.
Mjöldir went from 3" extra gap at the rear to about 5/8".

BINGO! Virtually dead level. Perfect towing setup!View attachment 23783

That looks ?

 

[Marley]

The rake is there for towing but you won't hear any judgment from me about lifts and leveling.

Couldn't tell you how many trucks I've lifted, exhaust, aftermarket wheels, custom paint.......do what you want and enjoy.

Now that I'm older and actually DID buy the truck for towing, rake is good.

 

[IconicTremor6.7]

I like the factory rake. Nothing irritates me more on a truck that is nose high especially unloaded