By adding a Leveling Kit to your truck, you will raise the ride height between 1 to 3 inches, without altering the original suspension geometry or compromising on the ride comfort. This is accomplished by lifting the body of the vehicle and installing blocks or spacers between the body and frame. This subtle change means that not only is the factory rake eliminated. It also changes the overall stance and performance of your truck. Giving it a much more aggressive look as it stands a little taller all without requiring you to replace numerous parts or incurring high workshop costs. By adding a kit it only impacts on the front of your vehicle, your payload capacity will remain the same. You can still put just as much weight in the bed without fear of the suspension bottoming out. In terms of what the kit looks like, I guess the best way of describing it is if you can imagine bolting on an alloy doughnut-shaped extension spacers onto the front stock struts of your truck.
As with any modification you’re considering for your truck, there are always a number of questions. So what we have done is answer the most common questions asked with regards to installing a Leveling Kit. This should equip you with the knowledge to help you make an informed decision on whether a kit is right for your truck or not.
What is the price and how long does it take to fit a Leveling Kit?
The majority of aftermarket Leveling Kits are affordable and appear to be reasonably easy to fit without any permanent modification to your suspension or your truck. But remember as, with anything, you get what you pay for. If you are using your truck as your daily drive, then the least expensive leveling kits will do an excellent job. However, if off-road performance and handling are all important, you’ll probably want a slightly more sophisticated option.
Leveling kits are very straightforward and typically include things like coil spacers, strut extensions, or torsion keys (depending on your truck’s suspension). Many can be installed without having to jack up your truck. Whilst Installation is reversible and should take no more than half a day to complete. We would strongly recommend that unless you have mechanical expertise, you have the kit professionally installed.
By adding a Leveling Kit will my warranty be void?
The addition of a Leveling Kit more than likely won’t affect your warranty, but it never hurts to check your warranty information before installing any body modification.
Can I increase the size of my tires once the kit is fitted?
Yes, the addition of a kit also allows you to change to bigger tires compared to those originally fitted by the factory. For example, with a 2.5” leveling extension on a Ford F150, you could comfortably fit up to a 35” tire. In this instance, the tires will fit the factory-supplied rims, helping to keep your costs down. The benefit of adding larger new tires is that you get the bonus of more ground clearance. Most Leveling Kit manufacturers do supply tire guidelines to make sure that the tires you fit are the correct size and up to the job.
Will a leveling kit affect my truck’s towing capabilities?
Should i get my truck aligned after installing a leveling kit?
We would recommend that you have the wheel alignment checked once the vehicle height is changed. Failure to check the alignment could lead to premature wear on the tires. Also, remember by raising the front end of your truck, you have also increased the front headlights. So for your own safety and others, you may also want to consider doing a simple recalibration of your lights once you’ve finished fitting the kit.
Can you add a Leveling Kit to both 2 and 4 wheel drive trucks?
The majority of kits are capable of fitting both 2 and 4 wheel drive trucks. But not all kits do, so you should double-check before parting with your hard-earned dollars.
Will a leveling kit alter my truck’s ride, aerodynamics, and performance?
The kit shouldn’t affect your ride quality, but it might seem a little stiffer. Also, you might see a slight loss of MPG due to increased wind resistance and by the fitting of bigger tires. You will, however, have better handling when the truck is empty, and if you have a winch on the front end of your truck, a leveling kit can help compensate for the extra weight.
To conclude, a leveling kit is an aftermarket body modification designed to raise the front of your truck. A leveling kit will eliminate rake, increase your truck’s ride height, and allow you to fit bigger tires increasing ground clearance. The right kind of leveling kit for you depends on a variety of factors, including how much lift you want as well as what type of suspension you have.
But don’t forget that you’re modifying the suspension and all that entails. So if for any reason the fitting of the kit is carried out incorrectly, this could have dire consequences on both the suspension and the truck’s handling capabilities, which could all have a significant impact on your wallet.