To level or not to level
12-06-2016, 07:12 AM
#11
Senior Member
I leveled my last 2 F150's with Autospring.
The 2012 was 2" with replacement 3" rear blocks. I ran aftermarket wheels and 34" Trail Grapplers.
I used an AS 1 1/2" front only on my 2014 and added 275 65 20 Duratracs.
Neither truck had any issues.
Other than looking great and allowing easier oil changes.
The 2012 was 2" with replacement 3" rear blocks. I ran aftermarket wheels and 34" Trail Grapplers.
I used an AS 1 1/2" front only on my 2014 and added 275 65 20 Duratracs.
Neither truck had any issues.
Other than looking great and allowing easier oil changes.
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okie1fifty (12-06-2016)
12-06-2016, 09:59 AM
#15
Senior Member
Like most have said, I doubt you'll have any issues with your front end components just by adding a 2" or even smaller spacer. Although by measurement you'll still have some rake, my truck always looked nose high. You won't lose any fuel economy, your ride won't change, you'll just gain some ground clearance.
But it seems like your gut is telling you to NOT do the spacer. ALWAYS go with your gut, no matter what the majority says. I did a 2" level (added a rear block later to put the rake back) and did aftermarket wheels and 35's. The spacer plus labor and alignment was $600. Then I bought aftermarket wheels, and 35's with a warranty and that was another $2250. Then I had to buy a Hypertech Speedo Calibrator, another $200. Then my truck looked nose high, so I bought a ReadyLift 3" rear block for $120. With all the money I've spent on just a level, wheels and tires, I wouldn't do it again. Especially since I had a brand new truck which obviously didn't need new tires. I wouldn't do a spacer either if you're keeping everything stock because it leaves too much wheel gap with the stock 32's in my opinion. Looking back at pictures of my stock truck, I really wish I had left it alone. Not saying I don't love the way my truck looks now, but I would love to have that $3100 back to spend (or save) on other things.
Like I said, go with your gut. Oh and I apologize if I sound like negative nancy over here haha. Just giving my $0.02.
But it seems like your gut is telling you to NOT do the spacer. ALWAYS go with your gut, no matter what the majority says. I did a 2" level (added a rear block later to put the rake back) and did aftermarket wheels and 35's. The spacer plus labor and alignment was $600. Then I bought aftermarket wheels, and 35's with a warranty and that was another $2250. Then I had to buy a Hypertech Speedo Calibrator, another $200. Then my truck looked nose high, so I bought a ReadyLift 3" rear block for $120. With all the money I've spent on just a level, wheels and tires, I wouldn't do it again. Especially since I had a brand new truck which obviously didn't need new tires. I wouldn't do a spacer either if you're keeping everything stock because it leaves too much wheel gap with the stock 32's in my opinion. Looking back at pictures of my stock truck, I really wish I had left it alone. Not saying I don't love the way my truck looks now, but I would love to have that $3100 back to spend (or save) on other things.
Like I said, go with your gut. Oh and I apologize if I sound like negative nancy over here haha. Just giving my $0.02.
Last edited by speeddemon0712; 12-06-2016 at 10:29 AM.
12-06-2016, 10:41 AM
#16
Like most have said, I doubt you'll have any issues with your front end components just by adding a 2" or even smaller spacer. Although by measurement you'll still have some rake, my truck always looked nose high. You won't lose any fuel economy, your ride won't change, you'll just gain some ground clearance.
But it seems like your gut is telling you to NOT do the spacer. ALWAYS go with your gut, no matter what the majority says. I did a 2" level (added a rear block later to put the rake back) and did aftermarket wheels and 35's. The spacer plus labor and alignment was $600. Then I bought aftermarket wheels, and 35's with a warranty and that was another $2250. Then I had to buy a Hypertech Speedo Calibrator, another $200. Then my truck looked nose high, so I bought a ReadyLift 3" rear block for $120. With all the money I've spent on just a level, wheels and tires, I wouldn't do it again. Especially since I had a brand new truck which obviously didn't need new tires. I wouldn't do a spacer either if you're keeping everything stock because it leaves too much wheel gap with the stock 32's in my opinion. Looking back at pictures of my stock truck, I really wish I had left it alone. Not saying I don't love the way my truck looks now, but I would love to have that $3100 back to spend (or save) on other things.
Like I said, go with your gut. Oh and I apologize if I sound like negative nancy over here haha. Just giving my $0.02.
But it seems like your gut is telling you to NOT do the spacer. ALWAYS go with your gut, no matter what the majority says. I did a 2" level (added a rear block later to put the rake back) and did aftermarket wheels and 35's. The spacer plus labor and alignment was $600. Then I bought aftermarket wheels, and 35's with a warranty and that was another $2250. Then I had to buy a Hypertech Speedo Calibrator, another $200. Then my truck looked nose high, so I bought a ReadyLift 3" rear block for $120. With all the money I've spent on just a level, wheels and tires, I wouldn't do it again. Especially since I had a brand new truck which obviously didn't need new tires. I wouldn't do a spacer either if you're keeping everything stock because it leaves too much wheel gap with the stock 32's in my opinion. Looking back at pictures of my stock truck, I really wish I had left it alone. Not saying I don't love the way my truck looks now, but I would love to have that $3100 back to spend (or save) on other things.
Like I said, go with your gut. Oh and I apologize if I sound like negative nancy over here haha. Just giving my $0.02.
You don't gain any ground clearance. The rear axle is still the lowest point and doesn't go up unless you put bigger tires on. This always makes me laugh when people get 4-6" lifts while keeping the same tires and then claim to have better clearance. The only extra clearance is up front if you feel like crawling under your truck.
12-06-2016, 11:14 AM
#17
Senior Member
I think you're thinking to hard about this. What is your ultimate goal? Bigger tires? Leveled out look? Doing it just to do it? If none of those are your reasons, then I would not install the leveling kit. Leveling kits serve no purpose other than to give you more front fender clearance for larger tires, or to level out the truck for looks.
12-06-2016, 11:17 AM
#18
Senior Member
You don't gain any ground clearance. The rear axle is still the lowest point and doesn't go up unless you put bigger tires on. This always makes me laugh when people get 4-6" lifts while keeping the same tires and then claim to have better clearance. The only extra clearance is up front if you feel like crawling under your truck.
12-06-2016, 12:31 PM
#19
I think you're thinking to hard about this. What is your ultimate goal? Bigger tires? Leveled out look? Doing it just to do it? If none of those are your reasons, then I would not install the leveling kit. Leveling kits serve no purpose other than to give you more front fender clearance for larger tires, or to level out the truck for looks.
12-06-2016, 12:35 PM
#20
Senior Member
If you just want to get rid of the rake I would remove the rear blocks (assuming you have a 4WD truck). Then when you want bigger tires do the level and re-install the rear blocks. To me a level with stock tires looks odd due to the amount of space in the front wheel wells.