Looking for TRUCK LEVELING ADVICE!
03-19-2016, 08:55 PM
#21
Senior Member
My ranch is very remote, very ruff, some aggressive climbs and descents on trails with loose rocks ranging from softball to a little bigger than basketball, along with lots of 6"-18" ledges. I have 295/70's, mine measure out to 34.9" x 11.25" on my factory 18's. I had about 3 areas where I would drag bottom before the level and tires, one of them was a pretty good hit because I was on a pretty steep decline while going over a 1'ish drop off. After the level and tires no hitting steps or skid plates other than on one steep break over by the pond, no way around that with the length of this wheel base length. At full compression in a pretty harsh flex I got a tiny bit of rubbing on the crash bars at full lock. Never touched the inner fenders, or the mud guards.
To put your mind at ease, I'm 21 miles from the closest paved road, 5-6 miles from the closest cell phone range, and no neighbors for several miles in any direction. Just think remote south/central Texas and multiply it. If my ride wasn't 100% reliable, if I thought I was going to rub a tire to failure, break something, or get stranded I wouldn't drive it out there. My truck is just 2" in the front, didn't play with rear blocks at all, still has a slight front rake. One thing I can say about these trucks is they are pretty impressive for what they are, in an off-road sense. There are 2 trails my buddy can not drive his Jeep TJ up. He is no lift on 33's and no lockers. I drive a tank basically compared to him. Lockers and good suspension make a word of difference. It will keep the wheels planted pretty well and locked rear helps a lot when you are dealing with ledges and large loose rocks.
Side note, mud guards are 100% effective at keeping mud and rocks off of the paint with the factory wheels. Since they don't stick out nothing made it past them and hit the paint at all.
To put your mind at ease, I'm 21 miles from the closest paved road, 5-6 miles from the closest cell phone range, and no neighbors for several miles in any direction. Just think remote south/central Texas and multiply it. If my ride wasn't 100% reliable, if I thought I was going to rub a tire to failure, break something, or get stranded I wouldn't drive it out there. My truck is just 2" in the front, didn't play with rear blocks at all, still has a slight front rake. One thing I can say about these trucks is they are pretty impressive for what they are, in an off-road sense. There are 2 trails my buddy can not drive his Jeep TJ up. He is no lift on 33's and no lockers. I drive a tank basically compared to him. Lockers and good suspension make a word of difference. It will keep the wheels planted pretty well and locked rear helps a lot when you are dealing with ledges and large loose rocks.
Side note, mud guards are 100% effective at keeping mud and rocks off of the paint with the factory wheels. Since they don't stick out nothing made it past them and hit the paint at all.
Do you have any complaints with your setup? I would seem to think that you think highly of it. Just curious if you would change anything if you were to do it again...
03-20-2016, 11:19 PM
#22
I'm happy with it for sure. I wouldn't necessarily change anything, but I wouldn't be complaining if I had 3.73's instead of 3.55's. But overall I have no complaints. Gets around really good off road and goes great on the highway. Just made a trip to Dallas and back to pick my kids up from spring break. 340 miles each way, I averaged 18.9 MPG on the highway (hand calculated).
Glad I found this post. I am looking at selling my 13 and ordering a 16 in the coming months. I was looking at the AS 2" and nothing in the back. I am looking at the 20" wheels with 285/65/20 BFG KO2s... Looked up your tire on the calculator and compared it to mine and they seem very similar. Puts out that you are running 34.26 inches tall and mine would be 34.59... Not my math but that of discount tire (I know you mentioned 34.9 above). Regardless it seems like the two tire sizes are similar enough to not cause any issues. I am glad to hear that you have some rough roads that you travel on a regular basis!
Do you have any complaints with your setup? I would seem to think that you think highly of it. Just curious if you would change anything if you were to do it again...
Do you have any complaints with your setup? I would seem to think that you think highly of it. Just curious if you would change anything if you were to do it again...
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TW3NTY2 (03-21-2016)
03-21-2016, 12:37 PM
#23
Senior Member
I'm happy with it for sure. I wouldn't necessarily change anything, but I wouldn't be complaining if I had 3.73's instead of 3.55's. But overall I have no complaints. Gets around really good off road and goes great on the highway. Just made a trip to Dallas and back to pick my kids up from spring break. 340 miles each way, I averaged 18.9 MPG on the highway (hand calculated).
Hopefully I will be able to order within the next few months. Will get some pics up as soon as it happens!
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lumpythetexan (06-08-2016)
03-22-2016, 11:03 AM
#26
On the street ride is unchanged, offroad its slightly better because of the extra sidewall height, helps soak up the little stuff better. I've had to issues with binding because of the level
04-04-2016, 09:18 AM
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Alberta
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Looks great. I have 22's as well. I was thinking of dropping the 35 x12.5 I have now and going to a 305/40/22. But was worried the rubber would look to small with my level, what brand tires are those?
06-08-2016, 10:35 AM
#28
Senior Member
Quick lift
traded my 2006 diesel for a 15' f150 crew. was tired of the really tall lift, & endless 6.0 issues. having a bit of buyers remorse cuz it looks like an old man truck. would like to level it & increase tire size but don't want any issues with noises, rubbing, bottoming out, just good looking stance and reliability. What's the best setup? thanks
My front end from ground to the inner top of the quarter panel went from 36 3/4 inches to 40 1/2 inches. The front and the back are perfectly level. I've had Rancho on a couple of other trucks to include my 13 Lariat and have always been pleased. Here's a picture of her after the install.
06-19-2016, 10:41 AM
#29
Senior Member
Yeah, the angle of the camera makes it look bad, it isnt perfectly level either, you have to go 2.5" and mess with the rear blocks to get an actual level. I haul stuff a lot so I dont want my back end sitting lower than the front end. Most leveling kids maintain a little bit of rake.
