What is the fascination with a level truck?
09-10-2017, 11:58 AM
#21
Nothing looks more stupid that a truck with oversized low profile mudder tires that stick out from the truck and the back is lower than the front. See it all the time.
I personally prefer stock rode heights and the best Handel ing the truck can have, I do a lot of driving in the desert. Having a touch more ground clearance would certainly help. So I have considered A 1 inch bilstein shock kit, but I also tow a lot too so I don't want the rear low rider look. The only real solution is air bags with it. Don't feel like spending the money
I personally prefer stock rode heights and the best Handel ing the truck can have, I do a lot of driving in the desert. Having a touch more ground clearance would certainly help. So I have considered A 1 inch bilstein shock kit, but I also tow a lot too so I don't want the rear low rider look. The only real solution is air bags with it. Don't feel like spending the money
09-10-2017, 12:14 PM
#22
Is see absolutely no functional benefit to leveling a truck. Mine sits level with a couple thousand pounds in the bed with the stock suspension. If I "leveled" it, my headlights would be pointing at the sky when I load the truck, making the truck useless. That, to me, is the definition of stupid, or at the least, a mistake.
I don't have any desire for larger tires either, the tires on my HDPP truck are already a little taller than what Ford puts on other trucks. If I did want larger tires for some reason, I'd raise the front and rear and keep the rake.
I don't have any desire for larger tires either, the tires on my HDPP truck are already a little taller than what Ford puts on other trucks. If I did want larger tires for some reason, I'd raise the front and rear and keep the rake.
09-10-2017, 01:21 PM
#23
Senior Member
I like the look of a level truck. I went the opposite route. I actually removed the block in the rear to lower it down to match the front.. I routinely carry about 300# in the rear so just removing the block did the trick for me...
09-10-2017, 01:23 PM
#24
I will push the other side of the coin here since it sounds like this thread is for the ultra minimalist.
Pros: level
1.Ride height/ground clearance I.E. Bigger tires.
2. Better off road traction and winter weather performance.
More ride compliance in turns, stability, less float. I.E. Stiffer suspension
3. Looks: Sorry to say, but the rake on these trucks is screaming downhill.
4. Bigger load range E tires wear better, last longer, and resist wife induced curb rash/rim damage. Wider more stable tires, with larger/stiffer, more robust sidewalls.
5. Better suspension articulation with SELECT leveling kit options..
Cons: level
1. Mpg downgrade/aerodynamic downgrade in some instances.
2.Rolling resistance, heavy tires, and an increase of mechanical stress.
3. Parking and height clearance issues in some parking garages.
4. More money spent $$$$$
5. More wear and tear on CV's, ball joints and reduced braking.
6. More effort to load heavy objects higher into bed (rear height lifted)
It's dead even in my opinion, you need to take the good with the bad. I personally think a level increases performance of truck oriented goals if you own a truck for actually utility and off road harsh weather circumstances..
I could go crazy arguing in favor of leveling, but it really is a to each his own modification. Some say it's an identifier of character, others may say the engineers know better than most of us. I say do what you want to do to the truck, and tailor it to your needs like a great fitting suit.
Pros: level
1.Ride height/ground clearance I.E. Bigger tires.
2. Better off road traction and winter weather performance.
More ride compliance in turns, stability, less float. I.E. Stiffer suspension
3. Looks: Sorry to say, but the rake on these trucks is screaming downhill.
4. Bigger load range E tires wear better, last longer, and resist wife induced curb rash/rim damage. Wider more stable tires, with larger/stiffer, more robust sidewalls.
5. Better suspension articulation with SELECT leveling kit options..
Cons: level
1. Mpg downgrade/aerodynamic downgrade in some instances.
2.Rolling resistance, heavy tires, and an increase of mechanical stress.
3. Parking and height clearance issues in some parking garages.
4. More money spent $$$$$
5. More wear and tear on CV's, ball joints and reduced braking.
6. More effort to load heavy objects higher into bed (rear height lifted)
It's dead even in my opinion, you need to take the good with the bad. I personally think a level increases performance of truck oriented goals if you own a truck for actually utility and off road harsh weather circumstances..
I could go crazy arguing in favor of leveling, but it really is a to each his own modification. Some say it's an identifier of character, others may say the engineers know better than most of us. I say do what you want to do to the truck, and tailor it to your needs like a great fitting suit.
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last5oh_302 (09-11-2017)
09-10-2017, 01:32 PM
#25
Senior Member
How much of an issues is this with only a 2" level? I've had my 2010 leveled for about 5 years and 100k miles. Haven't had any issues with CVs or ball joints. Braking is just fine.
09-10-2017, 01:49 PM
#26
Braking would be affected by larger tires. Not by 2" leveling. Going up one tire size isn't likely to do much for braking differences, either, especially if you shop around for lighter wheels. You might even have a lighter-than-stock package.
09-10-2017, 01:54 PM
#27
Senior Member
I will push the other side of the coin here since it sounds like this thread is for the ultra minimalist.
Pros: level
1.Ride height/ground clearance I.E. Bigger tires.
2. Better off road traction and winter weather performance.
More ride compliance in turns, stability, less float. I.E. Stiffer suspension
3. Looks: Sorry to say, but the rake on these trucks is screaming downhill.
4. Bigger load range E tires wear better, last longer, and resist wife induced curb rash/rim damage. Wider more stable tires, with larger/stiffer, more robust sidewalls.
5. Better suspension articulation with SELECT leveling kit options..
Cons: level
1. Mpg downgrade/aerodynamic downgrade in some instances.
2.Rolling resistance, heavy tires, and an increase of mechanical stress.
3. Parking and height clearance issues in some parking garages.
4. More money spent $$$$$
5. More wear and tear on CV's, ball joints and reduced braking.
6. More effort to load heavy objects higher into bed (rear height lifted)
It's dead even in my opinion, you need to take the good with the bad. I personally think a level increases performance of truck oriented goals if you own a truck for actually utility and off road harsh weather circumstances..
I could go crazy arguing in favor of leveling, but it really is a to each his own modification. Some say it's an identifier of character, others may say the engineers know better than most of us. I say do what you want to do to the truck, and tailor it to your needs like a great fitting suit.
Pros: level
1.Ride height/ground clearance I.E. Bigger tires.
2. Better off road traction and winter weather performance.
More ride compliance in turns, stability, less float. I.E. Stiffer suspension
3. Looks: Sorry to say, but the rake on these trucks is screaming downhill.
4. Bigger load range E tires wear better, last longer, and resist wife induced curb rash/rim damage. Wider more stable tires, with larger/stiffer, more robust sidewalls.
5. Better suspension articulation with SELECT leveling kit options..
Cons: level
1. Mpg downgrade/aerodynamic downgrade in some instances.
2.Rolling resistance, heavy tires, and an increase of mechanical stress.
3. Parking and height clearance issues in some parking garages.
4. More money spent $$$$$
5. More wear and tear on CV's, ball joints and reduced braking.
6. More effort to load heavy objects higher into bed (rear height lifted)
It's dead even in my opinion, you need to take the good with the bad. I personally think a level increases performance of truck oriented goals if you own a truck for actually utility and off road harsh weather circumstances..
I could go crazy arguing in favor of leveling, but it really is a to each his own modification. Some say it's an identifier of character, others may say the engineers know better than most of us. I say do what you want to do to the truck, and tailor it to your needs like a great fitting suit.
What he said above pretty much sums it all up.
09-10-2017, 02:01 PM
#28
Originally Posted by MarkY
How much of an issues is this with only a 2" level? I've had my 2010 leveled for about 5 years and 100k miles. Haven't had any issues with CVs or ball joints. Braking is just fine.
With a level and bigger tires, you may be inclined to use 4wd more!
:U Hence the increased wear^^
Braking is definitely effected somewhat, even if it's not a major flaw or dealbreaker. Especially with bigger tires in the 34-35" range.
I have a 2.5 level on 1 of my 04-08 gen F150's with the same exact 4wd system as the 17's.
With 35's I have never had a CV issue, and I've only swapped the upper ball joints since it was easy to do when I installed new bilsteins struts with a 2.5" AUto spring spacer. I've probably got about 4-5K miles on my actual 4wd system for this particular truck with no issues. Some of those miles are from whipple supercharged 4x4 launches too. Still no issues.. Fords IWE 4wd system is definitely one of the best systems available imho..
Upper Ball joint angles are probably the main concern worth mentioning when leveling an F150 as far as "stress" is concerned.
Last edited by Especial86; 09-10-2017 at 02:16 PM.
09-10-2017, 02:15 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: In way too hot southern Georgia
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I will push the other side of the coin here since it sounds like this thread is for the ultra minimalist.
Pros: level
1.Ride height/ground clearance I.E. Bigger tires.
2. Better off road traction and winter weather performance.
More ride compliance in turns, stability, less float. I.E. Stiffer suspension
3. Looks: Sorry to say, but the rake on these trucks is screaming downhill.
4. Bigger load range E tires wear better, last longer, and resist wife induced curb rash/rim damage. Wider more stable tires, with larger/stiffer, more robust sidewalls.
5. Better suspension articulation with SELECT leveling kit options..
Cons: level
1. Mpg downgrade/aerodynamic downgrade in some instances.
2.Rolling resistance, heavy tires, and an increase of mechanical stress.
3. Parking and height clearance issues in some parking garages.
4. More money spent $$$$$
5. More wear and tear on CV's, ball joints and reduced braking.
6. More effort to load heavy objects higher into bed (rear height lifted)
It's dead even in my opinion, you need to take the good with the bad. I personally think a level increases performance of truck oriented goals if you own a truck for actually utility and off road harsh weather circumstances..
Pros: level
1.Ride height/ground clearance I.E. Bigger tires.
2. Better off road traction and winter weather performance.
More ride compliance in turns, stability, less float. I.E. Stiffer suspension
3. Looks: Sorry to say, but the rake on these trucks is screaming downhill.
4. Bigger load range E tires wear better, last longer, and resist wife induced curb rash/rim damage. Wider more stable tires, with larger/stiffer, more robust sidewalls.
5. Better suspension articulation with SELECT leveling kit options..
Cons: level
1. Mpg downgrade/aerodynamic downgrade in some instances.
2.Rolling resistance, heavy tires, and an increase of mechanical stress.
3. Parking and height clearance issues in some parking garages.
4. More money spent $$$$$
5. More wear and tear on CV's, ball joints and reduced braking.
6. More effort to load heavy objects higher into bed (rear height lifted)
It's dead even in my opinion, you need to take the good with the bad. I personally think a level increases performance of truck oriented goals if you own a truck for actually utility and off road harsh weather circumstances..
#7 As you raise the height, the truck center of gravity goes up and easier to roll over. Biggest offender, large tires.
#8 Most people need assist (running boards, ladder, etc) to safely get in and/or out of taller lift (over 1-1.5 inches).
