What is the fascination with a level truck?
09-10-2017, 04:29 PM
#51
Senior Member
The OP that started this thread made no reference to a 4x4 or a 4x2. People raise, lower, and level both trucks. So we can continue to discuss both.
09-10-2017, 04:52 PM
#53
I level mine every time I drop the trailer on it. 37 in front 37 in back.
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patrickoneal (09-10-2017)
09-10-2017, 05:03 PM
#54
Originally Posted by Summers22
^^^ This. Level is either lift the front of a 4x4 a couple inches or lower the back of a RWD a couple inches. Either way its level! I like thread police that tell us what we HAVE to talk about and about what we CAN'T.
Seriously just kidding...
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Summers22 (09-10-2017)
09-10-2017, 05:55 PM
#55
Senior Member
No level, no lifts. I just put the biggest tire and wheel combo I can fit on the truck as it comes from the factory. I also upgrade the shocks after 20-25,000 miles.
My 2014 F250 had the camper package that made it level from the factory. I did like the look. But it rode rough. Really rough, but towed very well.
My first pickup was a 66 F100. It and the 1972 F250 set level. But older trucks had a pretty stiff suspension and rode alot rougher than new trucks. I read about folks that buy their first pickup after driving luxury cars most their lives, and the complaints about the ride and handling.
But if you were hooking up a stock trailer, and loading the bed of the truck with hay, that rough ride smoothed out pretty nice.
And the truck set level.
My 2014 F250 had the camper package that made it level from the factory. I did like the look. But it rode rough. Really rough, but towed very well.
My first pickup was a 66 F100. It and the 1972 F250 set level. But older trucks had a pretty stiff suspension and rode alot rougher than new trucks. I read about folks that buy their first pickup after driving luxury cars most their lives, and the complaints about the ride and handling.
But if you were hooking up a stock trailer, and loading the bed of the truck with hay, that rough ride smoothed out pretty nice.
And the truck set level.
09-10-2017, 06:52 PM
#56
I'm sorry but whoever says people who use their truck don't level them is just plain dumb. A level truck does not have a lighter front end while towing and the lights go up as much as an unleveled truck after it squats. ALSO anyone who thinks these trucks can be worked hard in stock form is very misinformed. The stock tires are soft and the rear suspension is way to squishy. I immediately put air bags on my truck before I leveled it because of the suspension. I leveled it afterwards and the truck tows my 10k boat just fine and my ATV trailer which has a tongue weight of over 1000lbs just fine. My current weak point is the soft stock tires. Anyone who hauls heavy loads in these trucks on the regular always ends up getting a 3/4 ton for a reason. Look at nighthawk and boozedaily.
The pros and cons are balanced. If you like the look of a leveled truck then you need to figure out which will work best for you with garage heights, entrance difficulty, etc. If you don't like the look don't waste your money. Easy as that.
But anyone who says a level hurts a truck ability to work is completely ignorant. Any truck that is intended to be worked (leveled or not) needs air bags out back or helper leafs. And better tires.
The pros and cons are balanced. If you like the look of a leveled truck then you need to figure out which will work best for you with garage heights, entrance difficulty, etc. If you don't like the look don't waste your money. Easy as that.
But anyone who says a level hurts a truck ability to work is completely ignorant. Any truck that is intended to be worked (leveled or not) needs air bags out back or helper leafs. And better tires.
09-10-2017, 07:01 PM
#57
I'm sorry but whoever says people who use their truck don't level them is just plain dumb. A level truck does not have a lighter front end while towing and the lights go up as much as an unleveled truck after it squats. ALSO anyone who thinks these trucks can be worked hard in stock form is very misinformed. The stock tires are soft and the rear suspension is way to squishy. I immediately put air bags on my truck before I leveled it because of the suspension. I leveled it afterwards and the truck tows my 10k boat just fine and my ATV trailer which has a tongue weight of over 1000lbs just fine. My current weak point is the soft stock tires. Anyone who hauls heavy loads in these trucks on the regular always ends up getting a 3/4 ton for a reason. Look at nighthawk and boozedaily.
The pros and cons are balanced. If you like the look of a leveled truck then you need to figure out which will work best for you with garage heights, entrance difficulty, etc. If you don't like the look don't waste your money. Easy as that.
But anyone who says a level hurts a truck ability to work is completely ignorant. Any truck that is intended to be worked (leveled or not) needs air bags out back or helper leafs. And better tires.
The pros and cons are balanced. If you like the look of a leveled truck then you need to figure out which will work best for you with garage heights, entrance difficulty, etc. If you don't like the look don't waste your money. Easy as that.
But anyone who says a level hurts a truck ability to work is completely ignorant. Any truck that is intended to be worked (leveled or not) needs air bags out back or helper leafs. And better tires.
09-10-2017, 07:49 PM
#58
I'm sorry but whoever says people who use their truck don't level them is just plain dumb. A level truck does not have a lighter front end while towing and the lights go up as much as an unleveled truck after it squats. ALSO anyone who thinks these trucks can be worked hard in stock form is very misinformed. The stock tires are soft and the rear suspension is way to squishy. I immediately put air bags on my truck before I leveled it because of the suspension. I leveled it afterwards and the truck tows my 10k boat just fine and my ATV trailer which has a tongue weight of over 1000lbs just fine. My current weak point is the soft stock tires. Anyone who hauls heavy loads in these trucks on the regular always ends up getting a 3/4 ton for a reason. Look at nighthawk and boozedaily.
The pros and cons are balanced. If you like the look of a leveled truck then you need to figure out which will work best for you with garage heights, entrance difficulty, etc. If you don't like the look don't waste your money. Easy as that.
But anyone who says a level hurts a truck ability to work is completely ignorant. Any truck that is intended to be worked (leveled or not) needs air bags out back or helper leafs. And better tires.
The pros and cons are balanced. If you like the look of a leveled truck then you need to figure out which will work best for you with garage heights, entrance difficulty, etc. If you don't like the look don't waste your money. Easy as that.
But anyone who says a level hurts a truck ability to work is completely ignorant. Any truck that is intended to be worked (leveled or not) needs air bags out back or helper leafs. And better tires.
LT tires can make towing more stable in high winds but is definitely not needed.
09-10-2017, 07:58 PM
#59
That's BS. Never have I heard that someone towing or hauling needs air bags and LT tires on a stock F150. That's just an excuse to put a level on and all the additional hardware needed to make it capable.
LT tires can make towing more stable in high winds but is definitely not needed.
LT tires can make towing more stable in high winds but is definitely not needed.
He also says that moving just one end of the truck 2 inches up or down won't change the overall stance of the truck when loaded. I'm ignorant for not understanding how that works, so I'll leave it alone.
09-10-2017, 08:12 PM
#60
His profile says he has a 2.7l, and he's claiming he tows 10,000 lb trailers with it. He very well may need to upgrade a bunch of components since he's way overweight. Running that leveling kit without the airbags would probably leave it nose high with that much trailer hooked up.
He also says that moving just one end of the truck 2 inches up or down won't change the overall stance of the truck when loaded. I'm ignorant for not understanding how that works, so I'll leave it alone.
He also says that moving just one end of the truck 2 inches up or down won't change the overall stance of the truck when loaded. I'm ignorant for not understanding how that works, so I'll leave it alone.
Without a doubt my 2.7 is overloaded. My dad's old 7.3 is a much much much better truck for the job, but having been in the shop I know I can drive literally 4 minutes and 35 seconds at 30 mph to a boat ramp. But I won't turn this into a towing police thread.
My point is the factory tires are soft. I don't know what you run. Maybe 20's but my factory wranglers on my 18s are soft. I keep them at the recommended psi on the door sticker and I can feel them give on winding roads with my ATV trailer. I never said these trucks can't do anything, but i see people posting pics of 2k of mulch or rocks in the bed saying "a leveled truck can't do this" and I am mind blown. If you are doing that for an extended period of mileage leveled or not you better have an upgraded truck. Just like my truck. If mine was bought with the intention of towing that big boat I would trade it in in a heartbeat for a 3/4 ton. For such a short drive I'll be fine. But any more and I would not feel safe endangering myself or others on the road.
my point still stands, if you don't have an interest then don't get one. And if you do then weigh the personal pros and cons and be done. Leveling kits are not new things. I've never seen people get so defensive. It's your truck. Buy what you want. I've said my part and I'm out. I'm going to finish riding out Irma without power so I can go out and cut trees and load my leveled truck with branches for the dump tomorrow. Leveled or not leveled it would work the same.