What is the fascination with a level truck?
09-10-2017, 08:17 PM
#61
I did not say it won't change the stance of a loaded truck. Of course a leveled truck with a load will have a reverse rake. The suspensions sags. I'm saying if you have enough weight to take a load off the front end it will whether you have a level or not.
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.
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.
I don't need to upgrade my truck to carry 2k of anything for any period of time, it's made for it from the factory. It's rated for a little less than 3k. I bought a heavy duty payload package truck so I didn't have to add anything.
Good luck with the storm.
09-10-2017, 08:58 PM
#62
Senior Member
09-10-2017, 09:20 PM
#63
Senior Member
If your tires feel soft when towing, air them up to the maximum air pressure as posted on the sidewall. Big difference.
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Longhorngary (09-10-2017)
09-11-2017, 08:49 AM
#64
Senior Member
Better ride and performance is a function of switching to quality aftermarket suspension components, not of the level itself; all else being equal, you're going to have a better on-road ride at the lower ride height.
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.
The problem is that they are balancing many, if not hundreds, of competing qualities (ride comfort across a bumpy highway vs. off-road ability, MPG vs clearance, performance vs cost, etc) and we don't know which decisions were made based on which compromises. For example, I don't want to give up any more mileage than I have to, but I may end up changing out the front suspension once I get my off-road bumper and winch installed because my priorities are not the same as the Ford engineers' (nor the same as many of the many other F-150 owners out there), and I doubt the truck was engineered to have that much weight hanging off in front of the front axle.
09-11-2017, 08:54 AM
#65
Senior Member
Leveling is only good, IMO, for esthetical reasons.
As soon as you tow something, it looks ugly and you're blinding everyone else on the road. Also, most people lift their trucks without adjusting the headlights...
Plus, you get sh***y MPG by increasing the drag coefficient.
As soon as you tow something, it looks ugly and you're blinding everyone else on the road. Also, most people lift their trucks without adjusting the headlights...
Plus, you get sh***y MPG by increasing the drag coefficient.
09-11-2017, 10:28 AM
#66
Yeah, I'd drive that short distance and not worry about it with a 2.7l.
I don't need to upgrade my truck to carry 2k of anything for any period of time, it's made for it from the factory. It's rated for a little less than 3k. I bought a heavy duty payload package truck so I didn't have to add anything.
Good luck with the storm.
I don't need to upgrade my truck to carry 2k of anything for any period of time, it's made for it from the factory. It's rated for a little less than 3k. I bought a heavy duty payload package truck so I didn't have to add anything.
Good luck with the storm.
Question: I like the look of bigger tires and to get 35's I'm told I'll need a 4-6" lift. Maxed out my '16 Transit with KO2s (no lift) and love them, so will likely get these again. Do you know of any special issues lifting a truck with the HDPP? If so any reco on which lift is best with the HDPP? The shop around the corner is pushing Rough Country.
09-11-2017, 11:24 AM
#67
I ordered my '18 Lariat with the HDPP and it's supposed to arrive at dealer this week. I got the HDPP so I can haul the Hallmark truck camper that I will custom order later this fall (we like to camp in the boonies).
Question: I like the look of bigger tires and to get 35's I'm told I'll need a 4-6" lift. Maxed out my '16 Transit with KO2s (no lift) and love them, so will likely get these again. Do you know of any special issues lifting a truck with the HDPP? If so any reco on which lift is best with the HDPP? The shop around the corner is pushing Rough Country.
Question: I like the look of bigger tires and to get 35's I'm told I'll need a 4-6" lift. Maxed out my '16 Transit with KO2s (no lift) and love them, so will likely get these again. Do you know of any special issues lifting a truck with the HDPP? If so any reco on which lift is best with the HDPP? The shop around the corner is pushing Rough Country.
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09-11-2017, 11:24 AM
#68
Texas, Florida, and other places with floods. While there ARE some good lift results other than looks, I don't think (much according to the war department) they are that common.
Hope you were safe and did not get too much damage.
09-11-2017, 12:15 PM
#69
Senior Member
Informative video, however this thread is about "leveling", which is a hell of a lot different that a 5" or 6" lift.
