Except the fact that we don't have axles in the front. We have independent front suspension. So actually, you do gain ground clearance by doing a level even if you do not add larger tires.

And the "lessor chance of resale". Levels are super easy to take off. So are lifts, as long as you don't go over 3 inches. Go over that, and it's really hard to take off.

And for the slightly lower mileage. Only if you do larger tires. I have a level and stayed with my stick tire size, and I have seen zero effect on my mileage.

And for the higher bed. The OP is asking about level only, so the bed height will not really change.

 

Ground clearance is the distance from the road surface to the lowest point on the truck, usually the rear axle pumpkin. This allows you to drive over objects or drive through deep mud, rutted roads, or snow drifts. If you raise the front end, (without increasing wheel and tire diameter) you do nothing to increase the ground clearance, currently 9.3 inches on a 4x4 2016 SuperCrew 157" wheelbase, 9.4 inches on a shortbed SuperCrew 4x4. The lowest point of the truck would remain the same.

 

Well I would agree partially with both of you.

While in the strictest sense, ground clearance relates to the lowest point on the truck, in reality that is not usually what gets you stuck. I have dragged the pumpkin through mud and snow without getting stuck many times. Usually you start getting stuck when you start to drag the frame.

Add to this an increased approach angle. For those not in the know this is how steep of an incline you can start driving up before the bumper hits. The higher the bumper, the steeper the incline you can approach and climb.

With this in mind, a level kit does add clearance as lifting the front 2- 2.5" will give you that much more space under the front of the frame. This is certainly space that provides significant advantage offroad.

My reasons for a level kit were two fold:

First was clearance under the front frame. I spend a lot of time off road, unlike most trucks out there and on this site. I camp, hunt and fish year round and believe me when I tell you that the extra 2.5" in the front made a difference. I had my level in for about a year before I upgrade tires.

Second was to put on larger tires. My reasons for larger tires are the same as the level.

I had no interest in the "look" as I am too cheap to add stuff to my truck that does not increase it's usability or is not a smokin deal

So again, while in the strictest sense you are correct, your logic and real world reasoning are not.

 

This^^^.

Depends on what you want ground clearance for. For me, it's for light muding and driving through water. I live in FL were it rains a LOT. I don't care if my entire axle is underwater, I just don't want it coming into the cab. And mud isn't going to do anything to my axle either, other than get it dirty, as long as I don't high center my truck. But the few extra inches up front do matter a lot. They could be the difference between getting stuck, and not. Gaining that clearance in the front helps me more in mud, even without going bigger on tires.

Now, if you live were you can do rock climbing, then yes you do need bigger tires for the clearance. When I was in California I ran 35's or 37's, now I run 32's.