Leveling Kit Suggestions?

[shields shtr]

Here is one for all you truck enthusiasts. Just picked up a brand new F150, it is a fairly nice pickup. One thing I hate about the newer trucks is they are starting to look like cars. This one I got sits really "low" and just kind of looks weird.

Any suggestions on a leveling kit for it to make it set just a little higher?

Are there any performance increases, or decreases?

Is there a ride difference if I go with a Fox Coilover system vs a "spacer" type system?

 

[TexPatriot]

Are you talking about leveling the front end or lifting the whole truck?

I put a 2.5 leveling kit on my 01 f-350 front end and couldn't be happier. It has leaf springs on all corners.
It improved everything, from looks to ride to handling.

It smoothed the ride out considerably and washboard, patched, chughole stretches of road are no longer a PITA. Plus, the truck feels more solid and quiet.

 

[diverdon]

F350

 

[MtnCreek]

Saw a truck a couple months ago with a sticker in the backglass with a squatted truck that said Only bitchs squat.

 

[shields shtr]

Are you talking about leveling the front end or lifting the whole truck?

Whole truck, but not looking for the "monster" truck look.

F350

This is what I REALLY wanted, but the 150 is my company truck. All my employees have F150s and I was trying to stick to the rules for thee also apply to me...Also, the 350 that was available in my entire state was about 35k more.

 

[TexPatriot]

Whole truck, but not looking for the "monster" truck look.

If it sits like a lowrider now, a 2.5 - 3" lift isn't going to look like a monster truck. Besides, most "leveling kits" do just that, level with the rear, and go on the front.

 

[roostercogburn98]

A two inch “leveling” kit on my 21 gladiator just made it sit even front and back

 

[SONIC SAAMI]

quickLIFT® Loaded Strut and Coil Spring Assemblies for Trucks and SUVs

Rancho quickLIFT loaded assembles add an all-in-one front suspension and leveling solution to late model trucks and SUVs, helping you accommodate larger tires.

www.gorancho.com

 

[JimTN]

F150forum.com might help you

 

[HitEmHard]

If you don't mind spending the money for a fox coilover, those are really nice. 2.5" level makes a world of difference for the stance. You'll probably end up wearing out certain steering components a bit sooner. Also, once you level it the stock tires tend to look really small and leave an appreciable 'gap' around the wheel well.

It's a slippery slope of accessories!

 

[HitEmHard]

My leveled Sierra with slightly oversize all terrains.

 

[DeadAss]

nice truck HitEmHard. What leveling kit did you use ?

 

[oneshot86]

View attachment 7779559
My leveled Sierra with slightly oversize all terrains.

Do you have a pic of it before, stud.
Nice truck

 

[Ravenworks]

First thing I'd think about is the dealership being dicks and voiding your warranty.

 

[n0glock]

Whatever you do be sure to adjust the headlights

 

[Krob95]

So leveling kits typically fuck up the angles of your UCA. And fucked up angles mean a shitty ride. Some come with new UCA's but you’re really better off getting a legit lift (4" BDS is pretty nice). It maintains good angles and helps prevent premature wear in the front end components.

I have a 4" BDS on my platinum. It's perfect height and everything.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

1. Goto the F150 forums.
2. New coil overs for above mentioned reasons.
3. Size up one size tire for aesthetics.

 

[308guru]

Different, but similar application. I put Bilstein 5100's on my 2011 Silverado all around. The fronts are "adjustable" height and I set them at max which was supposed to be 2.5" and should have been level. It wound up a little taller than that so I added 1" lift blocks in the rear. It looks perfect, and the shocks ride decent all around (for a truck).

That gave me clearance for the larger K02's I wanted as well.

Check out the 5100's. A quick search got this:

Bilstein 5100 shocks fitment on 2021 F-150 (installed and feedback)

What's up everyone, just wanted to make this thread to show everyone that bilstein 5100s do in fact fit on the 2021 models. I know there was some confusion on what does and doesn’t fit on this new gen. I even remember seeing someone say that they reached out to bilstein to confirm fitment and...

www.f150gen14.com

 

[greg1147]

I didn't care for the 20" wheels so I picked up a set of 2014 Raptor wheels and 305/70/17 Nitto G2 Grapplers. Autospring 2.5" level with Airlift 2k lb air bags and Husky fender liners.

 

[SONIC SAAMI]

The ability to run a 17 inch rim is why I went with Rancho quickLIFT Loaded.
12.5-35x17 10 ply on a Method rim fit without rubbing.

 

[SmartDonkey]

Probably wont be pulling very big loads with a F150- but- even though trucks look much better with the front end raised- I wont ever do it again with a truck that is really going to be used as a truck. If it's mostly a car that you can haul some stuff in then that's one thing. However- there's a reason that they sit the way they do, and when you pull a very heavy load on a truck that has been leveled- you figure it out fast.

 

[shields shtr]

Probably wont be pulling very big loads with a F150- but- even though trucks look much better with the front end raised- I wont ever do it again with a truck that is really going to be used as a truck. If it's mostly a car that you can haul some stuff in then that's one thing. However- there's a reason that they sit the way they do, and when you pull a very heavy load on a truck that has been leveled- you figure it out fast.

This is a concern...I have a camper too. I have heard you can install the fox kit so the "rake" on the pickup is consistent with the factory rake for when you tow. There are a couple very reputable shops here with some good dudes who work at them, I will do some inquiring tomorrow.

Side note: I had to chain up all 4 and put in sport mode with the traction control off yesterday to get to an elk I shot. There is almost zero room in the factory configuration to put tire chains on the front tires. Boy, that thing is a goin mofo though. The snow was really deep and drifty, I was impressed.

 

[JimTN]

Probably wont be pulling very big loads with a F150- but- even though trucks look much better with the front end raised- I wont ever do it again with a truck that is really going to be used as a truck. If it's mostly a car that you can haul some stuff in then that's one thing. However- there's a reason that they sit the way they do, and when you pull a very heavy load on a truck that has been leveled- you figure it out fast.

Definition of "very big load" please.

 

[HitEmHard]

Lemme see if I can find a before pic! I have the Supreme Suspensions 2.5" spacer kit. It's maybe a little harsher ride? Nothing that bothers me though.

 

[isofahunter]

This is a concern...I have a camper too. I have heard you can install the fox kit so the "rake" on the pickup is consistent with the factory rake for when you tow. There are a couple very reputable shops here with some good dudes who work at them, I will do some inquiring tomorrow.

Side note: I had to chain up all 4 and put in sport mode with the traction control off yesterday to get to an elk I shot. There is almost zero room in the factory configuration to put tire chains on the front tires. Boy, that thing is a goin mofo though. The snow was really deep and drifty, I was impressed.

Level front then a set of firestone air bags on rear to avoid the sag.

 

[10ring'r]

On my first Jeep, a Wrangler Sport, I used a 2.5" spacer kit from Rancho. I was skeptical about using spacers, but, I took that Jeep to Moab and never had any issue with them, and I twisted that Jeep up a few times. When I installed them, I thought they would "spit-out" when the springs were unloaded. I was wrong. Mac

 

[Maxduty]

My suggestion on leveling kits is dont. the headlights blind enough people as it is and they hate my spotlight back at them.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Probably wont be pulling very big loads with a F150- but- even though trucks look much better with the front end raised- I wont ever do it again with a truck that is really going to be used as a truck. If it's mostly a car that you can haul some stuff in then that's one thing. However- there's a reason that they sit the way they do, and when you pull a very heavy load on a truck that has been leveled- you figure it out fast.

I added airbags just for this reason. When I load, I can level with the airbags to get proper geometry.

 

[vh20]

First thing I'd think about is the dealership being dicks and voiding your warranty.

The Ford dealer here will install a leveling kit without affecting warranty.

 

[Maxduty]

The Ford dealer here will install a leveling kit without affecting warranty.

Correct. The Magnuson-Moss warranty act is still in effect. A brief summary is this:

According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty of your vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part was the cause of or contributed to the failure of the vehicle (15 U.S.C. ... 2302 (C))

On a side note, if you get into an accident and their lawyer is on his game.....it's gonna cost a pretty penny explaining that your larger tires didn't affect your braking or the altered suspension geomety didn't make the vehicle unstable with hard braking, either of which resulted in the accident. Seems trivial, but it's happened.

 

[TexPatriot]

I had a '68 1/2 ton Ford 4x4 swb f-100 as a kid that had coil springs on the front and leafs on the back.

It had a very raked, angled stance which made it look cool and as I found out, helped it climb. On hillclimb competitions against other friend's 4x4's it was unbeatable. Then I got bored and put rubber doughnut spacers in the front coils to level it up and it no longer out climbed the others.

Putting the front end's weight further away from the hill effected the angle of approach and the front wheels ability to dig into a hillside. As a result, it lost traction at the same spot others did.

 

[vh20]

I wont ever do it again with a truck that is really going to be used as a truck. If it's mostly a car that you can haul some stuff in then that's one thing. However- there's a reason that they sit the way they do, and when you pull a very heavy load on a truck that has been leveled- you figure it out fast.

I had a '68 1/2 ton Ford 4x4 swb f-100 as a kid that had coil springs on the front and leafs on the back.

It had a very raked, angled stance which made it look cool and as I found out, helped it climb. On hillclimb competitions against other friend's 4x4's it was unbeatable. Then I got bored and put rubber doughnut spacers in the front coils to level it up and it no longer out climbed the others.

Putting the front end's weight further away from the hill effected the angle of approach and the front wheels ability to dig into a hillside. As a result, it lost traction at the same spot others did.

I am not a fan of leveling kits. Several years ago I went from a 34 x 10 tire to a 35 x 12 on my 2017 F250. Got tires through the Ford dealer. They said, “Might have to put a leveling kit on to keep from rubbing fenders.” I was a definite “NO, we’ll trim fenders before we do that,” for the reasons @SmartDonkey posted. I was confident they would fit without it anyway, knew of folks already running them. If you’re going to haul/tow loads that are not trivial to your truck’s capacity (ie use it as a truck), better to leave the leveling kit on the shelf, or just do a full lift (minimum you can get away with).

 

[GreenGO Juan]

Unless you have a really good reason I would not mess with it.

Someone spent a lot of time engineering the front suspension geometry and steering angle.

DO NOT just throw some cheap spacers. It will make it ride worse and wear parts faster. Springs will rub at full articulation.

If you are dead set. Get lift spindles, they will give you the lift with out ruining the ride quality( control arm, sway bar and rack angles).

3.5" Lift Spindles

The Dirt King Fabrication Ford F-150 lift spindles raise the front end a true 3.5" without compromising the ride quality. These spindles are currently the only lift spindles available for the F-150’s that accept both factory or aftermarket upper and lower control arms.

dirtkingfabrication.com

These are an example, look around and see what people say about different manufacturers.

 

[XP1K]

I've had two different leveled F350's. One was an 05 leveled with coil overs, the other was a 16 with readylift spacers. The ride and handling was better on the 05 with full coilover replacement. I towed a lot with both of those trucks and never had an issue. Both crew cab long bed single wheels.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

I've had two different leveled F350's. One was an 05 leveled with coil overs, the other was a 16 with readylift spacers. The ride and handling was better on the 05 with full coilover replacement. I towed a lot with both of those trucks and never had an issue. Both crew cab long bed single wheels.

F-350 is a solid front axle.

F-150 has Independent control arms.

They are completely different. They work completely different. What works on a F-350 has no bearing on a 150

 

[Matches Malone]

Unless you have a really good reason I would not mess with it.

Someone spent a lot of time engineering the front suspension geometry and steering angle.

DO NOT just throw some cheap spacers. It will make it ride worse and wear parts faster. Springs will rub at full articulation.

If you are dead set. Get lift spindles, they will give you the lift with out ruining the ride quality( control arm, sway bar and rack angles).

3.5" Lift Spindles

The Dirt King Fabrication Ford F-150 lift spindles raise the front end a true 3.5" without compromising the ride quality. These spindles are currently the only lift spindles available for the F-150’s that accept both factory or aftermarket upper and lower control arms.

dirtkingfabrication.com

These are an example, look around and see what people say about different manufacturers.

I’ve never seen spindles but I have done a handful of lifts. Never with Ford hence why I didn’t comment on the OP. This doesn’t cause travel loss in the shock?

 

[Bonjourjr]

I just leveled my truck. At first I was going to put a leveling kit on my 2017 f150 but decided to get the “adjustable” shocks from bilstein.

I looked at 5100s on all four cornered but I really didn’t want to disassemble the shock/spring assembly and reassemble with the new 5100s.

I then found the bilstein 6112s that come with a new spring and shock. But you either have to reuse the old top hat and isolatoror get new ones. I got new ones for around $90 and pre assembled the spring/shock assembly. The 6112s have adjustable setting and I put it at the highest setting and it raised my front end 2”. They are way more expensive than the 5100s but the ride is great. No need for new ucas with this setup.

There is even a vendor that sells the 6112s pre assembled so all you got to do it’s stab’em. Shock surplus I think.

It took me around 3.5hrs to do both front shock/spring assemblies. The first side was slow as I was figuring out exactly how to do it and the second side took 45min. A trip to the shop for an alignment and done. I put bilstein 5160s in the rear and that took all but 20min for the install.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

I’ve never seen spindles but I have done a handful of lifts. Never with Ford hence why I didn’t comment on the OP. This doesn’t cause travel loss in the shock?

Spindles is the right direction. Blocks is a hack job on independent suspension.

 

[XP1K]

F-350 is a solid front axle.

F-150 has Independent control arms.

They are completely different. They work completely different. What works on a F-350 has no bearing on a 150

That's true. My bad. I still would go with the full coilover replacement over the spacers.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

That's true. My bad. I still would go with the full coilover replacement over the spacers.

All good, i have worked as an alignment tech. Used to deal with this stuff on the regular.

But the full coil overs. Dont fix the geometry issue.

Spindles do.

 

[chevy_man]

Waste of time if you ever actually use the truck.

If it sits level empty, now it's squatting with any load in the back. Braking suffers especially in low traction situations because the weight doesn't transfer as effectively. If you hook up to a trailer and squat it handling starts to really suck.

If you lift the whole truck then getting stuff in and out of the bed is more of a pain in the ass.



If it's just your car that will never see anything more than a rifle or two in the back, then do whatever. I'd just buy a car to be a car myself.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

Spindles move the wheel bearings position, without changing suspension geometry.

Blocks move the suspension angle. Adjustable coil overs(as a drastic adjustment) do the same. This sacrifices handling, longevity and comfort.

Imo use the spindles for the drastic ride height change, then fine tune with the adjustable coil overs. That will yeild the best results for the least $$. Block the rear axle to match the front if needed.

There are other more involved ways but this is my bare minimum suggestion.

Personally, if its street driven daily driver, I would not mess with it for bullshit appearance reasons. If you want a lifted truck. Build a dedicated off-road/fun 4x4 toy.

 

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[918v]

Leveling kits cause problems.

 

[wade2big]

Definition of "very big load" please.

Anything other than people in the truck isn’t worth a damn with a leveling kit. You end up driving around looking like the dumbasses that roll with the Carolina Squat.

 

[shields shtr]

I see this resurfaced. I went back and forth and finally said fuck it and stuck with stock. I tow a camper and every truck I saw that had some type of lift or leveling kit that was towing something had some odd geometry going on. I have terrible luck with trucks (besides my 97 GMC) and decided I was playing with fair if I delved into the mod world. Now, I just concentrate on taking my truck in every month to get one of the safety updates done on it that keep coming out. Getting a brand new truck in the Covid era was a bad idea.

 

[Boatninja]

My suggestion on leveling kits is dont. the headlights blind enough people as it is and they hate my spotlight back at them.

Don't want to hi-jack thread but other drivers seem to have a problem with my lights blinding them. Other drivers flash me then blind me with their own lights when they get close. I drive a 2016 F150, may need to start another thread....

 

[918v]

Don't want to hi-jack thread but other drivers seem to have a problem with my lights blinding them. Other drivers flash me then blind me with their own lights when they get close. I drive a 2016 F150, may need to start another thread....

When you lift the front you change the angle of the light beam. I hate people who blind me with their lights.

 

[E. Bryant]

Don't want to hi-jack thread but other drivers seem to have a problem with my lights blinding them. Other drivers flash me then blind me with their own lights when they get close. I drive a 2016 F150, may need to start another thread....

How to Adjust Your Headlights

Need to adjust your beams? Here's out quick-and-dirty guide to ensuring your headlights are aligned to shine on the road rather than in the eyes of oncoming drivers.

www.popularmechanics.com