Rake Or No Rake...

Ragsy1083 · February 11, 2011

Recently, I've been debating on buying a leveling kit for my truck, but still kind of leary in case I need to tow anything. I get it that the whole idea of the rake is so that the truck doesn't get squirrelly when towing, but seeing as I don't tow anything extremely heavy (my wife's Lucerne at the most), I don't think it would hurt to level it. Thanks for all the help!

chas0218 · February 11, 2011

Recently, I've been debating on buying a leveling kit for my truck, but still kind of leary in case I need to tow anything. I get it that the whole idea of the rake is so that the truck doesn't get squirrelly when towing, but seeing as I don't tow anything extremely heavy (my wife's Lucerne at the most), I don't think it would hurt to level it. Thanks for all the help!

Its really all personal preference. I like the look of non-raked/normal. These trucks are set up to ride nice with the rake effect but once you crank up the torsion bars and get her level the ride is much stiffer. It's a truck so I don't mind the ride of a truck. My fiancee's Pontiac vibe rides just as stiff because of the sport suspension and low profile tires, so I don't really notice a difference going from one to another.

You will get a little more ground clearance cranking up your torsion bars.

The down side to the leveling kit or just cranking up your torsion bars is you will need an alignment too.

Chas

jimbrown1 · February 11, 2011

Recently, I've been debating on buying a leveling kit for my truck, but still kind of leary in case I need to tow anything. I get it that the whole idea of the rake is so that the truck doesn't get squirrelly when towing, but seeing as I don't tow anything extremely heavy (my wife's Lucerne at the most), I don't think it would hurt to level it. Thanks for all the help!

Its really all personal preference. I like the look of non-raked/normal. These trucks are set up to ride nice with the rake effect but once you crank up the torsion bars and get her level the ride is much stiffer. It's a truck so I don't mind the ride of a truck. My fiancee's Pontiac vibe rides just as stiff because of the sport suspension and low profile tires, so I don't really notice a difference going from one to another.

You will get a little more ground clearance cranking up your torsion bars.

The down side to the leveling kit or just cranking up your torsion bars is you will need an alignment too.

Chas

If he has a 2009 model he probably has the coil over springs in the front and not torsion bars, unless it's a heavy duty.

blackout07 · February 12, 2011

Just say no to rake.

Ryan00TJ · February 12, 2011

Just go with the Zone 2" kit. 2" level spacer in front and a 2" rear block replacing the 1.25" OEM one giving a slight less than OEM rake to the truck for light towing or hauling. Need more rake for heavy towing or hauling go with a 3" rear block. Gives you best of both worlds IMO. I tow and haul and rake is needed if you work your truck..

Wolfmansbrudda · February 12, 2011

Just put the ReadyLift 2.25" spacer kit on my Silverado. Looks 1000% times better IMO...

00Silverado4x4 · February 13, 2011

I hated how low the front of my truck sat being a Z71 so once the warranty was over I put a leveling in my truck. Would've of put it in sooner but I had "warranty worry" then. I left the front just a touch lower in the front (-1/2") so that helped minimize rear "squat" look. I do tow/haul with my truck often & since I use weight distribution with trailers, I hardly (if) ever get sag in the back. You won't have to worry about getting a stiffer ride since your truck should have coil overs versus the torsion bars that my truck has. If you prefer level look, I'd say do it. Towing is not a problem in a level truck. Good Luck!

cmh2001 · February 13, 2011

Rake, but lifted rake both ends.

chas0218 · February 14, 2011

Recently, I've been debating on buying a leveling kit for my truck, but still kind of leary in case I need to tow anything. I get it that the whole idea of the rake is so that the truck doesn't get squirrelly when towing, but seeing as I don't tow anything extremely heavy (my wife's Lucerne at the most), I don't think it would hurt to level it. Thanks for all the help!

Its really all personal preference. I like the look of non-raked/normal. These trucks are set up to ride nice with the rake effect but once you crank up the torsion bars and get her level the ride is much stiffer. It's a truck so I don't mind the ride of a truck. My fiancee's Pontiac vibe rides just as stiff because of the sport suspension and low profile tires, so I don't really notice a difference going from one to another.

You will get a little more ground clearance cranking up your torsion bars.

The down side to the leveling kit or just cranking up your torsion bars is you will need an alignment too.

Chas

If he has a 2009 model he probably has the coil over springs in the front and not torsion bars, unless it's a heavy duty.

opps, sorry didn't see that...

Good catch

Sean006 · February 15, 2011

yeah i did mine last week...had them do a 2" shackle on the rear...

love the way it looks now ! much better !

jimmyboy8301 · February 15, 2011

rake is about the ugliest thing going

Ragsy1083 · February 16, 2011

Thanks everyone for the input and pics. Once the warranty is up in a few thousand miles, I'll be kissing the rake goodbye. Now which brand to go with.....I've pretty much narrowed it down to BDS or Zone. Comments/recommendations?

mattymax · February 18, 2011

Thanks everyone for the input and pics. Once the warranty is up in a few thousand miles, I'll be kissing the rake goodbye. Now which brand to go with.....I've pretty much narrowed it down to BDS or Zone. Comments/recommendations?

You look into the Rough Country Leveling Kit ? 2" is still in the safe zone to stay