Why not offer a level kit option?

Coffeehound · August 4, 2015

I'm in the research stage of looking to replace my 2010 1500 LT. I've checked out this site, the ford, and toyota site and it seems about half the posts are about installing leveling kits, wheels and big tires. So I'm wondering...since there's such a demand for lifted and leveled trucks, why they (OEMs) just don't the offer this as an option? Your thoughts.

newdude · August 4, 2015

Ram and Jeep are the only ones to my knowledge that offer lift kits as an OEM accessory. They are supplied by one of the major lift companies.

JeremyW426 · August 4, 2015

Warranty issues most likely. Most level and lift kits can cause premature wear on certain components so if they installed something that could cause warranty parts to fail prematurely, they would either have to bite the bullet and pay for it or lower the warranty on lifted trucks. Level kits not as big of an issue but lifts for sure. Plus with most lifts being purchased through an aftermarket supplier, that also makes parts harder to look up for the dealers. Just my thoughts on the matter.

smrr1 · August 4, 2015

Most dealers i know of in my area will intsall at point of sale and warranty them.

Coffeehound · August 4, 2015

Warranty issues most likely. Most level and lift kits can cause premature wear on certain components so if they installed something that could cause warranty parts to fail prematurely, they would either have to bite the bullet and pay for it or lower the warranty on lifted trucks. Level kits not as big of an issue but lifts for sure. Plus with most lifts being purchased through an aftermarket supplier, that also makes parts harder to look up for the dealers. Just my thoughts on the matter.

Yea I can see a warranty issue with a lift but a level?

c0ld29 · August 4, 2015

Yea I can see a warranty issue with a lift but a level?

I realize it isn't a big change but you are still changing the geometry of the suspension. It was designed for the stock height and conditions the stock height would encounter. So if you spent many hours and money into R&D for a certain suspension set up, would you warranty it if someone wants it changed from stock for a cosmetic reason?

Also, LOTS of dealers around here sell new jacked up trucks with big tires and aftermarket wheels. They warranty it through their dealership only, and you are definitely paying for that warranty from what they charge for those modifications. The local dealers gauge what kind of interest the area is into.

Why would GM go that route? Well what size lift will people ACTUALLY want? Oh... some people want smaller some want bigger and some want insane. Now we gotta add multiple lift kit options. Well what size tires and tread do people want? Wheels? Now you're spending all kinds of R&D on this extra stuff that most people wouldn't pay for when they could get it done exactly to their liking somewhere else and for cheaper. Would people really buy a cookie cutter lifted GM 1500 if there are others rolling around with the SAME set up? Most people want their truck to be unique when spending that kind of money on it.

Like most things, large companies cater to the general population. Sure, people on a Chevy/GMC 1500 forum (or any truck forum) will typically want at least a leveling kit and other goodies. But think about how many people aren't on forums and don't give a crap.

Edit: Sorry I kind of went on a tangent from JUST leveling kits, but I think my comments can still apply.

JeremyW426 · August 4, 2015

Yea I can see a warranty issue with a lift but a level?

Was just a thought. I dunno

TxTruckMan · August 4, 2015

I bet Fuel Economy and CAFE ratings plays a big part in it too. The OEMs are fighting for tenths of a mpg in gains. A raised vehicle has worse fuel economy than a lowered one - probably a half to a whole MPG.

Also, I bet there aren't nearly as many people as you think lifting/leveling their trucks. These boards are full of people looking for answers/advice/help, and we only amount to a few thousand. GM sells what? A half million or so a year? We're a small percentage of truck buyers.

redwngr · August 4, 2015

When i was in the autoparts business, GM full size pickups were closer to 1 million 15/25/35's, but I think your cafe pioint is correct.

They filled in the hole around the tow hooks for the small improvement in cafe number.

As others posted, GM dealers in this area lift/level trucks as well - and promise to maintain warranty.

lockey14s · August 5, 2015

I think it would be great if they could offer some kind of front ride height adjustability, such as the bilstiens. Ford has done this with the raptor, not sure what the different settings are but you can at least make it level (granted the raptor has a lot more front travel and is designed to be adjustable). But I dont think it would take much R&D to do this to regular half ton trucks. everyone I talk to always hates how nose heavy the new GM trucks are. i dunno, just my 2 cents

newdude · August 5, 2015

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=4736

I think it would be great if they could offer some kind of front ride height adjustability, such as the bilstiens. Ford has done this with the raptor, not sure what the different settings are but you can at least make it level (granted the raptor has a lot more front travel and is designed to be adjustable). But I dont think it would take much R&D to do this to regular half ton trucks. everyone I talk to always hates how nose heavy the new GM trucks are. i dunno, just my 2 cents

But the Raptor is a niche truck. Its not the bread and butter XL, XLT, etc. that really matter. Raptor is like say, the new Z/28. They can get away with adding cool stuff because its a small market and percentage of sales, and the rest of the fleet can make up for that small percentage towards CAFE, etc.

lockey14s · August 5, 2015

a niche truck thats in high demand! price of used raptors has appreciated invalue!

Robert.jean1 · August 5, 2015

I would agree. That is the only very powerful truck on the market with a Race like off road suspension. I couldn't care less about any Ford but my buddy has one and it is pretty bad A$$. He has done several things under the hood and it has a fully adjustable Fox suspension. The truck flys and sticks to what ever surface he is playing with. Matter of fact when I ride in it I can never relax nor let go of the O-sh!t handle!

crushNchowda · August 5, 2015

Yea I can see a warranty issue with a lift but a level?

Actually a crappy block level kit is more likely to cause premature wear/warranty issue than a properly installed full suspension lift.

One of the reasons is that lifts mess w/ mpg and that's an advertised selling point on trucks, another is I think DOT/safety regs trying to make 1/2 tons lower so they are safer in a crash (safer to other drivers) - just guesses.

In MA - some dealers are paranoid about putting aftermarket stuff on trucks due to insurance/safety risks as noted, in other parts of the country I'm sure that's less of an issue.

Coffeehound · August 5, 2015

I think it would be great if they could offer some kind of front ride height adjustability, such as the bilstiens. Ford has done this with the raptor, not sure what the different settings are but you can at least make it level (granted the raptor has a lot more front travel and is designed to be adjustable). But I dont think it would take much R&D to do this to regular half ton trucks. everyone I talk to always hates how nose heavy the new GM trucks are. i dunno, just my 2 cents

Yes, you could offer (after market or OEM) adjustable shocks (for the fronts anyway), set them at standard height, and then leave it up to the buyer to decide to level it or not. Thats a great idea! OEMs should offer that.