Why no factory leveling kit?

[Tek74]

This 2015 Z71 is my 1st pickup, so I'm still in the learning process when it comes to accessories. Anyway, I've noticed that many who are not into body lifts are going with 2" or 2.5" front end Leveling Kits. I understand that lifting up the front end gives the truck an "even" stance and a bit more front end ground clearance, but I'm not 100% clear as to why the factory does not build them with a level stance? Since they come with an Air Dam, my best guess would be Gas Mileage. I just want fully understand the purpose before I decide if I want/need a 2" kit...???

 

 

 

[MikeNH]

It's done so that if you have a load in the back, it sits level. Keeps the headlamps from pointing to the sky and from the front axle unloading and making steering inputs sketchy. The level kits are popular enough that I doubt there is any issue when you do load up the truck but GM has to do things to cover their butt in all circumstances.

 

Body lifts aren't very common anymore on new trucks. Probably a good thing. They never look right after.

[Tek74]

Level with a full payload makes sense. Since payload numbers have increased so much in the past 10-15 years, it makes sense that the rear end sits higher now. It's funny how a new 1/2 ton pickup now has a payload that is closer to a traditional 3/4 ton or 1 ton.

[tnchevy]

They don't sit any higher now than they have in the past. My 2002 had the same amount of rake but those had the old torsion bar suspension so I just cranked it up about an inch. My 1992 2wd had less rake but the rear leaf springs were wore out so that helped it some.

[mafd2]

Remove the stock blocks between the leaf springs and axle. It almost levels it and drops it aprox. 1.5" and doesn't affect payload. I've done this with my last 4 GM trucks since 2007.

[mafd2]

Another pic.

[Tek74]

I don't know.....some times I sort of want to level it.....but part of me kinda likes the aggressive "lean forward" stance. I'm gonna stew on it for a while before I do anything? I've learned to be patient.

[MikeNH]

Definitely not on board with pulling the block out back. They sit too damn low to begin with. But if you're going for a sporty look it does work well.

[Spurshot]

I've seen some lowered rears that looked good on these trucks.

[BigBadSierra]

Noseing almost anything down helps improve the millage.

 

You will not notice much from leveling though.

 

The angle is just part of all of the things they do to trucks these day to improve the millage.

 

I actually like how it rides.

[Tek74]

Definitely not on board with pulling the block out back. They sit too damn low to begin with. But if you're going for a sporty look it does work well.

 

Yeah, I would either lift the front 2" or leave it stock. Dropping the back end does not seem practical for a truck that will be used for any actual work. I have the same opinion of wheels, in that 17" - 20" wheels are practical for a truck that will be used for any type of work, will larger wheels are not so much.

[Doobs41378]

That truck with the block out of the back sits great IMO. Looks good with the 22s as well....

[TimmyG]

I have a 3in body lift and 2in level on my 11 crew cab. Looks great

 

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[redwngr]

I understand that lifting up the front end gives the truck an "even" stance and a bit more front end ground clearance, but I'm not 100% clear as to why the factory does not build them with a level stance? Since they come with an Air Dam, my best guess would be Gas Mileage. I just want fully understand the purpose before I decide if I want/need a 2" kit...???

 

 

That's easy. CAFE.

[TJay74]

Definitely not on board with pulling the block out back. They sit too damn low to begin with. But if you're going for a sporty look it does work well.

 

I put a shackle kit on the rear of mine to lower it, didn't need it lifted in the front as I had no intention of running a larger tire and didn't want the fender gaps any larger than they already were. Lifting the front works great for those wanting larger tires. I would rather drop in the rear and not push the brick of a front end up any higher into the airstream than needed.

 

 

My truck hauls anything it needs to just fine this way, I hauled almost 800lbs in the bed with no issues. Most of the stuff I haul is for bike races so the truck handles that with ease.