Why A Leveling Kit?

[Irv]

Been reading lots of posts and seen lots of leveled out trucks etc, they all look great by the way but I am curious what is the number#1 reason for doing this?

Is it just for looks or handling, ride is greatly improved?

 

I agree, the trucks look much better leveled out but I am concerned(as I don't know much) if the load/tow capability will be reduced? And what about warranty?

Also where and what exactly does a leveling kit do, just raise the front up?

[Stevens03]

Been reading lots of posts and seen lots of leveled out trucks etc, they all look great by the way but I am curious what is the number#1 reason for doing this?

Is it just for looks or handling, ride is greatly improved?

 

I agree, the trucks look much better leveled out but I am concerned(as I don't know much) if the load/tow capability will be reduced? And what about warranty?

Also where and what exactly does a leveling kit do, just raise the front up?

 

#1 reason I'd have to bet is looks, #2 reason is to run a slightly taller tire. Does NOT change the ride or load hauling. Problem with it is when you stick a few hundred pounds in the back, the rear end looks like it's sagging. Most dont care though. As far as I know, not 1 person I've heard has had warranty issues with it. Matter of fact, I've seen/heard alot of dealers are installing them for customers. The kit levels the front by jacking the strut up a little to level the truck.

[brims]

I don't tow, sometimes I haul, but not that much weight so that wasn't an issue for me. I did it because I hate the nose down look. It feels so much more comfortable with it level and looks a lot better. I left the 245/70R17 tires.

[Stylous]

I leveled because a) I liked the look better and b) I wanted to run bigger tires.

[Irv]

Been reading lots of posts and seen lots of leveled out trucks etc, they all look great by the way but I am curious what is the number#1 reason for doing this?

Is it just for looks or handling, ride is greatly improved?

 

I agree, the trucks look much better leveled out but I am concerned(as I don't know much) if the load/tow capability will be reduced? And what about warranty?

Also where and what exactly does a leveling kit do, just raise the front up?

 

#1 reason I'd have to bet is looks, #2 reason is to run a slightly taller tire. Does NOT change the ride or load hauling. Problem with it is when you stick a few hundred pounds in the back, the rear end looks like it's sagging. Most dont care though. As far as I know, not 1 person I've heard has had warranty issues with it. Matter of fact, I've seen/heard alot of dealers are installing them for customers. The kit levels the front by jacking the strut up a little to level the truck.

 

 

Thanks Stevens07, after reading your post I think I will opt out? I do occassionally carry an atv and a sled in the back so I am sure it will sag?

Nothing I hate more, to me it looks like the truck (any truck) isn't capable of carrying much, plus the fact your headlights are pointed skyward. I also pull a full size boat which is fairly heavy and yes the tongue weight is correct so I would be sagging and pointing skyward with it as well.

I guess some of those that do haul and carry heavy gear with the leveling kit don't care but I am not one of them. Seems to me some air bag set up, something you could adjust according to loads/weight would be much better?

Thanks for the explanation

[Stevens03]

Actually an air bag system is what I've seen guys do who have either dropped or leveled for towing/hauling. Firestone makes a nice system for that.

[mfennema]

I leveled for looks using the Rough Country leveling kit, and then added the Firestone air bags on the back so that when I tow/haul things around the farm, I can put some air in the bags and level the truck back out. Works great!!

[Irv]

I leveled for looks using the Rough Country leveling kit, and then added the Firestone air bags on the back so that when I tow/haul things around the farm, I can put some air in the bags and level the truck back out. Works great!!

 

 

Thanks mfennema and Stevens07, any idea of cost, difficulty, durabiltiy etc with one of these air bag systems?

This is making me more interested in a levelling kit knowing this set up exists?

The only problem I can forsee is the cold temps we get up here in the winter time, makes me think the lines may freeze due to condensation in the air lines?.......Irv

[BuckFeverZ]

You could also use an add-a-leaf. Will give you additional payload capacity as well as lifting the rear about 1.5"

[mfennema]

I put air bags in only a couple of months ago so I can't attest to durability, but there are others on the forum that can. It was a breeze to install, maybe only took an hour to do. I think I ended up paying about 200 for it shipped. I can't attest to the lines freezing because I park inside at night, but the only time you would notice it is if you are airing it up or letting the air out. The air lines push and and pull off with just your fingers on the quick disconnects so if they did freeze up it would be easy to remove them to warm them up.

 

I didn't go with the add a leaf because I didn't want to raise the back up. I didn't want the rake that I was trying to get rid of with the leveling kit.

[AgDoctor]

I had that problem, I mean the rear end sagging. I carry a 700 pound ATV in the back alot of the time and didnt like the sagging. I installed a set of Super Springs on the rear. They are overload springs, but not like an add a leaf that jacks the rear up. It basically raises the back about a half inch but keeps it from sagging when loaded and doesnt change the ride.

[Spurshot]

Irv,

I have friends with the air bags. They use them to level when loading up the bed. They've had them for yrs and no problems.

 

Back to the question about leveling. I think the 1500 07-09 4x4 has a very low front end for a 4x4. GM 4x4 trucks have historically been the lowest ride height of the big three. Some guys have torn that spoiler off or damaged it. I recently installed the Bilstein 5100 shocks in the front, with adjustable ride height. I set them at about 3/4-1 inch higher than stock. I selected this height because I don't go off-roading per se with this truck, but occasionally do some light dirt road travel to bird hunt and I use it as my primary commuter vehicle. My primary hunting vehicle is a 99 2500 that sits much higher. When this 08 1500 becomes my primary hunting vehicle, I'll pull the shocks and readjust the ride height to the max 2-2.5 inch increased height.

 

Chuck

[Matt_]

Hey Dale, most trucks have 2" of rake... you could get a 1-1.5" leveling kit, thereby retaining some of the stock 'rake'. It will look level and still allow some spring compression for when you're loaded up.

 

Here's an idea:

Measure your rear fender heights unloaded

Hook up your boat.

Measure your rear fender heights loaded

 

If it drops down 1" when loaded, and you have 2" of rake, then a 1" leveling kit would be perfect

 

What is the tongue weight of your boat?

[2007warrenp]

I put the Roadmaster on the rear of my 2009 Sierra and the Readylift on the front ,lifted the truck a little and helps with the trailor.