Have you ever noticed that the front and back of your car sit a little lower than the middle? It's a small distinction that truck and SUV manufacturers frequently include on purpose. When you add a heavy load to the bed of your truck or the trunk of your car, the unbalance, known as "rake," may cause drooping or even cause you to bottom out, which can lead to the suspension parts in your vehicle wearing out sooner than they should. Lifting the rear of your car will improve the space between the axle and the frame, minimizing sag and lowering the risk of suspension damage from bottoming out-related added stress.
Although it's a useful function, having it on your car isn't required, which is where a leveling kit comes in. In contrast to a lift kit, which raises the entire body of the vehicle, a leveling kit merely raises the front of the car, as the name suggests. A leveling system will help you get rid of the rake and maybe even accommodate bigger tires. Additionally, you'll get additional ground clearance, and as it will just affect the front of your car, your payload capacity won't be affected. The end result is a minor modification that will give your car a more aggressive appearance and make it stand a little taller without forcing you to replace numerous components.
PROS & CONS OF A FRONT LEVELING KIT
You've probably noticed that most stock trucks' front ends appear slightly lower than the rear ends. This is because you do not see things with your eyes. It is referred to as a "rake" and results from lifting the back of the vehicle to reduce sag while adding a large load, reducing wind resistance, and improving fuel economy. If you don't like this look, you're not the only one. The good news is that using a leveling kit to raise the front of your truck by a few inches will enable it to be equal the height of the back. The advantages and disadvantages of installing a front-end leveling system on your truck will be discussed now.
Pro: Increase ground clearance
Since most cars have more clearance at the back than the front, clearance is typically limited to the height of the front end. A leveling kit will raise your front end by one to three inches, resulting in an overall improvement in ground clearance.
Additionally, this implies that drivers can fit bigger tires to all four wheels. With a leveling kit, the body of the car is moved further away from the axles, preventing larger tires from colliding with the bumper when turning.
Pro: Improve off-roading and towing capability
If you want to enhance off-roading abilities, a leveling kit is an ideal option. When driving through mud, dirt, pebbles, sand, and other terrains, it is best to have more ground clearance and larger tires. It will stop rocks and other objects from hurting the front bumper and other components.
The vehicle will sag if a heavy feature, like a snowplow or a winch, is added to the front end. To improve handling, a leveling kit will lift the front of the automobile back up to the proper height.
Con: Decrease in fuel economy
The majority of automakers lower the front-end suspension on purpose. With this design, wind resistance may be reduced, and fuel efficiency can be improved. In addition, equilibrating the suspension using a front leveling kit will increase wind resistance and reduce fuel efficiency.
This is particularly valid while transporting a hefty weight. The added weight will result in an aerodynamic drag by lowering the back and raising the front.
Con: Increased wear on suspension
A leveling kit will alter the vehicle's overall appearance, putting more strain on the suspension system over time.
The problem can be avoided by professional installation and routine maintenance. The suspension supports the full weight of the car. Thus, if the kit is not put properly, the suspension will deteriorate more quickly than usual. Drivers should perform a full alignment in addition to installing new shocks and a leveling kit.
How much do leveling kits cost?
There are three different price ranges for leveling your car:
1.) Cost of the kit
2.) Labor for installation
3.) Alignment cost
In terms of modifications, leveling kits are fairly affordable. Depending on your car, a quality kit can cost anywhere from $7 to $150. Of course, certain kits may cost more than others, and vice versa.
Depending on the facility, the installation will cost differently. However, depending on your car, you can anticipate paying between $200 and $400 in labor. If you enjoy doing your own wrenching, you can completely cut down the cost of labor by doing it yourself!
After leveling your car, you must get an alignment for safety's sake. An alignment of the front end should cost no more than $100.
All things considered, leveling your truck or SUV can be rather expensive. The main consideration is installing the equipment yourself or hiring a pro. For you do-it-yourselfers, budget $300 or less depending on the kit you purchase and the location where the alignment is performed.
Expect to pay $500 to $800 overall if you choose a professional install, with the same variables as above in addition to different labor rates.
Does Ford offer a leveling kit for F-150?
Introducing a new 2-inch premium-grade leveling system from flashark for the brand-new 2021–2022 MY Ford F–150 pickups. The new 2021–2022 F–150 has a lot of new product features compared to the 2015–2020 generation.
2000 Leveling Kits - Ford F250 / F350
Your Ford F-250 or F-350 truck's front end will be raised with the use of a Ford F250 F350 leveling kit so that it is level with the back. Additionally, it will help to get rid of the typical nose-down appearance of most vehicles. Finally, you can install slightly larger tires and get more ground clearance with the aid of kits. This kit is specifically designed for your Ford F-250 and F-350 applications.
