2" leveling kits

[DRyder]

I am going to buy new wheels and tires for my rig and all the charts are saying that I need to install a 2" leveling kit for tires 35" or larger. I am being told that these kits raise only the front by placing spacers above the springs, effectively eliminating the factory rake. But as I look at my truck, it has no factory rake, in other words the front is exactly the same hight as the rear. Anyone else have this anomaly? I have inspected the springs for spacers and none were found. Would it be safe to say that I would not need a leveling kit with the current ride hight if the truck is without a factory rake? Any input would be greatly appreciated,



Dave

 

[JDKammin]

I have installed leveling spacers on 3 of my 2nd generation trucks, but they were all lower in the front end. You could compare your truck to another one, if you know of one in your area. The only other thing you could do is get the tires and wheels in and mount a front one then turn steering lock to lock.

 

[SierraRam]

Did you buy your truck new? Maybe the previous owner has installed a kit. I do know that there is about a 2" rake from the factory.



If there is no kit already installed then either your rear springs have sagged or you have a very special truck.

 

[Dave04]

I have 31570R17s basicly 35x12. 5. Hankook RTO3 MT on stock rims. There about half an inch in a 100% turn. 35s look great.

 

[BILLVO]

Results from 2" leveling spacers

I just put 2" leveling spacers in front of my 05 yesterday for a leveler ride not for bigger tires. I put a ranch hand bumper on a couple months ago and did pre and post measurements to see how much sag I had before and after bumper and then after spacer install.



All measurements made at center line of front wheel from ground to the bottom lip of fender with stock the BF goodrich 265/75/17 tires at about 50% worn.





Stock height -- 39 1/4 "



Stock height with ranch hand -- 38 3/4 "



height after 2" spacer install But haven't driven it yet for it to settle down is now at 40 1/4 "



It still has a slight rake to it but it sits much closer to level now, previously had a LOT of sag/rake on front end even without the bumper.

 

[blackfields57]

Are you eyeballing your truck? Or are you going off of exact measurements? To eliminate tire size variations, measure from the center of the hub to the top of the wheel well. That way you can compare the measurements. you should be a little lower in the front. either way, I'd still do a 2" kit for 35s.

 

[BILLVO]

Are you eyeballing your truck? Or are you going off of exact measurements? To eliminate tire size variations, measure from the center of the hub to the top of the wheel well. That way you can compare the measurements. you should be a little lower in the front. either way, I'd still do a 2" kit for 35s.

All your questions are address in my last post. I see what you are saying about doing the measurement from center of hub to eliminate wheel size as a factor.



That said I don't believe all rigs have the same springs in the front. Mine has a heavier 986AA on driver side and a lighter 985AA on passenger side.



My Center of hub to lip of fender dimension is 25. 5 inches.

 

[firemansdiesel]

Could be aftermarket coil springs in the front (either 2" or 3" spring) if it's level w/ no coil spacers.



Or the previous owner (if you bought it used) took out the spacer plates in the rear leafs (if you look at the rear leafs, there should be 3 5x5 leaf plates under the overload leaf). That would drop the back about an inch or so to give a level look.

 

[blackfields57]

Sorry BillVo, I ment to address the original poster not you.

And the heavier spring on the driver's side accomodates driver weight and the fact the fuel tank is on the driver's side.

 

[DRyder]

Ok so I measured from the center of the cap to the top of the wheel well and sure as ***** it is 25" in the front and 27" in the rear. Thanks for the info/clarification!



Dave

 

[brods]

Trucks that have the snow plow prep option sit more or less level from the factory. Forget the wheel wells and look at the top of the bed rails, if they are level the truck is level.

 

[RMaguire]

You need to consider the ground levelness before you judge a truck's stance by the bed rail.



I would go with the wheel well measurements.

 

[brods]

You need to consider the ground levelness before you judge a truck's stance by the bed rail.



I would go with the wheel well measurements.

Yep you need level ground. Wheel well measurements will work only if the top of both wheel wells are same height when the body is perfectly level. Are they the same height when the body is perfectly level?