Why the level? Why the rake?

[P. A. Schilke]

Why are you leveling? Is it purely for cosmetic reasons or is there a performance benefit?

While we’re at it, why is there such a pronounced raked to begin with? What is Ford’s reasoning behind it? Tow capacity?

Hi Andrew,

increased suspension travel...

best,
Phil

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[Cabose-1]

Well.......there is a problem with my 4x2. Look at all the mud! Need a leveling kit or something, beefy tires?? I dont know, ford cheaping out on quality

 

[Ace Holliday]

Purely cosmetics for me. I dislike the stinkbug look.

 

[D Fresh]

Ground/Tire clearance, and cosmetics. Factory rake is designed for load carrying and towing capacity.

I want to keep a slight bit of rake for the same reasons. I'll be installing my Fox 2.0 kit next weekend along with the global leaf springs in order to do so.

 

[ScrappyLaptop]

The only thing worse than the rake…is rake in the other direction. Aka squatting. Around here if you are a 20 yr old d*#k head and dating your cousin who is still in high school then it’s mandatory you lower the rear and raise the front of your 200k mile Silverado with a mismatched door..

Looks like North Carolina is banning the squat (for all trucks, not just Ford as the headline might suggest).

https://fordauthority.com/2021/09/f...getting-the-carolina-squat-in-north-carolina/

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Body level/lift will not affect pay load or towing capacity.

Body level/lift will not increase clearance. Approach angle is not clearance.

 

[aeroshots]

impress the ladies

Best answer ever! On any forum with same topic.

 

[D Fresh]

Body level/lift will not affect pay load or towing capacity.

True, but it can give you a nose high stance when loaded.

Body level/lift will not increase clearance. Approach angle is not clearance.

When combined with larger tires it will.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

When combined with larger tires it will.

No. The tires will increase your clearance, the lift/level is irrelevant to clearance.

That's like saying my headlights get brighter because I added a light bar. Your vehicles lighting is better but headlights are not affected.

Body level/lift may get your more places when combined with bigger tires, but that is not the same as increasing clearance.

 

[woodbyrd]

ok, all you munchkins complaining about the bed being too high?
how short are you really??

Hey now, the Lollipop Guild resents this jab...

Not so much being short, but the bed and sides are high enough that loading up and strapping down a bunch of slabs or ply isnt's exactly impossible, but certainly a pita.

 

[D Fresh]

No. The tires will increase your clearance, the lift/level is irrelevant to clearance.

That's like saying my headlights get brighter because I added a light bar. Your vehicles lighting is better but headlights are not affected.

Body level/lift may get your more places when combined with bigger tires, but that is not the same as increasing clearance.

Apparently we have different definitions of clearance.


A level kit will allow taller tires than stock. Which will in turn add ground clearance. It's simple physics.

Your analogy is not at all relevant.

If a level and larger tires does not increase ground clearance, explain to me what part of the factory Tremor package increased it's ground clearance over say an FX-4.

 

[SOHK_Alumni]

ok, all you munchkins complaining about the bed being too high?
how short are you really??

In my case, I carry a full HVACR contractor's kit in the bed. Parts, tools, 3 or 4 different freons. Torch, recovery tank and pump, vacuum, etc etc etc.

Dropping the bed makes access significantly easier. I cat get to anything in the bed from beside the truck. Don't have to have a step to get onto the tailgate so I can get something from the bed. My tailgate in almost 10" lower than on my wife's FX4.

Different needs/wants/uses. It's all good if your truck works for you.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Apparently we have different definitions of clearance.


A level kit will allow taller tires than stock. Which will in turn add ground clearance. It's simple physics.

Your analogy is not at all relevant.

If a level and larger tires does not increase ground clearance, explain to me what part of the factory Tremor package increased it's ground clearance over say an FX-4.

Clearance is the highest static object you can clear on flat ground. Often it's the differential, and nothing done to the suspension or above will change clearance. Larger tires add clearance.

I will concede that a level in theory can allow for larger tires, but that's reaching pretty far IMO.

 

[D Fresh]

I will concede that a level in theory can allow for larger tires, but that's reaching pretty far IMO.

Which was my point.

I don't think it's reaching too far. Very few people level their truck and keep the factory tire size. Virtually everybody who levels their truck adds taller tires.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Which was my point.

I don't think it's reaching too far. Very few people level their truck and keep the factory tire size. Virtually everybody who levels their truck adds taller tires.

But the level is not needed for most of those tires.

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