Factory suspension ( rake )

[Dgc333]

I think the rake is fine. In the 70's and 80's we used to get the ass end of our vehicles in the air and put the biggest tires that would fit. The cars we used to drive and modify back then are now being sold for $100,000+ at auctions.

Why would I level my truck? The rake is there so when you hook up a boat or trailer it can handle the load. Sounds like a lot of you folks should be in a Ridgeline. Why buy a truck and not do truck things with it.

Those cars going for $100,000 today no longer have a rake. They are either restored to factory spec or are lowered to the point they can't get over a speed bump.

The Ranger and the GM twins are the only pickups available that have the butt high stance making it look odd compared other mid size and full size trucks on the market. All of my pickups going back to my first in 1975 were level and I did truck stuff with them including loading them to their rated maximum. Personally I would rather have it sitting level 90% of the time at the expense of having it butt low 10% of the time when carrying max load.

I have a Tremor so it was not as bad as other trims so it only took a 1" lift in the front to get it level.

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[Joeiconic]

I raised my front 1.25” and I like the look. I also haul stuff and want the function of having some rake. I see a LOT of trucks rolling down the road towing/hauling with their noses sticking up in the air and that looks silly to me.

 

[troutspinner]

The rake we see today is due to marketing. Brand X shows a commercial of a truck doing truck things that can tow 9k lbs so brand Y ups their game, shows a similar commercial stating 10k lbs and then Brand Z follows with 11k lbs, rinse and repeat.

 

[Msfitoy]

The rake is good for aero and compensates for load to keep the truck from squatting too much...

 

[Cabose-1]

Well the rake is there for a reason. A leveling kit is offered for a reason too.
One of the "reasons" i cant tell you guys what to or not use in your rangers. Rake for load, trailers, work. Level for looks, off road, and such. Just so much to do with these trucks.

Make it specific for one purpose? Or find a happy medium thats so, so for everything. Just depends what you want it for.

I am looking for rear sway bar for my ranger. That would be horrible for off road. But fit my needs perfect.

Ill get a bronco for offroad. Even then, my ranger would probably see more off road. Haha

 

[mustang marty]

I think the rake is fine. In the 70's and 80's we used to get the ass end of our vehicles in the air and put the biggest tires that would fit. The cars we used to drive and modify back then are now being sold for $100,000+ at auctions.

Why would I level my truck? The rake is there so when you hook up a boat or trailer it can handle the load. Sounds like a lot of you folks should be in a Ridgeline. Why buy a truck and not do truck things with it.

All so very true .

 

[Racket]

I've wondered if they

How much mileage did it take? Did you keep stock sized tires? Measuring mine says 2" lower in the front from the top of the tire to the wheel well, I'd like less than 1", but am keeping stock size and gas mileage means a lot to me. Thanks!

When I got around to hand calculating it was just under one half MPG's on the highway.

 

[BiilyJones]

When I got around to hand calculating it was just under one half MPG's on the highway.

That sounds good ? I wonder if a 1" level spacer is worth the cost of installation. Thank you!

 

[Tracy Bowman]

Just a thought or question , is the Ranger's stance terrible ? I am old school in that the lower nose is appealing almost Hot Rod . Sure the factory shocks suck but an easy fix . Level trucks are more the norm but also boring . What are your thoughts ?

I think it looks great and I’m not about to change it.

 

[Hounddog409]

There are plenty on here that prefer the leveled truck look but also dont understand why a truck has rake to begin with. I should also mention that with the lift I have the truck still has rake and I get comments on how.my truck looks better than others out there that are either leveled or have a 6 inch lift.

Who doesnt know why the rake is there? Its a truck. Its there to do truck stuff. Towing, hauling, etc.

For those that tow, a level is the worste thing you can do. They are easy to spot. Truck towing trailer doeb highway. Rear sagged. Front pointing towards the sky. Bouncing all over the place.

 

[Racket]

Well the rake is there for a reason. A leveling kit is offered for a reason too.
One of the "reasons" i cant tell you guys what to or not use in your rangers. Rake for load, trailers, work. Level for looks, off road, and such. Just so much to do with these trucks.

Make it specific for one purpose? Or find a happy medium thats so, so for everything. Just depends what you want it for.

I am looking for rear sway bar for my ranger. That would be horrible for off road. But fit my needs perfect.

Ill get a bronco for offroad. Even then, my ranger would probably see more off road. Haha

Rear sway on a swing axle/leaf spring truck without a load/towing isn't going to be all that safe in loose/slippery cornering.

IRS rear suspensions will probably catch on more as electric trucks come into vogue i.e. Lightning. Or Cybertruck. Or Rivian. I read somewhere more GM trucks will switch to independent rears. Doesn't the Ridgeline and Nissan's already?

With my modest front lift towing a modest load:

 

[Dgc333]

Who doesnt know why the rake is there? Its a truck. Its there to do truck stuff. Towing, hauling, etc.

For those that tow, a level is the worste thing you can do. They are easy to spot. Truck towing trailer doeb highway. Rear sagged. Front pointing towards the sky. Bouncing all over the place.

Considering almost all pickups come from the factory with a level stance and they tow just fine I think you are exaggerating what leveling your truck will do.

The only pickups on the market that have a rake are the Ranger and GM twins, everything else is level.

 

[halligan1201]

I think the rake is fine. In the 70's and 80's we used to get the ass end of our vehicles in the air and put the biggest tires that would fit. The cars we used to drive and modify back then are now being sold for $100,000+ at auctions.

Why would I level my truck? The rake is there so when you hook up a boat or trailer it can handle the load. Sounds like a lot of you folks should be in a Ridgeline. Why buy a truck and not do truck things with it.

A Ridgeline for it's higher payload capacity and bigger bed? If they're already not doing what you call truck stuff, they likely don't need it. The Ridgeline has a 1500-1580lbs capacity. No rake. The 4x4 Super Crew Ranger has a capacity that starts at 1478 and goes down from there.

"Truck stuff" means something different to everyone.

 

[Aonarch]

Factory rake is setup for maxing out your gross combined weight, aka payload, tongue and trailer.

For those who will never do that and want a more leveled look, there is no harm in raising the front.

Trucks squat with payload and a trailer. It's normal. If your truck has zero squat when hooked up to a trailer and you have payload, you are either already on the bump stops or your suspension is way too stiff, and it would ride like shit unloaded.

That's why "medium-duty" trucks can ride terrible unloaded. Their suspension is designed with a load.

 

[got3fords]

I personally think that level Taco's are ugly. Don't know why. The Ranger is a much nicer looking truck, even level. I opted for 1.5" of lift in the front with the Eibach's and am very happy with the results.

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