Leveling Kit vs. Lift Kit

[ndaniel]

Sorry for posting in here but it gets the most hits. Anywho, I need some advice on leveling kits and lift kits, pros and cons for both? Any info is appreciated, thanks guys!

[azcouesandelk]

It depends on if you want larger tires. I would recomend going with a leveling kit just because I have hear that it does not put as much strain on the front end and alignment.

[COOSEFAN]

Depends on what kind of vehicle your talking about, and it also depends on how much and how hard of off-roading you do or plan on doing. Leveling kit's usually use less parts and don't alter your factory suspension as much as a lift kit. I believe you take away from your vehicles dependability to much with a lift-kit. I personally need all the dependability I can get out of my truck with how much I'm outta town. With this in mind, I went with a leveling kit on my '02 F-350. This 3" leveling kit allowed me to put up to 35" tires ( with a little cutting) and the taller tires gave me true ground clearance for the axles and raised the body enough to avoid the big rocks. My factory suspension wasn't messed with as much as it would have been with a lift-kit.....so I don't have the lack of dependability. Plus, the leveling kits are almost always ALOT cheaper. Just my $.02. JIM> Good luck.

[azryan]

def get a leveling kit if you are going to do something.....like jim and younghunter said.......I was thinking about doing either one but decided not too...just because I did not want extra strain on my truck....I do want bigger tires...but in order to do that...i need to get a body lift or leveling kit.....but really what I have is fine...i have 31" tires and my truck already sits pretty high.. I would recommend that if you do not have to do anything then dont...but if your truck really needs or you just want it to look cool then thats your money to spend....just remember all that will throw your truck off.....but i know you can get it recalibrated..what truck you planning on modifying

[CRB]

I put aleveling kit on my truck 2'' in the front and one inch in the back now I ve 285\75 bfg"s work great and was very inexpensive

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

I have only ever had 2 trucks with lifts...... but they are/were higher maintenance and they always sound loose. Prior to lifting my wife's truck, she had a leveling kit on it for a couple of years and it was great. I think for a truck going to the woods that the leveling kit is the way too go. Lifted trucks are only for show.......

[GameHauler]

I put a 3" leveling kit on my 01 F350 which allowed 315 75R 16 giving the ground clearance I wanted. Now with only 50,000 some thousand miles the springs have faded and the tires rub the back of the fender a little when I turn. Just keep that in mind when you pick tire size. I wish I had one of the new trucks with coil springs

Mike

[Switchback]

ndaniel

 

My brother in law works for an auto place, and just told me about keyways. I have an 06 Chevy and they allow me to run 285/70/17 with no problem. They leveled out my truck and it looks great with a cost of around $100 bucks 50 for the keyways and 50 for the alignment. I highly recomend these.

[GreyGhost85]

i drive a 2000 tacoma and put a 3.5 inch LIFT kit on it without really altering the factory suspension at all (put on new shocks in the process just due to the fact that the old ones were worn out). this allowed me to run 33x12.50x16.5's wihtout much trouble at all... my advice would be to raise the hieght of your vehicle, but be sensible about it and not go overboard...

[ndaniel]

Thanks for the info guys

[azhuntnut]

I wouldn't say I am an expert, but my last five trucks have been lifted. I have had straight axle as well as the IFS suspension. I used Pro Comp, Rancho, RCD, and the leveling keys. I have built two custom offroad vehicles using various custom lift springs. I also do the outside sales for Offroad Unlimited. I could help out if you could give me the type of truck you drive and exactly what size tire you are trying to get on it. Let me know if it is 1/2 or 3/4ton. David

[ultramag]

leave it stock and you won't have a P.O.S in a couple of years they dont hold up very well and its a money pit.

[jnobleinaz]

I have an 06 f250 and I went with a leveling kit. It all depends on what you are doing with the vehicle. My truck rides the same as before the leveling kit. Lift kits make the ride a lot stiffer. Also this was through the advice of a friend who owns a tire shop with the same truck as mine.

[BASS]

You can always order the Ford keys, and replace the chevy ones. That way you can crank up the front a bit more to clear larger tires. Just not too much that your CV angle are too tight. I tossed a sixer on my 01 silverado, and so far I love it. I am having problems with my CVs, but nothing too bad, although I do like to keep it looking nice, so it stays clear of the really rough stuff. That why I have a rhino too.

[hunter07]

The only thing out there that will give you more ground clearance is bigger tires. So if you are looking for just ground clearance i would go with a body lift to allow an inch or two bigger tires. Suspension lift will allow you bigger tires and will also offer more "flex" on the trails. Another thing you may want to consider are wheel spacers which will allow wider tires for a bigger foot print which will give you more traction. It all depends on what you want out of your truck. i recently installed a K&N cold air intake in my truck and ive had a noticable gain in horse power, and a little better gas mileage.