Leveling vs. Lifting

You’ll have to excuse my ignorance, but I’m new to truck mods. What is the difference between leveling and lifting? Like the name suggests, is leveling just focused on raising the front to match the back (level)? Lifting is raising everything? What are the benefits of each? Thanks

 

Lifted:

Level:

 

Lifted, as long as I don't have a bro lean I'm good.

 

What are you running?

 

ICON 8.

 

You’re still lifting a truck even if you’re just “leveling” it. Most people use spacers/blocks to level their trucks to eliminate or reduce the factory rake, which makes the truck sit truck nose high with any decent weight in the bed, but this can still occur when leveling the truck with an actual suspension lift.

Suspension lifts are done with bigger coils or adjustable front struts (which preload the suspension) and putting in additional leafs in the rear suspension or swapping the leaf springs out entirely to a larger set-up for more height and payload.

 

Thanks. I was considering a small lift, but didn’t know if I should just do a leveling kit instead.

 

What i was just about to type up thank you. Lol no but really this sums it up. Throw some 5100s all the way around it with some coils and a AAL in the rear and call it a day level it and get a lift. Unless your just wanting to drop some money.

 

Read last post you got it.

 

I didn’t want to go too high. Just high enough to maybe fit some 285/70/17’s in the future.

 

Marie at @HeadStrong Off-Road will do you a big favor. Just saying.

 

5100s AAL in the rear with some 887 coils check. Done you have a good looking lift. That's just me I don't do no crazy off roading.

 

Leveling is when you raise ("lift") the front end to match the height of the rear. You're essentially "lifting" just the front end. Rear stays as is.

Lifting is when you raise both the front and rear. If you lift (raise) both front and rear the same amount, your rake will remain the same as when you started.

Rake = the difference between front and rear height. Usually the trucks come from factory with about a 1.75" rake. This means the rear is 1.75" higher than the front. This gives you some room for weight in the bed or for towing. That is-- with weight in the bed or towing, the truck will then be "level" (so you don't end up with the front higher than the rear and headlights in the eyes of oncoming drivers).

 

If you tow or carry loads, you want to maintain 1-2" of rake when empty. Most people that "level" their trucks don't carry loads often and/or prefer the "level" look.

 

I am torn between the “ready lift” and just save up to do it right,coils,shocks,UCA.leaf springs.. “Ready lift” reads 33” maybe with modifications(probably negative offset) but not sure how it is at flexing and turning..maybe CMC also?

 

Okay so here's my story:
I wanted my truck to have a more aggressive look; however, im 16 and on a budget so I went with a leveling kit. 3in. in the front 2in. in the rear. Hate the look of it right now because I only have the front installed, but I'm hoping it will look better after I install the back.
Two main issues:
- the tires are extremely close to the UCA's (I can barely stick my finger between there)
- and the alignment is horrible (I will get the truck aligned after full installation plus new tires)


A bad picture that doesn't show what im trying to explain, but my wheels are curved inward under the truck. The top of the tire is out to the side of the truck further than the bottom.


Here is from the side:




So really I'm just looking for tips that anyone can give me.

And also with the tire so close to the UCA's if they straighten/align my wheels vertically (sorry don't know the correct terminology) is it going to touch?


Any tips are appreciated!

 

Thank you so much @Dhannah

 

That will happen when you lift the truck. The alignment will be messed up. Kind of hard to explain but if you look at suspension diagrams you may understand why that happens. Go get if aligned, you may or may not need UCA. A lot of people swear by it but also a lot of people get away without using UCA. I sugges throw on the rear and go get it aligned asap

 

Yeah I threw the rear on the next day went and get it aligned and everything is in pretty good alignment (way better than it was). My new tires are still close to the UCA's but ive did a little offroading that is about as serious that I will ever get and the tire never rubbed the UCA's no matter how I flexed the truck so I think its pretty good. Thanks for the reply

 

Better go get yourself a flat brim...SoCal is calling

I'm sure it looks a lot better fully installed now.