Leveling help!!

Should be getting my 22 4x4 DCLB this Friday and wanting to get it leveled, something simple. Looking at either bilstein 5100 with factory coils or eibach total truck coil overs.

Maybe a dumb question, but to level I just need to worry about the front end correct? Looking to get ride of rake. Or should I not worry about it because light towing/bed cap camping? Iv seen independent parts for sale or I can just get full sets, not sure what I should do, could someone point me in a good direction? Help!

 

If you level it, then whatever weight you put in the bed or tow will make the back end squat. Don't level imo if you are towing or hauling

 

Yep. There is a reason for the rake. Leveling is for looks only.

 

I don’t tie anything too serious, just my jon boat and airboat. I’m only home a few months a year to enjoy such things anyway so it’s not that big of a deal. Just like the look of leveled, even thought of maybe a leaf pack?

 

Airbags, then when you tow or haul add air so you don’t squat.

 

Yeah I understand what the rake is for! Just like the look of a leved truck, Im I’m NorCal for about 7/8 months a year for work so I only tow my boats when I’m home in Florida for a short time so it’s not a big deal. Even thought of aal or something along those lines in the future!

 

So I could be leveled out when not towing and just have them “deflate”? Iv looked into airbags but don’t know much on them. You run them ?

 

I use them on an F250 with a travel trailer. But yes you fill them when you’re under load and run them low when you aren’t

 

What brand did you run? Other then the bags did you have to run any other upgraded suspension parts with it ?

 

If you like it level, then go for it. This is how my truck sits with an inch up front. When I have loaded the bed with a few hundred pounds of cement, it makes little difference. Down the road, I think I am going to give it a bit more, but will stay with a level stance. If you find you need some load carrying assistance on occasion, the air bags would be a good choice. An AAL will ride stiff When empty. You can air down the bags when empty for a softer ride.

 

Air Lift Suspension brand, they’re pretty popular in the camper towing scene. Everything you need comes in the kit and if you can install leaf springs it’s nothing harder than that. I ran my air hose and valve fillers to the rear bumper and drilled two holes so I had one on each side of the license plate for easy air up and deflation. You can also do on board air and have it all operated from the cab.

 

Good looking truck! What did you do to level it? So all in all, I could just get a set of 5100 front struts and that’s all I need for a good level?

 

Thanks dude! I’m liking this idea, I appreciate it!

 

Leveled with Bilstein 6112’s and 5160’s in rear.

 

Nice! Which notch are you sitting at?

 

All I did was spacer the front. A half-inch spacer equals one inch of lift. However, This was just to get a feel for the look until I sort out what I ultimately want to do with it. It rides great and I don’t have any lift or tire related problems. I could leave it, but I have been going around with using either 6100’s or Eibach and setting the front to 1.5 and picking the back up .5. It sits on 265/70/17s. I don’t want to go bigger on tire or lift, because I don’t want the trade offs. I have had several big lift/tire vehicles and am over it. My wife has some knee problems too, which is one reason I went mid sized this time.
I am thinking of bagging the rear for the occasional bed load and my motorcycle trailer.
5100s would do it very simply and inexpensively. Air bags would likely sort out any trailer issues.

 

Right on! Yeah I just want a little level, nothing crazy. like I said something simple and just like the looks! I’m really considering bags now as well! So all in all I’m thinking 5100s and bags

 

That might just be the ticket. There is a ton of info on 5100s on here, you can read up a bit and make sure they are for you. I think it would be a good cost effective solution.
Go with the look you want. It seems the farther east you go, the more people prefer a rake. Living in So Cal all my life, I look at it from a desert truck perspective where they tend to sit level to a bit nose high because droop is an important factor. Sometimes I think people confuse that with that squat thing some people in the southeast do. Different thing, different purpose. The most important thing is to set the truck up the way you like it.

 

Squat is a little to crazy here in the south east. I definitely get what you mean. Being in NorCal for part of the year Iv seen some of the nicest tacos I’ve seen. Thank you !

 

4-5 setting. I was going for 1.5 inches but it’s been at 2 since install.