Lift Question

Hey All,

New to the forum and I'm sure this question has been asked and answered, but I'd figure I'd ask anyways. Just bought a 21 OffRoad and looking at a lift. After research, I plan on going with the Bilstein 6112s in the front with the 2inch lift and the 5160s for the rear. I'm not too sure about the lift in the rear to level it out. I was leaning towards an Add A Leaf, but not sure which one or how big I will need to level it out. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

 

Great kit IMO. Few things you could do with rear lift. AAL or 3 leaf AAL and Leaf pack.
Good luck OP

 

welcome aboard

 

'Level' is an overrated cosmetic thing.

Vehicles have rake for reasons, not an engineering whim.

Consider retaining the rake. IE lift the rear the same as the front.

 

Well said!


It was funny that before my recent suspension swap, I was pretty much level because of the sagging leafs. Due to COVID supply issues, all the parts came separately and I installed them separately. When I did the Icon RXT Option 1 leaf packs, the view out the front completely changed. I had 3in of rake at that point and also a very clear view of the road even though it was only a 1.5deg change. When I set up the 5100 fronts for 1.5in of lift for 1.5in of rake, the nose was noticeably more pronounced.

So beyond everyone killing rake with leveling lifts, I think it has a noticeable secondary effect with the view over the snout.

 

I second the comment upthread about lifting it equally all around to maintain the rake.

Never understood why folks want to level their pickups. Trying to make them present like a car? They do look like a car in attitude when leveled. I just don't get it.

 

Ya like why would anyone want to be looking at the sky when they are hauling and/or towing something heavy? Leave the rake in place I say. It’s a pickup truck.

 

Another reason to leave the rake in place is that the part of the truck that it most likely to hit the ground (in my experience) is the hitch receiver and removing the rake is going make that (slightly) worse.

 

I would go with a leaf pack, over AAL.

 

Less installation work and more options as far as stiffness and ride height.

 

Can someone explain what "rake" is? I get the rear sits higher than the front, but where does "rake" factor into this?

 

your front is lower than your rear. So your rear sticks up. "rake" but when you add weight in the bed, It should be level. depending on the weight of the load.

 

Rake is simply a noun that represents the fact that the rear is higher that the front.

 

Okay, so "Rake" is really just the term for a truck not sitting "level" without payload? I added a lift to mine, it leveled it out, looks good to me. Then with my tent on top, it now has a bit of opposite "rake" under payload. So it makes sense adding same lift all the way around. Or adding a stiffer spring in rear?

 

Yes I think that rake can apply to the front being higher than the rear, but generally people use the term sag for that when talking about trucks.

 

Sag.. That's it! Thanks!

 

I missed your other question. I personally think it makes sense to lift each corner the same amount or maybe raise the driver side slightly more to combat the “taco lean” if it bothers you.

You can lift the rear in multiple ways. I think a new leaf pack makes the most sense because it allows you you change the stiffness and ride height independent of each other. An AAL on the other hand increases ride height by increasing stiffness. If you want both, then it is the cheaper option depending on how much value you put on your time.

 

Only thing bad about leaf packs... they're expensive.... and somehow you keep upgrading them.... because you keeep adding random shit

 

And compressing the OEM leaf springs when adding an AAL is definitely not for the timid or limp wristed. I bent a pair of C-Clamps doing just that. I got -r- dun but if I ever do it again, I'll use a ball joint removal tool with an impact gun to do it.

 

For me levelling appeals on some psychological level. A leveled Taco looks more alert, ready and capable. Too much rake reminds me of a dog with it's tail between it's legs.