Most truck owners don’t prefer the awkward height difference between the rear and the front. Granted, it’s a common design approach to raise the rear, so the truck balances out when you’re carrying a heavy load.
However, when you’re not carrying a heavy load, the height difference can look awkward, and I bet you didn’t spend all that money to end up driving an awkward-looking vehicle. That’s when leveling kits come in; they raise your vehicle’s front by a couple of inches to level it out.
Of course, at first glance, that seems like a brilliant solution, but it comes with its share of downsides. If you want to know the pros and cons of leveling kits, follow this article.
The Pros of Leveling Kits
Leveling kits are meant to increase ground clearance and allow you to install larger tires. But they have a couple of extra pros as well.
Ground Clearance and Larger Tires
The primary purpose of leveling kits is to provide clearance for larger tires. Any truck only allows for minimal clearance because of the low frames. So, when you drive through snowy or muddy terrains, you’ll find it a hassle.
The leveling kit raises your vehicle by a couple of inches, so the vehicle’s underbody doesn’t touch any snow or rocks on the ground. That way, even if you’re carrying a heavy load, the truck won’t touch the debris on the ground, and it’ll be easy to handle on steep roads.
Aside from the ground clearance, you also get the chance to install larger tires than the ones your truck comes with. The leveling kit will raise your vehicle off of its axles, opening room for larger tires that won’t come in contact with the axle when you’re making rough turns.
Operating Equipment
A lot of truck owners will use their vehicles in the winter for snow plowing. Using a leveling kit will allow you to do so because it’ll raise the front of your truck, enabling it to handle the extra weight that’ll be inflicted on it by the plower.
If you don’t have a leveling kit, attaching such equipment will cause the front to sag, and it’s already lower than the rear. As a result, the front wheels may come in contact with the bumper. The kit will prevent that.
The kit will also help you if you need to attach a winch to your truck.
Maintaining Braking Pressure
Any truck driver during an emergency situation knows that an imbalance can compromise the brakes’ efficiency. If the truck’s front is much lower than its rear, it’ll be unbalanced, which may put pressure on the brakes when you want to stop suddenly.
A leveling kit will keep the truck balanced, so the load will be evenly distributed without overloading the front brakes.
Balancing Running Boards for Off-Roading
If your truck has a low running board, it’ll come in contact with the rough terrains when you’re off-roading. Eventually, it may get damaged, especially if you frequently go off-roading and traverse uneven terrains.
The leveling kit will provide a couple of extra inches of height that’ll protect your running board from damage. It’ll cost you money, but it’s better to pay for it rather than pay for repairs.
The Cons of Leveling Kits
As helpful as leveling kits are, they don’t come empty of downsides. Here are some of their most popular cons.
Wearing the Suspension Out
The efficiency of your leveling kit depends on the correct installation. If you don’t install it correctly, you’ll be putting strain on your truck’s suspension, and it’ll eventually wear out.
The effects will even be worse on 4WD vehicles because the front CV joints will be under stress. Additionally, the ball joints will wear out quicker than they should.
This can easily be avoided by getting a professional to install the kit for you. You can even ask a friend for help, but avoid installing it yourself if it’s your first time because it may be tricky.
Increasing Resistance
Many truck owners don’t do their calculations before buying leveling kits, and they get surprised afterward that they’re paying for more fuel.
That’s because when you install a leveling kit, you balance the truck out, so the suspension is equalized. Consequently, the drag decreases and the wind resistance increases, causing the vehicle to consume more fuel in city streets.
The difference won’t be substantial, and you’ll likely not realize it for a few months, but it’s worth mentioning.
No Major Appearance Differences
Let’s be honest; most truck owners get leveling kits to give the truck a good shape. At least a large share of people do so instead of buying the kits for their actual purpose. The not-so-good news is, the leveling kit won’t make any significant differences to your truck’s appearance.
The leveling effect may not even be noticeable if your kit of choice is only 1.5 or 2 inches. If you want to change the appearance of your truck, you need a lift kit, not a leveling one.
Costly
Most leveling kits aren’t exactly affordable, and affordable ones may not offer what you need. So, you’ll want to consider the cost you’ll have to pay for your leveling kit. Most truck owners think they’re saving money by buying these, but that’s only when they buy them to protect low running boards or to use winches and snow plowers.
If you just want to balance the truck for its appearance, you’ll be paying too much for the actual value you’ll receive, which is a barely noticeable lift from the ground. Remember that most kits only offer 2-inch raises, and higher ones don’t exceed three inches.
The Summary
Now that you know the pros and cons of leveling kits, you probably know whether you need them. They’re essential for balancing trucks and attaching equipment to the front of your vehicle. However, they may not be worth the money if you’re only buying them to give your truck a rugged look.