Im not saying the 2" leveling kit dosent look good, I have one on my truck but you dont think adding the spacers to a 4x4 puts a little added stress on the cv shafts? They are at a steeper angle, I know my boots on mine are worn more now because of the lift.

 

Saying that a leveling kit doesn't add stress to your front suspension is ridiculous. Look at ball joints, CV shaft angles, and control arms compared to stock.

Suspension lifts are less stressful to your front susp. because they keep angles much closer to stock than a leveling kit.

 

aero dynamics plain and simple to maximize air flow over the truck in the most efficient way is to have some rake in the front. when you level the front end the windshield acts more like wall. and it maybe only 1-2 mpg but it still a gain in fuel economy.

 

My '05 sits pretty level with my 6k lb camper on it. Looks mighty fine I think. Personally, I don't like the open front wheel wells after a leveling kit has been added.

Actually, bringing the front end up to level brings the angle of the windshield back making it more aerodynamic. Any fuel economy gain though would be negated by the higher front end and more upright grill.

 

well no it doesn't watch the guy who was in charge of it explain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UagXvoLuWSM

so then what would move through the air more easily, a sheet of plywood standing straight up or a sheet of plywood held at a angle?

 

I may have missed it, but he didn't say anything about the height of the back of the truck relative to the front.

That's obvious.

But if the windshield is at a (just picking numbers here) 45 degree angle relative to level ground. You raise the front of the truck (level it), that windshield is now at a 43 degree angle to level ground. That makes the wind flow over the windshiled of the leveled truck better, no? The grille and front of the truck is another story though. The more you raise the front of the truck, the closer the windshield gets to laying flat (like the plywood you mentioned).

Hold your hands flat, with one being the truck and one being the windshield like this:

---/----

Now, tilt the left side of your hand up a little. What happens to the windshield? It lays back.

 

I highly doubt the rake is for aero, so I propose we kill that topic right here and now before it turns into a synthetic vs dino oil interval battle. Ford did it for a reason, but I agree it doesn't look good. Exactly why I leveled mine 2.5"

 

I just drive it and use it... I don't care if it is level.

 

Because if they did....
GM, Dodge and everybody else would hook a trailer to the OEM factory Ford or put a few rocks in the bed...

...and then they would make a TV commercial....and laugh all the way to the bank.

 

It was done for one simple reason, I've already said it but I'll say it again. The F150 was built with a forward rake so when it gets loaded down it sits level, that's it. This maintains handling, steering and keeps the headlights from pointing at the stars.

In my opinion, the leveled trucks are the ones that don't look good.

 

to each his own...!!

 

I agree with that much. Here are my pictures. The 3rd pic of of my leveled truck sitting in my front yard. I know it is kind of minor for most, but my truck could not get across my front yard ditch as pictured before I was leveled. I use my yard as a work area so I can get under the truck and work it for whatever, much more room and safer than the concrete driveway.

A side note never really mentioned with leveling, when I got the truck I felt as if I was always slamming on the brakes because of how low the nose was. I also had a hard time seeing out the back for little ricers trying to drive up under me. (If it were not for the backup sensors and leveling I would have crushed a few by now.) Rear visibility and feeling of the truck both got better with raising the nose 2.5". The first day or 2 the truck felt so much more athletic and better feeling now that the nose wasn't dragging on the ground.

On to the pictures.


Stock:



Leveled:





Leveled with 1200 lb of water in the bed. A little nose high, but not horrible for technically being over GVWR (7200LB):

 

Do you use a wetsuit when working on the truck? Quite a bit of water in the ditch.

 

Touche'...I parked it there just to show a friend and took a picture of it. When working on it is is dry and I always end up finishing after dark and can't get a good pic. Thanks though

 

Leveled trucks are alright... if you like the look of carrying a load all the time.