New to the site and have a question. I have searched and found conflicting reports on the effect of a leveling kit on gas mileage.

I have an '05 screw and am considering the 2.5" leveling kit. However, I drive 100 miles a day over a mountain pass and need to have decent handling and gas mileage.

What effect will raising the front end a couple inches have on gas consumption?

Any experience would be much appreciated. I currently average about 15.2 MPG with %85 highway miles. As a daily commute truck, i do not want to take a big step back in this regard.

thanks

 

No, but bigger tires will reduce your gas mileage your gas mileage should stay identical with the 2.5 inch leveling kit..

 

I have heard a saying, "You lift, you lose.".
Nascar frontends are about 1.75 inches off the track.
That may be for better handling and speed but, if speed is an advantage isn't increased mileage a side effect benefit?

When I am pedaling my bicycle and am pedaling as fast as I can, I find I can go faster with less effort (kind of like a formula for improved mpg) by leaning down out of the wind and creating a smaller forward mass. Can't mpg be determined by 'going a specifed distance, at a specified cost' whether the specified cost is a gallon of gas or a certain amount of effort?

It is well documented that two like trucks with the only difference being 2wd and 4wd, the 4wd will get worse mpg. Is the difference in mpg 100% the weight of the extra parts? Could the stock height of the two vehicles not play some small role?

Does the 2.5 inch lift provide any benefit other than cosmetic that I am not aware of?

If there is no mpg advantage in the way the truck sits as it comes from the factory, why does Ford not make it level to begin with? Surely they are aware of the aftermarket leveling kits and they could make the truck level from the factory at little or no cost and it could help sales. Isn't there some reason the truck is how it is?

Just food for thought.

 

I leveled my 98 and did loose a " small "amount on the highway. The closer your front end is to the ground the better for mpg. As for why is it not level from the factory, it would look bad to have a bunch of 150's running around saging when you put something in the bed.

 

Thanks guys - any other feedback. Love to get some definitive info on this.

thanks