So I just ordered a 3 inch leveling kit for my 2010 xlt 4x4 but after researching a little bit I saw that most people say never go above 2.5 because the 3 causes too much stress on the front end components. I've also heard that the 2.5 and 3 inch spacers are the same size ? Would I be safe to just go with the 3 or is it really that bad on the truck

 

3" will likely shorten the life of your front suspension parts. Your angles are not going to look good on your upper control arm and cv's.

Take your current mesurments. Measure from the center of the wheel to the wheel well arch.

A 2" level might be enough for your truck.

2.5" and 3" spacers are not the same size. If they were, they'd both give the same amount of lift.

 

There's a a 2.5 inch difference between the back and front. I had an 05 that had a 2 inch difference so I ordered a 2 inch kit but when I had it aligned it looked as if it had almost lowered the front a little so that's why I ordered the 3 to compensate for that this time. But it looks like I'm gonna be going with a 2.5 if that will save my front end a little more

 

You can't really compare an 05 and 10, they are two different animals when it comes to rear spring rates and front lift. An 05 will sit almost level with a 2.5" level and the 06-08's you could only use a 2.0" to sit level. I am pretty sure that carries over to the next generation of trucks.

Either way a 3.0" level is not recommended for any of our trucks, even by the folks that manufacture and sell them. I spoke to the Auto Spring guys and they advised the 3.0" will work if you strictly drive on the street and crawl the malls but if you take it anywhere the suspension has to work it will eat things up pretty quick. They didn't recommend it even though they sell it.