Most trucks leave the factory with the rear sitting higher than the front. That slope is called rake, and it's there so the truck sits level when you load the bed or hook up a trailer. If your bed is empty most of the time, you're driving around with a nose-down truck for no reason. That's why a leveling kit is the first thing so many Silverado, F-150, and Tacoma owners ask us about.
On a modern half-ton with coil-over struts in front, there are two common ways to level it. The cheaper way is a spacer that bolts on top of your factory strut. The other way is a new set of adjustable shocks, like Bilstein 5100s, that let you set the front height. That second option levels the truck and replaces tired struts in the same job. Heavy-duty trucks with torsion bars, like a Silverado 2500HD, are leveled differently, usually with new torsion keys.
A lift kit raises the rear too. Up to about 3 inches, most kits for half-tons and Tacomas are still simple. You get taller front struts or spacers, plus rear blocks, an add-a-leaf, or new rear springs. Past 3 inches, kits start replacing knuckles and control arms, and the job gets a lot bigger and more expensive. Because a lift keeps some of the factory rake, it's the better pick if you tow. A truck that's perfectly level when empty sits nose-high once the trailer is on.
| Leveling kit | Lift kit, up to 3 in. | |
|---|---|---|
| What goes up | Front only | Front and rear |
| Typical height | 1.5 to 2.5 in. front | 2 to 3 in. front, 1 to 2 in. rear |
| Tire size on most half-tons | About 33 in. | About 33 in., bigger on some trucks with the right wheels |
| Install time | Within a day if parts are in stock | Usually a day if parts are in stock |
| Towing | Sits nose-high when loaded | Keeps some rake for loads |
| Alignment afterward | Yes | Yes |
What changes when the truck goes up
Bolting the kit on is the easy part. The alignment changes the moment the front goes up, and driving on the old settings will wear the edges off new tires in a few thousand miles. On a 4x4 with independent front suspension, the front axles also run at a steeper angle. A couple of inches is fine. Too much height tears CV boots and wears out the joints early.
At about 2.5 to 3 inches up front, the factory upper control arms can run out of adjustment, and the upper ball joint can start to bind. Aftermarket upper arms fix both, and our upper control arm guide explains why. Your headlights will also aim higher, so get them re-aimed before you're blinding people on the 710. And bigger tires make your speedometer read slow, which many trucks can be recalibrated for.
For a truck that commutes all week and sees the desert or the mountains a few times a year, a 2-inch level with good shocks is plenty. Most daily drivers don't need more than 3 inches. Past that, you're paying for a much bigger job.
We carry lift and leveling kits from ReadyLift, Teraflex, Pro Comp, and Falcon, plus Bilstein and Fox shocks. You can browse them in our suspension catalog, and we'll confirm the part fits your truck before anything is ordered.
We also wrote guides for the trucks we see most:
Call us at 562-422-4449 with your year, make, and model, or stop by Cherry Ave or Paramount Blvd and we'll look at your truck with you. Every lifted alignment is done on the rack at Cherry. If the kit goes on at Paramount, we take the truck over to Cherry for the alignment and bring it back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a leveling kit and a lift kit?
A leveling kit raises only the front of the truck, usually 1.5 to 2.5 inches, so the front sits even with the rear. A lift kit raises both the front and the rear, so the whole truck sits higher and keeps some of the factory slope. A leveling kit costs less and goes on faster. A lift kit gives you more clearance at both ends.
Does a leveling kit void my warranty?
Not automatically. Under federal law, a manufacturer can't void your whole warranty just because you installed an aftermarket part. They can deny a claim on a part the modification damaged, like a front CV axle. Ask your dealer how they handle leveled trucks before you install.
Do I need an alignment after a leveling kit?
Yes. Raising the front changes camber and toe, and new tires wear fast on a bad alignment. At Ochoa's, truck and SUV alignments start at $125, and lifted and extra-large trucks start at $145. Alignments are done on the rack at our Cherry Ave shop.
Will a leveling kit make my truck ride rough?
A 2-inch leveling kit on good factory shocks usually rides close to stock. The ride gets worse when the kit is too tall or the shocks are already worn. If your truck bounces after dips, new shocks during the install make a bigger difference than the kit itself.
How big a tire can I run with a leveling kit?
On most half-ton trucks, a 2-inch leveling kit clears about a 33-inch tire on wheels with close to factory offset. Bigger than that depends on the wheel offset and may need trimming. Tell us the truck and the tire you want, and we'll check fitment before anything is ordered.
Have this problem right now? Our Cherry Ave shop is open 7 days a week and Paramount is open Monday through Saturday. No appointment needed for most services.