It is likely that, having a truck, you have wondered why the front seats are lower than those at the rear. This is how the majority of trucks leave the factory, and this is primarily done to be towed and provide load support. It does not sit well with many truck owners whose nose is to the ground. It gives the truck a lopsided appearance, and it also restricts the size of a tire you can mount on the front. This is the reason why lots of people begin searching for leveling kits as a simple and cheap method to raise the front part and provide the truck with a balanced and aggressive appearance.
As soon as people begin to research, there is a question everywhere: Are leveling kits bad for trucks? According to some drivers, leveling kits are totally safe and do not cause any issues with the appearance. Others caution them to bring about rugged rides, steering problems, or uneven tire wear. With all the conflicting information on the internet, one can readily be puzzled or even anxious about the wrong choice of a truck. The fact is that the leveling kits are not the villain,s but the way they are installed and maintained is a massive difference.
A leveling kit only alters your suspension angle slightly, which may affect your alignment, tire wear, and the overall quality of your ride unless done correctly. With proper installation by experienced persons and subsequent alignment of the wheels, a good number of trucks drive normally for several years. The issue of corner-cutting begins to manifest itself quickly. We are going to see everything in simple words in this blog. You will find out what leveling kits are, the actual advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to eliminate the drawbacks so that your truck can remain safe, good, and even smooth.
What Is a Leveling Kit
A leveling kit is a suspension upgrade that is aimed at raising the front of your truck so that it is even with the rear. Trucks are mostly in the factory with a lower front part, which is primarily used for heavy loads and towing purposes. A leveling kit is used to adjust the tripod position, raising the front one to three inches. The difference between this small modification and what your truck would appear like with a full height and price of a lift kit is that it is much more aggressive and balanced in look.
The leveling kits are found to have a few basic types, with each having its own way of functioning. The most successful are the spacer leveling kits, as they are cheap and easy. They are placed on the front struts or springs in order to give height. Adjustable leveling kits of strut replace the factory parts and enable the height to be fine-tuned. Others also have new coil springs to enhance the support. Regardless of the type, the objective remains the same, i.e., raise the front end, retaining the rear on its original height.
Although a leveling kit may be considered a minor modification, it provides you with the result of changes in the position and movement of your suspension. When the front is raised, such components as control arms, ball joints, and CV axles work somewhat at various angles. That is why the quality of installation is important. An installed leveling kit with a professional wheel alignment improves tires and appearance without damaging performance. However, when fitted improperly, such modifications may cause ride, steering, and tire problems. To find out what a leveling kit actually is, it explains why people ask whether leveling kits are bad or good for trucks.
Explore More: Difference Between Lift and Leveling Kit for Vehicle
Are Leveling Kits Bad for Trucks or Is That Just a Myth
Ok, it is time to cut the fat and state the obvious: are leveling kits bad in a truck? The pure truth is not necessarily. A leveling kit alone is not a bad thing, and there is absolutely no reason why it would ruin your truck as soon as it is installed. The leveling kits are utilized by thousands of truck owners daily,y and they drive without any problems. The issue is that they are usually installed improperly by the people; they are not aligned, and the people select the cheapest components without paying attention to the functionality of the suspension. This is when the leveling kits become slandered.
Imagine it, as putting on shoes that do notfit. The shoes are not bad, but when they tighten, you will be in pain. The leveling kit is the same case. The angle of the suspension changes when you lift the front of your truck. Your truck can still drive, but the parts are not in the same location as they were. Excessive stress may manifest itself more quickly as the kit is excessively tall, or the suspension itself is worn out. There are those who can see a less smooth ride, a bit more of a bounce, or a different steering. And when it is not adjusted immediately after installation, then your tires can begin to wear unevenly, and this can be costly in the long run.
The actual solution is such that leveling kits can only be bad when they are fitted without any proper planning and attention. The addition of a leveling kit can be a safe upgrade to most trucks if you select the correct kit, install it correctly, and have a professional perform a wheel alignment. However, when one runs the job when the health of the suspension is neglected or when someone is trying to find a way to evade the expenses of aligning the truck, it will tell them that something is wrong. We will take a closer look in the following section to ensure that you know the actual advantages and disadvantages so you can determine whether a leveling kit is worth it for your truck or not.
Pros and Cons of Installing a Leveling Kit on Your Truck
It is worth learning that not all leveling kits are bad before jumping to conclusions. The reason why the question is about leveling kits being bad in the trucks is that there are people who have had bad experiences with the product, and others have never had problems. The variation normally reduces to the installation of the kit, alignment, and the operation of the truck after its installation. To simplify this, we shall break this into the actual advantages and disadvantages so that you can appreciate both sides of the coin.
Pros of Installing a Leveling Kit on Your Truck
- Enhances the general look of the truck as the lifting of the front side is done to match the height of the back to make the truck more balanced and appealing.
- Allows slightly larger tires to be installed without rubbing with the wheel wells, especially in the front, which is awesome with off-road or aggressive installations.
- Gives the truck a more aggressive and all-around look without the need to raise it completely, and is a decorative feature that does not demand major alterations.
- When fitted with good quality parts, its stock feel of ride is pretty, and it has the needed lift.
- It is cheaper than a full suspension lift kit; therefore, it is a cheap upgrade to the majority of truck owners who would desire to have a better stance, yet do not necessarily have to spend a lot of money.
- Helps also assists in a better front view, particularly on rugged roads or during off-road cases, so that the drivers can have a clearer view of the obstacles and terrain.
Cons of Installing a Leveling Kit on Your Truck
- Suspension angles can also change, which can cause extra stress to the ball joints, control arms, and other suspension parts, and could decrease their lifetime without careful observation.
- May create imbalanced wear on the tires in case of failure to align the wheels after fitting, and which results in increased replacement and control problems.
- The ride may be a bit harsher or tighter, particularly when the spacer-type leveling kits are used, which lack improved shocks or springs.
- It does not suit much towing or hauling since the rake, which was fitted in the factory to secure the load, is altered, and this may affect the way it handles under the load.
- The steering can be problematic, can produce vibrations or even unusual wear of the suspension because the truck has not been installed properly, and that is why it is not a comfortable and safe car to be driven.
- Small band-aid solutions, like the low-cost leveling kits or self-installation, can cause chronic problems that are more expensive and difficult to control at a later date, such as damage to the alignment and suspension.
Explore More: How Much Is a Leveling Kit? Cost and Benefits Guide
Do Leveling Kits Cause Tire Wear and Alignment Problems?
Admittedly, leveling kits may bring about tire wear and alignment issues; however, that is only under the circumstances that the installation is not performed properly. As you put your front truck higher, even a little, you vary the angles of suspension. That influences the positioning of the tires on the road. Your truck can have a good feel at the beginning of the course, but the tires can wear unevenly over time. It is among the largest motivations that cause individuals to search for leveling kits for trucks, as they fit a kit, and do not perform any alignment, and then see their tires being ruined more quickly than usual.
The major problem is normally alignment angles, such as camber and toe. When the camber is not correct, one tire will lean either toward the inside or the outside, and this will wear one side of the tire more than the other. In case of the toe being erroneous, the tires may just grate the road rather than rolling forward, thus leading to quicker wear, which may also influence the steering. Other motorists are aware of having a truck that slugs to one side, the steering wheel lopsided, or an unstable ride at highway speeds. These are the usual symptoms that indicate that your truck requires a decent wheel alignment with a leveling kit. And yes, your truck may have a perfect appearance, but it may also be somewhat off-center.
The good thing is that this issue can be highly avoided. A leveling kit will not ruin your tires as long as they are properly installed and then taken to a professional to be aligned. Actually, the majority of stores insist on performing an alignment right after fitting a leveling kit, and rechecking it in a few weeks after driving due to the settling of the suspension. Also, in case your truck already has damaged suspension components such as ball joints, tie rods,s or control arm bushings, leveling them may cause the weak ones to display problems sooner. Then, and since you want your tires to wear longer, your truck to drive in a straight line, you can have neither alignment nor inspection as optional, and do the job properly.
You Must Know About: Driving with Bad Wheel Alignment: How to Fix It
How to Avoid Problems When Installing a Leveling Kit
The most effective method of avoiding issues with a leveling kit is to begin with the appropriate plan, and not simply the suitable parts. The reason is that many problems arise due to the rush when making the decision or selecting the most inexpensive kit by the truck owners. The suspension must be seen to before any installation to ensure that such parts of the suspension as ball joints, control arm, shocks, and tie rods are in good condition. When these components are already worn,n then with the help of a leveling kit, the issues may appear sooner. It is also important to select a quality leveling kit that suits your model of truck and purpose of use, which could either be daily driving or light off-roading.
When you take the Leveling Kit Professional installation service, it makes a huge difference in the way your truck performs after leveling. An appropriate installation positions everything correctly, with the correct torque and at the correct angle. Failing to trim corners or do a hastily made DIY may result in an uneven lift, steering problems, or unwanted vibrations. Immediately after installation,n a professional wheel alignment is necessary. One of the most common reasons why people would eventually complain and seek to know whether leveling kits are bad for trucks is because of skipping alignment. It is impossible to have your tires on the road correctly unless they are in alignment, and this means that they will wear out rapidly and will handle poorly.
When you have installed and tuned your truck, then maintaining it is the key to running it smoothly. Suspension components are to be inspected every now and then, particularly after a few weeks of driving, since the suspension tends to settle. The tire pressure and tire rotation should also be paid close attention to so that they wear evenly. Whenever you notice a change in the feel of steering, the noises and vibrations, it is advisable to make sure that you check on them early enough before they lead to the expensive-cost repairs. A leveling kit is not a problem, but a safe and reliable upgrade as long as it is installed and maintained in a proper way.
Conclusion
So, are leveling kits bad for trucks? The fact of the matter is that when they are done in the right way. A leveling kit is not an upgrade that is necessarily harmful. It is just a vehicle to elevate the front part of your truck and enhance its posture. The problem is most often not with the kit, but with improper assembly, not doing the wheel adjustment, or not caring about the health of the suspension. When these things are not taken into consideration, the truck begins to exhibit characteristics such as uneven tire wear, rough ride, or steering problems, causing people to believe that leveling kits are bad.
A properly installed leveling kit can provide your truck with a cleaner appearance, clearance of the tires, and a balanced look without needing to spend a lot of money to buy a full lift kit. However, you need to realize that there is no slight suspension change that does not influence the way your truck drives. That is why professional installation and wheel alignment cannot be considered optional processes because they are elements of doing the upgrade safely. The weight of trucks is that they are heavy machinery, and the geometry of suspension is more important than most individuals think.
Whether you are considering the installation of a leveling kit or you have one and realize that something is not working, the best thing you can do is to get your suspension checked and aligned by the professionals who know about the trucks. With professionals like Gresham 4 wheel drive, you can inspect regularly, proper alignment, and quality parts, which make a huge difference in how long your tires last and how comfortable your ride feels. With the appropriate services of a leveling kit, you will not damage your truck; however, you will enhance it. Instead of inquiring whether leveling kits are harmful to trucks, the more appropriate question is: was it done and kept properly? And when the answer is yes, your truck will thank you, yes.
