Are you planning to install a leveling kit on your truck to make it nice and leveled? If that is the case then you probably want to learn how much is a leveling kit? If that is true, you shouldn’t worry because we are going to cover everything when it comes to installing these mods on your truck.
- What Is A Leveling Kit?
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- How Much Is It?
- How To Install DIY?
- Top 3 Leveling Kits
- Conclusion
Doing suspension upgrades on your truck after a purchase is probably the way to go. Since nobody wants to ride in those boring factory settings and everybody wants to improve their ride quality.
Installing bigger tires is also probably one of the most desired things that you can do to your truck. And if you install a leveling kit, you can go with bigger tires if you want and increase your ride height. Also, improve the looks of your truck by a big margin because factory wheels look meh. Who needs them anyway. And that’s why we are going to help you out.
In this article, we are going to learn what is a leveling kit. Then we will cover the advantages and disadvantages of installing a leveling kit on your truck. After, we will cover how much is a leveling kit because this is important to plan your budget, and we also going to list the best leveling kits on Amazon that are available for purchase. Lastly, we are going to cover some common questions when it comes to lifting your truck. So, let’s dive into it.
What Is A Leveling Kit?
Leveling kit as its name implies is a kit that levels out your truck. Trucks come from the factory with a slightly raised rear end. This is because the suspension is tweaked that way since the carmakers are presuming that you are going to load your truck. That’s why they lift it a little bit. So, when you load your truck with lumber or other materials it levels out by itself and doesn’t squat when loaded.
But a lot of owners do not like this look and they want to change it. And I understand them since the nose looks like it’s diving and the rear is too high on some trucks. So, companies out there have invented these kits. There are leveling kits, lift kits, and suspension lifts. A ton of options when it comes to lifting up your truck. But we are going to stick to the leveling kit for this article to deliver you the most useful information that you can find on the web.
This leveling kit can also be used to lift your truck as well. If you want to go just a little bit up but not exaggerate like doing a lift kit, then the leveling kit is the right option for you. And if you install a leveling kit, adding bigger tires is a must since the truck is going to look funny in some cases if the lift is too high.
Remember that factory wheels are not that big and they are not designed for raised trucks. But how much is a leveling kit? More on that later, let’s first learn the advantages and disadvantages of installing a leveling kit.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Installing A Leveling Kit
Before we dive deeper and learn how much is a leveling kit? Let’s first discuss the advantages and disadvantages of installing a leveling kit on your truck. Since there are a ton of positives and negatives that are worth covering. So let’s first start with the advantages and then we will move to the disadvantages of installing a leveling kit.
Advantages Of Installing A Leveling Kit
In the following chapters, we are going to cove the advantages of the leveling kits.
1. Raised Trucks Look Good
The first advantage of having a leveling kit is that the leveled truck looks much more appealing than a stock one. There is just something with the symmetry that makes leveled trucks much better when it comes to looks. And since we spend quite a lot of time in our cars and truck we want them to look the best possible.
2. Improves The Ride Quality And Handling
Another benefit of installing a leveling kit is that it improves the ride quality of the truck. The truck simply doesn’t go with the nose down anymore. So, the aero is much better and you will notice this especially on the highway where you are driving with higher speeds.
In addition to this. If you install bigger tires with the leveling kit will improve your handling as well. The truck will drive like it’s on rails, especially if you install some grippy Nitto tires. Driving with a bigger tire will make your ride quality and handling almost perfect.
In addition to the leveling kit and the bigger tires, if you add a good set of quality coilovers will also make your truck even better. You will be jumping sand dunes in Baja style in no time. But how much is a leveling kit? More on that in a bit. Let’s first finish the advantages and disadvantages.
3. Improves The Ground Clearance
Another benefit will be improved ground clearance. This will be quite handy if you love to drive off-road and enjoy your truck as it should be enjoyed.
With a lift kit, your truck will be well prepared to tackle some road imperfections more than it was while it was in stock. The increased ground clearance will help you conquer the unconquerable hills that are out there and make every second worth it. But how much is a leveling kit? More on that in a bit, let’s first discuss the disadvantages of installing a leveling kit.
Disadvantages Of Installing A Leveling Kit
Now it’s time to discuss the disadvantages of installing a leveling kit. Since there is not all sunshine and roses.
1. It Will Be More Difficult To Climb In
Increased ride height will also mean that it is going to be quite more difficult for you to climb into the truck. Even an inch in some cases can become a problem for you because you climb in and out of the truck a couple of times a day.
So, if you don’t have running boards. This could become a big problem for you. That’s why make sure that you take this into consideration before you install leveling kit on your truck.
2. Headlights Will Point Upwards
Another downside is that the headlights will point upwards and you will potentially dazzle other drivers. They will flash at you angrily because they will think that you are using your high beams instead of the low beams.
Not a good situation. This is caused because the headlights simply are made from the factory to point down. So, when you level out the truck, the headlights will start to point upwards. Resulting in unpleasant situations while you drive.
This is easily solvable, you will only need to adjust the headlights a little bit. Just park your truck in front of a wall and turn the headlights on. Observe where they are hitting and then adjust them with the adjuster that you have on your dash. Overall, simple fix that will not cost you anything.
3. Suspension Components Will Wear Off Prematurely
The biggest downside of installing a leveling kit is that the suspension components will wear off sooner than expected. But these claims are not proven in reality. There might be slight wear but nothing significant that will result in thrashing your suspension.
That’s why you shouldn’t have to worry much about it. But how much is a leveling kit? More on that in a bit, let’s first find out what does the leveling kit includes.
What Does The Leveling Kit Include?
We have covered the ups and downs of installing a leveling kit on your truck. Now let’s see what does a leveling kit includes. Since you have to know this stuff before you make a purchase on a leveling kit for your truck.
The leveling kit is quite simple. It consists of only a few components and it is really easy to understand. The most important bit is the spacers that you need to install at the top of the strut assembly or at the top of the spring if you are using an older type of suspension. That’s basically everything you need.
Even though, there are some kits out there that also come with a rear leveling kit as well. These components are called lifting blocks that are secured with U-bolts. But the only thing you really need is the two front spacers for each side, which come with specific bolts. Usually three bolts for each side. Overall, that’s it. More about installing we are going to cover a bit later. Let’s first learn how much is a leveling kit.
How Much Is A Leveling Kit?
Now let’s answer the important question and that is how much is a leveling kit for your truck? We can say that it is quite affordable and a better deal than a lift kit, since it is quite more compact and easy to install. How to install we are going to explain later in the article. But now let’s discuss the prices when it comes to installing a kit like this.
But how much is a leveling kit? The base price of a leveling kit is $150. It’s that cheap. But this leveling kit is only 1’’. You probably want more than 1’’ lift on your truck and you want to get something better.
Something like a 2’’ or 3’’ would be the way to go if you want to see a difference and lift your truck significantly to raise it enough to install these aftermarket wheels that you always were craving for. This kit is a bit more expensive. It will cost you between $200 and $300.
If you also want to lift the rear and you want to install lifting blocks that will make the rear level with the front you will have to pay about $350 to $400. Which is still a good cost for what you get. It is also worth noting that not all of the kits cost the same. Some are cheaper by some margin while others are more expensive. This is due to the suspension design and how well engineered this kit should be to deliver the wanted result.
Some kits are simpler to build, while some are more complex and require a lot more engineering and problem-solving to get the work done.
How To Install A Leveling Kit DIY?
We have answered the question of how much is a leveling kit, now let’s discuss installing these kits on your truck. Installing a leveling kit on a truck is a straightforward business. You don’t want to pay thousands of dollars on mechanics to install a simple leveling kit. You can do this work by yourself if you have some mechanical knowledge of how the suspension is working to know where to place this kit.
Also, kits come with a full manual that will make your life easier and you are going to install the kit in a couple of hours on both sides. But even though you have a manual. In this chapter, we are going to cover the steps that are required to install a kit like this on your truck. So, buckle up.
Step 1
The first step will require jacking up the car in the air and removing the front wheel. Get some jack stands to make it more secure if you want because the truck can wiggle while you remove the strut.
Step 2
Depending on whether you are running struts or regular springs this step may vary. Because if you are running struts you will need to remove the whole strut assembly and not worry about anything.
Or else if you are running a regular spring. You will have to compress the spring to remove it. If you don’t compress the spring. There is a high chance that the spring will pop out and hurt you.
That’s why you will need a spring compressor tool to get the spring nice and compressed. You don’t want to end up hurt.
Step 3
The following step will require removing the spring or strut from its position and placing the leveling kit. For a strut application, you will need to place the adapter and tighten it down with the bolts that came with the kit.
If you use regular springs, you will only need to compress them and place the adapter on top of them, and you are done. It’s that simple to do and get your leveling kit installed onto your truck.
Step 4
The last step will require installing the strut where it belongs and tightening up everything up to spec. Then mount the wheel and put the vehicle on the ground. One side should be raised.
Repeat the procedure for the other side as well. Then you are good to go and you can enjoy your truck as it should have been from the factory.
If you got a kit that also raises the rear as well, you will have lifting blocks and U-bolts in your kit. You will have to install them as well for the truck not to look funny with the front end raised and the rear lowered. This is called a Carolina Squat if you didn’t know and we have a whole article on it and its legal status in the US.
It is also good to add that if you are installing a leveling kit, you should also improve your wheels as well. Since there will be too much space in the front if you raise the truck by 3 inches. Fitting bigger wheels and tires will make the look more complete and the truck will not look empty in the wheel wells.
Do I Need An Alignment After Installing Leveling Kit?
This is a good question that deserves an elaborate answer. And the answer is yes, you will need an alignment. So, why is this the case? This is the case because every time you are messing with your suspension, there is a high chance that something will not fit as it should. Which will result in bad alignment.
Bad alignment symptoms will start to develop soon after you install the leveling kit. There is a high chance that the truck is going to pull on one side of the wheel will not be straight. Not to mention that if you drive like this with a bad alignment you risk uneven tire wear. Truck tires are expensive and if you drive like this you will have to replace them sooner than you anticipated.
That’s why make sure that your car is aligned nicely and everything is up to spec. If not, your truck is not safe anymore and you risk possible problems like these.
Best Leveling Kits On Amazon
In the following chapters, we are going to cover the best leveling kits that are out there. We will focus mostly on the big three when it comes to trucks. And that is the F-Series, Silverado, and RAM. So let’s begin.
1. MotoFab Lifts CH-2.5-2.6 in Front Leveling Kit GMC and Chevy
The MotoFab Lifts CH-2.5-2.5 is one of the best when it comes to leveling your truck. This kit is Amazon’s choice when it comes to leveling kits and has more than 1,370 reviews with 4.7 stars overall rating.
This leveling kit is only applicable to Chevy and GMC trucks. Precisely the 1500 series. It is a billet aluminum CNC machined product with a powder coating to keep it nice and secure from the elements. It says that it will lift the truck for about 2.5 inches. Also, it is dead easy to install. The install time for both sides is about 2 hours. It cannot be simpler than this. Overall good product.
2. YITAMOTOR Leveling Lift Kit Compatible for F150
The YITAMOTOR kit is another excellent product that we decided to include in our list of leveling kits. What is good about this kit is that it offers you to lift your F-150. 3 inches at the front and 2 inches at the rear. This kit is compatible with all the F-150s manufactured between 2004 to 2018.
This kit is perfect if you want to lift the truck both at the front and the rear. All components are made out of billet steel with a CNC machine that guarantees the strength of this lift kit. The components are also powder coated. Which further guarantees their durability. This product scored 4.4 stars, which is really respectable. Overall, great product.
3. Supreme Suspensions Full Lift Kit For 2014 to 2020 RAM 2500
Supreme Suspensions’ kits never disappoint with their products. Namely with what we are covering right now. This lift kit as we implied is a full lift kit which means that will lift the front for 3.5 inches and the rear for 2.5 inches. Improving the driving and the looks of your truck significantly.
This product is intended for RAM 2500 trucks built between 2014 and 2020. It will fit both 2WD and 4WD models. But will only fit 2WD models with solid axles only. So, you should pay attention to this before you order.
Unlike previous kits that were made out of billet aluminum, this kit is made out of high-strength steel. Which guarantees that will last for a good time and will tackle a lot of stress. The components are also coated with special paint that will guarantee that the kit will not rust. Overall, excellent product.
Facts about Leveling Kits for Trucks
- Leveling kits are a cost-effective alternative to lift kits for trucks, and a basic 2-inch leveling kit costs between $60 and $100.
- More advanced 2-inch leveling kits cost between $125 and $1,000, with installation fees averaging around $300.
- A professionally installed leveling kit costs around $500, which is significantly cheaper than lift kits which can cost around $3,000.
- A leveling kit installation includes the cost of the leveling kit, installation costs, and getting an alignment afterward.
- It is possible to install a leveling kit by yourself and save between $200 to $400 in installation fees.
- Some shops may require that you buy a leveling kit from them to install on your truck.
- The total cost of having your leveling kit installed by a professional will be anywhere from $400 to $600 and above.
- Installing a leveling kit by yourself is not very difficult, but the kind of tools and procedures needed differ with every truck.
- Generally, installing a leveling kit does not require you to replace the shocks in your truck, but you may need to replace them if they are worn out.
- Leveling a truck is a reversible modification since it does not require altering the truck body itself.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered a lot when it comes to installing a leveling kit on your truck. First, we have learned what is a leveling kit. Then we have covered the advantages and disadvantages of installing a leveling kit on your truck.
After, we have covered how much is a leveling kit for you to have a better perspective of how much you will have to pay for it. We also wrote a detailed guide that will help you out with installing the leveling kit on your truck. Lastly, we found out which are the best leveling kits on the market for the Ford F-150, RAM 2500, and the Chevy Silverado.