Lift kits will give your truck a noticeable height. Anyone can tell if a truck is lifted or not just by looking at them.
However, this is not the case with leveling kits. They’re smaller in size and won’t give you a noticeable increase in height. So, it’s hard to tell straight away if a truck has a leveling kit installed in it.
You won’t get a leveling kit installed in your truck with the factory setting. Truck manufacturers don’t include them for several reasons. However, if you’re looking forward to buying a used truck, you may wonder how to tell if truck has leveling kit installed in it or not.
In this article, we tried to show some easiest ways to tell if your truck has a leveling kit installed or not.
Overview
With bare eyes it’s tough to tell a level truck apart from an unleveled truck. But if you read further along you will get to know a few easy techniques to differentiate them.
Apart from that we have discussed some initial information regarding both the level and the lift kit. So that even if your second hand truck do end up having a leveling kit, you can make the right call.
How to Tell if Truck Has Leveling Kit?
To be honest, it can be a hassle to detect if your truck has a leveling kit installed or not. That is of course if you already have a truck with a leveling kit installed in it.
In that case, you can just place your new truck alongside the old one to compare the height. If your new truck’s front is lower than the old one then it’s obvious that no leveling kit is installed in it. Otherwise, if the height is the same then it’s installed.
While this is a fairly easy way to tell, there’s a catch. Leveling kits come in different sizes. It might occur that your old truck has a 3-inch leveling system, whereas your new one is equipped with a 2-inch kit.
The trouble here is, both the trucks have leveling kit installed in them but one is still a bit lower.
Well, there are two basic types of leveling kits. One uses a spacer on top of the strut/spring assembly, and the other uses a spacer at the bottom.
So, you just take a peek at the strut/spring assembly’s top and bottom where it attaches to the lower control arm. There you’ll see an extra piece of metal. It’s easy to spot if you’re familiar with leveling kits.
However, if you’re not familiar with it then just take a picture and show it to a professional.
Now then, let’s talk about an even easier way! If you’re buying a second-hand or modified truck then you can just ask the owner. However, if you’re buying a brand new one then it’s certain that your truck won’t have a leveling kit installed.
How to measure your truck for a leveling kit
Do Leveling Kits Hurt Your Truck?
Your truck will not be harmed by a well-installed leveling system. Even if you’re planning to go off-roading or use a snowplow, a leveling kit can come in handy. However, in the long run, installing a leveling kit will reduce your truck’s gas mileage. Furthermore, it can wear out the suspension quickly and void any manufacturer’s warranties.
Every extra piece of equipment has its pros and cons. You have to analyze them and figure out if the cons outweigh the pros.
How Can I Tell How Much Lift My Truck has?
If you’re buying a stock truck (unmodified truck) then you’ll see the lift height in the manual. However, what if any leveling or lift kit is installed and you don’t know how to properly measure the lift height?
It’s pretty simple actually! Follow these simple steps and you’ll get the accurate lift measurement of your truck-
- First, you need to measure the distance between the frame and the axle of your truck.
- Then, take the same measurement of a stock truck of the same model.
- Lastly, subtract the stock truck’s measurement from your truck.
- Voila! Now you have the lift height measurement of your truck.
How to Tell if My f150 has Leveling Kit?
Leveling kits are used to level the front end of the truck with the rear end. However, the stock trucks don’t have them. All of the stock trucks have a slightly lower front end from the rear ends. The Ford f150 is not an exception.
This means that if your truck’s rear end is even with the front end, you have a leveling kit in your truck. So, how to take height measurements of the rear and the front of your vehicle?
Well, most of the trucks have a 2-inch drop at the front end compared to the rear end. So, you can just tell if it’s leveled or not by just looking.
But if you want to be precise then, you may simply measure the height of both the rear and front of a vehicle. Just take a measurement from the middle of the tire to the middle of the wheel fender. So, if both end’s height lifts are the same then your truck is leveled. Otherwise, it is not.
Now then, if you’re wondering, is the measurement procedure the same with other truck brands? Well, yes, most of the brands, including Ram, Silverado, Dodge have a 2-2.5” drop at the front end compared to the rear end.
How to Tell if My Truck has a Lift Kit?
Leveling kits won’t give you as much ground clearance as the lift kits do. To achieve that extra ground clearance, lifted trucks use longer shocks than stock shocks.
So, measuring your truck’s shocks can be a way to know if your truck is lifted or not. The stock shocks are meant to be 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall. But if your present shocks are 6 inches (15.2 cm) tall, you probably have 3 inches (7.6 cm) of lift.
How Do I Know if I Have a Suspension Lift or Body Lift?
There is no change in the distance between the bottom of your car and the ground when you use a body lift. However, with a suspension lift, you can get some extra ground clearance. For example, you get 3 inches of ground clearance with a 3-inch suspension lift. It lifts the vehicle’s chassis (without the axle and differential or lower control arms).
How to Tell What Size Lift is on My F250?
One way to know the size of your lift kit is to see if you can track down the manufacturer and serial number. Then using the serial number, you can search online for the specs. Or, you can contact the shock manufacturer to know the lift size used in your F250.
If you can’t find the specs online then don’t worry, there are other ways to figure out the lift size. You can compare the length of the stock shocks on the car to the length of your existing shocks. Then subtract the stock shocks length from the lifted shocks. The remaining number will be your lift size. In order to get a more accurate reading, try removing the truck’s shocks.
However, removing the loads from your truck is of utmost importance while measuring the shocks. Otherwise, the shocks will sag and you won’t get a perfect measurement.
Most Asked Question
Is a leveling kit noticeable?
Yes, a leveling kit will be less visible. Choose a lift kit if you want an increased and noticeable height. But if you just want to level the front and make it proportionate with the rare’s height then go for leveling.
How much will a 2-inch leveling kit raise my truck?
A 2′′ body lift or leveling kit normally allows for a 3-4′′ tire increase, while a 3′′ body lift allows for up to 35′′ tires! With a tall suspension lift.
Is leveling your truck recommended?
The manufacturers suggest avoiding leveling because of the immense modification it needs to go through. These modification processes can reduce your truck’s original capacity. But leveling comes with it’s benefits too. A good kit will always come with some extra bonus.
Conclusion
When buying second-hand trucks, the consumers often ask how to tell if truck has leveling kit. You had a similar question, so that’s why you are here. It’s fairly easy to tell actually.
Most trucks have leveling kits fitted in them in the same way as in the others. But, due to the wide range of truck types, it can be difficult to detect if a leveling kit is installed. In this article we have clearly elaborated a few techniques for you to apply. This way you can easily figure out how to tell a leveled and an unleveled truck apart.
FAQs
How do you tell if you have a lift or leveling kit? ›
Lift kits include a system of suspension components that lift the entire vehicle high off the ground. Leveling kits raise the front-end of a vehicle by a few inches, correcting the nose-down stance and making it level with the height of the back.
How do I know what lift kit I have on my truck? ›Look at the front crossmembers for the lower control arms. Measure the distance from a lower control arm bolt to the factory control arm mounting hole above it. If your kit uses blocks in the rear instead of leaf springs, measure the size of the block. The rear of most kits will be 2-3 inches less lift than the front.
Do leveling kits mess up your truck? ›A leveling kit will change the overall design of the vehicle, which will result in increased wear and tear on the suspension system. The good news is that there is a way to avoid these problems with professional installation and routine maintenance.
Is a 2 inch lift a leveling kit? ›A leveling kit is usually designed to provide a maximum lift of about 2 inches in the front. If a stock-style stance is desired, front-end leveling kits can be paired with spacer blocks on the rear leaf springs to provide a slight lift at all four corners.
How many inches does a leveling kit raise your truck? ›A leveling kit will give you approximately 1-3 inches of additional ground clearance. This is useful if you plan to offroad by helping to prevent rocks and debris from damaging the underside of your vehicle.
What is a lift package on a truck? ›A lift kit is a collection of parts installed on a vehicle to raise the body and create more separation between the body and axles. Most often, a lift kit applies to a truck or SUV. Lift kits take the form of a leveling kit, a body lift kit, or a suspension lift kit.
What are the two types of lift kits? ›A body lift literally raises the body of your vehicle off the frame. These kinds of kits consist of spacers to increase the distance between your truck body and the tires. A suspension lift kit creates lift by increasing the height of your suspension ride.
Does a lift kit lift the front and back? ›Lift kits increase the height of both the front and back of a vehicle, giving your crossover, SUV or truck a more customized look. Most options allow you to raise a vehicle anywhere from 2 to 4-inches. With certain vehicles, there are options that offer up to 6 to 8-inches of lift.
Is it better to lift or level a truck? ›If the clearance issues are minimal, then a leveling kit might be adequate. For a little more clearance, a body lift may give you the space you need. A body lift spaces the cab and bed away from the frame of the truck. If you want the most tire and ground clearance possible, then a suspension lift is your best bet.
How do you tell if my trucks load is too heavy? ›Signs of an Overloaded Truck
The truck appears overloaded: If the cargo is bulging over the sides of the truck or stacked over the top, it is probably carrying more cargo than it should be. The truck struggles to slow down: If you see a tractor trailer braking but taking too long to slow down, it is likely overloaded.
How much will a 2 inch leveling kit raise my truck? ›
A 2″ Body Lift or Leveling Kit will typically give you enough room for 3-4″ increase in tire size and a 3″ Body Lift could give you enough room for up to 35″ tires! If your suspension lift is tall enough, then you can just go down your local tire shop and order the biggest set of tires they make.
How much does it cost to level a truck? ›Although the changes are mostly cosmetic, it is possible to use levelling kits to raise the truck's body by 1-2 inches. Cost: Expect to pay between $100 and $500 for a levelling kit, before the cost of labor.
Why are pickup trucks not level? ›Lift versus Level
On any stock truck coming straight from the manufacturer, the rear of the vehicle sits a few inches higher than the front end. This is called a raked stance. Trucks are designed this way intentionally. The higher backend means less risk to the factory rear suspension under a heavy load.
However, the increased angle and pressure that lift kits can add to these ball joints can cause them to wear out quickly, and in extreme cases, they can fail, which snaps the wheel sideways, leading you to end up on the side of the road - that's a bad day.
Do I need new shocks with a 2-inch leveling kit? ›In order for a 2-inch leveling kit to work properly, the shocks on your truck must be compatible. Some trucks come with shocks that are already compatible with a 2-inch leveling kit, while others require that you purchase new shocks separately.
How much does it cost to lift truck 2 inches? ›Leveling kits can cost as little as $60, but on average, a basic 2-inch leveling kit will cost you around $300.
How much does labor cost for a leveling kit? ›A decent kit can cost between $70-$150 depending on your vehicle. Some kits can cost more, while others can be less expensive. The installation cost will vary depending on the shop, but you can expect to pay around $200-$400 in labor depending on your vehicle.
How thick is a 2 inch leveling kit? ›This kit will raise the front of the truck by 2", but the actual thickness is about 1".
Do lifted trucks use more gas? ›Lifting the body of a truck increases its aerodynamic drag, which makes the engine work harder and consume more fuel. This means that, although a lifted truck may be able to tackle tougher terrain, it will likely have worse fuel economy than a stock truck.
Does lifting a truck increase value? ›Resale – A reasonable-height aftermarket lift kit probably won't hurt the resale value if you can find the right buyer. In fact, with that buyer, it might even increase resale value. However, any vehicle customizing will reduce your pool of potential buyers.
What are the 3 lift categories? ›
A strength program needs to incorporate all three types of lifts to achieve balance and athleticism. The core lifts are the bench, the squat, and the dead lift.
What is a Stage 3 lift kit? ›Stage 3 key features are front and rear track bar relocation brackets, flipped drag link, heavy duty fixed lower control arms and the addition of adjustable upper control arms. Front and rear bump stop extension kits. Front and rear sway bar links.
What is the most common lift kit? ›The most common type of lift kit on the market, a suspension lift raises your whole suspension off the ground. This lift kit is common because it raises your ground clearance and improves your suspension.
What are the disadvantages of a lift kit? ›A big downside of the lift kit is that the frame is more visible than it was before and gaps can be seen in the fender wells. Unfortunately, due to placement of the body, factory bumpers are not raised with the body. A common complaint with lift kits are the frame visibility.
Does lift change alignment? ›If you have recently lifted, lowered, or modified your vehicle's suspension in any way, a wheel alignment is necessary. It is very common for suspension modifications to mess with toe, camber, and caster angles.
Can a mechanic install a lift kit? ›In addition to buying a kit, the mechanic will likely charge you anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the complexity of the task at hand. If you decide to err on the side of caution and hire a professional, you'll need to find a mechanic that specializes in installing lift kits.
How tall is a mechanic lift? ›The car lift itself will fit into one bay space and it is optimal to have 11-12 feet clearance height.
How tall of a jack Do I need to lift my truck? ›For most cars, a jack lift height of 20 inches is adequate. Unless of course, you're into lifted off-roaders with huge tires—then you'll definitely need something with higher lifting capabilities.
How long does a lifted truck last? ›A used lifted truck has the potential to last for several decades when cared for properly. Be sure to be on top of maintenance, along with good driving habits.
Does leveling truck affect towing? ›Leveling kits do not affect your truck's towing capabilities. Your leveled truck should still be able to tow the same amount of weight as it could when it was stock.
How much does it cost to level f150? ›
Pricing & Installation
Generally speaking, leveling kits cost around $100 to $250. Lift kits, on the other hand, can run you anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 – your final price will depend on the ride height and quality you desire.
Buying and installing a leveling kit yourself might cost between $400 to $2000. With a professional, you might spend between $800 to $4000. Buying and installing a lift kit might cost between $400 to $4000 if you do it yourself. If getting it done from an expert, the price can range between $800 to $12,000.
How much weight is considered a full truck load? ›A: The average weight a full truckload can carry is usually between 42,000 and 44,000 pounds. However, dry vans can haul up to 45,000 pounds.
What weight is considered a heavy truck? ›Any vehicle exceeding 26,001 pounds is considered heavy-duty. Examples include city transit buses, mobile cranes, cement mixers, refuse trucks, and tractors designed to pull refrigerated trailers, dry vans and other equipment.
What happens if a truck is over the weight limit? ›An overweight truck can pose a significant risk on the road. Overweight trucks are much slower to accelerate, which means that devastating accidents can happen if motorists unexpectedly come upon a slow-moving truck. Overweight trucks have a much harder time coming to a stop, especially when they are driving downhill.
Does a 2 inch leveling kit void warranty? ›Sort Of. Lifting your truck past 2” (or at all for some brands, like Toyota) will void the warranty on parts that are affected or damaged by the lift kit. However, anything not related to or affected by the lift kit will still be covered.
Does Discount tire do leveling kits? ›We are your source for suspension lift kits and leveling kits, as well as a wide selection of tires and wheels to match your vehicle's new ground clearance.
How big of tires can I fit with a 2 inch leveling kit? ›A good rule of thumb is that if you have a two-inch leveling kit, you can get a tire that is two inches larger and so on. This way you know that it will fit for sure. A lot of times, stock tire sizes are very conservative and you can go bigger than that two inches.
What happens when you level a truck? ›A truck leveling kit raises the front of your truck to even out the overall stance of the vehicle. If you rarely load your truck or haul a heavy trailer, adding a leveling kit will let you fit larger wheels and tires on your truck for a minimal investment.
Does going to a mechanic void warranty? ›You can service your own car and keep the warranty. According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act, which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, it's illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void your warranty or deny you coverage because you performed the work yourself.
What can I do to my truck without voiding the warranty? ›
- Suspension. To start, coilovers and a combination of springs or shocks are a safe bet. ...
- Cat-Back Exhaust. ...
- Wheels. ...
- Brakes. ...
- Sway Bars. ...
- Short Shifter. ...
- Exterior Mods.
Installing a front-end leveling kit equalizes the suspension, which results in increased wind resistance. The increased resistance and drag decreases fuel economy.
Do leveling kits make trucks ride rough? ›Q: Does a leveling kit affect ride quality? A: Under most circumstances, as long as you get proper installation a leveling kit will not affect your ride quality. However, if you buy a cheap leveling kit and attempt to install at home, it could.
Does a leveling kit lift the front or back? ›Leveling kits raise the front of the vehicle up (the amount of lift depends on the vehicle) so it sits even with the rear. This is done by adding a spacer to the strut and the vehicle chassis. The lift provided by the spacer brings the front up, level with the rear.
Can you have a leveling kit and a lift kit? ›What we can tell you is that stacking a leveling kit on top of a lift kit is not recommended by the lift kit manufacturers as you are modifying their product beyond its intended limits.
Does a leveling kit raise the front? ›A leveling kit is a type of suspension lift kit that raises the front of the vehicle to match the stock height in the rear. The leveling kit lifts the front of the trucks a few inches for an improved stance. There may be room for slightly larger tires without rubbing the fender wells.
What does a lift kit consist of? ›What's A Lift Kit? A suspension lift kit, or a “lift kit” for short, consists of a variety of different suspension components like shocks, struts, replacement leaf springs, new control arms and trailing arms. The specific parts may vary depending on the truck or SUV, and the height of the lift.
Do leveling kits hurt quality? ›Q: Does a leveling kit affect ride quality? A: Under most circumstances, as long as you get proper installation a leveling kit will not affect your ride quality. However, if you buy a cheap leveling kit and attempt to install at home, it could.
Does a 2 inch lift affect gas mileage? ›Gas Mileage
A lift kit can negatively affect fuel economy in a couple of ways. The first is added weight. If your vehicle weighs more after installing a lift kit, it will reduce mileage. The second is increased wind resistance.
Lift versus Level
On any stock truck coming straight from the manufacturer, the rear of the vehicle sits a few inches higher than the front end. This is called a raked stance. Trucks are designed this way intentionally. The higher backend means less risk to the factory rear suspension under a heavy load.
Why do people level their trucks? ›
A truck leveling kit raises the front of your truck to even out the overall stance of the vehicle. If you rarely load your truck or haul a heavy trailer, adding a leveling kit will let you fit larger wheels and tires on your truck for a minimal investment.
Do lift kits add value? ›Resale – A reasonable-height aftermarket lift kit probably won't hurt the resale value if you can find the right buyer. In fact, with that buyer, it might even increase resale value. However, any vehicle customizing will reduce your pool of potential buyers.
What is the labor cost for a lift kit? ›Depending on the size of your lift, buying and installing a lift kit can easily cost anywhere between $400 to $4,000 if you install the kit yourself. If you hire a professional, it could cost between $800 and $8,000. You should have a better idea of how much it costs to install truck lift kits.