Lift kit versus leveling kit: Understanding the difference

Lift kit versus leveling kit: It’s not as complicated as it seems

For many new truck owners, the factory setup just doesn’t cut it when it comes to achieving that rugged, off-road-ready look. You want a larger more aggressive tire, but the limited tire-to-fender clearance can put a damper on those ambitions. If you’ve done your research, you’ve likely come across two popular modifications: leveling kits and lift kits. Both options promise to give you the extra clearance needed for those bigger, beefier tires, but they accomplish this in very different ways. Understanding the differences between a leveling kit verus a lift kit can be confusing, but I’m here to break it down for you.

Why is it called a leveling kit if it just raises the body?

Have you ever noticed that light-duty trucks seem to have a forward tilt when the truck bed is empty? This intentional design feature, known as a positive “rake,” is far from an oversight. In fact, it’s a carefully engineered solution to ensure optimal stability and handling, whether the truck is carrying a load or not.

Look at the front of the truck and notice the call-out “C.” That space shows the difference in height between the rear and the front, demonstrating the truck’s positive “rake.” That forward tilt and the small fender-to-tire clearance prevent you from installing larger tires on your truck. A leveling kit or a lift kit solves the problem for you.

Engineers understand that when a truck’s bed is fully loaded, the added weight causes the rear end to squat down. By designing the unloaded truck with a positive rake, the suspension is engineered to level out once a heavy load is placed in the bed. If the truck sat perfectly level without any cargo, the rear would sag excessively when loaded, causing the front end to point upwards and compromise stability on the road.

Unfortunately, that positive rake prevents you from installing larger tires. A leveling kit reduces the forward tilt by raising the front end about 2″ using spacers placed between the strut mounts and the body. The 2″ body lift is enough to remove the positive rake and level the truck, which is why it’s called a leveling kit.

Leveling kit spacers made by roughcountry.com

Installing a leveling kit is the least expensive way to gain enough fender clearance to install larger tire/wheel combinations. Installing larger tires gets you more ground clearance.

This image shows the added space you get at the front of the truck when you add a leveling kit

But a leveling kit can only raise the body so much. You need a lift kit to get more than a 2″ lift and even larger tires.

To see how a leveling kit works, see this article.

How a lift kit differs from a leveling kit

A lift kit raises both the body and the truck’s frame by extending the distance between the wheels and the frame. It’s a far more extensive and expensive modification but allows you to raise your truck by as much as 10″ or more (depending on your budget).

Because of the drastic change in height and the greater weight of larger tires and wheels, most lift kits include not only the larger, stronger components to lift the frame but also beefier struts and springs to provide stability.

To learn more about lift kits, see this article

Notice the additional components needed to perform the 6-inch lift

The advantages and disadvantages of a leveling kit

• A leveling kit costs a fraction of the price of a lift kit. You can buy a leveling kit for as little as $50.
• You can install a leveling kit yourself by removing the strut assembly adding the spacers, and reinstalling the strut assembly
• Most leveling kits can accommodate up to a 33″ tire. If you want larger tires, you’ll need a lift kit.
• A leveling kit won’t get you the same aggressive stance look as a lift kit. If you want that look, you’ll need a lift kit, not a leveling kit.

The advantages and disadvantages of a lift kit

• Provides a very aggressive stance that many truck owners prefer
• Allows you to install larger tires
• Gets you the most ground clearance
• The parts and labor installation can cost as much as $4,000 to $8,000
• The higher the lift, the higher the center of gravity and the less stable the truck is in turns
• Expect a 20% or more drop in fuel economy along with a drop in towing capacity
• Since a lift changes the geometry of the truck, expect accelerated tire and suspension component wear

©, 2024 Rick Muscoplat