Want to level... to raise or to lower?

[Tractionlimit]

First timer here. I have a brand new Flash, and the fact the rear fender gap is over 3" more than the front is bugging me purely from a cosmetic standpoint. So... should I raise the front, lower the back, or split the difference? What's easiest to do with the fewest negative effects?

I don't want to change the ride, and I don't plan to run off-road tires due to range anxiety. Don't really want to increase risk of damage on potholes or curbs, but also don't need it any higher. I'm in MN, so I'll run stock size Blizzaks for winter on 6mm offset 20x9.5 wheels (not thrilled about the offset, but we'll try it). I tow a 3,500lb camper all summer, and have a Leer cap on order, as I carry camping cargo. From that standpoint, lower in the back makes it easier to load.

Let me know what you think!

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[Athrun88]

Easiest solution would be to raise the front to match the rear. That would go against more of your goals in exchange of the levelled look. The comprimise would be to split the difference. Lowering the rear would meet more of your wants, but it would involve more work/parts/cost.

Do keep in mind though, the reason trucks are raked in this way is to compensate for any load you put in the bed. If you don't plan on putting anything in the bed that will greatly affect the suspension back there, I'd be all for levelling. Doing that though, kind of defeats the purpose of a truck imo, and if you do put a heavy load there, you'll be squatting which is (again imo) frowned upon .

 

[gunner_herman]

How can you lower the rear? I did that to an old ram with the leaf springs super easily just by taking out one of the overload leafs.
Would you have to change the coil springs in the rear?
i personally would like to lower the rear about an inch or so.

 

[gunner_herman]

That kit looks simple enough. Now just have to decide how much I want to do it. I want the look but I just hate messing with the warranty.
thanks for the link.

 

[Tractionlimit]

The Rough Country 3/4 leveling kit comes with new springs mounts for the rear that actually lower it a little bit.

https://www.roughcountry.com/product/ford-lightning-leveling-lift-kit-52006

Thanks for the link and reply. Quick update with photos illustrating why I want to level. I'll try to lower the rear an inch first, but think I might ultimately also raise the front 2" if I stick with the 6mm offset wheels. I had hoped for 18mm, but these only came in one offset.

This is my winter setup with Vision Tactical 20-9.5-6mm wheels and 275/60-20 Blizzaks. The poke look is growing on me, so I may end up selling stock wheels/tires and doing something similar for summer.

 

[Tractionlimit]

Just ordered the Rough Country 2" front lift AND the Rough Country 3/4" leveling kit. I just COULDN'T decide!

Please post your opinion of what I should do... install just the 2" lift, install the 3/4" front and -1.5 rear, or crazy idea... install 2" front AND -1.5" rear (zero rake).

I also plan to stay with stock tire size, or maybe 275/65-20 at the very largest.

What should I do??

 

[sppedjunkie]

following.... interested to see how itll look with just the rear drop and current wheel setup

 

[Tractionlimit]

Since I have both Rough Country kits, I think I'm going to try installing both together and see what happens. Then with some load in the bed, I imagine it'll look a bit like this photoshop:

 

[Henry Ford]

I don't want to change the ride, and I don't plan to run off-road tires due to range anxiety.

Since I have both Rough Country kits, I think I'm going to try installing both together and see what happens. Then with some load in the bed, I imagine it'll look a bit like this photoshop:

You are going to hurt the ride and reduce range. Maybe it's worth it to you but you said those are things you care about.

 

[Tractionlimit]

You are going to hurt the ride and reduce range. Maybe it's worth it to you but you said those are things you care about.

I Understand the marginal range impact, but can you explain more about how a spacer will hurt the ride? Due to geometry?

 

[Henry Ford]

I Understand the marginal range impact, but can you explain more about how a spacer will hurt the ride? Due to geometry?

You will increase frontal area and possibly increase coefficient of drag (CoD). CoD I'm less certain about. I don't know exactly how much this will negatively affect range. There are probably users here with real world experience who can quantify that for you.

 

[Henry Ford]

From the few reports we have seen, leveling alone increases range.

The large "wedge" space underneath likely draws air in from the sides, increasing drag.

This seems unlikely, though not impossible. Leveling exposes more tire to the relative wind. Maybe it's offset slightly by the flatter roof? The other part of the equation is Coefficient of Drag (CoD); in other words how smoothly air flows around the vehicle. I can't envision how the CoD would be reduced by leveling. I also can't see air so who knows?

 

[Mcfly]

Op please post pics once you install the kit. I did the rear, lowered 1.5 inches. But I still have a 2 inch rake compared to the front. I also have the parts for 2 inch and 1 inch front level but can't decide if I which one I want to install.

 

[Tractionlimit]

Exactly. Someone needs to make a 1.25" or 1.5" front spacer for this thing!

I haven't gotten around to installing mine yet, but hopefully will in the next few weeks. I'm now leaning toward trying the + 3/4" front first with the rear -1.5 drop. Then go to 2" if it's not enough. If I were definitely going with bigger tires, I'd do it the other way, but staying with stock size for now.

 

[Tractionlimit]

Op please post pics once you install the kit. I did the rear, lowered 1.5 inches. But I still have a 2 inch rake compared to the front. I also have the parts for 2 inch and 1 inch front level but can't decide if I which one I want to install.

Here's the 3/4" Rough Country kit installed, front and rear. Overall fairly mild, but clearly better than stock. Open tailgate is at least 2" lower, so that's a plus for loading.
It left me with about 6.25" fender gap in front and 7.00" in the rear. I'd rather have zero rake, but the 2" front lift /-1.5" rear drop would have given more negative rake than this is positive.

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