Level kit installed - better range?

[Bokenator]

So, I driven about 1200 miles on the Eibach shock level, part # E60-35-061-01-10, and I got to say so far so good. I set them at 2" of lift, which leaves about 1/2" of rake. You can set them so they raise the front up to 2.5", but I kept under the maximum setting with hopes of softening up the ride. They immediately fixed the floaty feel. I also prefer the look of the more level stance.

This upgrade cost me about $700 to procure and install the parts, as well as get an alignment performed.

Now to the anomaly:
Prior to installation of the level, the guess-o-meter had me at a constant 2.3 miles/kW for the last 8k, and really for the entire life of the vehicle, which is about 20k. Since the install, my trip meter has me at 2.5 miles/kW, and I've logged about 1200 miles. While admittedly a small sample size, I am shocked by this result.
When I installed the Eibachs, I reset trip 2 to see how much of a hit the level kit would cause, partially so I can report back to this forum. I plan to get new rims as well, with a little bit of poke for a slightly more aggressive look. I wanted to do this one item at a time, so I could find out which component had the biggest negative impact on range: the level, the tires, or the rims.

As an example trip, this weekend I went round trip from Lawrenceville GA to Kingston GA, which I have done about a half dozen times. I registered 322 range estimate at 95% charge on the guess-o-meter, which is up due to my recent efficiency, then drove 81 miles each way mostly interstate getting 2.7 miles/kW (averaging about 60mph as traffic was heavy), then 2.2 on the return trip (traffic was lighter, average speed of 73mph), which is still better than the 1.9/2.0 I normally got on this trip. Finished with 53% on the guess-a-meter. Usually finish with about 40%-45%.

The only things I can think to possibly attribute it to:

• when the level was installed I had the alignment done as well, maybe my truck was way out of alignment (but it wasn't pulling or drifting as I drove it)
• the temperature for this weekend's trip was cooler, in the 70's versus most trips which are in the upper 80's for highs. Still, even with the AC running hard very little of the power used ever seems to go to the accessories.
• I added 2 psi to the tires, as they were a bit low, but I did this after about 1k of driving with the Eibachs.

I can't believe that Ford would ship the truck with less than optimized range settings for rake, but maybe they put their emphasis on maximizing towing/hauling numbers? I didn't expect the level kit to make my range better, but 1200 miles in so far that is the case! I of course will continue to monitor it for a few more thousand miles (then I will get the tires replaced), and will report back. Let me know if anyone else has experienced this, or has any clues as to what else could have impacted the efficiency.

Please try not to flame me, I would call BS too if I wasn't experiencing it personally.

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[JRT]

I've been interested in a level lower kit, but the ones being installed are way too much. I looked up that part number and it is just a replacement shock. Can you post pictures from side to see? Also by install, did this just go on thr front and raise it up or did you do 4 and some how lower? I'd prefer a lowered levelish with a slight rake because I do load the bed up now and then and don't want a Caroline bulldog look

 

[BlueLightning]

Purchased a two inch RC level kit, but yet to install. Thanks for the info.

 

[Pioneer74]

What month did you install them? If you installed them in the spring, the summer temperatures might explain the better efficiency.

 

[MattXD]

Good to hear the desirable results.

 

[Adventureboy]

Thanks for keeping track of this. Very useful info. I expect Ford optimized the truck for hauling a bit of a load which would naturally level the truck (hence why it has a natural rake when not loaded). I might just try the Eibachs.
The truck looks better levelled and it doesn't sag much when loaded with a 9000# trailer and gear in the back. Much less sag than my previous 2018 ICE F150.

 

[Deleted member 17017]

I guess you had the shocks installed as they only cost $139 each. So if a guy installed them himself then there would only be the added cost of the alignment. Right?

 

[Bokenator]

What month did you install them? If you installed them in the spring, the summer temperatures might explain the better efficiency.

Installed them about a month ago, on Sept 20th.

I guess you had the shocks installed as they only cost $139 each. So if a guy installed them himself then there would only be the added cost of the alignment. Right?

I did have them installed. I didn't want to deal with compressing the spring. These shocks were only installed in the front. Eibach shocks cost $278, Install was $300, alignment was $120.

 

[Deleted member 17017]

Installed them about a month ago, on Sept 20th.


I did have them installed. I didn't want to deal with compressing the spring. These shocks were only installed in the front. Eibach shocks cost $278, Install was $300, alignment was $120.

Makes sense, thanks for the break down.

 

[cowtown]

I installed these shocks last week on 1.6" lift setting in front and 0" setting in the rear in conjunction with some 18x9.5 +20 on lt295/70r18. I wanted oem type range of motion in front and to minimize range loss since I already lost .3 mile per kw front the wheels and tires. I will say these shocks are the best bang for the buck I can think of, the ride before and after is a game changer. I also want to note the front shocks have about an extra inch in length of the shock to compensate for the ride height which is nice so you aren't topped out all the time. They complete take the floatiness out of the ride and there is no decrease in ride quality. I would totally do it over again.

 

[JRT]

Ok, I think I'm following, you raised the front with them, but maintained the stock rear hight with the replacements set at 0. Would love to see some side pictures

 

[Bokenator]

Ok, I think I'm following, you raised the front with them, but maintained the stock rear hight with the replacements set at 0. Would love to see some side pictures

I'll try to take some pics. I did raise the front, but I didn't touch the back (like cowtown). Only installed 2 in the front so it's more level. Just installing the front also fixed the floatiness.

 

[Evlar77]

Had the 2" RC level kit installed earlier this week. Love the new stance. No real noticeable impact to the ride. I'd say range is about the same.

 

[Bokenator]

Yeah sorry I haven’t reported in lately. Got in a fender bender where some college dude tried to force his way into my lane and effectively performed a pit maneuver on himself using the front of my truck. Totaled his accord, minor damage on the front on the Lightning. Cracked the headlight, scuffed up the bumper and the front right rim. Took it to the dealership for repairs, been there since October 23rd. The dealership is blaming it on a parts supply distribution center based out of Tampa that was supposedly damaged during one of the hurricanes. ?Supposed to get it back this week. So no additional miles lately.

I’ll check back in when I can put some more miles on it..

 

[Bokenator]

Checking back in... at 5k miles the average per trip 2 is now back to 2.3 miles/kW, which is exactly what I was averaging in the 8k miles prior to installing the "level". So the Eibach's installed in the front only at a height of 2" have had no noticeable impact on range in general.

I will say the one road trip at 75 mph I took that was 230 miles roundtrip did require a charging stop where it didn't prior to the level. I have the extended range battery, which gives me about 310 miles of range around town, but only about 250ish when driving highway (unmodified). Previously I had charged to 100% and was able to complete the loop, this time I charged to 95% prior to departure, but I was cutting it too close for comfort to complete the loop. Both trips were at the same time of year/day and weather was similar. Can't speak to winds.

I say that just to point out the lift probably has a negative impact on driving range at highway speeds. This in no way should be perceived as a scientific, as start % was different, and 5% would amount to about 10-15 miles of range at highway speeds. However I don't recall rolling in with that low a number the first time around, and I was going to be in single digits (like 5) if I hadn't stopped to charge. Lets just say my perception is that highway range took a slight hit, I would estimate 2-3%.

In summary:
around town, 2" level has neglectable impact.
at interstate speeds, slight impact.

I am going to further reduce my range with a wheel and tire package soon, and will continue to perform my non-scientific monitoring.

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