If leveling is so great, why doesn't Ford do it?

[JumboJVT]

Thanks all, Gen 14 forum does not disappoint!

Follow up question: Considering the downsides, why is leveling so popular on this forum? Is it really mostly for looks?

Yep, looks. So they can add big tires. I suspect many, many owners are simply in denial about their actual use of the vehicle. I chuckle when I see a jacked, big-tired pickup on the road, knowing full well 95% of the miles will be on roads suitable to a Honda Fit. Glad they're keeping their money in circulation though.

I've got a new one ordered and have been considering a baby front level, exclusively for additional clearance for the AAD in snow and mud, things of concern here 6 months a year, and necessary to get through to get out in the AM and back in the PM. 1.5" doesn't sound like much, but makes a huge difference. But more and more, I'm considering removing the dam right out of the box and removing the rear blocks: the tailgate is too damned high. I'm 6'2" and have owned and and been actually using a pickup for truck things since I was 15. So I feel qualified to say the tailgate is too high.

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[Larrymoe]

the tailgate is too damned high. I'm 6'2" and have owned and and been actually using a pickup for truck things since I was 15. So I feel qualified to say the tailgate is too high.

Not 6'2, but that's exactly why I did it.

Don't be surprised when someone tells you you need a stepstool instead.

 

[TopOMichXL]

As a carpenter, I appreciate the lower tailgate after leveling my truck. I would do it just for looks. I don’t off road much, but we do get a lot of snow, some winters, so I appreciate the extra height at times.
I like the lowered and leveled look as well.
I just think the RCSB looks a little off from the factory.

 

[zx6roclet]

They nose dive them from the factory to keep the epa mpgs as high as possible on the window sicker.

 

[the_swd]

I use my truck as a truck. I put heavy things in it, why would I want to level it?

 

[Gros Ventre]

I use my truck as a truck. I put heavy things in it, why would I want to level it?

Exactly my point. Ford has it set up to level out with load...

 

[2515050]

Now, that squat stuff is stupid.

So you don't think I should leave it like this?

 

[Ricksc]

So you don't think I should leave it like this?

Just paint the wheel

 

[jasonkosi]

Thanks all, Gen 14 forum does not disappoint!

Follow up question: Considering the downsides, why is leveling so popular on this forum? Is it really mostly for looks?

Yes, because aggressive rake as they come from the factory looks janky. Even more so on the 122” wheelbase.
Leveled on 33s is the perfect stance in my opinion.

 

[Ricksc]

Here’s how I level my truck.

 

[tidefan1967]

I will admit that Ford does go to the extreme with their idea of rake. I’ve owned many Rams and even a few GM trucks in the distant past and their idea of rake was much more subtle. I leveled my F150 by removing the rear blocks and even at that it still has more than enough rake.

 

[sporkfed]

They nose dive them from the factory to keep the epa mpgs as high as possible on the window sicker.

That doesn't make any sense from a physics perspective. Raising the rear will raise the roof, which raises the cross-sectional area and hence the drag. There's a reason Nascar coil binds at super speedways. Now it is possible that the underneath airflow is so much better with the rake and it somehow cancels out that larger area, but only Ford knows, but given that active air dam directs air away from the bottom, I doubt that's a big effect.

I think there are two main reasons for the rake: (1) rear departure angle on the 4x4 models - as evidenced by thicker blocks on the 4x4 vs the 4x2, and (2) it allows a softer leaf spring rate without sacrificing payload. For example, I've calculated my rear spring rates at 250 lb/in on each side (only one leaf + one overload), which means at full payload you'll get nearly 4 in of squat, which, you'll notice, cancels out the rake. This is also why Gen 14 rides so much better on road.

 

[zx6roclet]

That doesn't make any sense from a physics perspective. Raising the rear will raise the roof, which raises the cross-sectional area and hence the drag. There's a reason Nascar coil binds at super speedways. Now it is possible that the underneath airflow is so much better with the rake and it somehow cancels out that larger area, but only Ford knows, but given that active air dam directs air away from the bottom, I doubt that's a big effect.

I think there are two main reasons for the rake: (1) rear departure angle on the 4x4 models - as evidenced by thicker blocks on the 4x4 vs the 4x2, and (2) it allows a softer leaf spring rate without sacrificing payload. For example, I've calculated my rear spring rates at 250 lb/in on each side (only one leaf + one overload), which means at full payload you'll get nearly 4 in of squat, which, you'll notice, cancels out the rake. This is also why Gen 14 rides so much better on road.

You lost me at “physics perspective” but…… Raising the front end makes more wind resistance. The second you raise the front mpgs dip. Level or lift any vehicle and you can confirm first hand no calculations needed.

 

[JRonchetto]

I like the leveled look and in the past, I have leveled all my trucks including the 2021 I have now. Any future trucks will most likely get the rear blocks removed. I'm tired of the height of the tailgates on these trucks. I have trailers that will accommodate any load I will need to haul, so removing the rear blocks shouldn't have a negative effect on my payload.

 

[jbrinker]

The rake on my new 22 PB FX4 SWB is a bit much. I do tow a 5000lb TT but even with it loaded and attached I still have some rake.

I am probably removing the 1" blocks and if needed I will add something like the blue SumoSprings.

When removing blocks, did anyone have to add wedge for pinion angle? Seems like it would be a tiny difference. I plan to measure before and after to be safe. I'd really prefer to drop about 2" but not sure I want to mess with shackles instead.

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