Differant leveling question

Bamataco1 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2006, 01:33 PM

I have searched already and could not find any answers to this. I see that it's quite popular to level the front of the trucks with the rear height. My question is if this is done have you up set something? As far as I have seen every truck from every manufactorer comes with the front end lower that the rear. I'm no engineer, but I think that this is done so that when the rear of the truck is loaded that the rear and the front are at or near the the same ride height. So that handling is still good. If you level the front or your truck with the rear when it is empty and then load it won't you have a situation with a front end that has to little weight on it? And then it won't handle right.
And wouldn't this condition be even worse at highway speeds.

eriktheviking · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 07:15 PM

There must be a reason for the rear being higher than the front when unloaded. Car and truck manufacturers don’t do to many things for no reason at all. I think you are right Bamataco1, its probably so the ride is closer to level when there is cargo in the back.

Another option to level the truck (instead of making the front higher) might be to put stiffer, lower springs on the back of the truck this way the rear end wouldn’t sag as much when the bed is loaded and it wouldn’t be up as high when its unloaded.

The big problem with this solution is that the spring rate would then be quite stiff in the rear and the back of the truck might get jumpier when unloaded.

I don’t mind the way my Tundra DC looks stock.

Mxlion11 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2006, 02:51 PM

It does affect the handling when you tow with just the front end leveled. I know b/c up until a month ago I only had the cornfed spacers up front. I think that is why most(including me) people who level the truck do it with a AAL in the back as well to try and compensate for that. It definitely helps to have an AAL with a lifted front end. I really like the way it looks to be level(rear is actually 1/2" higher but hard to tell) and then when towing it doesnt sag either.
There are too many people that have lifted their trucks over the years and never had any problems that I dont think it is a serious engineering problem or anything like that. Now that is for up to like 2" or so of lift b/c after that you do have to start changing more components and that can lead to greater chances of problems occuring.
BTW I am in the T-town area too, probably have seen you around. I am going to UA and live in Northport. Roll Tide!

Imdone · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2006, 10:41 PM

The reason the rear of a stock pickup is taller than the front giving a "Raked" look is for payload capacity and towing ability. The rear is going to sag when under load so they make the rear higher to compensate for this.

There is something that is upset when you lift only the front to level out the truck. There is a rear brake proportioning valve on the earlier models, I think they removed this from the later models though.

If you lift the front of the truck then the valve changes and needs to be adjusted. This however is rarely done on most tundras and tacomas though.

This causes the rear brakes to be used less than they were before the front end only lift.

Other than that there is no other ill-effect on the rear of the truck when the front end only is lifted.

However if you tow or carry any payload in the rear then you will have the front riding high and the rear really squating. This will effect traction on the road while turning creating understear which is not a good thing to have. You can compensate for this by putting in and Add a leaf or a set of supersprings helper springs or airbags for load leveling. You could also just lift the rear with a block or a custom set of Deaver or Northwest Offroad springs.

2000LtdKen · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamataco1

I have searched already and could not find any answers to this. I see that it's quite popular to level the front of the trucks with the rear height. My question is if this is done have you up set something? As far as I have seen every truck from every manufactorer comes with the front end lower that the rear. I'm no engineer, but I think that this is done so that when the rear of the truck is loaded that the rear and the front are at or near the the same ride height. So that handling is still good. If you level the front or your truck with the rear when it is empty and then load it won't you have a situation with a front end that has to little weight on it? And then it won't handle right.
And wouldn't this condition be even worse at highway speeds.

My truck is level with front spacers. When I tow my big trailer, I use a weight distribution hitch which lowers the truck front and rear suspension equally. The proportioning valve does change because I can feel a difference in the braking.

HTH,

Ken

Canada Jeff · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imdone

The reason the rear of a stock pickup is taller than the front giving a "Raked" look is for payload capacity and towing ability. The rear is going to sag when under load so they make the rear higher to compensate for this.

There is something that is upset when you lift only the front to level out the truck. There is a rear brake proportioning valve on the earlier models, I think they removed this from the later models though.

If you lift the front of the truck then the valve changes and needs to be adjusted. This however is rarely done on most tundras and tacomas though.

This causes the rear brakes to be used less than they were before the front end only lift.

Other than that there is no other ill-effect on the rear of the truck when the front end only is lifted.

However if you tow or carry any payload in the rear then you will have the front riding high and the rear really squating. This will effect traction on the road while turning creating understear which is not a good thing to have. You can compensate for this by putting in and Add a leaf or a set of supersprings helper springs or airbags for load leveling. You could also just lift the rear with a block or a custom set of Deaver or Northwest Offroad springs.

I don't understand why the brake por valve has to be adjusted when the front is lifted? It changes nothing in relation of the frame and rear axle! So why should the brake por valve be touched at all?

Mxlion11 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-2006, 04:40 PM

I didnt change my BPV after I leveled the front end and I never could tell a difference but once I put the AAL in the back I could tell a difference and adjusted it then. I dont think you HAVE to adjust it when you level the front, just the back. I am not sure what he was talking about.

Canada Jeff · #8 (**permalink**) 03-28-2006, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxlion11

I didnt change my BPV after I leveled the front end and I never could tell a difference but once I put the AAL in the back I could tell a difference and adjusted it then. I dont think you HAVE to adjust it when you level the front, just the back. I am not sure what he was talking about.

Agreed.