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

[GypsyDanger]

I removed the rear blocks on mine and even at 6'6" i still appreciate the 1.5" drop in the rear. It helps a good bit when loading dirtbikes. Also taking the rear blocks out, it still has a subtle rake and at the weights i tow/load in the bed its just ends up level at that point.

Sponsored

 

[honda250xtitan]

Found the cranky old guy thread. SMH. Leave people be man. If they’re happy, so be it. It’s not your money

 

[tomcaudell]

I had to put Bilstien 5100 on to raise front 2” so I had enough clearance up front to keep the snow from damaging the active air dam. I finally took it off and threw it away. The 2 track roads to get around my property in Nevada are clearance challenged. Sage brush in the middle and rocks everywhere. Ford keeps lowering the trucks to improve mileage for grocery getters but if you have to regularly drive in the snow and on cow trails this approach doesn’t work. I do wish that Ford would put the notch in the bumper corners on the XLT. My 2018 2500 Duramax has them and they really help. I’m looking into an aftermarket flip out step for the Ford. BTW the 5.0 4x4 is my favorite truck I have ever purchased. In my 45 years of buying trucks.

 

[Buyer2021]

It’s a truck that’s what trucks have if it’s too high for you to get a damn stepstool.

?

I'm only 5-10 and an olde phart. No stepstool required with the OE tailgate step, aftermarket bumper step, and wheel-to-wheel running boards - I'm able to easily access the bed from any angle, no worries!

I did remove the 1.25" thick rear blocks, not because I don't like the rake (it still has rake when empty), not because of 'access issues', but because even when at its lowest setting my 5th-wheel trailer hitch left my trailer a tad 'nose high'. Now, when loaded and hitched, the trailer is 'level' which is optimal for its torsion axle suspension (same load on both axles).

Coincidentally and FWIW, the truck bed-rail is also 'level' with the loaded trailer hitched.

When I removed the blocks I also installed the shorter (2WD / no blocks) bump-stops, that to preserve the full OE suspension travel sans blocks.
_______________

IMO most folks that strive to 'level' their truck, whether by lowering the rear or raising the front, do so because of aesthetic preference. They just prefer the look of the empty-truck 'level stance' and don't care about or aren't affected by other consequences (maybe they don't ever carry big loads). To that I say "No Worries", do what makes you happy!
_______________

To the OP's original question of "why doesn't Ford do it?" Methinks because the OE rake affords some advantages already mentioned which are consistent with the widest market needs for a pickup. The OE rake is simply a functional pickup characteristic.

 

[2515050]

I had to put Bilstien 5100 on to raise front 2” so I had enough clearance up front to keep the snow from damaging the active air dam. I finally took it off and threw it away. The 2 track roads to get around my property in Nevada are clearance challenged. Sage brush in the middle and rocks everywhere. Ford keeps lowering the trucks to improve mileage for grocery getters but if you have to regularly drive in the snow and on cow trails this approach doesn’t work. I do wish that Ford would put the notch in the bumper corners on the XLT. My 2018 2500 Duramax has them and they really help. I’m looking into an aftermarket flip out step for the Ford. BTW the 5.0 4x4 is my favorite truck I have ever purchased. In my 45 years of buying trucks.

The corner step bumpers that Chevy introduced are one of my favorite truck innovations. I'm glad Ford added those and the bedside steps to the HD's and hopefully they'll add them to the F150 someday.

 

[tomcaudell]

My toy hauler is 10 years old and it is also too short for the newer trucks. Even with the fifth wheel adjusted as high as I can with out risking hitting the tail gate when going through dips. I am considering buying a droop rail tailgate. Not sure how much I could block up the axels I’m over 13’ high now at the top of air conditioning.

 

[TopOMichXL]

. In my opinion the amount of rake the 122" wheelbase trucks come with make them look ridiculous.

Yes!! The RCSB really accentuates the rake, forcing that front bumper even lower.

I leveled my 13th gen RCSB, and as I was waiting for my 2024 RCSB to arrive, I was on the interstate and got a good look at a 2024 RCSB going the opposite direction.
When I got home, I ordered coilovers and had them ready for when it arrived.
Hears an example.
Which one do you prefer?

 

[sporkfed]

. In my opinion the amount of rake the 122" wheelbase trucks come with make them look ridiculous.

Yes!! The RCSB really accentuates the rake, forcing that front bumper even lower.

I leveled my 13th gen RCSB, and as I was waiting for my 2024 RCSB to arrive, I was on the interstate and got a good look at a 2024 RCSB going the opposite direction.
When I got home, I ordered coilovers and had them ready for when it arrived.
Hears an example.
Which one do you prefer?

The bottom one. It's a truck and looks like one.

 

[Buyer2021]

Which one do you prefer?

Neither one, they both look a bit extreme to my eye (hey, you asked!)

 

[tomcaudell]

Hey! I know you’ll enjoy having the ability to get to your favorite hunting of fishing place or just getting out there with the confidence the extra ground clearance will provide. I’m not big on what your truck looks likes “ your leveled one looks normal to me.” I want it to do what I need not what gov mileage milestone it has to meet. Dang I do like that RCSB look. When it is leveled.

 

[2515050]

Which one do you prefer?

Just to even out the results, lol, I'll throw in my opinion which is hands down the top picture. It looks fantastic with the level and wheels. Maybe my preference comes from the days when 2wd trucks looked like the lower picture and 4wd looked closer to the top picture.

 

[2515050]

Hey! I know you’ll enjoy having the ability to get to your favorite hunting of fishing place or just getting out there with the confidence the extra ground clearance will provide. I’m not big on what your truck looks likes “ your leveled one looks normal to me.” I want it to do what I need not what gov mileage milestone it has to meet. Dang I do like that RCSB look. When it is leveled.

I do wish that the extra ground clearance didn't come at the expense of increased CV and ball joint angles, but I probably worry about that more than I really need to.

 

[tomcaudell]

Talking to the different aftermarket suspension and shock manufacturers. At 2.5” front lift or less with spacer or aftermarket adjustable struts you won’t have any problems. Ford dealers will send your new truck out or in some cases do it at the dealership before you take delivery for a price. The leveling kit requires a front end alignment with pucks or struts. That’s why mine was outsourced.

 

[mxwrk]

Factory rake on a truck is ugly as hell. Look at any other car on the road…they sit level…that is the norm. Now, I understand why it exists and fords purpose in doing it…but I still hate it. For those of us that use our trucks less for max payload, and more of off road, front end approach angle and overall clearance over obstacles, “leveling”, or actually upgrading all the suspension components is a must.

 

[JCsTruck]

I agree with @dmac statement.

I prefer the bottom picture. ?

Sponsored