Sponsored

Level kit installed - better range?

Bokenator

Well-known member
First Name
Curtis
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Threads
6
Messages
84
Reaction score
86
Location
Georgia
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Lariat - Antimatter Blue. 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited
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.
Sponsored

 

JRT

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2023
Threads
24
Messages
451
Reaction score
506
Location
Huntsville, AL
Vehicles
Lightning
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

Well-known member
First Name
Thomas
Joined
Feb 9, 2024
Threads
2
Messages
107
Reaction score
71
Location
Oklahoma
Vehicles
2023 Ford F150 ⚡XLT SR
Occupation
Retired
Purchased a two inch RC level kit, but yet to install. Thanks for the info.
 

Pioneer74

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Threads
32
Messages
3,401
Reaction score
6,014
Location
Dearborn
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER - 2022 Mach-E Premium
Occupation
Electrician
What month did you install them? If you installed them in the spring, the summer temperatures might explain the better efficiency.
 

Sponsored

Adventureboy

Well-known member
First Name
Jonathan
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
608
Reaction score
578
Location
Ontario
Vehicles
2023 F150 Lightning Lariat
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.
 

deserthi

Well-known member
First Name
Larry
Joined
Jan 11, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
77
Reaction score
61
Location
San Antonio, Tx
Vehicles
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat
Occupation
Tech
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?
 
OP
OP
Bokenator

Bokenator

Well-known member
First Name
Curtis
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Threads
6
Messages
84
Reaction score
86
Location
Georgia
Vehicles
2023 Lightning Lariat - Antimatter Blue. 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited
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.
 

deserthi

Well-known member
First Name
Larry
Joined
Jan 11, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
77
Reaction score
61
Location
San Antonio, Tx
Vehicles
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat
Occupation
Tech
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.
Sponsored

 
 





Top