Lightning Leveling Kits - to level the front?

[Ruination]

Did not even know it was independent rear. They do not design rake for range, it is for a soft ride with no load, level with moderate load.

And yet leveling a truck is like a 5-10% hit on mpg.

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[RainorshinePNW]

I don't see any reason we couldn't use the basic 2" leveling puck front strut extensions. The aesthetics of a leveled vs raked F150 are night and day IMO. Simple levels don't have the same issues that lifts do. My current 2014 F150 is leveled and I've never had any issues with hauling or towing causing major tail sag.

Re: aerodynamics and impact on range, I read elsewhere that whereas raked vs unraked does have different drag characteristics, it shouldn't materially impact MPG or range until you're up above 65 MPH. Didn't see a source for that claim, but it seems like a reasonable conclusion. For the amount of time I spend above 65 vs below, I'll take the leveled look.

Another potential consideration for after market leveling is compatibility with Continuous Controlled Damping, which is optional on some Ford vehicles/included with higher trims. However I also read that the Lightning doesn't have/offer it, so I don't think we have to worry about it.

 

[RainorshinePNW]

And yet leveling a truck is like a 5-10% hit on mpg.

What is the basis for this assumption? Everything I can find would indicate *leveling* isn't what results in material MPG/range loss, but rather after market larger tires/wheels typically paired with leveling is what will impact MPG/range.

 

[davidf01]

I don't see any reason we couldn't use the basic 2" leveling puck front strut extensions. The aesthetics of a leveled vs raked F150 are night and day IMO. Simple levels don't have the same issues that lifts do. My current 2014 F150 is leveled and I've never had any issues with hauling or towing causing major tail sag.

Re: aerodynamics and impact on range, I read elsewhere that whereas raked vs unraked does have different drag characteristics, it shouldn't materially impact MPG or range until you're up above 65 MPH. Didn't see a source for that claim, but it seems like a reasonable conclusion. For the amount of time I spend above 65 vs below, I'll take the leveled look.

Another potential consideration for after market leveling is compatibility with Continuous Controlled Damping, which is optional on some Ford vehicles/included with higher trims. However I also read that the Lightning doesn't have/offer it, so I don't think we have to worry about it.

I agree and this is all I'm looking to do. The basic 2" or 2.5 inch leveling puck. I also think you could save some range with a bed cover.

 

[Ruination]

What is the basis for this assumption? Everything I can find would indicate *leveling* isn't what results in material MPG/range loss, but rather after market larger tires/wheels typically paired with leveling is what will impact MPG/range.

Those are my real world.numbers. I lost about 1.5 mpg leveling my truck.

 

[RainorshinePNW]

Those are my real world.numbers. I lost about 1.5 mpg leveling my truck.

Thanks. Did you keep stock wheels/tires?

 

[RDeFran]

I level and bed cover every truck I have ever owned. Not saying the 10 to 15% is not correct, but my leveled 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 AT4 Duramax still does well in to the 20's on the highway unloaded at 75 to 80. Raising the front does put a small hit on aero, not nearly the hit tires do with a wider cross section or higher rolling resistance. I remember years ago having access to data from BMW. The then new 1997 528i had a regular model and Sport package. The Sport was 1" lower with wider tires and drag was .03 higher simply because of the tires.

 

[Ruination]

Thanks. Did you keep stock wheels/tires?

The wheel change was another 2 mpg.

Stock was ~20mpg
Level is ~18.5 mpg
Fat wheels/tires ~16.5 mpg

It is an Ecoboost though.

I don't know about rake to level while towing. My leveled truck doesn't squat with a 5k boat on the back.

 

[Ruination]

But also, I really hope it doesn't affect the lighting at all because I agree, a leveled truck is the way to go.

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