Leveling Kits: An Introduction to Leveling Lift Kits
Leveling
kits are one of the lesser-known parts for customizing your vehicle and don’t get nearly as much attention as suspension lift kits. This is not to suggest that leveling lift kits aren’t important, however, and they definitely should not be overlooked.
A large portion of off road enthusiasts are likely familiar with leveling kits and the basic functions, but many may not understand the technical side quite as well.
Jeep Top Depot would like to take a moment to put leveling kits under the microscope to help familiarize those without an expanded knowledge.
Basic Functions of Leveling Kits
Contrary to common presumptions, leveling
kits actually have a variety of useful and sometimes necessary purposes, listed here:
Flush and Even:
This is the most obvious purpose. As the name suggests, leveling kits even out vehicles that may have sag on one end due to heavy loads, suspension customization side effects, or other factors.
Top Performance:
A height discrepancy can impact performance. An uneven suspension can lead to added strain to crucial parts, or generally make your engine work harder. And with gas prices these days, that’s no small matter.
Making Room:
When you need an extra inch or a few to allow enough room for those big tires, leveling kits are a fast, easy, and stable method of applying more tire clearance.
Oversized Load:
Trucks weren’t built with beds so they could never be used. Leveling
lift kits reinforce your vehicle to help reduce the burden and enhance performance in towing and hauling situations.
Style Points:
Whether you just want to retain that even factory stance, or maybe want to spice up your ride with a low rear look, installing leveling kits can help that vision come to fruition.
Types of Leveling Kits
Don’t think of leveling lift kits the same way you think of suspension lift kits in that while there are many different types of suspension lifts you can install on a vehicle, there is only one type of leveling kit that will fit your ride.
There are 3 basic types of leveling
lift kits, and the type of kit you need completely depends upon what vehicle you have. But don’t worry; there’s no real advantage of one kit over another. The difference in leveling kits is simply on account of the different vehicle suspensions.
Here is an overview of the different types of leveling kits:
Strut Extensions:
Just as the name suggests, strut extensions lengthen suspension struts using spacers installed on top of factory struts. No additional stock hardware requires replacement, making these a fast and easy install.
Torsion Keys:
Some vehicles can actually achieve lift on their own by adjusting the stock torsion bar, but stock torsion keys weren’t design to handle the added duress. Aftermarket torsion keys can, however, allowing you to adjust the torsion bar as you see fit.
Coil Spring Spacers:
Coil spring spacer leveling
kits work upon the same premise as strut extensions, only the spacers are installed on top of factory spring buckets. Note that some coil spring spacer leveling kits may require the installation of shock extensions.
What about Block Kits?
True, block kits are technically considered types of leveling lift kits. But block kits are solely intended for the rear end of a vehicle to provide additional support to accommodate weight from towing or hauling.
What about Air Leveling Kits?
Though air leveling kits also deal with lift, they should not be viewed as an acceptable substitute for actual leveling lift kits.
Instead, air leveling kits can inflate or deflate the suspension of a vehicle for support in towing or load-hauling situations, and many are specifically designed to restore lost efficiency in lowered vehicles.
Jeep Top Depot endorses 4 Wheel Parts as the premier supplier of leveling
kits and other top name brand 4x4 and off road components in the industry. With an enormous stock of everything leveling lift kits, to tires, wheels, and more, trust 4 Wheel Parts for the best products at affordable prices.