September 21, 2026
Trying to figure out what size leveling kit you need for your truck? Don't just guess based on how much lower the front looks compared to the rear.
The best way to determine the right amount of front lift is to measure your truck at its stock ride height, then use a floor jack to raise the front and visually check different ride heights.
This simple process gives you both the measurements and the real-world appearance you need to choose the right leveling kit.
Truck manufacturers intentionally build a certain amount of rake into many pickups. The rear typically sits higher than the front when the truck is unloaded. That's normal, and it allows the truck to carry passengers, cargo, or trailer tongue weight without making the rear sag excessively.
A leveling kit changes that factory stance by raising the front of the truck. The amount of lift you need isn't always the same as the difference between your front and rear measurements.
Start by parking your truck on as level a surface as possible.
If you have a heavy front bumper, winch, plow, or other equipment that permanently adds weight to the truck, leave it installed while taking your measurements. You want to measure the truck exactly as you normally drive it.
Before installing anything, measure where the truck sits at its current stock ride height.
We recommend measuring vertically from the ground to a consistent point on the fender or wheel opening. The exact reference point is less important than being consistent.
For example, you might measure from the ground to the center of the wheel opening.
Stock front measurement: 31 ½ inches
Then measure the rear using the same basic reference point. This gives you a baseline for the truck's factory stance.
Don't measure from the center of the wheel or tire. Your tire diameter can change the measurement and make comparisons between different tire sizes misleading. For this process, we're interested in the truck's actual ride height relative to the ground.
This is where we recommend doing something a little different.
Let's say you measure the front of your truck at 31 ½ inches and the rear at 33 ½ inches. It might be tempting to say, “The truck has 2 inches of rake, so I need a 2-inch leveling kit.” But that's not necessarily correct.
The suspension doesn't always respond to a leveling kit in a simple one-to-one relationship, and the final appearance of the truck is what matters. Instead, we're going to physically raise the front and see what it looks like.
Using a properly rated floor jack, carefully raise the front of the truck.
Safety: Never rely on a floor jack alone to support a vehicle while you're underneath it. If you're working underneath the truck, use properly rated jack stands and follow the manufacturer's recommended lifting and support points.
For this measuring process, you're simply using the jack to simulate additional front ride height. Raise the front a small amount at a time. For example, start by simulating approximately 1 inch of additional front height.
This is one of the most important parts of the process. Don't stand right next to the wheel and try to judge the stance. Step back several feet and look at the entire truck from the side.
Does the front still look noticeably lower than the rear? Does it look level? Does the front now sit slightly higher than the rear?
This is where you get to determine what you actually want your truck to look like. Some truck owners want the truck completely level. Others prefer a small amount of factory rake. Some prefer a slightly nose-high appearance.
Once you've found a stance you like, take another measurement from the ground to the exact same reference point you used for your original measurement.
Stock height: 31 ½ inches
Preferred height: 33 inches
That gives you a 1 ½-inch difference at your measurement point. You can repeat this process at several different heights.
| Simulated Front Lift | Front Measurement | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 31 ½" | Factory stance |
| +1" | 32 ½" | Still slightly nose-down |
| +1 ½" | 33" | Looks level |
| +2" | 33 ½" | Slightly nose-high |
This is one of the most common questions we get. The answer depends on the specific truck.
A truck that appears to need 2 inches of front height doesn't necessarily require a 2-inch leveling kit to achieve that exact change at the fender. The actual amount of lift produced by a particular leveling kit depends on the suspension design and the kit itself.
Use your measurements as a reference for selecting a kit rather than assuming the measured difference automatically equals the advertised lift amount. Always check the manufacturer's specifications for the particular leveling kit you're considering.
A tape measure gives you the numbers. Your eyes tell you whether you actually like the stance. You need both.
If you're planning to install larger tires at the same time as your leveling kit, remember that tire size can change the overall appearance of the truck. A leveling kit and larger tires can dramatically change how the truck sits and fills the wheel wells.
If you're trying to determine your final stance, take your planned wheel and tire combination into consideration before choosing your suspension setup.
Not necessarily. A completely level truck isn't the only correct setup.
Many trucks are designed with some factory rake for practical reasons, particularly when carrying loads or towing. If you frequently tow or carry heavy loads, you may want to retain some rake rather than leveling the truck completely.
If your primary goal is appearance and you prefer a flatter stance, you may choose to remove more of the factory rake. The important thing is understanding what you're starting with and choosing your final ride height intentionally.
Don't choose a truck leveling kit based solely on a tape-measure number.
Measure your truck at stock height, physically raise the front to simulate additional lift, step back, and look at the entire truck.
The combination of accurate measurements and visual inspection gives you a much better idea of how much front lift you actually want.
You're not trying to make the tape measure happy. You're trying to get your truck sitting exactly the way you want it to.
If you're still not sure how much lift your truck needs, start with the measurements above. Knowing your truck's stock front and rear measurements—and the height where you like the stance—gives you a much better starting point when selecting a leveling kit.
Always verify the recommended lift height, suspension compatibility, alignment requirements, and installation instructions for your specific year, make, and model before purchasing or installing a kit.
Made in Boise with care, our suspension kits are tough, reliable, and built to keep your vehicles running strong — shipped nationwide with quality you can trust.
