Leveling Kits

What Leveling Kits Do for Your Truck

A leveling kit lifts the front of your truck so it sits even with the rear. Most trucks leave the factory with rake, a nose-down stance that leaves room for payload and trailer tongue weight. Leveling kits typically add between 0.5 and 3.5 inches up front to cancel that rake.

That extra height does three jobs. It opens up front wheel-well clearance for larger tires, improves approach clearance off-road, and gives your truck a level stance. Before you size up, check our guide to the best tires for lifted trucks to match tire diameter to your new ride height.

Leveling is a simple way to change ride height, and it's one part of our lineup of suspension kits. Keep in mind a leveled truck squats more when you tow or haul, since the front no longer has rake to absorb the load. Read our list of things to know before lifting your truck before you order.

Types of Truck Leveling Kits

Truck leveling kits come in four main designs, and your front suspension decides which one fits.

• Spacer leveling kits add a steel, aluminum, or poly spacer above the strut or coil spring for an affordable height gain.
• Torsion keys replace the factory keys on torsion-bar IFS trucks, such as GM heavy-duty models, so you can dial in front height.
• Leveling struts replace factory assemblies with taller units that add height and fresh damping in one step.
• Lift coils swap in taller front springs on coil-spring trucks, often paired with matched dampers for a complete front kit.

If your truck uses torsion bars, shop our torsion bar components for replacement keys and related parts. For strut-equipped trucks, compare complete struts with spacer kits, since a new strut also replaces worn factory damping.

Want adjustable ride height? Our coilover shocks and springs let you set front height precisely. For individual brackets and extensions, browse our lift kit components.

Leveling Kit vs. Lift Kit: Which Do You Need?

A leveling kit raises only the front of your truck, while a lift kit raises both the front and rear. Choose a leveling kit if you want to remove rake and fit tires one size larger. Choose a lift kit if you want much larger tires, more ground clearance, or more suspension travel.

Leveling kits usually add up to 3.5 inches, bolt on with basic tools, and keep most factory suspension geometry. That makes them a practical fit for daily drivers and trucks that tow. Full lift kits often add 4 inches or more and may include new control arms, knuckles, crossmember drops, or rear blocks.

That extra hardware means a lift kit costs more and takes longer to install. It also changes driveline angles and handling more than a leveling kit does. For a detailed side-by-side comparison, read our leveling kit vs. lift kit guide.

How to Choose the Right Leveling Kit Height

Measure your truck's rake, then pick a kit that closes the gap. On level ground, measure from each wheel hub center to the fender lip, front and rear. The difference is your rake, which is the height your kit should add.

Many half-ton trucks need about 2 inches, which makes a 2-inch leveling kit a common fit for the Silverado and Sierra 1500. Heavy-duty trucks like the Ram 2500 and Super Duty often carry more rake, so 2.5- to 3-inch kits are common. Check each kit's listed maximum tire size before buying tires.

Kits are specific to 2WD or 4WD because front suspension designs differ. On 4WD trucks, going past the recommended height can strain CV joints and ball joints. Taller front kits may need longer shocks or extension brackets to stay within their working range.

Some trucks need rear changes too. Rear bump stop drops or suspension bump stops and limiters help protect your suspension once ride height changes.

Leveling Kit Brands Available at JEGS

JEGS stocks leveling kits from established truck suspension brands, so you can match a kit to your vehicle and budget. Rough Country covers entry-level needs with its 7597 .75-inch suspension leveling kit, plus 2-inch and 2.5-inch kits for Ford F-150 and Ram 2500 trucks. Skyjacker offers the F1725VB 2.5-inch front leveling kit for Super Duty diesels, along with metal spacer kits for the Tundra.

Rancho Level It kits fit the Silverado and Sierra 1500 and the Jeep Gladiator JT Rubicon. Bilstein builds its B8 5100 front leveling kit for 2020-2023 Gladiator models. Southern Truck makes 2-inch kits for GM 1500 trucks and SUVs, plus strut extensions for the 2005-2017 Tacoma.

MaxTrac Suspension supplies 2.5-inch front lift coils for the Ram 1500. Carli Suspension offers its 3.0-inch leveling system for gas Ford F-250 and F-350 4x4 trucks. For 1999-2006 GM 1500 trucks, look at Superlift Suspension Systems and the Daystar Comfort Ride leveling kit.