seems like I heard fuel mileage suffers with a front end leveling kit and the shocks wear out real quick? didnt I also hear that the front end needs to be alligned imediately after installing the kit? how much fuel mileage loss is typical? thanks

 

fuel mileage shouldnt change if you don't change the tires to a bigger size.. Most kits come with new shocks.. The best kits are those with new Lower control arms along with the shocks and spacers... And yes, you will need an alignment anytime you mess with the suspension mounting/move the axles. A downside would be that when you just level the truck and don't raise the rear end as well your front end will be pointed to the sky when you hook up to a heavy load.. bumper pull especially. unless you have air bags or something.

 

Any lift will increase frontal area and drag, especially at higher speeds the fuel consumption is reduced. Anti dive characteristics during emergency stopping will also be reduced causing some steering and control issues. Obviously some of the commercial aftermarket folks have taken this into account and probably have okay products but you can't outlaw physics.

 

Ricky Racers that think they're cool cutting in front of you at night can't see out their rearview mirrors without getting their retinas burned.

Well, you didn't say whose downside it had to be.

Just do it. You'll wonder why you waited so long.

 

I really haven't noticed a downside yet. I love it and it looks great. Throw some bigger meats under it and call it good. My dad's truck looks like it's rolling around on training wheels compared to my 35's.

 

I would think a down side to leveling the front end is anytime you pull anything it will look like the back of your truck is draging.

 

both out trucks are leveled on has stock tires and the other has 33's. the one with stock tires, fuel mileage has not fallen at all but it doesn't bottom out on speedbumps either. the '05 with 33's lost 1mpg around town and is fairly close to what it was before on highway. both trucks only sit 3/4 to one inch lower in back when hooked up to fifth. hitch weight is approx. 1700#. we kept our stock springs in case we weren't happy... there is NO WAY we are putting them back on. the benefits of having it leveled are way better.

 

You'll be frying the guy ahead of you with your headlights. I still need to adjust mine.

 

Leveling kits are real nice...I also added air bags to the rear to keep it level when towing. The mention of headlight aiming is something that should be looked at whether you have a leveling kit or not as most of these trucks have the lights aimed too high. It took several adjustments to get my factory lights to work good and not blind oncoming traffic. The factory driving lights need some help too.
Alignment and all components addressed and its a nice addition to your truck.

Scotty

 

so mileage only seems to be affected if larger ires ae also installed? I am considering the hellbemt spring spacers I found listed on ebay. I dont fully understand why the shocks need to be replaced though. do the top out or try to over extend and thai damages them internally? I dont really off road my truck and mainly bought a 4x4 to tow my trailer across the sand to where we park to camp in the dunes. will street driving still destroy the front shocks if you lift the front up 2 inches?

 

I didn't have a fuel mileage decrease, but I still have my stock tires. I think it looks better overall, just make sure to do your alignment. If you don't replace the shocks, you will notice the difference when you hit speed bumps or the like, as the shocks are extended over their original intended equillibrium. Other than that, regular road driving you won't notice a difference. As far as shock damage, that depends on the driving that you do.

 

I added the 2" ProComp lift kit/spacers. There was zero impact to fuel mileage, it may be me but it seems to ride just a little bit smoother.

There is no need to replace your front shocks with this particular kit. The shocks have enough travel in them that you will hit the limit of your links or pads before you hit the end of the shock.

I had the toe-in checked after adding the lift kit and it needed a small adjustment. If you don't do that you may suffer increased tire wear and cupping.

On mine, the back end still looked slightly higher than the front even after adding the 2" spacers. So, I removed the 2" factory spacers from the rear too. The truck now sits perfectly level when checked with a level.

I then added the Firestone air bags in the rear with the digital controller. Overall ride has improved somewhat and the air bags work great when towing or hauling heavy loads.

 

I added the mopar 988 springs. It brought the front end up about 1 1/2 inches. Stock shocks, no front end alignment and I get to flash a few people because my lights are not on bright, whuda thunk it in a Dodge, bright headlights.

 

Mmm, I had that problem with my 2nd gen. Looked 10x's better with it leveled out, then looked like a F150 with a load on......

 

plse go into more detail about the 988 springs... Are they the springs used with snow plow package or what...