Leveling??

[Ron4RNevada]

OK; I'm pretty new to this forum so perhaps this has been explained - but I can't find it......

Why are "leveling" and "Leveling kits" being mentioned on here?

I bought a 2013 SR5 a month ago. It came with the stock Dunlop AT20s; the truck was level = side to side and front to back (the sills were the same clearance to the ground at all four corners).

Within a few days of purchase I installed a set of Toyo LT 265/70R-17 10(E) tires..... The truck is still dead level.....

- - - -

If this is something required for after market lift kits - it seems that people might be mixing and matching front and rear kits?

 

[Jetboy]

On my '15 TEP there is about 2" difference from tire to fender height front to rear. The front sits lower. Front rake is pretty standard for Toyota SUVs so they can be loaded without having problems. I'm sure it's also for mpg benefits of keeping the front low as possible. Raising the front makes it sit visually closer to "level" when empty, and most of them are empty most of the time. If you're happy with how your 4runner is, keep it! I like a little bit of rake. On my last setup with adjustable front and airbag rear, I could have it anyway I wanted within a few minutes and I usually thought it looked and drove best with about 1" rake down in front. But whatever makes you happy is what's best for you.

 

[1engineer]

OK; I'm pretty new to this forum so perhaps this has been explained - but I can't find it......

Why are "leveling" and "Leveling kits" being mentioned on here?

I bought a 2013 SR5 a month ago. It came with the stock Dunlop AT20s; the truck was level = side to side and front to back (the sills were the same clearance to the ground at all four corners).

Within a few days of purchase I installed a set of Toyo LT 265/70R-17 10(E) tires..... The truck is still dead level.....

- - - -

If this is something required for after market lift kits - it seems that people might be mixing and matching front and rear kits?

Actually the vehicle is "level" (frame level) in it's stock configuration. The body has a rake (front lower than the back) to allow for a heavy load in the back to then level the body.

Some people don't like the way this rake looks so they buy a leveling kit. This kit can be spacers or coilovers or new springs and shocks. Even though "leveling" is a misnomer in this case leveling is what they call it.

I know that when I put 600-700 lbs in the back I don't have to worry my headlights are going to be in the trees.

 

[Range]

Also over time the rear tends to sag so people fix this issue by the above mentioned methods.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Thanks 1Engineer. I hadn't thought about people measuring wheel opening height rather than frame to ground.

10 inch frame to ground clearance pretty much the whole length of the truck works for me.