The Best Leveling Kits (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance

Truck owners: have you noticed that the rear of your pickup sits a bit higher than the front? You aren’t crazy; this is actually a pretty common phenomenon. Typically, a truck’s rear end sits higher because you will likely carry heavy loads in the truck bed. And you don’t want your truck’s rear to sag as soon as you toss some weight into the back. But if you aren’t hauling anything, this unevenness can be frustrating and unappealing. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix.

A leveling kit can even out your truck, bringing the front and the rear to the same height. Leveling kits raise the front of your truck by just a few inches, giving your pickup an even look and a little extra ground clearance. If you’re looking to level out your truck, discover some of the best leveling kits available right here.

The Best Leveling Kits

Best Leveling Kits Buying Guide & FAQ

If the uneven, unlevel appearance of your truck is driving you crazy, you don’t have to live with it. You spent a lot of money on your truck — so why not make it as level and as perfect as you’ve always wanted it to be? A leveling kit can give you the results you want, without requiring a trip to a mechanic or your local dealership. 

But leveling kits come in many different varieties, and you’ll want to consider your options carefully. You need a leveling kit that can suit your specific make and model, and you want one that’ll deliver the perfect amount of lift. Don’t know where to begin? Our leveling kit buying guide will help you discover the perfect options for your prized truck.

The Advantages of Owning a Leveling Kit

A leveling kit might seem like it’ll only make a small difference on your truck. After all, the difference in height between the rear end and front end of your truck can be as little as one inch. But there’s often a visual discrepancy if your truck isn’t level — and a leveling kit can fix that in no time at all. These kits are pretty easy to install, and they can have your truck evened out across both ends in mere hours. Plus, who doesn’t want a bit more height added to their truck? An inch or two can make a noticeable difference.

Adding a leveling kit onto your truck’s front end gives you more than a little lift, though. This simple, easy to install fix can have lasting results on everything from your truck’s driving performance to its balance to its ability to work effectively when you’re hauling or using equipment. The benefits of a leveling kit can be pretty significant.

• You can use bigger wheels than the stock options, with enough clearance to prevent rubbing and other potential problems.
• A leveling kit can add extra support for front-end equipment like plows, preventing potential sagging. 
• You’ll prevent the common sag-to-flat issue of having a lower front end.
• A level truck can reduce braking pressure, especially when you need to stop quickly.
• You’ll achieve a more balanced vehicle, reducing excessive wear.

The Most Common Types of Leveling Kits

Leveling kits might all have the same effect on your vehicle — lifting the front end of your truck and evening out its height. But they don’t all work in the same way, and they can have some pretty significant differences. No leveling kit is a one-size-fits-all addition. Each kit is designed for unique makes and models, and some can suit trucks as well as SUVs. Some can even work for Jeeps. Each kit will have a different installation method too. So, before you choose any leveling kit, it’s important to know the common types available so you know you’re making the right decision.

Torsion Key Leveling Kits

Torsion key leveling kits are designed for use on trucks and other vehicles that have torsion bar suspension systems. These kits include torsion keys, which replace your vehicle’s factory torsion bar keys. And that’s how they lift your truck. They change the clock position of the torsion bar, raising the suspension without causing any kind of compromised ride.

These types of leveling kits can be even sturdier than your original factory equipment. Torsion key kits may feature forged metals and powder coating for extra durability, which can give your truck a long-term advantage. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a torsion key leveling kit may add pressure onto your vehicle’s load.

Coil Spring Spacer Leveling Kits

Coil spring spacer leveling kits are made for use on trucks and other vehicles with coil springs. They’re pretty simple and straightforward — they add spacers to the upper or lower coil spring seats to lift your vehicle’s body. These spacers are what add height, and they can range from an inch to a few inches in height. 

The installation method can vary with coil spring spacer leveling lifts. You may need to add spacers, or you might need to remove your vehicle’s coil springs to get the spacers in place. It all depends on the specifics of your truck. You will want to choose a kit that includes shock extensions if your vehicle requires these extra parts, though.

Strut Extension Leveling Kits

Strut extension leveling kits, which can also be called strut spacers, are designed for vehicles that have coilover struts in the front suspension system. They’re one of the most commonly used types of leveling kits, as most half-ton or mid-sized trucks and SUVs use this type of suspension setup. And with a strut extension leveling kit, you can add spacers onto your truck’s factory struts to raise the suspension by an inch or a few inches.

The benefit of this kind of leveling kit is that you don’t have to replace your vehicle’s struts. It’s very easy to install and simple enough to tackle at home. And you can even remove the spacers if you decide you don’t want them anymore. There’s also a lot of variety — some strut extension leveling kits are adjustable for extra customization, and some are not.

Features to Look in Leveling Kits

When you’re choosing a leveling kit and trying to determine which is the best of the bunch, you’ll want to look at certain features. And first and foremost, you’ll want to look at the amount of lift a kit offers. You can find leveling kits that’ll raise your truck from one inch to three inches, and the ideal amount of lift will vary depending on your truck and how uneven it might be. The lift will directly affect whether or not a kit can make your pickup look level.

You’ll also want to consider factors and features like balance and a smooth ride. A leveling kit that offers balance and even suspension can be beneficial whether you’re driving around town, heading off-roading, or hauling and towing. You want to make sure adding a leveling kit won’t affect the way your vehicle drives. It should be a visible addition, but one that doesn’t take away from your truck’s already great ride.

Best Leveling Kits FAQ:

Before you can settle on which leveling kit is the best option for your truck — and your money — you’ll want to do some research. And that means you’ll want to look at the features and details, consider the pros and cons, and ask questions. Which leveling kit is a good fit? Which are durable? What makes a leveling kit the best of the best? If you have questions about buying a leveling kit, you’ll want to learn more about what they can offer. You can check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about these truck additions.

Our Top Pick

We’re selecting the Rough Country 2” Leveling Kit for Chevy/GMC as our top pick because of the quality of the kit’s parts and the effective 2-inch lift it can offer drivers. If you own a Chevrolet or GMC truck — or even some SUVs like the Suburban or Tahoe — you can raise the front end of your vehicle to get a more level appearance. It’ll also offer ground clearance for larger tires, which can be beneficial for anyone who wants a more customized ride. But this leveling kit really shines when it comes down to the results. You’ll keep a smooth ride even after installing the spacers and parts, and you don’t have to mess with any of your truck’s factory parts.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a leveling kit that packs quality in its materials and its results, the Rough Country 2” Leveling Kit for Chevy/GMC is our top choice. It’s easy to install and easy to achieve lasting levelness. Anyone who’s looking to save money and still level their truck can also consider the Motofab Lifts CH-2LM 2 Inch Leveling Kit, which provides great value along with great lift at an affordable price.