Question on levelling. (1 Viewer)

[diabetik81]

So, I've owned quite a few rigs from Tacoma, Land Rover, Land Cruiser, Jeeps, etc. All of them have been lifted and built by myself for the most part. With my 2022 GX I want to level the front out without raising the rear. Main reason for this is a but better approach without remove my ability to fit in the garage. All of the pics I've seen of GX's that are levelled seem to have a reverse rake to them which I wouldn't want. Looking for options or pics if you've have good luck on a level. Cost isn't really the issue, I prefer quality (Bilstein and OME have always been my go-tos)

 

[newbie460]

So, I've owned quite a few rigs from Tacoma, Land Rover, Land Cruiser, Jeeps, etc. All of them have been lifted and built by myself for the most part. With my 2022 GX I want to level the front out without raising the rear. Main reason for this is a but better approach without remove my ability to fit in the garage. All of the pics I've seen of GX's that are levelled seem to have a reverse rake to them which I wouldn't want. Looking for options or pics if you've have good luck on a level. Cost isn't really the issue, I prefer quality (Bilstein and OME have always been my go-tos)

Get something adjustable for the front, measure the height difference, adjust whatever suspension you get to fill that difference. Can be accomplished with tons of different coilovers

 

[Hiluxforever]

Its the lines on the truck, which line are you looking to level, the steps or the roof.

 

[dankthetank]

If you just want to level and your fronts are in good shape look at cornfed spacers. I just put a set of the smallest on my 2019.

 

[r2m]

So, I've owned quite a few rigs from Tacoma, Land Rover, Land Cruiser, Jeeps, etc. All of them have been lifted and built by myself for the most part. With my 2022 GX I want to level the front out without raising the rear. Main reason for this is a but better approach without remove my ability to fit in the garage. All of the pics I've seen of GX's that are levelled seem to have a reverse rake to them which I wouldn't want. Looking for options or pics if you've have good luck on a level. Cost isn't really the issue, I prefer quality (Bilstein and OME have always been my go-tos)

If you're only looking at a fraction of an inch, e.g.: 1/2" to 3/4" of lift, maybe something as simple as a front coil spring spacer. Cheap and easy. Otherwise, I'd go with a full suspension upgrade all around.

 

[MeefZah]

1" should get you dead level. Maybe a hair of reverse rake depending on what body lines you are looking at to determine "level" (I use the bottom of the steps / rocker panels). 3/4" if you want to be on the safe side. I also suggest Cornfed - 5th gen 4R spacers - solid product.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

Hot tip: 'Leveling' is for posers and dumbasses. If you actually plan to use your rig for anything other than mall crawling, it should have rake, or functioning airbags.

 

[Hiluxforever]

1" should get you dead level. Maybe a hair of reverse rake depending on what body lines you are looking at to determine "level" (I use the bottom of the steps / rocker panels). 3/4" if you want to be on the safe side. I also suggest Cornfed - 5th gen 4R spacers - solid product.

I am using corned spacers and have done a lot of wheeling.

I agree with bubbles. I didn't really remove any rake. I removed enough weight from the back i may have accidentally added rake, but it wheels like a champ and drives like an E class on 33s.

That way I can max out my GVWR and not destroy my suspension dynamics.

 

[r2m]

Be aware, diabetik81, that leveling out your rig, unless you add stiffer rear springs will give you reverse rake whenever you load anything in the back, including passengers. Ideally you want just a wee bit of rake, to level out for those Costco shopping days when you load up that 100" TV, and groceries in the back.

 

[MeefZah]

I don't know that I agree with that. A small level spacer lift is a non issue. If you use the truck as a unladen DD 50 weeks out of the year and load it for camping 2 weeks, so what? I'd rather have the truck set up to my desires 95% of the time and have minor squat the other 5% of the time.

I'm not seeing any squat with daily use / passengers / normal cargo. To be fair I'm just barely leveled with a hair of rake at 1.5 / 1.

Too each their own I reckon.

 

[diabetik81]

Hot tip: 'Leveling' is for posers and dumbasses. If you actually plan to use your rig for anything other than mall crawling, it should have rake, or functioning airbags.

Hot tip: Don't give tips to anyone on the forum if you don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

Hot tip: Don't give tips to anyone on the forum if you don't know what you're talking about.

LOL good one

 

[Hiluxforever]

LOL good one

I saw that glitch in the matrix...

 

[Hiluxforever]

Sometimes the words just type out, then I reflect; "you shouldn't say that".

You are not alone.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Hot tip: 'Leveling' is for posers and dumbasses. If you actually plan to use your rig for anything other than mall crawling, it should have rake, or functioning airbags.

Hot tip: Don't give tips to anyone on the forum if you don't know what you're talking about.

He's not necessarily wrong. The factory rake on trucks and SUV's is intentional. It is there for towing. The idea being, if your suspension is in good condition, and you haven't exceeded the tongue weight portion the tow bar rating, your vehicle should level out. Having a high front end from an overloaded rear causes some unfortunate steering side effects. Leveling your truck without having airbags to compensate is not recommended for towing. If you don't tow and never intend on towing, it's a non-issue.

 

[MeefZah]

He's not necessarily wrong. The factory rake on trucks and SUV's is intentional. It is there for towing. The idea being, if your suspension is in good condition, and you haven't exceeded the tongue weight portion the tow bar rating, your vehicle should level out. Having a high front end from an overloaded rear causes some unfortunate steering side effects. Leveling your truck without having airbags to compensate is not recommended for towing. If you don't tow and never intend on towing, it's a non-issue.

That's the thing, though. Even if you do tow, you aren't towing every time you drive. As I said above I'd rather squat once every few months than have rake every single day.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

That's the thing, though. Even if you do tow, you aren't towing every time you drive. As I said above I'd rather squat once every few months than have rake every single day.

No need to lie, totally glossed over your post. It's a fair enough statement. Personally, if I wanted it to look level and towed occasionally, I'd have airbags/spring helpers inside the coils.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

Saggy rear isn't only a problem towing. These vehicles have a very high payload which is why they make better trail rigs than grocery getters.

I sure as s*** wouldn't want to be sagging in the rear when loaded up on a rocky trail. And definitely not on pavement at highway speeds... its dangerous as hell. All just in an attempt to look cool around town... When in reality; Anyone who knows what they are looking at actually thinks you look like a f'n dumbass.

 

[MeefZah]

Saggy rear isn't only a problem towing. These vehicles have a very high payload which is why they make better trail rigs than grocery getters.

I sure as s*** wouldn't want to be sagging in the rear when loaded up on a rocky trail. And definitely not on pavement at highway speeds... its dangerous as hell. All just in an attempt to look cool around town... When in reality; Anyone who knows what they are looking at actually thinks you look like a f'n dumbass.

No one is saying to build a truck so putting a feather in the back causes squat. You can level it and still have hundreds of pounds of cargo capacity without causing the rear to drop dangerously or noticeably.

Cars don't come from the factory with "rake" and you can throw 300 pounds of dog food in the back and squeeze 5 passengers and they pretty much maintain the same ride height and stance.

Even when you do load it to the point of suspension sag, BFD. It's a means to an end. It'll be okay. Hell, I somehow managed to drive this leveled, overloaded (with everything we owned), and temporarily squatting 4R coast to coast when we moved - and I didn't die, and have no recollection of anyone laughing hysterically at me along the way.

 

[Cold Iron]

I hate a saggy rear end and don't get the hate on rake. Not saying that it should be like a 67 mustang (in burnt orange) with 50's on the rear and 60's on the front with traction bars, but I feel a little higher in the rear just looks better. Personally.

I hate saggy pants and a saggy rear end even more. For the last 30 years most automakers have installed the infamous "soccer mom" suspensions on most light trucks and SUV's. The struggle is real with adding weight or towing. I feel that Lexus got the GX correct with air bags and suspension at least on my Lux. I do tow a lot in the summer ~2500 pounds. And can also put half a ton of lead shot in it without getting saggy pants. No complaints and I'm not going to touch it. Plus I can add an additional 2" height to the rear off road if needed and I'm not likely going to be going over the 15mph to auto lower it. But the LX700h OT with on demand 2" fore and aft lift and not lowering of up to 60+ mph has my attention. 3X lockers doesn't hurt either but it will be a ways off in my future. For now the GX puts a smile on my face as they designed it.

@Poop Bubbles as someone recently said to you, finally you said something that I agree with

Great now I can't get this out of my head, thanks a lot Bubbles!