Can You Off road With a Leveling Kit

Off-roading or Overlanding is a thrilling sport. Needless to say, you’ll have to gear up your truck before going on a rough adventure like that. Installing a leveling kit in your truck can be an option in this regard. They are inexpensive and moderately easy to put together.

Furthermore, they give an even stance to your truck and also make extra room for larger tires. However, there are also other options available in the market for off-roading. So, the question is can you off road with a leveling kit?

Can You Off road With a Leveling Kit

Well, there are many factors at play here. You need to analyze those factors to make a proper decision. But no need to get all stressed up! We already did that analyzing part for you. Keep reading this article and you’ll know what tool is best for you to go off-roading.

Overview

There are many disadvantages alongside the advantages of installing a leveling kit for off-roading purposes. We presented a conceptual analysis of those factors to help you decide whether you can rely on a leveling kit while off-roading or not. In this article, we also shed some light on a few of the related topics to give you a great experience. If you want to modify your truck according to your need keep our recommendations in mind.

Can You Off road With a Leveling Kit? (The real answer)

The primary function of a leveling kit is to raise your 4×4’s ground clearance by balancing out the uneven stance. In most scenarios, a small raise will allow for larger tires. As a result, with a leveling system and high-quality aftermarket shocks combined together, you’ll get a great on and off-road performance.

Now then, what will you need for off-roading? Well, you’ll need some larger tires and an increased height to support those tires. These are the most fundamental things you’ll need. So, the question is, can the leveling kit provide that? Well, yes, to a moderate level it can be a fit for off-road trips.

Let’s see into the details-

Best tire size for going off-road

All cars are equipped with a tire size that matches the vehicle’s essential functions. However, if you’re going off-road, you’ll want tires that go beyond the basics and meet your desires. Furthermore, low profile tires should be avoided while overlanding or off-roading. Low-key tires prohibit you from airing down your tires to improve traction.

So, what size tire is best for overlanding or off-roading? Well, in case of off-road vaciles  tires typically range in size from 31 to 37 inches.

The lowest tire size for overlanding is normally included with your vehicle. However, you can travel up from there if your vehicle allows it. A Toyota Tacoma, for example, has a standard Tire Size of 31 inches. With a raise, you can accommodate tires up to 33 inches wide.

Now then, how big of a tire can you fit with a leveling kit? Well, with most leveling kits deliverers  only a few inches of height.  So, your tire size options are constrained. However, you can fit a tier 1 or 2 inches larger than the stock ones.So, Roughly, you will be able to install a 33-35” tire to your truck.

Best lift size for off-roading

All around, three-inch lifts are suitable for most cars and situations. This height is a great compromise between on- and off-road capability, without requiring major modifications to the vehicle itself.

However, choosing the correct lift depends on the tires you intend to run. Oversized tires necessitate a large lift. To fit 35-inch tires under your fenders, you may require a raise of 4 or 5 inches. In other words, not every Overlanding vehicle will benefit from a 3-inch raise.

So, how much lift can a leveling kit provide? I’ll give it to you straight, not enough! A frontal lift of little more than two inches is typical for a leveling kit. The model of the vehicle being leveled usually dictates how much lift a leveling kit gives. The degree of rake in the stance varies across vehicle models. To achieve a level stance, some 4x4s require a little more lift than others. An average raise of 1-2.5 inches is provided by most leveling kits.

Our Verdict

Leveling kits can only lift your truck to a certain matrix . With that much lift in height, sure, you can go off-roading but it’ll be a low-key adventure. In order to conquer the uneven terrains of nature, you’ll have to go for larger tires than 35-inch ones and have to have a lift of over 3-inch.

The point is, leveling kits may not be right for you if you’re an avid off-road enthusiast. If this is the case, a whole lift system would be worth considering.

Pros and Cons of Leveling Kit

All modifications come with their downside. Leveling kits are no exception. If you want to install one in your truck then you should know about the risks alongside the advantages it offers. So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the leveling kit-

Pros:

Increased ground clearance

A vehicle’s lowest point is its maximum ground clearance. The front-end is a stumbling block for the majority of designers. So, you can expect to gain 1-3 inches of more ground clearance using a leveling kit. On top of that, for those who want to go off-roading, this helps to protect the underbelly of your vehicle from rocks and other debris. On steep driveways, a taller front-end will help you avoid bottoming out.

Larger tires

A front-end leveling kit raises your truck’s cab and separates it from the wheels. This allows you to put on larger tires without fear of them scrubbing when making a turn.

Reduces braking pressure

A front-end leveling kit improves overall stability. As a result, the front suspension and brakes are relieved of some of their workloads, making it much easier to apply the emergency brake in an emergency.

Cons:

Decreased fuel economy

Leveling kits lift the front end higher and match with the rear end. While carrying cargo, the front end can go up slightly as the cargo will sag the rear a bit. As a result, your truck will face strong wind resistance and the fuel consumption will be higher.

Quicker wear on suspension

The suspension bears the whole weight of the vehicle. This can lead to excessive wear and tear on the suspension system if a front-end leveling kit is installed incorrectly. However, the good news is that this drawback can be avoided if the leveling kit is installed and maintained by trained professionals.

Void warranty

Your truck’s warranty may not be valid after installing a leveling kit. However, if you don’t have a warranty on your truck, this isn’t a problem.

The truth about Leveling Kit

The truck leveling kits, as previously noted, are purely aesthetic in nature and do nothing to improve the performance of your vehicle. Even without them, your truck will still function properly.

The only  possible visible cons of a leveling kit is that it levels your front and gives your truck an even look. However, there are certain drawbacks to placing them in your truck. Even a simple leveling system can cause premature damage to a vehicle’s suspension.

That being said, if you’re up for the risk and can handle dealing with the truck leveling kit problems, go for it! Installing a leveling kit is possible, but it’s best to consult a professional because of the potential dangers. At the very least, you’ll be able to limit the risk variables to a minimum.

Are Leveling Kits Hard on Truck?

The leveling kit has its perks. But like all modifications, it also has some drawbacks. The truck manufacturers suggest avoiding leveling kits. Because your truck’s suspension can be under a lot of strain by installing a truck leveling kit.

The change could cause them to wear out more quickly than they normally would, due to the additional pressure.

On top of that, the leveling kit also decreases the fuel economy as it creates a heavier aerodynamic drug. So, yes, leveling kits can be pretty hard on your truck. But the good news is, you can reduce the number of risks by installing them with professional help.

Does a Leveling Kit Affect Ride Quality?

Most of the time, a properly installed leveling kit will not affect the ride quality. However, if you buy a cheap leveling system online and try to install it yourself, you could end up with a disaster.

An inexperienced installer may be responsible for the poor ride quality. On the way, it’s possible to make a slew of insignificant errors. Not taking care of them right away can have unintended consequences down the road. When in doubt about your abilities, always seek the advice of a trained professional.

How Much Does it Cost to Level a Truck?

We hear this question a lot. Since every situation is unique, there is no universal solution. There are a plethora of variables at play. For a simple leveling kit, you may expect to pay significantly less than you would for a more complex one.

You may even be able to install this kit at home in many circumstances. However, leveling kits installation cost are not all made equal. The more money you spend on a car, the higher quality you’re going to get.

Installing the leveling kit by yourself may be risky. It may harm your truck. To avoid those risks we suggest installing with the help of a professional. However, it’ll cost more money. You’ll need around $400 to $2000 to install it by yourself. But with a professional, you’ll have to spend $800 to $4000.

Conclusion

It’s true that leveling kits can give your truck a slight lift and some extra room for larger tires. Nonetheless, it’s also true that it’ll barely meet the minimum requirement for off-roading. So, if we had to answer the question, can you off road with a leveling kit? Then we would have to say if you’re an avid off-road enthusiast then simply, the leveling kit won’t be able to fulfill your hunger for the thrill!