What Is a Truck Leveling Kit? Fitment, Installation & Torque Specs

Application, Parts, Installation, Torque Specs (2015–2020 F-150, 2013–2018 Ram 1500, 2014–2018 Silverado 1500)

A truck leveling kit raises the front suspension to eliminate the factory rake, the stance where the rear sits higher than the front. A leveling kit typically uses spacers above or below the front strut assembly, allowing clearance for larger tires and modestly improving approach angle on 2015–2020 Ford F-150, 2013–2018 Ram 1500, and 2014–2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks. Leveling kits do not alter rear ride height.

Application

• 2015–2020 Ford F-150 (2.7L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L Coyote V8) – 2WD/4WD
• 2013–2018 Ram 1500 (3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8) – 2WD/4WD
• 2014–2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (4.3L EcoTec3 V6, 5.3L L83 V8, 6.2L L86 V8) – 2WD/4WD

Typical lift heights range from 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches. For 4WD vehicles, a maximum of 2.5 inches is recommended to preserve CV axle angles without replacing upper control arms.

Parts & Numbers

Common leveling kits are strut-extension spacers. Table 1 lists well-documented aftermarket part numbers.

These kits include steel or billet aluminum spacers, extended studs if needed, and hardware. No modification is required to factory struts or springs.

Procedure – Front Strut Spacer Installation (Typical)

The steps below outline installation of a bolt-on strut spacer on a 2015–2020 Ford F-150 2WD/4WD. Always check the kit-specific instructions.

1. Park the truck on a level surface, chock the rear wheels, and loosen the front lug nuts. Break the lug nuts free with the vehicle on the ground to prevent the wheel from spinning.
2. Lift the front of the truck with a floor jack, place jack stands under the frame rails, and remove the front wheels. Standard lug nut torque for the 2015–2020 F-150 is 150 ft-lbs (204 Nm).
3. Disconnect the sway bar end links from the lower control arm using an 18 mm wrench and socket to prevent the bar from interfering with strut removal.
4. Remove the upper strut mount nuts (typically three 15 mm nuts on top of the strut tower). Do not remove the center strut nut.
5. Remove the lower strut‑to‑lower control arm bolts (two 18 mm bolts). Support the strut assembly to prevent it from falling.
6. Position the spacer on top of the strut mount, align the studs, and secure with the supplied hardware. Torque fasteners to the manufacturer’s specification.
7. Reinstall the lower strut bolts, sway bar end links, and wheels. Lower the vehicle, then torque all fasteners in the loaded position.
8. After installation, the truck must receive a professional alignment. Camber and toe specifications change significantly when front ride height is altered.

Torque Specifications

Table 2 provides typical torque values for a 2015–2020 Ford F-150 spacer installation. Values for the Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 are similar; always confirm against the factory service manual.

Notes & Common Mistakes

• Alignment is mandatory: The toe setting will be out of specification immediately after lifting the front. Driving without alignment causes rapid tire wear.
• CV axle angles: On 4WD trucks, lift over 2.5 inches can over-extend inner CV joints and cause vibration or boot failure. Aftermarket upper control arms are recommended for lifts above 2.5 inches.
• Ride quality: A spacer kit retains the factory strut, so ride quality changes are minimal if alignment is correct. Preload spacers (installed inside the strut) can stiffen the ride noticeably.
• Tire size: A 2‑inch leveling kit on a 2015–2020 F-150 typically clears 33×12.50R20 tires on factory wheels without trimming. Actual clearance varies by wheel offset.
• Do not reuse torque‑to‑yield hardware: Some models use one‑time‑use lower strut bolts. Replace as directed by the service manual.
• Sensor damage: Carefully route wires for wheel speed sensors and brake lines. Stretching or pinching these wires can cause ABS or traction control faults.

Diagnostic Reference

After leveling kit installation, a disturbed steering angle sensor (SAS) or stretched wheel speed sensor harness may trigger warning lights. Table 3 lists chassis DTCs common to these scenarios.

Most scan tools can read these chassis codes; recalibrating the SAS often requires a dedicated diagnostic tool.

FAQ

Q: Does a leveling kit void the factory warranty? A: The kit itself does not void the entire warranty, but dealerships can deny coverage for failures directly caused by the modification (e.g., damaged CV axles or suspension components). A dealer‑installed kit may preserve coverage.

Q: Can I install a leveling kit myself? A: Yes, with a floor jack, jack stands, metric sockets, and a torque wrench. Count on 2–3 hours for a first‑time install. An alignment shop must complete the job.

Q: Do I need new shocks with a spacer leveling kit? A: No, spacer kits reuse the factory strut and shock absorber. Extended‑travel shocks are only needed if you install a full lift kit or wish to maximize articulation.

Q: What is the maximum tire size I can fit after leveling my 2015–2020 F-150? A: With a 2‑inch front level, 33‑inch tires (e.g., LT285/65R20) typically fit with no rubbing on factory wheels. Some 34‑inch tires require minor trimming of the front air dam.

Last updated: 2026-09 Applicable Model Years: 2015–2020 Ford F-150, 2013–2018 Ram 1500, 2014–2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500