I was just wondering if anyone really knew why all new trucks are coming out with that severe front to back rake (front lower than rear). On some stock trucks now the top of the tailgate is at shoulder level while the grille is at waist level. It just looks wrong especially on a 4x4. On my F250 it looks like I could fit a 37" tire on the rear while only getting a 33" on the front not that I would do that but the front and rear tire clearance is quite different. I would guess it is to address aerodynamic issues so that you have less open air going under the truck. I know that you can "fix" the level with a leveling kit but are you sacrificing aerodynamics and therefore fuel economy by doing so? Has anyone installed a leveling kit and seen a difference in their MPG? Just wondering.
Perhaps so the rear doesn't squat under rated loads? My dually levels out just right when the 5th wheel is hitched up. Have you ever seen a leveled truck pulling a heavy 5th wheel? Most of them squat like a 1/2 ton with broken rear springs. Rusty
I raised the front end of my because I didnt like the way it looked either. When I hook up to our travel trailer, it sits level now. Before, it still sat high in the rear even when the trailer was hooked up. It changed my mileage a little. It went from about from just over 19 mpg, to about 18.5 mpg. Not enough for me to notice really.
You know, that may be it. I just wonder though if that's the case why did it take 75 years of pickup models to come out before they decided to do it. It's only been in the last 5 or 6 year models that they started doing that.
nah, it didn't take them 75 years to do that... it's been that way for ages. I think maybe you just notice it more now that you're looking for it. My '84 has always sat up high in the rear, as did my '75 3/4 ton. The 4x4's weren't quite as bad about it, mostly because they had the leaf springs all the way around. Since everyone has pretty well swapped over to IFS they can keep the same basic stance. there's another point to this as well, will help as a reminder to you guys who level out your rides... watch where your headlights are aimed! I always notice the guys who's trucks are levelled out because the headlights will be pointed way up in everyone's eyes. when you put a load on the back end, you'll still get some squat and raise them up even further. sure, the extra 2" lift doesn't look like much from inside the cab, but 100 yards out to oncoming traffic it makes a huge difference.
My plan on my next truck is to lower the rear to level and add airbags to keep it there loaded. going lower because of fifth wheel clearance. I'd do it on my current truck but I'm saving that money for the new one. The yukon has autoride in it which works great, that's why I'm going to make one in a truck, just a little heavier duty.
Yep, it's for the weight carrying ability combined with variable (or should say "more" variable I guess) rate springs. They have a beginning rate relatively low, which accounts for the much more civilized ride of modern HD trucks. Then, it firms up as it goes down with more weight, kinda like the old over-load spring concept, but starting lighter rate and being less abrupt in the transition. But that means that even moderate loads take up that “soft” rate, so you can easily get an inch, maybe two of sag. This light to moderate load will almost level out a modern “raked” truck, and a decent heavy load, like maybe a goose or 5er, will level it down about even. This gives you a truck that still handles properly when heavily weighed down, unlike a nose high truck which also brings in wind issues and such (though theoretically the suspension design could handle it if designed properly). That’s why I've never understand all the “I just couldn’t stand it like that, so had to level it!” comments. If you didn’t add air bags to maintain the level stance, you just made your “tow rig” far less capable with a heavy load. Of course the same folks often add larger tires, cranked bars, lifts, and otherwise seriously degrade the towing capability of the vehicle too, so it’s probably unlikely that the reduced capability in that area will affect them. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just a trade off that would not be feasible to me. Now I have considered getting airbags, and if I had them, I would remove a support leaf and level it out with a better ride, then maintain the stance regardless of load with the bags. But no way would I “crank the bars” or otherwise raise the front and loose towing ability just for the sake of a perception that the rake is somehow unacceptable visually… JMO.
As all ready mentioned a couple of times, it's so the truck doesn't look stupid loaded. If it was level it would look like a 1/2 loaded.... I love the rake, wouldn't look like a diesel pickup to me if it wasn't. I even frown a little when I hook up a decent trailer and it levels the truck out.
you mean i cant lift my duramax 9 inches with 37's and still tow at 85mph through a 8% grade up and down hill? geez.. why did i buy this hunk of junk.....:stir: rotfl Grant
Has anyone done this? I don't understand (apart from manufacturing cost) why the auto makers aren't doing this from the factory. I'd like to do it to my gen 3 Dodge. I need to put a 2 5/16 ball hitch attached to the frame right around where the air springs would mount so I might have to get creative. Any opinions as to who makes the best air springs for the application would be nice Air Lift or Firestone. I tried putting airsprings from a Kenworth under my F350 but didn't mount them properly so it didn't work out but that's a whole other story. But the concept of having a super smooth ride and still being able to carry all the load the axle and tires can bear sound pretty appealing. I'd also like info on finding an old style York A/C compressor to convert to an engine driven air compressor to supply the bags.
Good point. My dually has the front rake, and I like the way it looks. I'll be towing 15,000lbs so I hope the truck will be level.
Best explanation I've seen yet. And no I won't do all that lifting and stuff that would compromise towing ability. Bags yes, little bit larger wheels and tires yes but nothing radical. I bought this work to work, not to be a bling thing.
