If you are a car enthusiast who is looking to give an upgrade to their SUV or truck, then you must have heard about leveling kits. These modifications enhance the aesthetics of a vehicle and give it an aggressive look. In addition, installing a leveling kit will enable you to go off-roading confidently.
Using spacers to install a leveling kit is one of the most common techniques because it is easy to level out your truck or SUV. These leveling kits are accessible in a variety of sizes and simply go between the body of your car and the coil spring. It is best to decide the kind of lift you require before purchasing spacers.
Do you have a leveling kit for your truck? Understanding how to install leveling kit is imperative if you want to affix the kit to your automobile without professional help. This article gives a step-by-step guide to facilitate you during the installation process.
Should I Install My Own Leveling Kit?
Learning how to install leveling kit is a fairly easy procedure that can be converted in a fun DIY project. It requires you to remove and reassemble some imperative parts of your car. For this reason, it is crucial that you have confidence in your ability to make these modifications on your SUV or truck prior to beginning the project. An improper leveling kit installation can potentially damage your vehicle.
If you plan on installing the leveling kit yourself, it is best to consider taking your car to a mechanic after the installation to ensure that it is fixed properly. Moreover, you might want to check the front-end alignment. It will guarantee that the front tires will not wear out unevenly.
How to Install a Leveling Kit
Installing a leveling kit yourself is a relatively simple process. However, it still involves mechanics which is why reading all the instructions on how to install leveling kit is imperative. Going through the guide will help you make sure that you have all the necessary tools.
Let’s see how you can install a leveling kit without having to hire professionals:
Step 1: Lift your car
Park your automobile on a level surface and put the emergency brakes on. Using a good hydraulic jack, you should put jack stands on both sides of your SUV or truck. It will completely elevate the car to the point where the tires do not touch the ground. For best results, you can check the vehicle’s manual to opt for the best lift points to elevate your car. From here, each leveling kit will have a different installation process. However, there are some steps that are essential to install a leveling kit.
Step 2: Follow the Instructions on the kit’s manual
Each leveling kit will come with its own set of instructions. If you are using coil spring spacers, the next step in the manual will be to remove the wheels from your vehicle. Moreover, the sway bar link, shocks, and spring retaining clip needs to be removed. To do so, use a wrench to remove the bolts that secure the coil spring. Usually, there will be two bolts on each side. The coil spring will be loose once the bolts are removed. Cautiously remove the coil spring from the lower arm. Check if the old and the new coil spring are the same size and read through the instructions to see which coil goes on which side.
Step 3: Reassemble and install all the components
When going through the instructions for how to install leveling kit, reinstalling the components is the most important step. Take the new coil spring and install it in the same place while ensuring that the coil is facing the correct direction. Utilizing a torque wrench, secure the bolts of the coil spring. Make sure that you tighten the bolts according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Once you install the leveling kit on both sides of the vehicle, lower the car and take it off of the jack stands. Put back the wheels and take your automobile for a road test to see if it’s functioning properly. Since there are many elements to the process, it is best to take pictures to help keep track.
Installing a leveling kit on your SUV or truck is easy and following these steps will give your SUV a leveled look in a matter of hours.
Leveling kit installation cost
A leveling kit is an aftermarket suspension alteration that is fitted to stabilize and even up a vehicle. Typically, people opt for a leveling kit is to attain an enhanced appearance. This is because the majority of factory-installed suspension systems are designed to leave the car’s rear end slightly higher than the front.
The car’s rear is intentionally left for different reasons including the weight of the engine being greater compared to the rear axle. Other reasons why people opt for a leveling kit installation are to affix larger tires or to improve the trucks or SUVs off-road performance.
So how much does it cost to install a leveling kit?
Frankly speaking, it is quite affordable especially if you know how to install leveling kit yourself. The cost of a leveling kit is contingent upon several factors comprising, the model and make of the truck and the type you choose for your vehicle. Generally, a leveling kit costs between $100 and $200, with other fancy kits costing more than $500.
Final Words
Leveling kits are one of the most sought-after modifications for SUVs and trucks. These kits are utilized to slightly raise the front of the truck and match the stock height in the back. If you have the expertise and want to save money, then learn how to install leveling kit. It will eliminate the need to hire a professional team for installation. Compared to other modifications, a leveling kit is the easiest to install as a DIY project.
So what are you waiting for? Give your vehicle an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional upgrade.