Sag is a beyotch. We're talking about what begins to happen to your body right about the age-40 mark-and that thing your truck does from heavy bumpers, a winch, or a plow, towing, and various other culprits. Now, seeing that this is Four Wheeler magazine, we can help with the truck, but you're on your own for the rest. A quick cure is a leveling kit. The name gives away the purpose: it levels the front and rear of pickups and SUVs. Some side effects? You can fit bigger rubber and there's more ground clearance. Here's a look at some of your options.
BDS Suspension
What: 2 1/2-inch kit for the 2009 Ford F-150
Where: 517/279-2135, www.bds-suspension.com
Wares: A new upper strut mount and preload spacers are included. A 1-inch rear block kit is optional.
Words: "The use of a preload spacer increases performance in cornering as well as offsets the increased weight of larger tires to maintain a quality ride."
Wallet: About $150
Cognito Motorsports
What: 2001-'09 GM eight-lug and six-lug 3-inch system
Where: 866/426-4648, www.cognitomotorsports.com
Wares: A tubular upper control-arm kit for added down travel, and extra caster is built into the arm for drivability. Uniball and ball-joint versions are available.
Words: "The upper control-arm kit corrects ball-joint angle and front-end alignment issues."
Wallet: Starts at around $500
RockJock 4x4/Currie
What: 2007-up Jeep Wrangler long-travel leveling kit
Where: 714/982-5310, www.rockjock4x4.com
Wares: There are 2 1/4-inch coil-spring spacers, bumpstop spacers, front brake-line relocation brackets, and new Heim-jointed adjustable sway-bar links.
Words: "Maximize suspension travel."
Wallet: About $220
Off Road Unlimited
What: 2 1/2-inch kit for the 2005-'07 Toyota Tacoma
Where: 818/563-1208, www.offroadunlimited.com
Wares: A pair of Off Road Unlimited-fabricated welded steel spacers.
Words: "Provides an additional 2 1/2 inches of front lift to clear tires up to 33 inches in diameter."
Wallet: About $130
Extreme Suspensions and Performance
What: 1-2-inch 2007-'08 Chevy/GMC pickup and SUV kit
Where: 432/617-3772, www.extremesuspensions.com
Wares: Strut spacers and hardware.
Words: "Easy installation and maintains factory ride."
Wallet: Runs about $60
Kore
What: 3-inch HP Series for the 1998-2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500
Where: 760/749-8687, www.koreraceshop.com
Wares: Includes variable-rate coil springs, billet-aluminum drop blocks, and Bilstein shocks.
Words: "Heavy-duty coils and parts we actually race with, not to mention a pair of shocks."
Wallet: $385
Rancho
What: 1- to 2 1/2-inch QuickLIFT for Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, and Toyota pickups and SUVs
Where: 734/384-7804, www.gorancho.com
Wares: Fixed-seat coilovers.
Words: "Levels the front suspension and enhances ride."
Wallet: Starts around $450
Fabtech Performance Suspensions
What: 2-inch system for the 2009 Ford F-150
Where: 877/432-2832, www.fabtechmotorsports.com
Wares: Front billet spacers that work with the factory coilover shock assemblies.
Words: "The design of these billet spacers is at the maximum height without creating ball-joint or tie-rod bind."
Wallet: MSRP is $129
Kelderman Mfg.
What: Kits for the 2008-up Ford F-450
Where: 800/334-6150, www.keldermanairride.com
Wares: Varies; the 4-inch air-ride system includes airbags, upper framework, bottom swing arm, and 2 1/2-inch receiver hitch.
Words: "Two rear air options that can be matched with either air or nonair front systems."
Wallet: Starts around $1,600
Low Range Off-Road
What: 3-inch kit for the 2007-'09 Toyota Tundra
Where: 801/805-6644, www.lowrangeoffroad.com
Wares: Parts such as 6061-T6 aluminum spacers with preinstalled studs, flanged Nyloc nuts, and solid-aluminum rear blocks with a 3.5-degree taper, skidplate drop spacers, and bumpstop spacers.
Words: "Designed to fit on top of the coil-spring assembly."
Wallet: $299
Firestone Industrial Products
What: Coil-Rite kit for the 2007-'09 Jeep Wrangler
Where: 800/888.0650, www.ride-rite.com
Wares: Air springs and air-line and separate valves for manual operation, and hardware
Words: "A pair of Coil-Rite air springs supports up to 500 pounds of load-leveling capacity."
Wallet: $90-$100
Pure Performance
What: Kit for Ford F-150s, Chevy/GMC pickups and SUVs, Dodge Ram 1500, and Toyota pickups and SUVs
Where: 518/270-9822, www.pure-performance.biz
Wares: Two kits fit various apps; both have strut spacers that are 1 1/4-inch tall, made from 3/16-inch-thick laser-cut steel plates, and precision-welded.
Words: "Thanks to the science of laser-cutting and carriage bolts, we get a ton of applications out of only two part numbers."
Wallet: $125 per kit