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After Westcott Level Kit installed front still appears lower (NOT Level) than the rear?

Discussion in '5th Gen Builds (2010-2024)' started by Scotsman, Feb 7, 2023.

  1. Feb 7, 2023 at 10:32 AM
    #1
    Scotsman

    Scotsman [OP] New Member

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    Has anyone had or seen this after installing their Westcott Level kit? I have a 2022 TRD Pro. I thought the point of a Level Kit was to bring it up to where the rear is. I don't have anything else mounted on the front like a Low profile bumper to bring it down, Etc. Just curious is that how it is, or was something missed, or still needs to be added to correct this? Added a pic, but not sure it will really show the difference. Just curious. Still looks awesome, but thought the front would sit even with the back...

    4R.jpg
     
  2. Feb 7, 2023 at 11:59 AM
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    RLTW

    RLTW New Member

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    Did you install yourself or have Jeff and his crew @ WD install? Their customer service is top notch so contact them. It should sit pretty level with their kit.
     
  3. Feb 7, 2023 at 12:06 PM
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    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Pic looks pretty level to me.

    Measure center of hub to bottom of fender. Would of been better to get an before measurement also but take what we can get right now.
     
  4. Feb 7, 2023 at 12:12 PM
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    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    Looks level to me. Do you have a pic shot perfectly from the side?

    The bodies on these have almost a natural raked look to them because the rear wheel well is cut a little higher than the front, so it could just be an optional illusion.

    Also keep in mind you don't want it perfectly level, as soon as you put any weight or passengers in the back it'll squat.
     
  5. Feb 7, 2023 at 12:59 PM
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    Scotsman

    Scotsman [OP] New Member

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    I had RSG do the installation. I will measure it and see, it's possible it's just my eyesight, it could be just fine!
     
  6. Feb 7, 2023 at 1:18 PM
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    RLTW

    RLTW New Member

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    I have the same exact leveling kit installed by WD and it sits perfectly.
     
  7. Feb 7, 2023 at 5:19 PM
    #7
    Keith E.

    Keith E. New Member

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    I had ~500lbs in the cargo area of my '16 AWD Limited. Less than an inch lower from unloaded.

    YMMV,
    Keith

    ETA: Measured from center of hub to inside of fender well.
     
  8. Feb 11, 2023 at 5:51 AM
    #8
    Scotsman

    Scotsman [OP] New Member

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    Thank you for the responses, everyone. So I actually measured from the top of the tire to the fender and there is a half-inch difference. The Rear came in at 6 3/4" and the front came in at 6 between 1/16 and 1/8 roughly. As stated above I also measured from the center of my wheel cap to the fender and there was also a difference of a 1/2" roughly. So what would be missing or have been done incorrectly when they installed the Level kit to allow for that 1/2" difference? Just curious if I should talk to RSG about it or if they can't do much about it, it is what it is...
     
  9. Feb 11, 2023 at 6:14 AM
    #9
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    It's designed like this on purpose and you can see from the responses here that everyone's definition of level is different.

    When someone refers to a "leveling kit" they don't actually mean level (I know, it's stupid). These kits typically bring you closer to level when compared to the factory rake.

    To get the stance you're looking for, pay attention to the lift height numbers themselves.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2023
  10. Feb 11, 2023 at 6:21 AM
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    Fishn43

    Fishn43 New Member

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    Your truck looks great! I wouldn’t worry about it. There are variances from truck to truck. For instance, I have a TRD Pro Tundra with the Wescott lift in the front and Coach Builder +2 lift shackles in the rear. I have a 1/2 inch of rake. Another guy on the Tundra forum is running the exact same set up on his TRD Pro Tundra and is perfectly level front to rear.

    If you ended up with an inch or more of rake I might be more concerned that the shop missed something or did an improper install.
     
  11. Feb 13, 2023 at 11:19 AM
    #11
    Scotsman

    Scotsman [OP] New Member

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    Ok gotcha. I asked RSG if they could take a look just to confirm all is good. If they don't see any issue then I will go on with my life and not worry about it! LOL Thank you all for your responses...
     
  12. Feb 13, 2023 at 2:47 PM
    #12
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Also keep in mind that when you are truly level (defined by the frame being parallel to the ground), hub-to-wheel well measurement will suggest a slightly nose-low rake. This is due to the greater amount of space in the rear wells. Most people that have dead level hub to wheel well measurements will be at negative (squat) rake, but the body hides it.

    Personally I dont think it’s good to “look” perfectly level, if that results in actual negative rake. Negative rake (defined by the frame) will start to mess with driving dynamics.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2023
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  13. Feb 13, 2023 at 4:20 PM
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    Envy4R_808

    Envy4R_808 New Member

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    If you are getting critical I’d take a measuring tape and measure front ground to the side step and repeat on the rear of the side steps. That as far as the body line goes seems to be the best way to judge squat/rake. Keep in mind generally it’s much better to have slight rake vs squat
     
  14. Feb 13, 2023 at 5:21 PM
    #14
    beedee

    beedee Member

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    Measuring tape for sure.

    For future reference, try taking a picture straight on profile picture of the 4runner, with the sun facing your vehicle so the wheel wells are lit. The picture you posted is making it difficult to see how off the "level" might be.
     
  15. Feb 13, 2023 at 5:44 PM
    #15
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    I thought backlit pictures were only way to take pics of 4runners with black wheels ;)

    Edit: oh wait, op doesnt even have black wheels…yeah, it’s too backlit lol
     
  16. Feb 13, 2023 at 6:14 PM
    #16
    Scotsman

    Scotsman [OP] New Member

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    Here is the side views!

    C2968B97-B73D-4EC0-ADC2-8B3C60CC5F94.jpg
    F0548808-80AA-472F-8B1F-80C1C5982A7F.jpg
     
    beedee and Fishn43 like this.
  17. Feb 14, 2023 at 3:16 AM
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    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    Looks good to me. As others have said, the rear wheel well is cut a little higher than the front, so the wheel wells being level could possibly give it a squatted look.
     
  18. Feb 14, 2023 at 9:40 AM
    #18
    Scotsman

    Scotsman [OP] New Member

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    Cool thanks everyone.
     
  19. Feb 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM
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    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    Looks great from here!
     
  20. Feb 14, 2023 at 1:15 PM
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    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Also looks good to me. You can go into edit mode on your picture app to get gridlines, which help really helps if you want to see how level it is visually. I overlayed one on the above picture, aligned with the rocker panel on the bottom. You can see it’s level. It looks like slightly negative rake at the wheel wells, but thats probably the wide angle distortion from the lens.

    30CDFA62-7F8D-4B30-BF35-2246B9F9D410.jpg
    If you want to get a good pic to put grid lines on, back up a ways, and zoom in slightly so the car takes up the whole frame, from a perfectly side-on angle. I bet you it would be dead level on the top of the wheel wells. Putting grid lines on also show you what the other body lines are doing , and how they are not all parallel to each other.
     
  21. Feb 14, 2023 at 2:46 PM
    #21
    beedee

    beedee Member

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    Much better! In my opinion the stance looks great.
     

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