What is rake?Updated 3 months ago

Rake is the difference in ride height between the front and rear of your vehicle. Most trucks and SUVs sit higher in the rear than the front (called positive rake) to improve stability—especially when towing or carrying weight—so the rear doesn’t sag as much under load.

How does a leveling kit or lift kit affect rake?

It depends on the vehicle and how the kit is configured, but most people use leveling or lift setups to reduce the factory rake and get a more “level” stance.

Common rake setups

Negative rake (the “squatted” look)

This is when the front sits higher than the rear. It’s usually done for appearance, but it can throw off balance, reduce stability, and potentially affect handling.

Leveled look

Here, the rear sits about 0 to 0.5 inches higher than the front—so the difference is barely noticeable. It gives the impression the vehicle is perfectly level, especially with light load or no passengers in the back.

Slight rake (the sweet spot)

This setup keeps the rear about 0.5 to 1 inch higher than the front. It’s a popular middle ground because it looks great, maintains good handling, and still lets you carry weight in the back without the front ending up higher than the rear.

Positive rake (factory rake)

This is the common factory stance where the rear is about 1.5 to 2 inches higher than the front. It’s ideal for towing and cargo because it helps prevent rear sag, supports stability, and maintains ride comfort—though not everyone loves the look.

Best overall setup

A slight rake (0.5–1 inch) is often the best balance of function and appearance.