The Best Way to Level a 2022+ Nissan Frontier

If you own a 2022+ Nissan Frontier, you may have noticed that the truck sits noticeably higher in the rear than it does in the front. You may also notice that one side of the truck sits slightly lower than the other.

Why Does the Frontier Sit Higher in the Rear?

Most trucks are designed with some amount of rear rake, meaning the rear of the truck sits higher than the front when the truck is unloaded.

The reason is simple: trucks are designed to carry passengers, cargo, and trailers. When you add a heavy load to the bed or attach a trailer, the rear suspension compresses and the truck becomes more level.

Keeping the rear higher from the factory also helps prevent the headlights from pointing too far upward when the truck is heavily loaded, which could reduce visibility and potentially blind oncoming drivers.

The problem is that many truck owners do not like the factory appearance. An unloaded Frontier with significant rear rake can look like it is sitting nose-down.

How Much Does a 2022+ Nissan Frontier Need to Be Leveled?

Many 2022+ Nissan Frontiers have approximately 1.5 inches of rake from the front to the rear.

At first, the solution may seem simple: add a 1.5-inch spacer to the front struts. While this can make the truck look more level from front to rear, there is another factor that is often overlooked.

Side-to-Side Height Differences

It is common for trucks to have a slight difference in ride height from one side to the other. In many cases, the driver's side will sit lower than the passenger side.

This means that simply installing the same-size spacer on both sides may level the front-to-rear stance but still leave the truck slightly uneven from side to side. For the best-looking stance, you want to account for both front-to-rear rake and side-to-side differences.

Bilstein 5100s: A Great Adjustable Option

One popular way to level a 2022+ Frontier is with Bilstein 5100 adjustable struts.

The 5100s use multiple height-perch settings, allowing you to choose the amount of front lift in approximately half-inch increments, from the factory height up to around 2 inches of lift, depending on the application.

This makes them a significant improvement over a fixed-height spacer because you can choose the setting that best matches the amount of rake your Frontier has. For example, if your truck has approximately 1.5 inches of rake, you can select an appropriate perch setting to bring the front closer to the height of the rear.

However, because the Bilstein 5100 uses predetermined perch positions, your adjustment options are still limited to those specific settings.

Coilovers: The Best Option for a Precisely Leveled Frontier

If your goal is to get your Frontier as close to perfectly level as possible, adjustable coilovers are the most versatile solution.

Brands such as ICON, Fox, King, and Eibach offer adjustable coilover options for the 2022+ Nissan Frontier.

Unlike a strut with fixed height-perch positions, adjustable coilovers use a threaded shock body and adjustable spring perch. This allows the ride height to be adjusted continuously within the manufacturer's adjustment range. That means you are not limited to a half-inch, 1-inch, 1.5-inch, or 2-inch setting. You can fine-tune the front ride height to compensate for the actual measurements of your individual truck.

Why Does That Matter?

Let's say your Frontier has 1.5 inches of front-to-rear rake, but the driver's side of the front sits half an inch lower than the passenger side.

With a fixed spacer, you would have limited options for correcting both measurements. With adjustable coilovers, you can independently fine-tune the front suspension to achieve the stance you are looking for. This is one of the biggest advantages of a properly adjustable coilover system.

Do You Need Aftermarket Upper Control Arms?

Another common question when leveling a Frontier is whether aftermarket upper control arms are required. The answer is: not necessarily.

High-clearance aftermarket upper control arms, such as those from Whiteline or SuperPro, can provide additional clearance between the upper control arm and the coil bucket. However, they are generally not required simply because you are leveling the truck.

On a 2022+ Nissan Frontier, aftermarket upper control arms typically become more important when you are lifting the front suspension more than approximately 1.5 inches above the tallest factory ride-height position, where additional coil bucket clearance may be needed.

The exact requirement can vary depending on the suspension components and ride height being used, so it is important to consider the complete suspension setup rather than looking at lift height alone.

So, What's the Best Way to Level a 2022+ Nissan Frontier?

It depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

For a simple, budget-friendly solution, a quality front spacer can reduce the factory rake, but it does not allow you to fine-tune side-to-side differences.

For an adjustable shock upgrade, Bilstein 5100s provide multiple height settings and are a great option for achieving a more level stance while upgrading the front suspension, but they still do not offer enough adjustability to get the perfect stance.

For the most precise leveling, an adjustable coilover system from ICON, Fox, King, or Eibach gives you the most control over ride height with superior ride quality. The adjustable threaded design allows you to fine-tune the stance rather than being limited to predetermined lift settings.

The Bottom Line

There is not necessarily one correct amount of lift for every 2022+ Nissan Frontier. Every truck can have slightly different factory ride heights, and the amount of rake and side-to-side difference can vary.

If your goal is simply to reduce the factory rake, a fixed spacer may be all you need. If you want to properly dial in the stance of your Frontier, adjustable coilovers provide the most flexibility and allow you to fine-tune the truck to the actual measurements of your vehicle.

At High Road Suspension, we can help you choose the right setup for your 2022+ Nissan Frontier based on your desired ride height, suspension goals, and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my 2022+ Frontier sit higher in the rear?

That is factory rear rake, and it is intentional. Trucks are built to carry loads and tow, so the rear sits higher when unloaded and levels out under weight. It also keeps the headlights from aiming too high when the bed or a trailer is loaded. Many owners just do not like the nose-down look when the truck is empty.

How much lift does it take to level a 2022+ Frontier?

Many 2022+ Frontiers have about 1.5 inches of front-to-rear rake, so roughly 1.5 inches of front lift brings the stance level. Keep in mind many trucks also sit slightly lower on the driver's side, so matching front-to-rear height alone can still leave a small side-to-side difference.

Bilstein 5100 or coilovers for leveling a Frontier?

Bilstein 5100s are a great adjustable strut with several perch settings up to about 2 inches, a big step up from a fixed spacer. Adjustable coilovers from ICON, Fox, King, or Eibach go further: a threaded body lets you set ride height continuously and correct side-to-side differences, with better ride quality. Choose 5100s for value, coilovers for the most precise stance.

Do I need aftermarket upper control arms to level my Frontier?

Usually not. High-clearance UCAs from brands like Whiteline or SuperPro add coil-bucket clearance, but leveling alone generally does not require them. They become more important when you lift the front more than about 1.5 inches above the tallest factory ride-height position, where extra clearance may be needed.

Will a cheap spacer level my Frontier correctly?

A quality front spacer can reduce the factory rake and is the most budget-friendly route, but it is fixed height. It cannot fine-tune the front-to-rear amount or correct the common side-to-side difference, so the stance may still be slightly uneven. For a dialed-in result, an adjustable strut or coilover is the better choice.