Measuring level with wheel wells vs. frame?!?!?!?

So here's something I dont get, how come when people talk about leveling on youtube they always measure to the wheel well, either from the ground or from the center of the wheel and compare the measurements of front vs. Back

Wouldn't it make more sense to measure a horizontal beam on the frame????

When I measure using my wheel wells, the way people on Youtune do, there's a 1.5-1.75" difference. When I measure the ground clearance on the front most part of the long beam on my frame to the rear of it, there's only a 0.75" difference.

What's going on here?

 

I believe the reason to measure wheel center to bottom of the wheel well is to avoid the tire height.

For example: If did not measure from wheel center to bottom of the wheel wheel this info will not help anyone with different tire and wheel combo even with same suspension. I'm thinking my tire is 32.76" (285/70R17) and some one with over 33in tall 285/70R17 would have a different height even when the tire size is same since this size has a huge selection and height vary alot. Same for less option sizes like 255/80R17, it would vary from 32.8 to 33.1. May be even the psi might effect ever so slightly and width of the wheel the tire mounted might effect ever so slightly as well (I think). Again, I'm not sure as I'm an amatuer and just sharing what I do (if that help anyone).

Another point, I almost forgot. I always do these measures or go to the weight scale with almost full tank of gas as it would impact since 23 gallons of gas is pretty heavy.

 

Either way is correct in its own way. Frame measurement is what it is. You can also do what is posted above, but that does not mean the front and back measurements will be the same - in fact they won't because of the way the wheel openings are. But if kmeeg said the truck is level with the frame at 12" front and back; then did his measurements as above and said truck is level with front wheel to lip being (making this up) 23" and the rear being 28", that would be correct too.

I think the frame measurement is the best/clearest way to do it.

 

My bad, I don't think mine is level. Atleast not intentionally at the frame. I should be having a slight rake. I was only measuring the angle from roof to have a slight angle. I was just trying to say why people measure from center wheel to wheel well.

 

it’s easier to measure wheel hub to fender for most.

if you have a good baseline using either method then i don’t see it being a problem after making changes.

 

The goal is to make the body look level to the observer’s eye for aesthetic reasons. Is it a certainty that leveling the frame will make the body look level.

 

I've seen photos of a "leveled" 4R where the wheel well opening looks the same front and back, but it's obvious the frame is higher in the front than the back. Leveled is subjective, depending on what the owner wants. Most don't really want level, they want a touch of rake for loading gear in the back and the rear not squatting.

 

Uneven tire pressure and a full tank of gas may give you skewed measurements as well. Just throwing it out there...

 

full tank of gas is less than 150lb...

 

you have to account the independent front suspension lift ratio. measuring at the hub will yield a larger number when compared to a frame measurement which accounts for the roughly 2:1 ratio you're seeing. moving the rear axle around typically yields a 1:1 ratio.

 

Not following you at all. I think you're mixing up the amount of lift you get from, let's say a front spacer - and the actual measurements he mentioned. He's talking about measuring to the wheel wells - the rear one is higher than the front, even when the truck is perfectly level. It's built into the bodywork.

 

right. I was addressing the variance he was seeing when he measures hub to fender vs. frame to the ground.