Given the popularity of "leveling kits" for late model trucks, at what point in the industry did the factory rake become so pronounced across the market for 4x4 trucks? Was it the eco craze that started it? Or maybe IFS becoming the norm? I can't picture engineers willingly agreeing to an off road focused truck with LESS ground clearance.
Just my curiosity for the day.
It is simply a result of suspension engineering. Early 4x4 trucks were very simple, unrefined, machines that rode terribly as passenger vehicles.
That is the big rub. Trucks now are truly all around daily use vehicles not farm implements. Back even in the 80's when trucks really started to come into their own as comfortable all around vehicles, 4x4 was not the most common... 2wd was.
Now, trucks need to ride good and stable.. yet customers also expect them to be able to haul and tow. So, when loaded or towing it still needs to ride smooth and handle properly at speeds old trucks only dreamed of. Remember the days of passing a C10 Chevy loaded going 45 or 50??? All that engineering means that when unloaded, the rear suspension will sit slightly higher. I am actually impressed that the rake isn't more pronounced. I love the way my truck rides and drives.... and I used to not like a truck ride for daily use... As long as I can afford to drive one, I will have a truck from here on out.