So, I just got done swapping off the OEM bumper and adding the Hyline unit. It's probably a good 90 pounds. I was really surprised when removing the OEM bumper that it wasn't much of a bumper at all moreso that a thin piece of metal covered with plastic. The new Hyline is a big boy.

So, how much weight can I add to the front before having to level it? I can feel the added weight, but am not sure yet if I need to have it leveled. You can get a feel for the height below. My garage is pretty level.

 

Why just level it? LIFT IT!!!!

 

Well, I guess that leveling it is lifting it...basically.

 

You should have done a measurement before and after. 90 lbs is definitely going to drop it some

 

Well JKs really need to be leveled straight out of the factory with their light bumpers. If you add a heavy front, then yes you definatly need to level it. Or you could just add a rear bumper, tire carrier and heavy 35" tire.... it should balance out.

 

Will you also be adding a winch? Take a drive and try some moderate to hard braking and see if you are getting much frontend dive.

 

On a new 2011 2 door rubicon putting Rockhard full width bumper and 9.5 warn winch with stock suspension dropped my front 1"+, Lift it i would say

 

Max out the payload capacity and see how it sits. I'd rather have the rake when empty than have the ass sagging with the front wheel plowing when I have it loaded up.

 

Too much rake is unsafe. Better to be evenly over loaded than only over loaded on one end.

 

I'd much rather be loose unloaded than tight loaded.