3 Best Lift Kits (2020)

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A lift kit increases the ground clearance of your vehicle, specifically the height between the frame and the ground. You can replace the front and rear suspension of your Jeep, SUV, truck, and four-wheel vehicle with a lift kit for performance purposes or just to make it look larger and visually appealing. If you are interested in giving your ride a little boost, here’s a detailed review of the top lift kits that you should consider.

Benefits of Lift Kits

Stylish look. If you are thinking of upgrading the look of your vehicle with a new paint job and tires, consider also including a lift kit as the final touch that will turn heads on the road. Lifting your vehicle adds a touch of style to your ride. It makes it seem like the body is hanging in the air and generally makes your ride look bigger.
Improved off-road performance. A custom truck lift can improve your vehicle’s off-road performance in terms of better ground clearance, enhanced approach angle, greater articulation, and enhanced overall rideability. Lift kits work for four-wheel-drive vehicles, rock crawlers, mud racers, high-speed desert racers, or long-distance open country trekkers.
Accommodate large tires. Lift kits provide an added clearance that leaves room for larger tires on your vehicle. Larger tires boost off-road performance as they enhance traction and stability in mud, deep snow, sand, rocks, and rugged terrains. Larger tires and greater clearance also help your vehicle manage a steep ascent or descent on any off-road surface.
Protect your undercarriage. If you are a rock crawler, lifting your vehicle’s body will protect your undercarriage from scratches and chips. Lifting the undercarriage will preserve the undercoat and promote resistance to wear from friction and rust.

Types of Lift Kits

Body Lift Kit

A body lift kit only lifts the body of the vehicle by increasing the space between the frame and the wheels. However, the suspensions and axles remain at the original factory position from the ground. The aim is large to fit larger tires, which consequently reduce the ground clearance and are not a guarantee of improved ride quality. These are the cheapest lift kits you can get for your truck.

Suspension Lift Kit

A suspension lift kit is a step above a body lift where the suspension system, axles, and body are lifted for better off-road driving. The kits will totally replace your driveshaft leaf springs and shocks or struts for better ground clearance. Surprisingly, you may not notice any difference in the vehicle’s weight distribution or driving stability with suspension lifts as they are designed to perfectly integrate into your vehicle. That’s why they are more expensive.

Leveling Lift Kit

You may have noticed a reclining angle in the factory look of your truck, especially if you own an F-150. Manufacturers tend to keep the rear end higher than the front end in such vehicles. That imbalance can minimize handling when climbing downhills. Leveling kits typically solve the irregularity by balancing out the front and rear end by bringing both to the same level.

Top Brands

Rough Country

Rough Country is a Tennessee-based automotive parts and accessories manufacturer. The company designs lift kits, wheels, wheel spacers, tires, steering stabilizers, driveshafts, brakes, throttle body spacers, performance chips, and other automotive accessories. It has operating centers in the United States and sells its products through a chain of online dealers and storefront retail centers. One of its best-selling suspension kits is the Rough Country Leveling Kit.

ReadyLIFT

ReadyLIFT is a U.S.-based manufacturer that was founded in 2006. It’s a subsidiary brand of Wheel Pros, LLC. The company designs suspension lift kits that provide a custom fit for GM equipment, Subarus, Jeeps, and other light trucks. They also design shocks and other leveling kit accessories. ReadyLIFT has a huge consumer market as its lifts promote a factory-like ride, and allow the owners to install bigger tires and wheels. One of its best-rated lift kits is the ReadyLIFT Leveling Kit.

Daystar

Daystar is a leading American manufacturer of passenger cars, trucks, SUV, UTV, and ATV accessories. Some of its top products include body lift kits, suspension lift kits, recovery

ropes, winch lines, and airbag cradles among other automotive interior and exterior accessories. One of its prime leveling kits is the Daystar Lift Kit.

4WS

4WS is an American manufacturer of off-road auto parts including steering stabilizers, driveshafts, replacement axle parts, motor mounts, winch accessories, and suspension lift kits. The company, based in Missouri, prides itself in creating a fast and easy shopping experience for its consumers. Its products are easily accessible from local auto shops and a variety of online auto distributors. One of its cheapest lift kits is the TrueTwo Suspension Lift.

Pro Comp

Pro Comp is an American-based auto parts manufacturer that was founded in 1992, and since then it has been gracing the automotive industry with high-quality automotive accessories for on-and off-road driving. The company started by exclusively making suspension systems but later ventured into manufacturing tires, wheels, and car lighting equipment. One of its best front and rear Tacoma lift kits is the Pro Comp Suspension Lift Kit.

Lift Kits Pricing

Under $100: The quality of a lift kit is directly proportional to the price. This means that you won’t find the most long-lasting or strong lifts kits the lower you are on this price range. Generally, most low-priced lifts kits come as leveling kits and feature a single set for either the front or the rear end. However, some manufacturers offer a full-body lift set that’s made of steel with a lift of about two to three inches.
Over $100: At this price point expect to find suspension and leveling kits that feature premium construction with industrial-grade aluminum. Aluminum spacers are long-lasting, lightweight, and give a high lift to your vehicle. They typically offer a larger ground clearance and allow you to upgrade to larger tires. Generally, the more expensive lift kits come as a full set for the front and rear and are thicker than the cheaper versions.

Key Features

Compatibility

When it comes to lifting kits, “one type fits it all” is not really as every vehicle comes with different factory suspension specifications, bodies, chassis, and designs. Therefore, most lifts are custom made to fit specific vehicle models and make. For instance, you may have a lift kit that’s specifically designed for Dodge Rams or F-150s only.

Lift Height

The height allowance offered by the lift kit will affect the size of the tires you can install and the level of ride handling. For instance, lifting your truck by about six inches means that you have to sacrifice high speeds and the ability to turn corners quickly. However, a 3-inch lift will not have a significant difference in the ride quality.

Other Considerations

Driving Conditions: Before you buy a custom lift kit you need to look into where you plan on driving. Trucks naturally have a high center of gravity, and a two to three-inch lift kit would be appropriate for off-roading. Anything higher will help with rock climbing and moving through large water masses.
Ease of Installation: This is more important if you plan on installing the lift kit yourself. The kit should at least have an easy-to-use manual and a few online videos that guide you on how to install the lift. Fortunately, most modern lift kits are easy to install.

Best Lift Kits Reviews & Recommendations 2020

Best Overall

Rough Country Leveling Kit

Best Value

TrueTwo Suspension Lift

Honorable Mention

Daystar Lift Kit

Tips

We recommend that you avoid installing a suspension and level lift kit by yourself if you aren’t mechanically inclined. It requires complex processes like welding and may take up to six hours. Body lifts, on the other hand, are easy to install if you follow an online tutorial.
You should know that your vehicle’s warranty may be voided if you install a lift kit. Installing a lift kit counts as a physical alteration to your vehicle, and for that reason, it may affect the warranty. If you are worried about the warranty you may want to wait until the end of the coverage lifespan to install the lift kit.
In case you notice an imbalance in your vehicle after installing a new lift kit, the easiest remedy is to offset the imbalance with wider tires. The wide tires will typically lower the center of gravity of the vehicle and improve the ride’s stability, especially if properly aligned.

FAQs

Q: Can I fit large tires on my vehicle after installing a lift kit?

A: A lift kit of any setting above 2 inches will be enough to fit tires of any size. In fact, the main purpose of lift kits is to provide sufficient ground clearance that allows you to fit large tires on your truck, SUV, or Jeep. The only limit you may have is the size of the diameter of the tire as per the design of your vehicle.

Q: Do I need to make any corrections to my truck after installing a lift kit?

A: You should get a steering correction after installing a suspension lift kit. The steering geometry of a vehicle is often affected when the suspension components are removed. Also, you should realign your tires as the lift changes the original suspension settings of your vehicle. Failure to realign your tires will lead to faster and uneven wear of the treads.

Q: Is it possible to install one lift kit over another?

A: It is possible to install one lift kit on top of another if you have a reliable mounting mechanism. However, lift kit mounting mechanisms are either expensive or not easily available, and it may be risky to go for a cheap option. If you succeed at the installation, the general ride quality of your vehicle will diminish, and the new lift may weaken the previously installed one.