Suspension Lift Kits – Choose the Right Kit for Your Ride

Suspension Lift Kits – Choose the Right Kit for Your Ride

If you’re looking for a way to improve your truck or SUV, consider adding a suspension lift kit. There are plenty of different types of suspension lift kits on the market. With so many choices available it helps to have a basic understanding of the various kits and suspension types to make your shopping experience a little easier.

Types of Kits

To start, there are a couple of different types of suspension lift kits that are currently offered. The easiest to install is a standard leveling kit. These kits provide 2-3” of lift to the front of the vehicle. These kits aim to level the ride height of the truck, and typically allow for the use of larger or more aggressive tires.

The next class of kits fall in the 3-4” range and incorporate lift in both the front and back of the vehicle. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle these lifts can be as simple replacing the coil or leaf springs and shock absorbers. More advanced suspension designs like independent coil suspensions sometimes require the use of different control arms. Installation of these type kits can take anywhere from 6-12 hours assuming you have the appropriate tools and mechanical aptitude.

The largest of the over-the-counter type suspension lift kits offer 6-8” of lift and are typically a little more involved in terms of installation. Many of today’s torsion bar type front suspensions will use new brackets and chassis components to relocate the entire suspension system lower by a couple of inches. These systems often use new steering knuckles to help with alignment and steering geometry issues. These parts are used in addition to the standard assortment of shocks, bushings, hardware, and coils/leafs/torsion bars found in smaller kits.

Which Kit is Right for Me?

The type of kit you choose is often determined by a blend of functional requirements, looks, and price. The least expensive of the kits are the leveling kits. The leveling kit typically doesn’t greatly improve ground clearance or suspension firmness, so it is mostly a cosmetic change. The only functional benefit is the ability to run slightly larger or more aggressive tires. Companies such as Trail Master and Tuff Country offer leveling kits.

In the 3-4” range, the springs and shocks are replaced with aftermarket units. The cost of these kits is higher and the installation is more involved and may not be something the owner wants to tackle on their own. The benefit of these systems is that the vehicle will typically have more ground clearance and better resistance to bottoming of the suspension.

The 6-8” type kits are usually the most complex. These kits offer the greatest amount of ground clearance and tire selection. As one might expect, these kits typically cost more than a leveling kit or 3-4” kit.

For more detailed information, or to see tire fitment guides for Skyjacker, Trail Master, and Tuff Country suspension kits, check out http://www.4-wheel-drive-lift-kits.com.