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AT Staff
/ Dec 12 2024
There comes a time when every truck owner takes a look at their truck and thinks to themselves – yeah, it's time to lift her up. If that time has come for you, you might be wondering about how much lift your truck really needs. After all, you can either lift it up several inches or decide to go with something simple like new shocks and struts or a leveling kit.
In both cases, you need to evaluate what the right ride height is for you and your build, and we’re here to help you do exactly that.
Before diving into how much lift you need, it's important to learn more about truck lift kits and how they can impact your ride. Starting with body lifts, these are kits that raise your truck’s body off the suspension using blocks and spacers, instead of replacing or lifting the suspension. This is more affordable, but you'll only get a few inches out of it.
Moving to more complex lift kits, you have full suspension lift kits. These kits replace suspension parts and increase ground clearance for off-roading. While more expensive, you get more lift and stability out of them.
Another type of full suspension lift kit is an air lift kit, which replaces metal springs with airbags that offer a more stable and comfortable ride. These kits tend to be the most expensive, and you can get a decent amount of lift with some of the best options.
It's also important to note that there are leveling kits. The focus of these kits is to level out the vehicle’s suspension, so don't expect too many extra inches out of them.
When you’re lifting your truck you need to consider several factors that influence how high you need or even want to go. You'll also have to ask yourself some questions including whether or not you'll need bigger tires or plan on off-roading.
Learn more about these factors and how they influence your lift below.
First and foremost, you need to consider your driving habits. Plan on driving off-road? You'll want to lift your truck enough to handle rocks, uneven terrain, and other issues that can damage your suspension if it's not raised enough. That said, there's a fine line here because you don't want too much lift or you increase the risk of tipping. For off-roading, it's a good idea to start with something small like a one or two-inch lift.
If you plan on mostly driving in stop-and-go traffic and like to post up at truck meets on the weekend or go to events, then the ride height isn't too important and you can go crazy with some of the bigger lift kits we offer, like some of the monster six to eight-inch lift kits.
On the other hand, if you're doing a lot of highway driving on your commute to work, a big lift is rarely a good idea. Not only will it cost more money, but you’re creating more air drag, which reduces aerodynamics and results in more frequent trips to the gas station – a loss of around one to two MPG per inch of ride height.
Plan on installing some massive wheels and tires on your truck? If so, you'll need to make some room with a lift kit. In these cases, small leveling kits or even two or three-inch lift kits might not be enough.
If you want to add 40-inch tires, for example, you'll need at least around 3.5 inches of lift at the minimum. Make sure to shop for wheels, tires, and suspension parts at the same time to avoid any issues.
Plan on adding big wheels, tires, and new suspension parts? Before you do, make sure your truck drivetrain and axle parts are up for the task with the necessary gears, shocks and struts to accommodate the extra height.
If you don't plan on upgrading other suspension parts you might be limited to a smaller lift because going too high or installing wheels and tires that are too big will influence and reduce fuel economy and the lifespan of suspension parts.
The bigger the lift, the more money you'll have to spend to make sure it's up to par. Sure, you can settle for cheaper parts, but that's rarely a good idea because they'll end up wearing down faster or damage other suspension components. The good news is that you can find affordable leveling kits and smaller lift kits for less than $1,000.
On the other hand, if you plan on lifting your truck more than a few inches, there's a good chance you'll need to spend a pretty penny. What's more, air suspension kits can give you more lift and a comfortable ride, but you'll have to spend a lot of money on the right parts.
Getting the ride height right is essential when lifting your truck to ensure that you don't waste money at the pump or damage your undercarriage off-roading. Plus, it serves as the foundation of your build, especially if new wheels and tires are on your radar.
Whether you want to lift your truck a few inches, or plan on installing high-performance off-road equipment from brands like Fox Racing Shox, our sales techs will make sure you get the parts you need for your build. Order online today for convenient order options on all the suspension parts you need.