Have you ever looked at a truck that was jacked up off the ground? There is just something mystifying and exciting about an SUV or truck that is lifted off the ground. Of course, just because it looks good, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of thought that goes into the process.
Before lifting your truck, there are tons of things that you need to consider. First, you need to know your true intentions for the vehicle. Are you going to drive it back and forth to work? Are you going to be using the vehicle for the occasional off-road adventure? These are all things that need to be considered. Remember the higher you go, the more complicated things are going to get.
It is also important to remember that any changes in the ride’s height are going to affect the vehicle’s performance. You might notice some vibrations or quirks that weren’t there before. This will be especially true if you get less than quality lift installations. You probably already know that quality is often coupled with price. So how much to lift a truck in quality?
Body Lift Kit
There are a number of lift kits available to drivers looking to get raise their truck. One of the first options that you will find on the market is the body lift kit. This is basically a system that consists of spacers. These spacers separate the frame from the suspension. This pretty much means that this type of lift will actually raise the body higher while keeping the chassis and suspension at the same height in relation to the ground.
With this kit there is no additional ground clearance, you are simply only making the body higher. This option might be less expensive, but the limited range provides less tire size flexibility. However, with this model, there is a very good chance that you won’t experience any changes in the handling of the vehicle. These kits are really ideal for any individual that is going to use the vehicle for extensive street or highway driving. It can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 for one of these kits.
Suspension Lift Kits
Suspension lift kits, on the other hand, are completely different. These lifts actually create additional clearance by spacing the factory suspension. There are some kits that will even replace the factory suspension altogether. This is usually accomplished by utilizing taller coil springs, coil spring spacers, torsion bars or keys, lift blocks, shackles, or add-a-leafs. Some kits will even provide new shocks, bushings, and more durable control arms.
As you probably already guessed, these models are more expensive and harder to install. In fact, some installations might require a professional or at the very least specialized tools. The biggest advantages to these types of systems are that they increase the overall suspension performance, add ground clearance, and allow for extra-large tires. These kits are without a doubt the very best option for the hardcore off-road enthusiasts. A suspension kit will cost anywhere from $400 to $1200 for a professional installation. This kit itself can go as high as $2000.
Leveling Kits
You probably already have some ideal of what leveling kits are by just looking at the name. Well, you would be correct, as these are kits that level out the stance of the vehicle from the front to the rear. Of course, it will depend on the type of vehicle, but most of the time this is accomplished by taking advantage of torsion keys, blocks, or extra leaf springs.
When you lift the front end of the truck, you will be able to add a little extra tire clearance to the front of the vehicle. This will eliminate that raked look. Most of the time, you will find that these kits are utilized to enhance the overall aesthetics of the vehicle, but these kits have been known to improve performance as well. This is because they allow proper clearance for larger, more rugged tires. These kits are better designed for vehicles that see street use every day. Leveling kits can run anywhere from $200 to $500 and might cost around $500 for a professional installation.
3-Inch Lift Cost
The cost of lifting your truck three inches is going to depend on the mechanic and the type of kit that you are using. If you opt for a body lift kit, you might even be able to bypass the cost of the professional installation because these are one of the easiest kits to install. Lift kits tend to be a bit higher because they lift all four corners of the vehicle rather than the front and back. Smaller truck lifts that add anywhere from two to three inches can cost $400 to $12,000.
6-Inch Lift Cost
As you probably guessed, it is going to cost much more to raise a truck six inches off the ground. Just remember that the higher you go, the more you are going to pay. It also means that there is more that could go wrong and this is why it is best to opt for professional installation when raising your vehicle six inches or more. Of course, the cost of the kit is going to vary on the type of kit that you choose, but in order to raise a truck six inches, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4000 to $11,000.
Read more: 6 Best Lift Kits that Will Make Your Jeep YJ Look Great and Run Smoother