Deciding what type of lift kit you need for the first time can be a challenge, but don’t worry. We have you covered with our expert tips. You can always bring your vehicle in to talk to one of our experienced technicians about what type of lift kit is right for your vehicle.

Here are some things to consider when you’re choosing a lift kit for the first time:

How much lift you want is an important question to answer before you get too far in choosing the right lift kit for your vehicle. You can get a small lift, a medium-sized lift, or a big lift. There are pros and cons to each.

A small lift is a good choice for drivers who only want or need a little more clearance. A small lift is also a good choice if you only need a little more room to run a larger tire. If you don’t do much off-roading, you might be just fine with a small lift.

These lifts usually have coil spacers in front and long shackles in the rear. There are also options with adjustable front struts, coils springs, leaf springs or blocks. Small lifts are commonly 1.5” to 3" and a tire size change is optional in some cases.

Pros of small lifts are that they’re the most affordable option. They’re also the easiest to install and usually don’t have many complications after installation. However, small lifts are just that—small. If you want a larger lift, then look into a medium- or large-sized lift. Prices for small lifts including installation are vary depending on the brand and configuration.

Medium lifts are in between small and large lifts and are a good kits for on and off road use.  You have a wide range of quality options when installing this type of lift. You can purchase lift kits configured for light, moderate, or extreme off-roading. The most common medium lift height is 4" to 6". The tire size will need to be increased. Prices for medium lift kits vary from brand to configuration.

If you want a really aggressive look and are a serious off-roader, then you are probably interested in a large lift. Large lift kits generally include new coil spring and/or leaf springs, along with new duel front reservoir shocks and single reservoir shocks. Large lifts range in height from 8" to 18”.

Large lifts are the most expensive on the market. Because several large lift designs essentially re-design your vehicle’s front suspension, they also have maintenance cost. Suspension and steering parts will need to be replace more frequently than the medium lift kits. Prices for good quality large lifts including installation vary on brand and configuration. You really do get what you pay for when purchasing large lift kits. At Spring Works we will only install high quality large lift kits due to the safety issues with lower quality products.

The type of terrain you’ll drive on after you install a lift kit will help you figure out what type of lift is best for your vehicle. If you’re more into slower speeds on trails than racing, you’ll want a lift with soft-valve shocks and low spring rates. If you’re more into speeding along a two-track in the desert, you’ll need a lift that gives you increased wheel travel and includes bypass shocks (if an upgrade is available) or a mono-tube style. If you are mostly on road with only occasional off-road high quality mono-tube shock is a good choice.  

If you’ll be towing a heavy trailer somewhat regularly after you install a lift kit, or if you tend to load your 4x4 down with heavy gear, then you’ll need firmer shocks and springs.

The answer to this question will depend on why you’re considering a lift kit in the first place. We do not suggest them.

A body lift kit raises the truck anywhere from 1–3 inches off the ground by lifting the vehicle’s body up off its frame using either spacers or block. This creates a visual change to the truck and allows you to install larger tires underneath it. A body lift doesn’t increase the ground clearance of your vehicle.