There are several aftermarket customizations that can be made to a truck: new tires, grill guards, and towing packages are just a few of the many. However, it can be argued that no single customization makes more of a statement than lifting your truck, as it is eye-catching and comes with a dose of bold attitude.
What are the benefits of lifting trucks? There are many benefits of lifting a truck, including:
- Increased towing ability
- Better view on the highway and over and around obstacles
- Superior handling of off-road and treacherous highway conditions
While there are certainly several advantages to lifting a truck, it can come with some drawbacks as well, such as increased chances of a rollover for an inexperienced driver and the potential for your warranty to get voided. Therefore, it is essential for you to understand the pros and cons associated with lifting to determine whether it is worth the cost and effort.
How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Truck?
As with any aftermarket customization, lifting your truck will require you to spend some additional money on top of what you shelled out for the vehicle in stock form. However, the cost to lift your truck can vary significantly, based on a few important factors:
- Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself
- The type of truck you own
- How high you intend to lift the truck
DIY vs. Professional Lifting Costs
This is one area where you can either save yourself a little bit of money by lifting your truck yourself and risk the chance of doing it incorrectly and spending more to get it repaired, or spend a ton to call a professional to do it the correct way off the bat.
As such, you should only attempt a DIY lift on your truck if you have performed a successful lift in the past. Although lifting a vehicle may seem simple, you can do significant damage to your truck’s suspension if you do it incorrectly. Still, the cost of fixing these damages may or may not be less than having a professional perform the lift in the first place.
However, if you are an experienced car mechanic or have successfully performed truck lifts in the past, you can complete the job in several hours, which would save you a few hundred bucks in labor at a professional shop.
Nonetheless, even with the saved labor costs of installing the lift kit yourself, it is a good idea to get your work checked by another professional. He or she may recommend an alignment to make sure everything is driving smoothly after the customization, which will cost at least $100.
So, all in all, the best you can hope for is to save a couple of hundred bucks when installing a lift kit, yourself—and that is if you do everything correctly, on the first try.
If you want the peace of mind of knowing that your lift kit is safely and successfully installed, it is highly recommended that you visit a professional, even if you have a background in mechanics. Most shops offer a warranty on their work, so if there are any issues during the installation process, you can be comfortable in knowing that you are covered.
A general rule of thumb for calculating the cost of a professional lift is that the labor costs will be roughly equal to the price of the lift kit itself. So, if you purchase a small kit to lift a small truck a couple of inches for $200, the price for labor will be about $200, as well, making the total cost of the lift roughly $400.
On the other hand, if you want to add eight inches of clearance to a super duty truck and purchase a lift kit for $3,500, then the total cost will be about $7,000 after the cost of labor is included.
Lifting Costs for Small Trucks vs. Large Trucks
Another factor that can affect the cost of lifting a truck will be the size of the vehicle itself. Generally, smaller trucks will require smaller lift kits, which will usually have the ability to raise the car by a couple of inches. The most basic of these kits can cost as little as $400.
Larger trucks will need to install larger lift kits, with many of these capable of lifting the vehicle by six inches or more. Some large truck lift kits can cost more than $10,000 by the time of the final installation.
Costs Based on Lift Height
Probably the most significant determinant of the final cost of lifting your truck will be how high you plan on raising it. To this effect, there are a couple of different options you may look into:
- Lift Kits – These are used to lift the entire body of the truck by as little as two inches all the way up to as much as 12 inches. The higher the lift, the more expensive the final cost will be.
- Leveling Kits – These are used to raise either the front or the back of your truck to give it a more even ride. These are generally desirable when your vehicle is loaded down with heavy accessories on one end, such as a winch or a plow. Leveling kits can raise an extremity of your truck by about two inches and are less expensive than regular lift kits.
As mentioned, leveling kits are less expensive than regular lift kits because they do not raise all four corners of the truck. The price range for leveling kits ranges from $200 to $1,000, whereas a full-on lift kit can cost as little as $400 but is more likely to cost around $2,000. If you find any less expensive lift kits, you need to be very skeptical about the quality.
How Do You Lift a Truck?
It is highly recommended to take your truck into a professional auto shop for its lift job if you do not have experience lifting trucks or a solid background in auto mechanics. As suggested before, the costs of making a mistake may outweigh the initial costs of professional service and potentially make your truck un-drivable.
However, some general guidelines should be followed if you attempt a DIY truck lift. Be aware that these steps will not be universal for all trucks and lift kits, so it is important to read the instructions and user’s manual that come with your lift kit to make sure that you are performing the correct process specific to your product.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable. This will be located under the hood of your truck, with the negative terminal post on your battery having a minus (-) sign near it. You may need a wrench to help remove the terminal.
- Loosen the lug nuts. These are the bolts that hold your tires in place. You will want to do this while the truck is on the ground to prevent the wheels from spinning and being unstable once it is lifted. A power drill makes this easy, but at the least, you will need a good socket wrench to get the lug nuts loose.
- Raise the truck. You will need to ensure that the truck’s center of gravity is where it needs to be and use a jack and jack stands to get the vehicle off the ground. This can be a time consuming and labor-intensive process, so make sure you plan accordingly.
- Remove the tires and wheels. With the lug nuts already loosened, it should be easy to slide the tires and wheels off once the truck has cleared the ground. Set the tires and wheels to the side for convenient re-mounting after the lift kit has been installed.
- Remove current U-bolts, shocks, and springs. The lift kit will have replacements for all of these parts. The U-bolt is aptly named, as it is in the shape of a large “U” and holds the truck’s suspension system in place. It has nuts on each arm of the “U,” so the use of a wrench will be required to loosen the U-bolt.
- Attach the replacements. Carefully read the instructions in your lift kit to see what kind, if any, assembly is required to get the new suspension system ready to be mounted. When everything is in place, connect the new shocks, springs, and U-bolts.
- Tighten all bolts. Read the instruction manual to ensure that all bolts associated with the new system are tightened to the proper specifications, as any wobble in the mounting could lead to disaster on the road.
- Re-attach the tires. As many drivers add lift kits to their trucks to allow for the use of bigger tires, you may have a new set of tires waiting to be mounted. If not, re-attach the tires that you previously removed, tightening the lug nuts appropriately.
- Lower your truck. Now that your lift kit has been successfully installed, carefully lower your vehicle, inch by inch, to the ground. Make sure that it is as level as possible as it makes its way slowly down on the jack, touching the ground lightly so as not to damage the new suspension.
Depending on the type of kit installed and the nature of the modifications, there may be additional work required, such as the installation of a longer driveshaft or new transfer case before the truck is safe to drive. Be sure to thoroughly read the instruction manual in your lift kit in search of such recommendations and only perform the work you are trained to do.
What Else Should You Do After Lifting a Truck?
Even after you have successfully lifted your truck, it is probably not the greatest idea to get behind the wheel and hit the open road. There are some additional things you should do once the lift is complete:
- As mentioned, lifting a truck is almost always accompanied by a tire upgrade, so make sure you know what kind of tires your lifted truck will need and have them available.
- Check to make sure that no further modifications are required, such as extending the driveshaft, installing a new transfer kit, adjusting the lighting, or adding any more durable aftermarket parts that will compensate for the additional strain of the enhanced suspension.
- Take your truck to an auto mechanic’s shop to have the lift job inspected. There is a chance that the newly lifted truck may need to be balanced and aligned.
- Test drive your truck on a back road before taking it out on the highway. Make sure you get a good feel for how it handles while sitting at a higher elevation.
How Much Should You Lift a Truck?
The amount to lift your truck will vary based on a wide variety of factors, and, as such, there is no “right” amount to elevate your vehicle. At the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preference. However, there are a few general guidelines that can help you decide how much to lift your truck, based on the following scenarios:
- Two inches of lift – This is a generally acceptable amount of lift if your truck seems to be continually bogged down by heavy payloads, and you want it to sit at factory levels. In addition, if you wish to increase towing performance, a leveling kit to raise the rear end by a couple of inches can help ensure that your trailer hitch does not ride too low.
- Four inches of lift – This is a good amount of lift for truck owners who want to use bigger tires and sit higher when driving on public roads. This will give your truck enhanced clearance to avoid everyday obstacles but may not be enough for extreme off-roading.
- Six to 12 inches of lift – This amount of lift is definitely noticeable but does not necessarily look gaudy when traveling on public roads. However, those who lift Thor trucks to this level are looking to do some significant rock crawling in their free time and will want to match their elevated suspension with tires of at least 35 inches.
- Greater than 12 inches of lift – While this kind of lift can be used for extreme rock climbing for a standard, everyday truck, it is generally reserved for aesthetic reasons, such as those who want to show their vehicles or compete in extreme off-road competitions. Depending on the area, this amount of lift may or may not be legal to drive on the street.
How High Can You Lift a Truck?
The amount you can lift your truck a truck varies by several factors, some of which are:
- The size of the truck
- Your state’s laws regarding lifting and aftermarket customizations
- The amount of lift you can safely handle as a driver
While some monster trucks are lifted to insane amounts and turned into verifiable tanks, the maximum lift height for most consumer trucks is around 30 inches.
Is It Legal to Lift a Truck?
It is legal to use a lift kit with your truck across the country, but the limitations vary on how much lift is permissible from state to state. The nation’s most populous state, California, places the following restrictions on lift kits, with many other states following similar guidelines:
- The maximum height for lifting is based on the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with heavier vehicles (those with a higher GVWR) being allowed to be lifted higher.
- Trucks with a GVWR of 4,500 pounds or less can be lifted a maximum height of 27 inches.
- Trucks with a GVWR between 4,501 pounds and 7,500 pounds can be lifted a maximum height of 30 inches.
- Trucks with a GVWR between 7,501 pounds and 10,000 pounds can be lifted a maximum of 31 inches.
- Additionally, the lowest portion of the body floor cannot be more than five inches above the frame of the truck.
Again, these are just general guidelines for what can be expected in terms of a lift kit’s legality. It is crucial to do thorough research into your state’s motor vehicle laws and read your lift kit’s warnings before making any extreme customizations.
Also, remember that these laws pertain to the legality of driving a lifted truck on public highways. If you only plan on using your lifted truck as an off-road toy, you can lift it higher, as long as you are comfortable with how it handles.
Pros and Cons of Lifting a Truck
As with any aftermarket customization, the benefits obtained rarely come without at least a few drawbacks. Therefore, it is essential to understand the main advantages of lifting a truck that can prompt you to carry through with a project, as well as some of the disadvantages that may cause you to think twice before moving forward.
Pros of Lifting Your Truck
Many people undertake a truck lift with the idea of achieving some specific increases in performance. While each improvement can be tailored to match the taste of the truck owner, the following list provides some of the leading general advantages associated with lifting a truck:
- Improved view – There is nothing worse than driving a low-sitting truck and getting stuck behind taller vehicles at a traffic light, as your view of the light status is effectively blocked. By lifting your truck, you will have a more unobstructed view of oncoming traffic conditions and be able to see potential hazards before they sneak up on you.
- Increased towing capacity – Lifted trucks are better than stock trucks if a tow is necessary, as they have better weight and safety advantages against the load. For example, when towing heavy items like boats and trailers, stock trucks can bottom out at the rear of the truck and trailer hitch.
- Better handling of obstacles and treacherous roads – Higher trucks allow you to go over a variety of obstacles, such as potholes, rocks, or roadkill animals, without worrying about scraping your undercarriage. It also allows you to go through heavy snow, mud, and flooded roads without the threat of stalling out.
- Aesthetic advantages – Lifted trucks are definitely eye-catching and command a certain respect on the road. If you are the type of person who likes to let others know that you are not afraid to invest and take care of what you hold dear, a lifted truck can clearly convey this message.
- Possible resale enhancer – While aftermarket customizations are not guaranteed to increase a vehicle’s resale value, a lifted truck can sometimes be the exception. If your vehicle has a clean lift job, this can definitely catch the eye of someone who is looking to go off-roading right away and does not want to waste time with further customizations.
Cons of Lifting Your Truck
While there are many benefits to lifting a truck, it does come with some disadvantages, namely in the realm of safety. The following considerations should be weighed as reasons to think twice before lifting your truck:
- Warranty violations – Some auto companies will not honor a warranty on some aftermarket customizations, with lifting being one of them. Check with your auto dealer to see if a lift kit will void your warranty. Some dealerships may allow a lift of a certain height before terminating the warranty if it goes too high.
- Cost accumulation – While adding a lift kit carries a cost in and of itself, there are subsequent costs that may be associated with it. For example, the lift job may require you to install a new transfer kit, tires, bumper, and/or lights. When all is said and done, the cost of all of this may go well over $10,000.
- Speed inaccuracies – When larger tires are added to a lifted truck, the calibration of some trucks’ speedometers gets thrown off. This means that the velocity shown on the speedometer may not be the actual speed the vehicle is traveling. This can lead to surprise speeding tickets.
- Unwanted attention – On the topic of speeding tickets, a lifted truck will catch the eye of law enforcement easier than a stock truck. Even if you have taken all necessary precautions to ensure that your lift job is street legal, a lifted truck may convey a “plays by his or her own rules attitude” that could make it a target for officers.
- High center of gravity – If you are not experienced in driving lifted trucks, the higher center of gravity can lead to handling issues at high speeds and going around corners. You are also likely to feel the force of strong crosswinds more acutely and could be at increased risk for rollovers.
- Brake strain – The extra mass from the larger tires will put the brakes under additional stress. In some cases, the brake system may become overloaded entirely. Some companies design brake kits to match a lift or leveling kit accurately, but if not, make sure that your brake system is using larger pads and high-performance rotors and calipers.
- Strain on related components – In addition to the brakes, other systems related to the suspension, such as steering components, can be put under pressure due to the new angles created from a lifted truck. Therefore, when raising the vehicle by more than two inches, longer shocks and extended shock brackets should be added to the system.
How Does Lifting Affect Overall Truck Performance?
Before you decide on whether a truck lift is worth it, consider how it will affect your vehicle’s overall performance:
- Lifting a truck will make it perform better off-road or in treacherous road conditions. It gives it more clearance that will allow it to crawl over rocks and navigate bumps and potholes without putting the truck’s undercarriage at risk.
- Lifted trucks will have more power and higher towing capabilities than stock trucks. Lifted trucks allow for heavy trailers to be pulled on a flat plane without the threat of bottoming out.
- The bigger tires added after you lift your truck provide more power, but the increased surface area creates more friction, which requires more energy to overcome. This can cause your fuel economy to take a hit. In the end, you’ll find yourself paying more at the pump.
- You may also notice a lifted truck handling more delicately. It will be more susceptible to catching heavy winds and more finicky when traveling at high speeds and going around corners.
- Finally, as mentioned before, the oversized tires associated with lifted trucks can put additional strain on other systems of your car. You may notice your speedometer not functioning precisely and the brake system overheating and ultimately failing if high-performance upgrades are not made.
If you’re thinking of different ways to accessorize your truck or make it more functional, consider checking out my recommended accessories page. I spent a good amount of time picking out mods that can be useful for most pickup trucks.