How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Truck?
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Lift kits for trucks vary in cost depending on what type of lift kit it is, the type of truck, how big the lift is, and whether the lift is professionally installed. Truck lift kits consist primarily of body lifts and suspension lifts.
Sometimes leveling kits are included in the category of lifting a truck, but these kits simply remove the factory rake of a truck, which does provide a slightly lifted appearance.
On average, a suspension lift kit costs more than a body lift kit but body lifts are easier to install for the DIY truck owner.
On the other hand, suspension lift kits are arguably more useful than body lifts as they do increase the ground clearance of your truck for off-roading purposes, and also if you want to install taller tires.
What is a Body Lift?
If you have a truck or an SUV with body-on-frame construction, you can install a body lift on your rig. Body-on-frame construction means that the frame and chassis are bolted together. This means that you can lift the body of the truck or SUV above the frame with a lift kit.
Body lifts don't alter the stock suspension or the basic design and structure of OEM parts. A body lift will also allow you to install taller tires on your truck or SUV.
Along with the above advantages, body lifts won't affect your payload or towing capacity. However, if you want to gain more ground clearance on your truck or SUV for going off-road, a body lift won't do this. A body lift only lifts the body of a truck or SUV above the frame. The stock ground clearance of your vehicle remains the same.
“A body lift only lifts the body of a truck or SUV above the frame. The stock ground clearance of your vehicle remains the same.”
What is a Suspension Lift?
On the other hand, a suspension lift kit is the more popular choice for those who want to lift their trucks or SUVs. Suspension lifts allow you to install taller tires, but they also add ground clearance and suspension travel.
As you might suspect, suspension lifts are considerably more complicated to install than body lifts. A suspension lift kit usually includes several upgraded components like springs, shocks, sway bars, control bars, and more. The main reason to install a suspension lift is for taller tires and increased off-road ability.
Enthuze 2019-2023 RAM 1500 6 Inch Lift Kit
“The main reason to install a suspension lift is for taller tires and increased off-road ability.”
Which Type of Lift Kit Do You Need?
Deciding which type of lift is right for your truck depends on your needs. In short, a body lift is less expensive than a suspension lift, it allows for larger tires and increases your ride height, but a body lift does not increase ground clearance.
A suspension lift costs significantly more than a body lift and is more complicated to install. However, it not only increases your ride height and allows for taller tires, but it also increases your ground clearance.
Body lifts are also limited in how high you can go without looking ridiculous. Usually, two to four inches is the maximum body lift for most vehicles. A suspension lift can go well past that, although there are additional complications that come with a very high suspension lift.
If all you want is a little bit of extra ride height and/or the ability to install taller tires, then a body lift is a relatively cheap and easy way to do that. However, if you want the lift to gain ground clearance for looks and/or off-roading ability, then a suspension lift is indisputably the way to go.
DIY Lift Kit Installation - $150 - $2,000
The cost of installing a lift kit on your own includes the required tools and the price of the kit, which can average between $150 and $400 for a body lift and between $300 and $2,000 for a suspension lift. There are several tools you'll need to install a lift kit at home. The following is a non-exhaustive list:
- Jack and jack stands
- Wrenches, sockets, various nuts and bolts
- Torque wrench
- Spring clamps
- Tire stops
- Tools for removing tires
- Breaker bar
- Lubricant
- PB blaster
A body lift isn't that difficult to install at home and will usually take between two and seven hours. It might go faster if you have help. A suspension lift is a lot more complicated and could take between 10 and 15 hours or possibly longer.
DIY Suspension Lift Kit Installation. Source: JeepGarage.org
Professional Body Lift Kit Installation - $200 - $630
If you decide to get a body lift installed professionally, you're looking at between $200 and $630, depending on the installation time and the labor charge per hour.
The price of body lift kits can vary widely. On the expensive end, they might cost as much as $750, but it's also easy to find much cheaper kits between $150 and $300.
Professional Suspension Lift Kit Installation - $400 - $2,500
Suspension lifts start higher than body lifts with the cheapest kits being around $300 to $500, but more quality kits are usually in the $1,000 to $2,000 range.
As they take twice or three times as long to install compared to body lifts, you're likely looking at labor charges between $400 and $2,500 depending on the shop and the kit.
Enthuze Lift Kits
Enthuze offers several lift kit options for trucks, including the following:
- Lift kit for Chevy Silverado 1500
- Lift kit for GMC Sierra 1500
You can get up to a 6-inch lift kit for the Chevy Silverado 1500 as well as the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. The smallest lift kit available is three inches. Lift kits for Chevy Silverado and other trucks can be installed at any Action Trucks location.
At Enthuze, we only offer truck parts and accessories that undergo rigorous testing for durability and quality. Lift kits impact your truck's handling, ride, and center of gravity, so it's important to get them installed by experienced professionals for proper safety, setup, and alignment.
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