Lift kits make it possible to customize vehicles, whether it’s for performance, appearance, or both. If you cannot wait to customize your truck or another mode of transportation, use this guide to invest in the ideal lift kit. These kits come in two basic types as well as a variety of shapes and sizes to provide gearheads with the height they need.

What Do I Need to Know About Purchasing Lift Kits?

Kit Types, Advantages, & Disadvantages

Lift kits come in body and suspension versions. Body lift kits elevate vehicle frames one to three inches for custom wheel installations. However, ground clearance does not change, and some people use cinder blocks or related spacers to lift their vehicles’ frames and add larger tires. Body kits are still a safer option. They are also cheaper than suspension lift kits, which are commonly used by truck and 4x4 owners.

Suspension kits raise vehicle suspension systems to lift both the frame and body. They offer four to six inches of ground clearance to make vehicle height changes that help with body squat and dive issues while accelerating or braking, respectively. Some suspension kits lift vehicles as much as 18 inches off the ground — however, they risk creating unsafe changes to the car or truck’s handling.

Buying Tips

Purchasing a lift kit requires measuring your vehicle’s wheel diameter. You also need to check how much clearance your car or truck currently has. Work with a mechanic to take these measurements and compare the results to your desired new tire width, diameter, and rim offset. Discuss your vehicle make and model with your mechanic to determine what it can handle and what looks best. Trucks, SUVs, and 4x4s tend to look better with bigger tires than cars, but it’s a matter of preference.

Find the perfect lift kit for your needs at Line-X of Troy, the Jeep®, SUV, and truck accessory shop serving drivers throughout the Troy, OH, area. Truck bed covers, trailer hitches, and crossover toolboxes are among the other accessories available to increase your vehicle’s functionality and value. Call (937) 335-0560 today with product questions or review the inventory online. Get more vehicle improvement ideas and tips on Facebook.