Suspension Lift Type Guide

Compare every lift type — from leveling kits to full custom link systems — to find the right solution for your goals and budget.

Leveling Kit

Easy$30–$200
Lift: 0.5" – 2.5" front✗ No ground clearance gain✗ Geometry unchanged

Raises only the front of the vehicle to level the factory rake. Typically a coil spring spacer, strut top spacer, or replacement upper strut mount.

Pros

  • +Cheapest lift option
  • +Bolt-on, no cutting
  • +No geometry changes
  • +Improves front look and headlight aim
  • +Allows slightly larger tires

Cons

  • −Front-only — doesn't raise ground clearance
  • −Can wear CV joints faster on IFS vehicles
  • −Limited tire size gain
  • −No articulation improvement

Best for: Owners wanting to level factory rake for looks or to clear larger tires without a full suspension lift.

Spring Spacer / Budget Boost

Easy$100–$500
Lift: 1" – 3"✓ Adds ground clearance✗ Geometry unchanged

Polyurethane or aluminum spacers installed on top of (or under) the factory coil springs. Lifts the suspension without replacing springs or control arms.

Pros

  • +Affordable
  • +Retains factory ride quality spring base
  • +Bolt-on installation
  • +Good ground clearance gain

Cons

  • −Geometry not corrected — increased wear on ball joints and CV joints at higher lift amounts
  • −Stiffer ride
  • −Not ideal beyond 2"

Best for: Budget-conscious builders wanting real ground clearance gain without full suspension cost.

Body Lift

Moderate$100–$400
Lift: 1" – 3"✗ No ground clearance gain✗ Geometry unchanged

Polyurethane or nylon blocks installed between the body and frame. Raises the body to clear larger tires without affecting suspension geometry.

Pros

  • +No suspension geometry changes
  • +Allows much larger tires
  • +Relatively inexpensive
  • +No CV/ball joint stress

Cons

  • −Zero additional ground clearance
  • −Visible gap between body and frame
  • −Requires extended bump stops, shifter linkage, and sometimes steering shaft extension
  • −Not useful for serious off-road

Best for: Trucks with IFS that need more tire clearance without the cost of a suspension lift.

Short-Arm Suspension Kit

Moderate$800–$3,000
Lift: 2" – 5"✓ Adds ground clearance✓ Corrects geometry

Replacement control arms, coil springs, and shocks engineered for the lift amount. Correct geometry reduces wear compared to spacers at equivalent lift heights.

Pros

  • +Correct geometry for lift amount
  • +Better ride quality than spacers
  • +Significant ground clearance gain
  • +Improved articulation over stock
  • +Bolt-in on most platforms

Cons

  • −More expensive than spacers
  • −May require alignment
  • −Factory control arm mounting points retained — limits total lift

Best for: Most trail-ready builds wanting 2–5" lift with proper geometry. The most popular upgrade for daily/trail rigs.

Long-Arm Suspension Kit

Hard$2,000–$6,000
Lift: 4" – 8"✓ Adds ground clearance✓ Corrects geometry

Relocates the control arm mounting points on the frame for much longer arms, dramatically improving caster and reducing pinion angle issues. Requires frame modifications.

Pros

  • +Excellent geometry at large lift heights
  • +Superior on-road manners vs short-arm at same lift
  • +Maximum articulation potential
  • +Required for 4"+ lifts on some platforms

Cons

  • −Expensive
  • −Frame cutting/welding required
  • −Professional installation recommended
  • −Not reversible without significant work

Best for: Dedicated trail and overland builds wanting 4"+ lift with preserved street drivability.

Coilover System

Hard$1,500–$5,000
Lift: 2" – 6" (adjustable)✓ Adds ground clearance✓ Corrects geometry

Complete spring-and-shock unit that replaces factory coils. Height is adjustable via threaded collar. Often paired with upper control arm relocation.

Pros

  • +Height-adjustable with preload collar
  • +Better performance than stock shocks
  • +Fine-tune ride quality and spring rate
  • +Long travel options available

Cons

  • −Expensive
  • −Requires correct upper control arm geometry
  • −Complex installation
  • −Travel needs matching bump stop/droop travel changes

Best for: Performance-oriented builds where ride quality, adjustability, and long-travel articulation matter.

Custom Link / 4-Link System

Expert$5,000+
Lift: 6"+ (custom)✓ Adds ground clearance✓ Corrects geometry

Full custom geometry with tube-fabricated 4-link or 3-link control arm systems, coilovers or bypasses, and often a custom cross-member. Maximizes articulation and geometry.

Pros

  • +Maximum articulation
  • +Fully optimized geometry for chosen lift/travel
  • +Best possible off-road performance
  • +Purpose-built for serious crawling or racing

Cons

  • −Most expensive option
  • −Requires fabrication expertise or professional shop
  • −Not street-friendly in extreme configurations
  • −Long build time

Best for: Dedicated crawlers, competition rock rigs, and extreme builds where no bolt-on option is adequate.

Quick Decision Guide

• Just need to level it: Leveling kit only.

• Cheap ground clearance and bigger tires (1–2"): Spring spacer or body lift.

• Best bolt-in upgrade (2–4"): Short-arm suspension kit — the sweet spot for most builds.

• Maximum performance (4–8"): Long-arm kit or coilover system.

• No compromises: Full custom link suspension with coilovers or bypasses.

• Always pair a lift with a re-gear when running significantly larger tires — see the Re-Gear Calculator.