Leveling lift. Types of suspension modifications

Take a close look at the cars passing by on the street, and you’ll notice that they have their natural tilt. It’s as if most of them have their noses down and look a bit sad. Now that we’ve said it, you’ll probably keep noticing it. 

You’ll see it clearly in pickup trucks. Their beds are much higher than the front, which makes sense for carrying heavy loads. That’s why standard versions of these cars are not really associated with hardcore off-road. Simply put, they lack that off-road edge. But don’t worry, that’s where the leveling lift comes in. 

The job of a leveling lift is simple and clear – it levels the vehicle by raising its front end relative to the back. This gives the off-road vehicle more character, highlights its aggressive look, and allows for larger wheels.  

The goal of a leveling lift is to raise the front to the height of the already higher rear, you need a leveling kit that matches the height difference. Usually, this gap is up to around 2 inches, but you need to measure it on your own vehicle. Following this logic, if you install a 4-inch lift on the front, you might need just a 2-inch lift on the rear. Technically speaking, it’s no longer just a leveling lift.  

This is because a larger modification, like around 1.5-2.5 inches, might require further changes to other key car parts. For example, the brake lines might need to be longer, and the driveshaft angles might change. In that case, you will need a full suspension kit. 

Leveling lift kit

TX1155300

Leveling lift kit TeraFlex Lift 1,5"

162EUR

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We’re talking about adding and installing, but what exactly and where? A leveling lift is usually done using special spacers mounted on the top of the suspension springs. This is one of the simpler and cheaper modification methods that doesn’t change the suspension’s performance. However, it’s not the only option. 

Cons (but not really): 

For some drivers, the biggest disadvantage of this suspension modification is that it doesn’t change the vehicle’s performance. If you choose just spacers, the driving experience will be the same as with the factory height. That’s why a leveling lift is great for adding a bit of capability (by increasing ground clearance) and highlighting its off-road look. 

Pros: 

The main advantages of a leveling lift are easy installation, low modification cost, and enhancing the aggressive character of the off-road vehicle. Moreover, the lack of impact on driving experience in some cases should be considered a plus, as simply leveling the angle line will significantly improve the design. This is evident in the RAM TRX, which has an excellently optimized factory suspension.

Additionally, leveling kit essentially requires no extra modifications and can utilize only the vehicle’s factory components. Furthermore, it is quickly reversible and allows for other tuning in the future.

Because it has minimal impact on suspension performance, a leveling lift isn’t the best choice for extreme off-roading. If you’re into extreme off-road adventures, a vehicle with this modification might end up going off-plan spectacularly. Unless “shooting into space” is your goal. Okay, but seriously.  

A leveling lift, by increasing front clearance, allows for bigger wheels, which adds capability for driving through deeper mud. Also, it improves the approach angle, reducing the risk of scraping the front when going up or down steep slopes. Therefore, if your pickup, along with its load, needs to handle tougher terrain without going wild in off-road rallies, a leveling lift is an enough and very beneficial option. 

Featured sets of leveling kit

RC870

Leveling lift kit Rough Country Lift 2,5-3"

299EUR

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RC31012

Leveling lift kit Rough Country Lift 2"

60EUR

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TX1155200

Leveling lift kit TeraFlex Lift 1,5"

298EUR

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OFDF1500417

Leveling lift kit OFD Lift 2"

140EUR

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OFD24653

Leveling lift kit OFD Lift 20 mm

75EUR

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RC7597

Leveling kit Rough Country Lift 0,75"

57EUR

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