You just bought a new vehicle, and you know that bigger sometimes means better. Maybe you want to put some bigger tires on your new rig. Maybe you want to do some off-roading, and you know you’ll need higher clearance. No matter what your reasons are, if you're raising your vehicle’s body away from the ground, you’re going to need a lift kit or a levelling kit.
But which one do you need? That’s the question we’re going to answer here:
Lift kits and levelling kits: core differences
Levelling kits are designed to lift the front of your vehicle so that it matches the height of the back of your vehicle - in other words, they level the height of your vehicle. It’s right there in the name! These kits are quite simple to use, and even fairly inexperienced at-home mechanics should be able to use them.
There are two different kinds of lift kits: body lift kits, and suspension lift kits. Body lift kits raise the body of your vehicle away from the frame, while suspension lift kits raise every part of the vehicle. Body lift kits are easier to use and less expensive, but they don’t give you any extra clearance. Suspension lift kits, on the other hand, can give you a lot of extra clearance, but they cost more than body lifts, and they’re much harder to use.
A quick comparison between lift and levelling kits
| Kit | Ease of use | Cost | Lift size | Ground clearance increase |
| Levelling | Easy | Cheap | 1-2 inches | Slight |
| Body lift | Medium | Moderate | 2-5 inches | None |
| Suspension lift | Hard | Expensive | 2-9+ inches | Substantial |
Which one is right for you?
Obviously, all of these kits serve different needs. Looking to add an inch to your tire size? A levelling kit should do the trick. Want to change the aesthetics of your vehicle without breaking the bank? Consider a body lift. Are you planning on off-roading, or do you want to dramatically change the look of your vehicle? A suspension lift is the way to go.
Functionality should be a big consideration when you’re considering a kit. Levelling is a great way to go if daily driving, hauling, and towing are what’s important to you. Suspension lifts, on the other hand, are great for vehicles that are going to go through deep mud and snow - just be sure to get the appropriate tires.
Body lifts are mostly for aesthetics, but they do give you enough room for larger tires, so they can be useful if you want to increase your tire size but you don’t want to invest time and money into a suspension lift.
Talk to the pros at Canada Custom Autoworks
If you’re still not sure whether lift or levelling kits are right for your needs, we can help you out. Click here to visit our website, find a location near you, and schedule an appointment. We’ll help you find the right kit for your needs - and we can even install the kit for you.