Different Types of Pickup Truck Lift Kits

If you are looking for a way to amp up your truck's performance and make it look better at the same time, you should check into raising the ride height. This is a very popular upgrade because it permits you to use larger tires and wheels without bumping or scraping against the fenders. You can choose from several types of lift kits at any Houston truck accessories retailer.

By lifting your truck and adding some nice aftermarket mud or off-road tires, you will not only perk up its appearance, you will also increase traction in varying weather conditions and improve the comfort of the ride. By installing one of the available Houston bed covers, you can really deck out your vehicle. Larger tires usually have a higher lift rating as well, which affords you extra safety when towing or hauling heavy loads.

You can lift your vehicle with Houston truck parts at various price points from $100 for coil spacers to more than $3,000 for raising the entire suspension system. Naturally, most truck owners are going to opt for the least expensive method. There are low-cost suspension upgrades to lift your truck without voiding your warranty. They give you the added space for bigger wheels, and they will not break your budget.

Aftermarket torsion keys will increase your truck's height by 1 to 1.5 inches if you have a torsion bar suspension. With torsion keys, you can use wheels that are an inch higher than factory wheels. They do not add to your truck's spring pre-load, and they will give you a smoother ride. Torsion bars do not compress the way a coil spring does. They twist to accommodate the weight of the load. Shock extensions that limit the shock's travel range to factory specs are usually included. They cost anywhere from $100 to $150. Forged keys are better than cast keys. They last longer, especially if you use your truck with heavy loads.

Leveling kits come in a wide variety of configurations. Some use steel spacers to raise the front of the truck so that it remains level with the back. These popular kits can increase your truck's height by as much as 3 inches. Polyurethane coil spring spacers are another option in leveling kits. Aluminum spacers or strut extensions sit on the coil-over strut piece. Other leveling kits use U-bolts or blocks for vehicles with leaf-springs. These kits can run as little as $30 or as much as $500. Most home mechanics can easily install them. Leveling kits do not adversely affect the ride, and they will not void the warranty. They are available for nearly every make and model truck.

A body lift kit is another low-cost method to raise your truck. They add up to 3 inches of height. Body lifts do not affect the truck's suspension, and they can accommodate wheels that are 2 to 3 inches higher than the stock wheels. They utilize urethane blocks stacked on the factory body mounts to lift the body above the frame. They can add more height than leveling kits by themselves. They cost anywhere from $11 to $600.

Premium lift systems combine a body lift with a leveling kit to achieve the results of a full suspension lift for less money. They can raise your truck by 6 inches and are very popular among truck lovers who want to use 35-inch off-road tires. They come with bumper brackets, gap guards, body-lift blocks, coil spring spacers, a steering column adapter and all the hardware needed for assembly. Depending on your truck's make and model, they cost between $220 and $900. Numerous truck dealerships install them on their showroom inventory to attract enthusiasts who want the full suspension look immediately upon purchase.