LIFT KIT 101

The temperatures haven't started rising yet, but reading the number of questions and queries regarding the modifications you want to make to your vehicles, we can sense that spring is just around the corner. In this article, we'll address a very common question many of you have. Which lift kit should I put on my vehicle? How much does it cost?

These questions are often asked on discussion groups or forums, and there is no single answer. Moreover, the variety of products is exploding exponentially, and sometimes it becomes difficult to navigate. However, clearly identifying your needs is crucial in your journey. Here, we will cover the basics with a single goal in mind: making sure you don't spend twice as much money on the same thing.

Needs: The first step is to clearly define your needs for a lift kit. Depending on your needs, there is a product answer. The questions you should ask yourself are:

1. Is this my everyday vehicle? If you drive 90% of the time in the city and 10% on trails, your needs are not the same as those who spend much more time on trails.

2. Will I be adding weight to my vehicle? (Do I plan on installing new bumpers? A rooftop tent? Etc.)

3. Do I just want to upgrade the look and put on bigger tires? Again, the needs are different from those who need more flexibility from their suspension system.

4. Will the system I am going to install allow me to add to it in the future or do I have to start all over again? (Nothing is more unpleasant than buying something and a year later, needs change and you can't recover anything from what was done)

5. What is the planned budget? For example, in this article, we will be talking about systems ranging from $250-$1800, with several variations in between.

Lifting System Types: Lifting systems can be divided into four categories: budget boost, body lift, spring lift, and suspension lift.

1. Budget Boost :

Budget Boost is a system that allows you to easily raise your ground clearance. Budget Boost doesn't necessarily mean poor quality. Rather, it's a system equipped with spacers (pucks or spacers) that are installed on top of your spring to push it down. It's often also called a leveling kit. It allows you to level the front of the vehicle (often lower than the rear) so that you can insert larger tires without friction.

Benefits: The benefits of Budget Boost are as follows

· The most economical way to increase your ground clearance

· Allows you to increase the size of the tires

· Instantly enhances the look of your vehicle

· Allows you to keep the original shock absorbers (Make sure you have shock extensions to maintain the shock absorbers' range of motion)

· Has little impact on vehicle geometry (does not require multiple changes of parts in the suspension)

· Allows the system to be improved over time

Disadvantages:

· Does not provide any gain in flexibility

· Slightly decreases the amplitude of the springs

2. The body lift:

A body lift is a system similar to a budget boost. It involves installing spacers between the chassis and the vehicle's body.

Benefits: The benefits of Bodylift are:

· Allows you to increase the size of the tires

· Has little impact on vehicle geometry (does not require multiple changes of parts in the suspension)

· Allows the system to be improved over time

Disadvantages:

· Does not provide any gain in flexibility

· No gain in ground clearance (you only increase the space between the chassis and the body)

· Increases your vehicle's center of gravity without gaining any benefit

· Increases the space between the bumpers and the bodywork (may diminish the look)

3. The spring lift:

A spring lift involves replacing your vehicle's springs at different heights and compression rates.

Advantages: The advantages of spring lift are as follows

· Allows you to increase the size of the tires

· Increases suspension flexibility

· If your vehicle has more than 80,000 km, replacing the springs will improve handling (even if you stay with the original compression ratio)

· Allows you to choose the desired compression rate

· Allows the system to be improved over time

Disadvantages:

· More expensive than previous systems

· Risk that the springs do not give the displayed height (other components can lower the suspension)

. Changes the vehicle geometry

. May require replacement of other parts (shock absorbers for example)

4. The suspension lift kit:

If your flex needs are minimal and you want to stay at 2.5 inches or less of lift, the first 3 models will satisfy your needs. But if not, you should consider a lift kit. Again, there is something for everyone. But since this article is called Lift kit 101, we will stick to the basic system. When you increase the ground clearance, you change the geometry of your vehicle and its caster angles. Above 2.5 inches, it is absolutely necessary to make corrections to these angles and to do this, you need more parts than those mentioned in the previous systems. A suspension lift kit is often composed of control arms, relocation brackets for the front and rear sway bar, brackets to relocate the brake lines, etc. This is important to maintain a ride that is similar to the stock ride while increasing its flex and ground clearance. A suspension lift is something to consider when you plan to do more than just occasional off-roading. That said, I recommend taking the time to test your vehicle in stock configuration on easy trails before investing in a suspension lift. Vehicles like Jeeps, Broncos, Tacomas, etc., have off-road capabilities built in. Learning how your vehicle handles can be an asset when choosing your suspension lift.

Advantages: The advantages of spring lift are as follows

· Allows you to increase the size of the tires

· Increases suspension flexibility

· Gain at the level of the joints of the suspension parts

· Allows the system to be improved over time

· Allows you to correct the vehicle geometry

· Allows you to enjoy more complex off-road trails

Disadvantages:

· More expensive

· Longer installation time, requires better mechanical knowledge

· Correction of the necessary geometry

Shock absorbers:

The topic of shock absorbers is not discussed much in this article, but it remains important nonetheless. If you are installing budget boosts or a body lift, your vehicle has less than 80,000 km and you enjoy driving it, there is no need to replace your shock absorbers. Adding shock absorber extensions is highly recommended. In the case of replacing springs or a suspension kit, it is important to have the right shock absorber that will allow the right amount of travel and work in conjunction with the springs.

As you can see, there are several configurations and no one-size-fits-all solution. However, there is ONE solution for you! Just define your needs carefully to ensure you never spend twice on the same thing.

We love hearing from you, so if you have any questions or comments about this topic or any other topics you'd like us to discuss, please feel free to contact us at info@mapoffroad.com or on Facebook at Mapoffroad.