Suspension Lift Kits

Suspension lift kits serve one purpose: to lift your suspension so that your truck or SUV sits higher off the ground than with a stock suspension to ensure that your truck or SUV provides a smooth ride, regardless of irregularities on the road.

Some people, particularly teenagers, also install lift kits to give their vehicle a more beefy, custom-designed look. For those cases, less expensive body lift kits are also an option.

How Do They Work?

Suspension lift kits are, basically, a system made from springs that raise a vehicle above the wheels by suspending the engine, body and power train. Different kinds of springs including leaf springs, air springs, coil springs and torsion bars can be part of lift system. Many lift kits also include hydraulic shock absorbers to prevent excessive shaking of the vehicle after it hits a bump. For those kits that do not include the shocks, vehicles owners can purchase them separately.

Considerations When Buying a Lift Kit

When buying a suspension lift kit, consider the following things about your situation:

• Type of Vehicle: Because suspension lift kits are vehicle specific, the type of vehicle -- whether truck or SUV, for example will determine which kits are available to you.
• Vehicle Use: How you use your vehicle is an important factor to consider. For example, if you use your truck for off-roading, you will want to choose more expensive, higher quality suspension lift kits, such as a torque, ladder type kit.
• Budget: Ultimately, your budget will determine your choices in suspension lift kits. Don't forget to also consider a kit's warranty. A budget product that doesn't last can be more expensive in the long run.

The Advantages and Disadvantages

While there are many advantages to suspension lift kits, such as improved handling and aesthetic appeal, there are also disadvantages. Because suspension lift kits raise your truck or SUV's center of gravity, it makes it difficult for your vehicle to negotiate sharp or difficult terms an can increase the possibility of a rollover.