Making the Right Choice for Your Truck
Q: “I want to give my Tundra some lift, but I’m not sure if I should go for a lift kit or a leveling kit. What will a lift kit do? Is it different from installing a leveling kit?” – TK, Painesville, Ohio
A: Great question, TK! The right choice for your truck depends completely on what you are trying to achieve with the lift. Are you wanting to give your Tundra a certain aesthetic look or do you want more ground clearance to do some serious off-roading? We hear your question from our customers regularly, so we figured it is a great time to break down the difference between truck lift kits and leveling kits.
Whether you have a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, a Chevy Silverado, or a Toyota Tundra—looking at you, TK!—choosing between a lift kit and a leveling kit is a common dilemma for truck owners. Both are popular truck accessories available at D&S Automotive, especially for 4X4 off-road enthusiasts.
What Is a Truck Lift Kit?
A lift kit is designed to lift the front and rear of your truck anywhere from one inch to six inches. There are two main types of truck lift kits: body lifts and suspension lifts.
Truck Body Lift Kits:
- Involves installing taller spacers and bolts that go between frame and body of your truck
- Does not alter suspension
- Does not increase ground clearance
- Provides extra height to run larger wheels and tires
Truck Suspension Lift Kits:
- Involves extensive suspension system replacements
- Increases ground clearance
- Provides extra height to run larger wheels and tires
- Improves suspension articulation for off-roading
Both kits will give you the extra height you need if you want to shop for larger truck wheels and tires at D&S Automotive. If you are wanting to do more off-roading, we’d recommend you choose the suspension lift kit for more ground clearance and better articulation and steering control.
What Is a Truck Leveling Kit?
A leveling kit provides a moderate increase in your truck’s suspension height, allowing you to run larger wheels and tires. For the most part, leveling kits are a good option if you are concerned only about enhancing the look of your truck. They do not provide the increased ground clearance desired by off-roaders looking to test their truck on more rugged terrain.
Which Option Is Right for My Truck?
D&S Automotive Can Help You Decide
Are you still on the fence about choosing between a leveling kit or a lift kit for your truck? Feel free to give us a call to talk through your options. We are here to help! When you are ready to have a body lift or leveling kit installed on your truck, get an estimate from your local D&S Automotive team in Northeast Ohio.