Jeep lift kits can be an
uplifting experience…
Maybe in prehistoric times we evolved from creatures who lived in trees, because something in mankind’s DNA seems to always make us want to be higher from the ground.
Whether it’s the Incas building cities like Machu Picchu high in the mountains, people following in Edmund Hillary’s footsteps and climbing Mount Everest, or women wearing stilettoes and men wearing Cuban-heeled cowboy boots; mankind has a desire to be higher up.
The Benefits of Raising a Jeep.
Is wanting to raise the height of a Jeep part of our inner craving to be higher? Maybe, maybe not, but it serves several other key purposes.
- Lifting a Jeep adds visual appeal and makes it stand out from the crowd.
- Raising a Jeep opens up extra room in which to fit bigger wheels/tires.
- A raised jeep has more ground clearance for off-road performance.
Lift Kits: The Best way to Raise a Jeep
For owners wanting to raise the height of their Jeeps the answer is a lift kit, but there are two very different types available and they work in very different ways. Choosing the lift kit that’s right for you will play a big role in the performance and capabilities of your Jeep.
Option 1: Body Lift Kits
Body lift kits are cost-effective
but don’t provide much ground clearance
or overall lift height
The body lift kit is the cheaper way to raise a Jeep. Body lift kits are essentially spacers that sit between the chassis of a Jeep and the bodywork above. The additional inches of fender clearance allows owners to install bigger tires without altering the suspension geometry (which also negates the need for costly realignment). The downside is that the chassis remains at the same height so ground clearance isn’t improved.Body lift kits are ideal for street Jeeps that need bigger wheels to look good. Body lift kits can raise a Jeep 1”-3” and typically cost $120-$300.
Option 2: Suspension Lift kits
More advanced suspension lift
kits include new springs, shocks
and flex arms
The suspension lift kit is the better way to lift a Jeep but it is more expensive. The suspension lift kit raises the chassis and body together for greater fender and ground clearance. Suspension kits can be spacers that sit on top of the suspension springs or new components that replace the stock suspension altogether. Off-road capabilities are improved but downsides include poorer street ride quality and much higher price. Suspension lift kits are better for off-road Jeeps that need very big tires and high ground clearance. Suspension lift kits can raise a Jeep 2”-6” and typically cost $300-$3000.
By John Bone