If you own a truck and are looking to improve its outlook or enhance its abilities, you might want to think about lifting your truck. And as for that, the first question that comes to mind is, “How much does it cost to lift a truck?”
The typical cost may range from $400 to $30,000. The total cost of lifting your truck depends on a variety of factors ranging from its model, size, the amount of lift you want, and whether you want to get a mechanic to do it for you.
So, to learn more about this topic, read on!
How Much Does It Cost To Lift A Truck?
The average cost of lifting a truck depends on several variable factors. Taking into account factors such as the model of your truck, its size, the type and amount of lift you, the type of toolkit you use, and whether you are hiring a mechanic to do it for you.
| Work | Range |
| Leveling and Body kits | |
| Doing it yourself (only kit price) | $200 to $1,000 |
| Hiring a professional | $400 to $2,000 |
| Lift Kits for smaller trucks (2-5 inches lift) | |
| Doing it yourself (only kit price) | $400 to $12,000. |
| Hiring a professional | $800 and $24,000 |
| Lift Kits for bigger trucks (more than 6 inches lift) | |
| Doing it yourself (only kit price) | $10,000 to $15,000. |
| Hiring a professional | $20,000 to $30,000. |
| Wheel Realignment and Steering Component Adjustment | $75-$200 |
| Speedometer Recalibration | $50-$100 |
Resource: Fire Truck Cost
What Is The Purpose Of A Lifted Truck?
There are many advantages to lifting your truck, and truck owners often do it for a variety of reasons.
Lifting your truck allows you to install bigger tires, making it better for off-roading. Taller tires also help boost the differential clearance, and the suspension lift helps keep all four wheels on the ground for the most traction.
Overall, off-roading becomes more suitable with a truck lift due to an increase in approach, break over, and departure angles.
Lifting your truck can also add to your vehicle’s appearance, resistance, visibility, or balance. Towing or hauling also becomes more manageable with a lifted truck, giving it more area to settle.
Types of Lift Kits
[amazon box=”B00HV2LHI4″]Lifting a truck involves two options of tools: the lift kit and the leveling kit. Both are different and have distinctive advantages.
Your choice of lift or leveling kits depends entirely upon your vehicle type, your budget, and the type of lift you want. This is why it is essential to check them out thoroughly.
Leveling Kits:
Leveling kits are used to give balance to imbalanced trucks that are facing some problems with their suspension. These inconsistencies are usually caused by a load of bulky tools on the truck.
This kit is only to be used to even out these imbalances and when the lift you want is between one and two inches. This is a great choice if you require a small lift and are on a low budget.
Lift Kits:
Lift kits are categorized into two types depending on how many inches they can lift a truck.
Smaller versions of lift kits can raise trucks anywhere from two to four inches, while larger ones can raise them more than six inches.
Lift kits are used to make more extensive alterations to your truck’s appearance and ability. And along with their higher capabilities, lift kits come with a higher price.
Resource: Truck Painting Cost
How To Lift A Truck? (Lift Kit Installation)
Once you have obtained all the necessary toolkit accessories, when it comes to installation, you need to decide whether you want to hire a professional mechanic or do your research.
The choice entirely depends on your ability, research, and budget for the truck lift.
If you have decided to take matters into your own hands, here are some recommendations on how to proceed.
First, you need to obtain the following tools and equipment as it is important for the installation:
- Vehicle Jacks
- Torque wrench
- Socket wrench
- Lug wrench
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Free nuts and bolts
- Safety wire
- Pry bars
After obtaining the tools and equipment, you must check the instruction manual that probably came with your lift kit. Along with that, here are some basic instructions related to the installation that you can follow for a better understanding of the process.
- First, you remove the negative battery cable to prevent an electric shock. It is a precautionary practice and a must when doing this sort of work.
- Loosen the lug nuts to easily remove the tires when raising the truck off the ground. Take care because you are only loosening the lug nuts and not completely removing them.
- Now get your jack and the jack stand to raise your truck. This step may take you a while to accomplish, which is why it is key that you manage your truck’s center of gravity. Jack the truck in front and raise it to a height that is enough for you to move under it and install your needed components. You must ensure that each point of weight has a jack underneath and that your vehicle is level. Ensuring your safety in this step is very important.
- Do not rely only on jacks to ensure your safety. Remember to place the safety stands underneath every side of the truck to maintain support. Ensure that the stands are appropriate following your truck’s weight.
- Put a floor jack under the axle so that it holds its weight, giving you enough room to remove the suspension components.
- Remove the tires and wheels from your truck and keep them to one side.
- Remove the current shocks, U-bolts, and springs from your vehicle and keep them to one side so that if you want to put them back into the truck when necessary, you can do so.
- If getting these old parts out seems troublesome, try to gently hammer them off. And if you have replacement components in your kit, removing the old ones via cutting and getting rid of them is fine.
- If your kit requires spring assembly, use the instructions on your kit to put them together and then bolt them into place.
- Attach the new U-bolts in the places of your old bolts while making sure they’re vertical and aligned accordingly.
- Under the instructions on your kit, assemble and attach the new shocks and suspension to your truck.
- Make sure to tighten all the components and bolts using a torque wrench after properly reading the description in the installation instructions.
- Assemble and attach the old tires, or if you have a new set of tires,
- Carefully remove the safety stands and lower the truck while making sure it is as level as possible when you itch it towards the ground.
- Re-clamp the negative battery terminal cable.
It is of essence that you read through your kit’s instruction manual carefully, have proper safety equipment and clothing to avoid accidents, and make sure that you have the technical skills needed to perform this task.
As you might have realized from this step-by-step guide, it is a complicated task that requires some mechanical knowledge as well as a proper idea of the equipment. So you should assess everything before deciding whether to get a mechanic to do it or do it yourself.
Lift Kit Laws
Every state has some specific lift kit guidelines and rules regarding lift kit laws unique to them. To have a smooth ride on your truck as well as not be questioned by the cops, it’s better to take a look at your state’s specific laws.
- In Alaska, the law states that the body of the vehicle should not be any higher than three inches over the top frame.
- In Arizona, lift kits for trucks and jeeps are allowed if you use mud flaps and fenders.
- California laws state that the height of the frame and body lifts need to be only upto five inches.
- Laws in Colorado states that suspension lifts that adhere to the design of factory suspension are allowed.
- In Connecticut, suspension lift kits need to be limited to four inches.
- Delaware laws state that body lifts can be only three inches high.
- Suspension lifts in Georgia and Massachusetts need to be only up to two inches.
- Body lifts in Hawaii can only be up to three inches.
- In Iowa, body lifts are to be limited to five inches.
- Rhode Island and North Dakota have limited suspension lifts on trucks and jeeps to just four inches.
- West Virginia law states that body lift should not be more than three inches.
- In Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington the maximum height of the bumper is decided based on the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating.
These laws are subject to changes, for your state it’s better to research and look into specific laws on your own so you do not get into any trouble.
Should I Lift My Truck at Home?
Lifting your truck at home depends on points like your mechanical skills, knowledge of vehicles and equipment, and budget constraints.
Lifting your truck on your own has several immediate benefits. You can be flexible regarding your working hours as well as on your time.
You can have full control over your budget management and can save the fee of the mechanic. You can also work on your own time and not wait around for the auto shop to open.
You will also learn some new technical skills while working on your truck.
But it is always better to consult a professional if you think you lack the experience and technical expertise. Because doing the job incorrectly will have you take it back to the mechanic and may cost you more money than you would’ve saved doing it yourself.
So, based on your abilities, assess whether to call a professional or if you believe you’re up for the job and it’s simple enough for you to have a go at it.
Q. How high can you lift a truck?
Ans: Either empty or loaded your truck cannot and should not be any higher than 6 inches.
Q. How much does it cost to lift a truck 6 inches?
Ans: The range of lift kits to raise a truck by 6 inches may run from $10000 to $15000 and further changes depending on whether you do it by yourself or hire a professional.
Q. How much does it cost to lift a truck 3 inches?
Ans: Lift kits for smaller trucks may cost anywhere from $400 to $12000 and further changes depending on whether you do it by yourself or hire a professional.
Q. Do lift kits ruin your truck?
Ans: If installed incorrectly, lift kits may speed up the wear and tear process.
Q. Is lifting your truck worth it?
Ans: Depending on your use, it is up to you to decide. Lifting trucks offer benefits for off-road use and are not much required for city or highway driving. So you can assess your usage to decide whether it’s worth it to lift your truck.
Conclusion
Lifting your truck not only gives it a new look and polished appearance, but it also comes with many technical benefits as well.
Your truck lift will allow you many off-road capabilities as well as some extra ground clearance when you’re driving it around every day.
But it is of cost to get your truck lifted and this needs to be an important ground to assess whether getting your truck lifted is worth it or not for you.
So if you are looking to lift your truck and have been pondering the question, “How much does it cost to lift a truck”, you might’ve realized that depending on the price of the kits, doing it by yourself or getting a professional, the level of lift and type of your vehicle hold important precedence in determining the cost. By inspecting all these factors, you can decide for yourself and create a suitable budget for lifting your truck.
Hello, I’m Michael Rosales an expert in cars. As a little boy, I have always loved cars. Over the years I became lucky to have the opportunity to work as a car dealer. It was at this stage I became vast in the knowledge of cars, things you need to know when buying cars and how to minimize cost while still getting your dream car.