Lift vs. Leveling Kit: What’s the Difference?

Choosing between a lift or a leveling kit for your vehicle starts by understanding what they are and what they can do for today’s Jeeps, Crosstreks, Tacomas, F-150s, and more. Whether you want a customized look, the chance to level out the front and rear of your truck, or simply more clearance, lift and leveling kits can make a big difference. Especially with Les Schwab standing behind every lift and leveling kit we install with a full parts-and-labor warranty. Let’s look at what these kits are, what they can do for your ride, and how to choose the right option.

What Is a Lift Kit?

Lift kits raise the front and rear of a vehicle, giving your crossover, SUV, or truck a more customized look and added off-road performance. Most options allow you to raise a vehicle anywhere from 2 to 4 inches. With certain vehicles (including full-size trucks), there are options that offer up to 6 to 8 inches of lift or clearance.

What Is a Leveling Kit?

Some new trucks are designed with a nose-down look (also known as the factory rake). This rake ensures the truck is level when hauling heavy loads. A leveling kit is designed to raise the front of a truck so that it’s level with the back when not hauling, eliminating that factory rake.

The Difference Between Leveling and Lift Kits

The biggest difference between a lift and a leveling kit is which suspension parts are altered and lifted. A leveling kit lifts the front end of a truck with a factory rake (nose-down look). This levels out the front and back end of the truck. A lift kit raises the front and back suspension for more clearance, a bolder stance, and the option to install larger wheels and tires. A quick look at those differences can be found below.

Choosing a Lift or Leveling Kit
Lift Kit Leveling Kit Raises entire vehicle for more clearance and bold look Raises front end for an even stance 2 to 8-inch lifts available for some vehicles Up to 2-inch lifts available May alter ride quality Maintains smooth ride in most cases

Handling May Be Affected

When the suspension of a vehicle has been modified, the vehicle may handle differently from factory-equipped vehicles. As with any vehicle, Extreme Care must be used to prevent loss of control or rollover during sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.

Safety Systems May Be Affected

If your vehicle uses Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), a lift or leveling kit may alter the ADAS calibration, requiring it to be recalibrated by a trained professional. Les Schwab has the expertise and experience to recalibrate your ADAS after installing lift or leveling kits.

Should You Choose a Lift or Leveling Kit?

The choice between a lift and leveling kit depends on what you drive, what look you’re going for, and how much lift you want. Some of the more common options include:

Truck Lift and Leveling Kits

If you’re driving a full- or mid-size truck or SUV, the right lift or leveling kit can quickly change the look and stance of your vehicle. Just tell us what you want, and we’ll provide options (including larger wheels and tires on lifted vehicles), order the parts, schedule an appointment, and get the job done on a day and time that works for you.

Overlanding Lift Kits for Crossovers and SUVs

It’s all about the journey, right? For some, it’s also about how you look during your daily commute. Adding just a little more height to your off-road crossover or SUV will give it an extra bold stance and added clearance to venture further into the wilderness. Stop by your local Les Schwab for your customization options. Plus, we’ll order everything you need if it’s not already in stock at the store.

Full-Size Lift Kits

A full-size lift kit often raises a vehicle four or more inches. These kits may include specialized parts (such as longer shocks and struts, crossmembers, steering knuckles, and leaf springs) for proper steering, control, safety, and ride quality with larger/higher lifts. Aftermarket wheels and tires might be necessary with full-size lift kits.

Les Schwab Takes Care of the Details

When we install a lift or leveling kit on your vehicle, we’ll double-check the suspension, brakes, shocks, steering, and alignment. We’ll also perform a retorque and recheck your alignment a few miles down the road.

Get Your Lift and Leveling Kit Installed at Les Schwab

Giving your vehicle more clearance and a better stance is an easy update when you know what you’re doing. The pros at Les Schwab have been lifting and leveling trucks, crossovers, and SUVs for years. Stop by and tell us what you want to do to your vehicle, and we’ll show you how to get it done.