Are you looking to do some serious off-road driving in your truck and need some extra clearance? Or do you just want to look cool as you effortlessly glide over the speed bumps at the local grocery store parking lot? Either way, you’ll need to lift your truck. However, there are different ways to go about doing it and different costs as well. Let’s take a closer look.

The cost of lifting your truck

The overall price to lift your truck can vary depending on what type of method you use: a lift kit or a leveling kit. Leveling kits are the most cost-effective option as they typically cost around $200 to $1,000, but if you want a more serious lift, then a lift kit is the way to go. However, you can plan to spend anywhere from $400 to $12,000 to lift a smaller lift of around two inches, while a larger lift, around six inches or more, could cost anywhere between $11,000 to $14,000, according to Superlift Suspension.

Leveling kits

Leveling kits are designed for anyone that’s looking for a one or two-inch lift on their truck as opposed to something more serious. Aside from a lower cost of entry, the main advantage of a leveling kit is its simple design and easier installation procedure, as most kits use bolt-on spacers on the front and rear stock suspension components to give the truck a small boost. However, leveling kits are not recommended for more serious off-road driving as they are mostly just meant for looks and added clearance for larger wheel and tire setups.

Lift kits

If you’re looking to take your off-roading to a deeper level, then an actual lift kit may do your truck a lot of good. A typical lift is comprised of more components like aftermarket shocks and springs, in addition to other parts, which provide the actual lift as well as better ride and handling characteristics. A lift kit will cost more than a leveling kit, however, it will be more versatile when it comes to taking your truck on off-road courses in addition to making it look good.

Getting the kit installed

Just like lowering a car, lifting a truck can require some intensive labor if you’re not used to working on your truck’s suspension. You’ll need a basic set of tools, jack, and jack stands, but doing the job correctly is what’s most important. If you do plan to lift your truck yourself, you can save a lot of money on labor, but it is recommended to have your work checked out by a professional after to get the wheels aligned and steering components adjusted. This could cost you around $75 to $200.

On the other hand, you could choose to have a professional install your lift or leveling kit for you By choosing this option, you can ensure that your truck will gain your desired lift properly and securely, as long as your choose a reputable installer.

Also, the price of labor can vary, but a general rule of thumb is that most leveling and lift kits will cost the same about to install as the cost of the kit itself. So, if your leveling kit costs around $200, then you can expect to pay the same amount in labor since the install will be easier. But if you buy a more extensive lift kit for a few thousand dollars, then the labor to install can cost somewhere in the thousands as well.

The bottom line

The bottom line is that if you choose to go with a leveling kit for your truck, then expect to pay around $400 to $2,000 with professional installation. And if you plan to use a real lift kit, then expect to pay around $400 to $4,000 if you get it done professionally.