Some of you aren't looking for 12-inches of lift, 47-inch-tall tires, and enough horsepower to drag-race the meanest Pro Street muscle car in your neighborhood. Some of you just want a little bit of lift to clear a taller tire and still be able to load your gear and your rear into your truck without a step ladder. So just for you we've compiled a short list of short lifts.
We're sick of hearing about the lousy recession. But if you're in a place where income isn't coming in as fast as it once did, then consider these smaller lift kits. They have smaller price tags and don't affect mileage as much as a larger kit that uses big heavy tires. Speaking of tires, many of these kits will fit 33- to 35-inch sizes, but make sure you research the tire width and wheel backspacing so that they fit properly.
Low Range Off-Road
Low Range Off-Road has a 3-inch Leveling/Lift Kit for the '07-'09 Toyota Tundra that includes solid CNC machined 6061-T6 Aluminum spacers with studs as well as solid aluminum rear blocks with a 3 1/2-degree taper to decrease driveline vibrations. A differential drop is used to keep CV joints from premature wear from the increased angle. Also included are skidplate drop spacers with longer factory-style flanged bolts, bumpstop spacers, and detailed instructions. The kit allows for up to 33-inch tall tires, but 35s can be fitted with minor modifications to the skidplate and with the front mudflaps removed.
Low Range Off-Road
801.805.6644
www.lowrangeoffroad.com
Offroad Design
Offroad Design builds its Zero Rate Add-a-Leaf to let you bump the ride height up on the front or rear of any leaf-sprung vehicle by an inch with the added bonus of moving your axle forward or backward if necessary. Moving the axle can help clear larger tires by moving them away from steering, fender, or firewall contact as well as increase the approach or departure angle. Since the leaf bolts into the spring pack just like a normal leaf, the Zero Rates can't spit out like a block and the 1-inch height minimizes axlewrap and wheelhop problems. The Zero Rate is available for any vehicle using 2 1/2- or 3-inch-wide leaf springs.
Offroad Design
970.945.7777
www.offroaddesign.com
Cognito Motorsports
The Cognito Motorsports '01-'09 GM eight-lug economy leveling kit is for customers with 1500HD, 2500, 2500HD, H2 Hummer, or 2500 Suburbans looking to get a little more height out of the front of the vehicle. Torsion keys allow added adjustment to gain ride height and level the vehicle. In addition to the torsion keys, a shock extender is included to achieve the available downtravel left in the stock suspension. You can also upgrade to longer Bilstein or Fox shocks to improve performance. In order to level the vehicle and increase downward wheel travel, maintain proper alignment, and keep a quality ride, add the Cognito Upper Control Arm Kit.
Cognito Motorsports
866.426.4648
www.cognitomotorsports.com
Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension
The '09 Ford F150 2-inch leveling kit from Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension lifts the front of the F150 to be level with the rear. It is designed to install above the factory F150 struts (no strut disassembly for easy install), and it maintains a factory ride. The leveling kit is powdercoated for durability and comes with a limited lifetime warranty for around $110.
Tuff Country EZ-Ride Suspension
800.288.2190
www.tuffcountry.com
Truxx
The Truxxx Lift and Level Kit for the '05-'09 Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 gives you the ability to raise your vehicle 2 1/2 inches in the front and 1 inch in the rear with heavy-duty steel spring spacers and shock extensions in the front, and 3-inch replacement blocks with U-bolts in the rear. The kit fits both diesel and gasoline models, allowing the fitment of a bigger tire and wheel package, up to 35 inches with proper wheels, and all for around $350. Truxxx Lift and Level Kits are proudly made in the USA with only the highest quality steel.
Truxx
888.660.5892
www.truxxx.com
Daystar
Daystar offers a 2-inch Lift and a Leveling Kit for the all-new '09 Dodge Ram 1500. Daystar utilizes a pair of high-density polyurethane spacers on top of the factory struts to achieve lift with its Leveling Kit. This design does not preload the strut, so there is no impact on ride quality, and installation is simple and requires no special tools. Daystar uses Polyurethane spacers because they helps absorb the noise, vibration, and harmonics that come from the suspension. Daystar's kit utilizes rear coil spring spacers that are positioned on top of the factory coil springs. Since the stock springs are retained, there is no impact on ride quality or load-carrying capacity. Both kits are manufactured in the USA.
Daystar
800.595.7659
www.daystarweb.com
Pure Performance
Pure Performance offers two leveling kits that fit a multitude of applications. All the Pure Performance leveling kits are made from 3/16-inch-thick laser-cut steel and are precision welded for proper fitment. The spacers provide anywhere from 2 to 2 1/2 inches of lift based on the application. All leveling kits retail around $125 per kit. One leveling kit fits '07-and-up 1/2-ton Chevy/GMC trucks and SUVs, '04-and-up F150s, and '07-and-up Toyota Tundras. The second leveling kit fits '06-and-up Ram 1500 trucks, '05-and-up Toyota Tacomas, and '06-and-up FJ Cruisers as well as '03-and-up Toyota 4Runners.
Pure Performance
518.270.9822
www.pure-performance.biz
Deaver spring suspension
The new '99-'04 F250/F350 4WD Leveling Kit from Deaver Spring Suspension is a four-leaf assembly that center-bolts to the bottom of the stock spring and raises the truck 2 inches. It is designed to not affect ride quality and not need to change shocks or any other geometry of the front end. The kit comes with new center pins and U-bolts for around $250.
Deaver Spring Suspension
714.542.3703
www.deaverspring.com
Rubicon Express
The Jeep JK Wrangler leveling/lift system from Rubicon Express is great for those looking to level and slightly lift their JK Wrangler. This economy-minded suspension system will enhance the factory ride of your Jeep with specifically tuned shocks, and allows the use of 33- to 35-inch tires. The complete package includes 2 1/2-inch front coil spacers, 1 3/4-inch rear coil spacers, a front 2-inch bumpstop, a rear 2-inch bump pad, Rubicon Express front twin-tube shocks, and Rubicon Express rear twin-tube shocks, all for around $370.
Rubicon Express
866.533.7706
www.rubiconexpress.com