Introduction:
So, you’re thinking about a lift kit for your truck - Welcome to the club! Whether it’s for looks, off-road capability, or better ground clearance, a lift kit can transform your ride. But before you grab the first kit you see, let’s break down what’s best for your truck, your budget, and your driving needs.
At REV Outfitters, we take a custom approach to every build, helping you get the right lift kit while avoiding costly mistakes. Here’s what you need to know before making the leap.
Lift Kit Budget – Everyone Has One
Let’s be honest—truck mods can get expensive fast. But don’t worry, we can tailor a setup that fits your budget without sacrificing quality.
- Entry-level: Spacer lifts – cheap and simple, but don’t improve ride quality.
- Mid-range: Adjustable shocks like Bilstein 5100s/6112s or Fox – great balance of performance and affordability.
- Premium: Full suspension systems with control arms, upgraded shocks, and steering components – best for serious off-roaders or heavy-duty use.
- Big Lifts (Cradle Drop Lifts/Knuckle Lifts): If you want more than 3” of lift, this is the next step—but it comes with a bigger price tag.
No matter your budget, we’ll help you find the best setup for your needs.
How You Use Your Truck Matters
Not all lift kits for trucks are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can lead to a rough ride, poor handling, or even towing issues. Here’s what to consider:
- Towing & Hauling – If you tow trailers, haul firewood, carry a camper, or load up dirt bikes, you need a lift that maintains stability and weight capacity. Some lifts can hurt your truck’s towing capability or make the truck look squatted out (rear low) when you use it as a truck—we’ll help you avoid that.
- Daily Driving & Light Off-Roading – Want a smooth ride but still hit some trails? Adjustable shocks like Bilstein or Fox provide comfort on the road while handling weekend adventures.
- Hardcore Off-Roading – If you’re rock crawling or blasting through desert trails, you’ll need long-travel suspension, coil-overs, and beefed-up components to handle the abuse.
- Complementary Components – Lifting your Truck the Right Way. A lift kit isn’t just about bigger shocks and taller springs—your truck’s steering and suspension geometry matter, too. That’s where complementary upgrades come in:
- Steering Upgrades: Brands like Cognito, Synergy, and Apex offer heavy-duty steering components to prevent bump steer and improve handling.
- Control Arms & Track Bars: Upgrading these ensures proper alignment, better suspension travel, and durability.
- Drivetrain Considerations: Lifting affects driveshaft angles—sometimes requiring carrier bearing drops or longer driveshafts to prevent vibration.
If you want a reliable and durable truck build, it’s worth looking beyond just the lift kit itself.
Types of Lift Kits for Trucks – What’s Right for You?
Lift kits for trucks aren’t one-size-fits-all. The right choice depends on your truck, your driving style, and your budget. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:
Spacer Lifts – The Budget Option
- Cheap and simple, but don’t improve ride quality.
- Good for trucks with new shocks if you plan to upgrade later.
Adjustable Shock Lifts – A Balanced Upgrade
- Bilstein 5100s/6112s and Fox shocks offer a mild 2-3” lift.
- Improve ride quality while keeping factory suspension geometry intact.
- Great for daily driving and mild off-road use.
Coilovers – The Next Step Up for 1/2-Ton Trucks
When it comes to coil-overs and IFS, you have more to consider:
- Use new springs wrapped around a shock, providing tuned suspension for better comfort and performance.
- Adjustable ride height (2.5”-3.5”) allows fine-tuning.
- Superior on- and off-road performance for an ultra-plush ride.
- Big Lifts – Cradle Drop & Knuckle Lifts for More Than 3” of Lift for IFS
- If you want to go beyond 3 inches of lift, you have to correct suspension and steering geometry.
- These lifts relocate the lower control arms and differential using crossmember drop brackets, creating flatter suspension angles for a better ride and less wear on parts.
- Larger steering knuckles are included to match the new geometry.
The result? A properly lifted truck with good handling, a comfortable ride, and less stress on your components. • The catch? These kits cost more because they require more labor and double the number of parts compared to smaller lifts.
Let’s Talk Big Trucks – Solid Axle 3/4-Ton & 1-Ton Fords and Dodge Rams
We love 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks—they’re the workhorses of the road, built to tow heavy, haul big, and get the job done. But let’s be honest: the factory ride isn’t great. It’s like the manufacturers decided, “It’s for working hard, so let’s skip on making it ride nice.”
That’s where we come in. At REV Outfitters, we specialize in making these trucks ride and perform better than stock—no matter how hard you work them.
How do we do it? With premium brands like Carli Suspension and BDS.
- Carli Suspension (our favorite system) offers everything from leveled daily driver kits to desert-racing-level performance.
- BDS provides durable work-ready lift kits that can handle anything from job sites to off-road adventures.
- Both brands work seamlessly with custom-tuned shocks like Fox and King, transforming your truck into a smooth, controlled machine.
Need to tow during the week but still want to have fun on the weekend? No problem. There are even long-travel airbag kits that let you haul heavy loads and still soak up rough terrain when you hit the trails.
With the right lift setup, your heavy-duty truck doesn’t just look better—it rides better, works better, and plays harder.
Check out this Carli Suspension System
The Right Lift Kit = No Regrets
Nobody wants to spend money twice because they picked the wrong lift kit. The best setup depends on your truck, your budget, and how you use it. At REV Outfitters, we take the guesswork out of the process and build a setup that works for you—on and off the road.
Ready to lift your truck? Give us a call or stop by the shop, and let’s build the perfect suspension setup for your needs!!
