Raising the Bar: The Ins and Outs of Lifting Your Ride

by AutoExpert   |  8 February, 2024

Share :

Ever thought about lifting your ride? Whether it’s for mastering those off-road adventures, squeezing under some monster tires, or just for the sheer cool factor, lifting your car can give it a whole new attitude. But here's the scoop: not every car should be towering above the rest. Sure, you can technically lift anything from a sleek coupe to a family minivan, but the real question is... should you?

Most of the time, we see trucks getting this royal treatment because, let’s be honest, a lifted truck has a certain je ne sais quoi that a lifted minivan just doesn’t.

Lifting Your Ride

Lift Kit Lowdown

So, lift kits. They're like the car version of platform shoes, but way cooler and with a purpose. You've got two main paths: the body lift and the suspension lift. Each path has its own set of perks depending on what you're aiming for.

Lifting Your Ride

The Gist of Lifting

Body Lifts: The Skinny

Pros: Easy on the wallet, doesn’t mess with your ride's handling, lets you play with bigger wheels, and it’s not a weekend-long project.

Cons: Doesn’t really give you that off-road clearance, might make your car look a bit awkward if it’s too high, and doesn't do much for your off-roading dreams.

Lifting Your Ride

Suspension Lifts: The Lowdown

Pros: Sky’s the limit – or at least the law when it comes to height. Dream big with tire size, and get ready to feel every bump and dip on those trails.
Cons: Your wallet might not thank you, getting into your car might require a ladder, and it might make your smooth ride a bit rougher around the edges.

Lifting Your Ride

To Lift or Not to Lift

Body lifts are all about giving the body of your car a little boost off its frame, kind of like giving it a pair of heels. It’s a subtle change that allows for some bigger footwear (tires, I mean) without changing how she dances (drives).

Suspension lifts? Now, that’s for the wild at heart. We’re talking full car elevation, which means you can slap on tires big enough to make a statement and still have room for more. But, it’s a bit like choosing between hiking boots and stilettos – both will get you noticed, but one is definitely more practical in the mud.

Lifting Your Ride

Mixing and Matching

Can’t decide? Why not have both? Go for the height and keep your car away from feeling as if it were on stilts.

DIY or Call in the Cavalry?

If you're feeling brave and have a garage full of tools, you might be tempted to tackle this yourself. Just remember, it’s kind of like baking – you need the right ingredients, a good recipe, and maybe a bit of luck. For the rest of us, paying a pro might just save a lot of headaches (and backaches).

Quick Hits

  • Body lifts bad? Nah, not if you do it right. Just don’t go cheap on the hardware.
  • Bigger tires, no lift? Maybe a tiny lift, but don’t push it unless you want your tires rubbing every time you turn.
  • Body or suspension? Body for looks, suspension for the great outdoors.
  • Cost? Body lifts are the budget-friendly option, while suspension lifts are the splurge.

Lifting Your Ride

This is all about lifting your car in a nutshell. Whether you’re after that rugged off-road capability or just want to turn heads at the stoplight, a little lift can go a long way. Just weigh your options, think about what you really want, and maybe, just maybe, let the experts handle the heavy lifting. Happy trails (or streets), everyone!

Recomended:

Mastering the Two-Second Rule: Essential Tips for Safer Driving - Photo
Tips & Tricks
Mastering the Two-Second Rule: Essential Tips for Safer Driving

Ever heard the advice to leave "two seconds" of space between your car and the one in front? It's golden advice that pops up everywhere from driver's ed to those articles about drivi

AutoExpert
Can You Drive Barefoot or Shirtless? Unpacking Common Driving Myths - Photo
Tips & Tricks
Can You Drive Barefoot or Shirtless? Unpacking Common Driving Myths

Ever wondered if you can just kick off your shoes and drive? Or maybe you’re rushing out the door and thinking about skipping the shirt or grabbing flip-flops. Before you do, it’s a good i

AutoExpert
Ultimate Guide to Storing Your Car: Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Storage - Photo
Tips & Tricks
Ultimate Guide to Storing Your Car: Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Storage

Got a car that needs storing for a while? Whether it's a beloved classic, a project car, or just your everyday ride, storing your vehicle right can save you a ton of hassle down the line. Let'

AutoExpert
Understanding the Atkinson Cycle: Toyota Prius's Eco-Friendly Engine Explained - Photo
Others
Understanding the Atkinson Cycle: Toyota Prius's Eco-Friendly Engine Explained

You know those Toyota Priuses that aren't exactly zipping past you on the highway? There's a good reason they aren’t built for speed but rather for something way better: they're all

AutoExpert
The Suzuki Jimny Nomade’s Wild Success: 50,000 Orders In Just Days - Photo
Car News
The Suzuki Jimny Nomade’s Wild Success: 50,000 Orders In Just Days

The Suzuki Jimny Nomade has taken Japan by storm, so much so that Suzuki had to hit pause on new orders. The demand has been crazy, with 50,000 orders flooding in just days after the launch. 

AutoExpert
How The Dodge Demon 170 Went From $400K To $150K - Photo
Car News
How The Dodge Demon 170 Went From $400K To $150K

When the Dodge Demon 170 first rolled into dealerships with its insane 1,025 horsepower, some went as far as asking nearly $400,000 for the thing. Fast forward to now, and reality has set in. The Demo

AutoExpert
Electric Vehicle Prices Still High Despite Rising Sales - Photo
Car News
Electric Vehicle Prices Still High Despite Rising Sales

The car world is charging full speed toward an electric future, but let’s be real—prices are still a major buzzkill. Automakers keep saying EVs will take over the market eventually, but as

AutoExpert
GR Yaris Becomes Track Monster With Widebody Kit - Photo
Tuning
GR Yaris Becomes Track Monster With Widebody Kit

The Toyota GR Yaris is already a beast of a hot hatch with rally-inspired roots, but that hasn’t stopped tuners from cranking up the aggression. Result Japan just took things to a whole new leve

AutoExpert
Reskinned Ioniq 5 Or Rally Legend? Meet The Vanwall Vandervell - Photo
Car News
Reskinned Ioniq 5 Or Rally Legend? Meet The Vanwall Vandervell

Back in 2023, Vanwall teased us with some renderings of its all-electric Vandervell hatchback. Two years later, the car has finally materialized, boasting a powerful 641 horsepower. It’s not jus

AutoExpert
Nash Rambler: Pioneering America's Compact Car Revolution - Photo
Others
Nash Rambler: Pioneering America's Compact Car Revolution

So, ever heard about the Nash Rambler? It’s actually America’s first compact car, popping up way back in 1950 when everyone else was obsessed with big cars. The folks over at Nash Motors,

AutoExpert