Leveling Kits vs Lifts vs Tire Size

Every truck owner is faced with the decision of tire size and whether to level or lift their truck. Even if we don’t end up doing it, we have all thought about a 6″ lift, or 4″, or a level and 35’s. But what downsides come with each choice? Wicked Customs out of Florida joined us on this episode to talk about common mistakes, choices, and best way to get the ride (and look) we want.

One of the first questions that came up was price. Why do we see $100 leveling kits and others are $800 or more? What separates them? When changing the angle of suspension parts, steering, and demanding ride quality, the cheapest isn’t always the best. Depending on which truck it is, changing those angles also requires other parts to be upgraded for suspension life, tire wear, and more. Our tire size also factors into it. Will a leveling kit allow us to run the wheels and tires we want? Will the tires rub on a full turn?

Typically, those questions lead us into the suspension lift world. And there are even more choices that can stump us. Wicked Customs advised asking what do we do with the truck, is it used for towing and work, or will it be a daily driver and maybe see some shows? Usability is a key component when picking the right height. They said 4″ fits the bill for a custom look, but also allowing bed access and good towing characteristics. 6″+ lifts can be more difficult for usability.

An aspect of changing the factory ride height we didn’t know was maintenance. Sometimes we think once we lift it, we are good to go for the life of the truck. However, there should be inspections done on bolts and other suspension components on a regular basis. This is where an install shop with experience comes into play. They know the mileage, wear patterns, and can set you up with a maintenance schedule for your specific needs.

If you are going for a true custom, SEMA-type build, custom fabricators and companies dedicated to these type of builds are your best bet. They can design a setup to showcase the build, reliability, and safety into the custom setup. If you’re in the market for a ride height change, contact a reputable company in your area to pick the right parts for your build. It’ll save you money in the long run and maintain the usability and reliability you demand from your truck.