How to Lift a Truck

Have you ever thought to yourself “How do I lift my truck?” Although it’s certainly an involved process that requires a decent amount of mechanical knowledge and experience, it’s definitely doable if you’re a DIY veteran pro. Whether you drive a new Chevy or another truck like a Ford, Jeep, Chevy, GMC, RAM, Nissan, or Toyota, the process of implementing a lift kit is similar. 

That said, there are important differences between the various type of lift kits like suspension lift kits, body lift kits, and leveling kits that you should know about. All the above having been said, let’s dive into what goes into lifting a truck now!

What Tools Do I Need to Lift a Truck?

Looking to install a lift kit on your pickup? Here is what you’ll need:

• Vehicle jacks and jack stands
• Socket wrench
• Lug wrench
• Screwdriver
• Torque wrench

In addition to the above tools, it’s best to keep a hammer and a pry bar with you as you install your lift kit in case you need a little extra elbow grease to remove old parts. To that end, keeping some type of penetrating oil around like WD-40 is also a good idea. Extra nuts and bolts are also good items to have on hand. Remember, this is just the bare minimum. If you have access to a full-service shop, that’s your best bet for lifting a truck. Looking to purchase the above or any other parts for your lift kit project? Order what you need from us online and you’ll save yourself time!

How Do I Lift My Truck at Home? A Step-by-Step Guide

The instruction manual that was included with your lift kit when you purchased it should be your go-to-guide for lifting your truck! That said, the steps below are provided to help give you a better understanding of the process of how to lift a truck, so you can decide between DIY and professional installation for your kit.

First things first: make sure that you’ve bought a lift kit that fits your vehicle’s specifications. Next, complete the following steps to install your lift kit:

1. Remove the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the lug nuts so you can more easily remove the tires when you raise your truck off the ground.
3. Use a jack and jack stands to raise the vehicle. The will take a while, so you’ll want to make sure that the vehicle’s center of gravity is where it should be. Ensuring you’re safe during this process is of paramount importance.
4. Remove the wheels and tires and set them aside.
5. Remove the old U-bolts along with your vehicle’s current shocks and springs.
6. Attach the new U-bolts and, while assembling any parts according to the instructions that came with your kit, attach the new shocks and suspension to the vehicle. 
7. Tighten all pieces and bolts with a torque wrench according to the proper specifications.
8. Attach your old tires or any set of new tires that you’ve purchased for your vehicle.
9. Lower your vehicle carefully back to the ground, keeping it as level as possible as you bring it inches towards the ground.

Some lift kits necessitate installing a longer driveshaft, a new transfer case, or other additional parts. Make sure you’re consulting your instruction manual to ensure you install all necessary parts.

After following the above steps, you should have been able to successfully install your lift kit. Congratulations! It’s still a good idea to get a second set of eyes looking at your vehicle to make sure that it’s installed properly. The next time somebody asks, “How do I lift my truck?” they might turn to you for answers!

How Long Does it Take to Lift a Truck?

You’ve now read about what goes into lifting a truck. Seems easy and quick, right? Not so fast. Before lifting a truck, you should make sure that you have time to finish the job! Although it’s easier to install leveling kits than it is to install an off-road-ready suspension lift kit, neither job is going to be a quick one.

Trained and certified service technicians like the ones here at Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc. can take anywhere between seven and fifteen hours installing a new kit. Even for an experienced DIYer, it’s likely it will take you twice as long to complete at home. Those with a lot of experience might be able to get it done in a weekend. Those who aren’t very familiar with suspension systems probably shouldn’t attempt the process at all.

Should I Lift My Truck at Home?

Lift kits are expensive. Installing them requires time, technical knowledge, and service experience. A lot of patience is also required to install a lift kit. If you’re looking to save money on installation but aren’t sure you’re up to the task, we’d recommend waiting to save up until you can pay the pros to install your lift kit for you. Plus, if you don’t have all the parts you need on hand, the cost of lifting a truck might actually end up being lower if you take it to a professional.

If you do perform your own lift, remember to follow your lift kit’s instruction manual to a tee. Our guide is meant for those who would like a general overview of the process, NOT a foolproof installation guide. 

Schedule Lift Kit Installation at Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc.

Now that you’ve read more about lift kits, you can probably answer the question “how do I lift my truck?”. Still, you may be wondering if you should give it a go or just schedule service. While we highly recommend the latter for most people, we’re happy to talk to you about what’s best in your situation if you give us a call or contact us online today. Here at Jack Burford Chevrolet,inc., helping you with your automotive needs is a top priority for us!