How to Install Lift Kit: Step By Step Guide

We all know what the purpose of a truck is. You can use this behemoth of a vehicle to transport heavy loads of cargo across large distances effortlessly.

In terms of modifications, truck drivers usually lift the suspension to attain some advantages in their truck. But what happens is that most people don't know how to actually raise their truck due to lack of mechanical skill.

Luckily, the existence of easy to use lift kits makes your job easier. We've made a detailed instruction guide on how to install lift kit so that you don't have to worry about the multitude of factors bothering you in any way.

Suspension Type

Before you get started with your lift kit, the one crucial factor you have to consider is the suspension present in your vehicle. Since there are many different types of suspensions, companies design lift kits complying with those designs.

Depending on what type of suspension you have, there might be some additional tools that you will need along the way. In general, you need to know about three types of suspension types, which are –

Linkage

There are a couple of links that vary in shapes, which are used in suspension systems. These links differ from straight bars to forged metal shapes depending on the fit to support the springs. One of the simpler types you will find is the one that links a wheel to the other on the opposite side of the vehicle.

Springs

Mainly, there are three types of spring suspensions that car manufacturers incorporate in their vehicles. They either use coil springs that are just wound torsion bars, leaf springs that fulfill two purposes at once, or torsion bars that depend on the spin of a long bar. Each of these types has its own fors and againsts.

Shock Absorbers

The final type of suspension is using a piston and cylinder alongside adjustable valves to determine the flow of hydraulic fluid. If it sounds too technical, the easy and short answer is that the purpose of a shock-absorbing suspension is to dampen the effect of any turbulence your truck faces when you are driving.

Lift Kit Installation

Tools

Now that we discussed the three different types of suspensions, we can talk about the tools you need to install a lift kit conveniently. Since you are lifting your truck, you will need a lot of tools to make your job easier.

While some tools are optional, here are some that you absolutely require to install a lift kit

Pry bars to remove any parts that you don't want to damage
A PB blaster to remove older parts from your suspension since they might resist the kit
Standard size wrenches to unscrew any flimsy parts
Vehicle jacks to safely stabilize your truck
Torque wrench to install fasteners to the accurate torque specification
Lug wrench so you can save time when detaching lugs on your suspension
A handy screwdriver to unscrew old parts
A hammer to knock the removable parts in your vehicle
Additional nuts and bolts
Safety wire
Spring compressor for front coil spring suspensions
An unloading tool for torsion bars
A breaker bar to create more torque to break the fastener
An impact wrench to detach lug nuts and save time
A reciprocating saw to cut out any unnecessary parts

Installation Steps

As we have established all the necessary information and tools you need to lift your truck, we can now proceed to the actual process. There are a lot of steps you need to follow, so paying attention is a crucial factor. You must not miss any of these steps lest you damage your vehicle.

The first task you must accomplish is to remove the connection between the negative battery and the terminal. This way, you won't get shocked.
Slowly loosen the lug nuts but don't remove them.
Raise the front of your truck to an optimal height so that you can get below your vehicle and apply the new components. Make sure that there is a jack under each point.
Place some safety stands under each side so that you can support the stability of the raise. Please ensure that the stands are aptly rated for your vehicle.
Lift a floor jack below the axle to set the weight of the axle in place.
Detach the wheels and tires.
Detach the parts as stated: your current absorbers, u-bolts, and springs. You should put them aside if you want to attach them back to your vehicle later.
In some cases, the lift kit you have will require a spring assembly. Apply the instructions of the kit to attach them together.
Remember the u-bolts? Take a few of them and screw them in where your old bolts were. You should ensure that they are in a vertical position.
Assemble all of your shock absorbers using kit instructions.
To conclude, make sure that all of your nuts, bolts, and novel components are attached without a hint of doubt. Utilize the aforementioned torque wrench to tighten all the fasteners.
Detach the safety stands and gently lower your truck, keeping it at equilibrium.
Connect the negative battery with the terminal again.
Repeat the above steps for the rear suspension. Rear suspension upgrades are generally more straightforward due to the fact that you only have to remove the wheel block from the system.

Final Words

All in all, it isn't that difficult to install a lift kit in your truck. If you follow the instructions above carefully and meet the procedures with the utmost gentleness, you can effortlessly raise your vehicle by a few inches.

As we discussed at the start, lifting your truck has a lot of valuable advantages. From increasing your vehicle's longevity to giving you extra ground clearance, you can see all of these pros once you have installed the kit.

Hopefully, our instruction guide on how to install lift kit helped you get a sense of what you require in the process of raising your vehicle.

Assemble all the necessary tools and equipment listed in the guide, follow the instructions carefully, and guarantee an easy truck lifting experience without any problems.

Samantha

I am Samantha, an automobile engineer and POD business owner. I am also a wife of Jason and a mother of three children, two of whom are twins. I am passionate about making a difference in the world and strive to be a role model for my children. I believe that hard work and dedication can lead to success, no matter what your circumstances may be. I have a passion for cars and enjoy working on them in my spare time. I am excited to be able to share my knowledge and experience with you. Stay connected !

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