Jeep Lift Kits Explained – Budget Lifts, Body Lifts, Suspension Lifts

This article explains the different types of Jeep lift kits, what they do for your Jeep and which one is best for your performance and budget.

There are a few kinds of Jeep lift kits: budget lifts, suspension lifts and body lifts.

1. A budget lift kit involves spacer or shackles that lift your stock suspension.
2. A suspension lift kit consists of new suspension components and actually increases the distance between your axles and your frame.
3. A body lift kit lifts the body above the frame.

If you want to increase articulation and true off-road performance, you want a suspension lift.

The first thing you want to decide before installing a Jeep lift kit is what do you want to do with your lifted Jeep? If you just want to have a better-looking Jeep and don’t expect to do any serious off-roading but you do want bigger tires, you might be able to get away with a budget lift, which consists of spacers that go under your springs and sometimes some upgraded shocks. If you want to tackle the rocks or do some serious overlanding you will want a suspension lift which will give you better ground clearance, longer suspension travel, and increased flex. With either option, you usually will want larger tires as well, so keep that in mind when you are purchasing a lift kit.

Budget Jeep Lifts (1-2 inches)

If you want a cheap lift kit that will allow you to retain the factory ride quality and run slightly larger tires, check out a budget lift. These are usually made of spacers that sit under your coil springs (2006 Wranglers and up) or they use larger shackles (YJ Jeep Wranglers) and raise your Jeep 1-2 inches. It’s smart to buy new shocks with a budget lift so you retain decent down travel and don’t bend your shock mounts.

Pros:

• budget lifts are cheap
• easy to install
• consist of very few parts
• retain factory ride quality
• allow for larger tires
• increase clearance

Cons:

• only lifts 1-2 inches
• can’t get huge tires
• doesn’t increase wheel travel

True Suspension Lift Kits – 2.5″ – 6″ and beyond!

This is when you know you want to have better off-road performance. You’ll have more ground clearance, better articulation and the room to fit much larger tires: 33’s, 35’s or even 37’s! This is when your Jeep will really start to surprise you and it’s a must for the harder trails of Moab and beyond. Some of these lifts can make your daily drive a little more tedious because your Jeep is designed to be off-road more than on, so keep that in mind if you have a long commute. Also, your gas mileage will decrease if that’s an issue for you. 

With a suspension lift, the higher you go, the more expensive your build. If you want to go with a 3.5” lift kit or higher, there are a variety of parts that may need to be upgraded or extended to keep your Jeep in safe operating condition. For instance, you might need longer lower control arms, upper control arms, extended brake lines, an extended emergency brake cable, and a track bar replacement. If you aren’t an experienced mechanic or DIY superstar, this might increase the cost of your build as well since you’ll need a few more hours of labor for your install. But, don’t let that scare you because your Jeep will look and perform AMAZING!

Pros:

• serious clearance
• increased suspension articulation
• room for huge tires
• aggressive look

Cons:

• more expensive
• might need to upgrade other components
• rougher ride
• lower gas mileage

Body Lifts – 1″-3″ and more

A body lift is a very cheap way to lift your Jeep in order to fit larger tires. A body lift kit is composed of spacers that lift the body a bit higher off the frame. Usually, you can get 1-3 inches of lift with a body lift without changing any major components, but if you go bigger than that you might need to upgrade your radiator brackets, shifter, fuel filler tube and possibly your steering linkage.

Pros:

• very cheap Jeep lift
• fit larger tires and wheels
• less of a change in the center of gravity
• keep stock driveline angles
• no need for a slip yoke eliminator ( a part that extends your driveshaft)
• goes well with a suspension lift for added clearance

Cons:

• can look like a body lift – you’ll know it when you see it
• minimal to no ground clearance gained
• no increase in wheel travel
• must remove the fan shroud which could cause cooling issues
• may require engine mount lift if you go big
• may require new brackets and extensions for larger lifts
• lifts above 1.5 inches could reduce ride quality

We hope this helps break down the different options of lift kits for your Jeep Wrangler. Essentially if you plan on being a street queen and just want bigger tires then go ahead with a budget lift or a body lift. If you plan on getting into the exciting world of off-roading, then get a suspension lift – but you will have to decide between a long-arm and a short-arm lift which we will discuss in a later article.