Body Lift vs. Suspension Lift: What's the Difference?

Serena Aburahma
· 4 min read
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If you drive a
pickup truck
and plan on taking it off-road, you may need off-road tires. These are larger than standard tires, and they often require you to install a lift kit to allow them to fit. Drivers may wonder if lifting is worth it for their trucks, like the Jeep Gladiator, but once you've decided to lift, there are still questions. 
One question when lifting a truck is whether you should go with a body lift vs. suspension lift. These different types of lifts each have benefits, but it depends on what a driver is looking for in their truck.
Superlift
helps make this decision easier by explaining the pros of each type of lift. 
If you want to lift your truck it’s good to know the difference between a body lift and a suspension lift so you can pick one that suits your needs.

Body lift details

Just as the name implies, a body lift increases the distance between the truck's body and frame. This can be done to make space for larger tires, but it only lifts between two and five inches. 
Because of these limitations, the body lift kit can struggle with certain tasks. Rocks, downed trees, and other larger obstacles could be difficult for a truck with a body lift kit to clear.
Even though this could be a major downside for the drivers who want to do intense outdoor activities, it does come with a major benefit. Body lifts are significantly less expensive than suspension lifts. 
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Suspension lift details

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Just as the body lift kit lifts the body, the suspension lift kit lifts the truck's suspension. This allows the truck to have more space than a body lift, which allows drivers to have even larger tires. With a suspension lift, your truck could be lifted up to 12 inches.
This extra space gives the trucks with suspension lifts additional clearance power. Off-road driving is much more possible with a suspension lift that can get through tough terrain and over obstacles. 
Even though a suspension lift gives extra power, it does come at a cost. Suspension lift kits are not cheap compared to body kits, which could be a problem. If you're a casual off-road driver considering lifting your Honda Ridgeline, it might not be the best choice.

Body lift vs. suspension lift: which is better?

MORE: Why the Toyota Tundra Was Named the Most-Loved Full-Sized Pickup Truck
Both suspension lifts and body lifts have their benefits, but which is best for you depends on what you plan to do. If you are only interested in some off-road driving, a body lift should do the trick. If you plan on more intensive off-road driving, though, you may need the added power of a suspension lift. 
Something that also should be considered is the ease of installation if you want to do it yourself. Suspension lift kits are the harder kits to install, but they can still be installed at home if you want. 

Comparison shopping with Jerry can also help save money on car insurance

Comparing the different types of lifts can help you decide which is best for you based on your model of truck and other factors. Comparison shopping can also help you shop for car insurance, and
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