How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Truck? Costs + Methods Listed

How Much Does it Cost to Lift a Truck?

Lifting a truck allows for bigger wheel/tire combinations, and it allows you more room for suspension travel and higher ground clearance, which can be helpful for off-roading. Some people also lift their trucks simply for aesthetic reasons. There are several different options for lifting a truck, and the costs will vary depending on the size of the truck, the height of the lift, as well as whether you choose to do the work yourself or pay a professional to do it.

Below, we provide a cost breakdown for DIY and professional installation of the most popular truck-lifting methods, starting with the simplest, least expensive options. See our related research for information about financing a lift kit.

Coil Spacers

A cost-effective way to lift your truck without modifying the suspension or affecting the brakes is to use coil spacers. Coil spacers, also called coil springs, add at least a couple of inches of lift and install easily. The quality of your truck’s performance should not be affected by using coil spacers.

• DIY: Coil spacers/springs can sell for $5 apiece for basic individual springs and up to $1,500 for more involved coil spring kits.
• Professional installation: If you’re not comfortable installing the spacers yourself, you can hire a pro to complete the job. Labor costs for coil spacer installation average about $200 for labor.

Strut Extensions

If you’re adding lift to an SUV, you may want to consider strut extensions. Strut extensions are for trucks that have a coilover strut at the front suspension — this is most common in sports utility vehicles. These extensions are relatively easy to both install and remove.

• DIY: You can purchase a strut extension kit for around $31 to $1,700 or more. The price is largely dependent on your truck’s make and model, as well as the components that come with the kit.
• Professional installation: Labor costs for this job could run up to $500 with alignment included, plus the cost of the kit, making the total cost anywhere from about $530 to $2,200 or more.

Torsion Keys

Torsion keys work in conjunction with leveling kits and allow you to uninstall factory torsion pieces and replace them with keys that will allow you to create a lift. Using torsion keys can be more cost-effective than other methods of achieving lift, and the keys are simple to install for beginners or home mechanics. Torsion keys lift the front end of the truck and can be installed with bolts.

• DIY: You can purchase torsion keys to fit any make and model of truck for around $30 to $500. Most kits come with the bolts you need to do the job yourself, though you will need your own tools.
• Professional installation: If you want to hand the job over to a professional, you can expect the labor to cost anywhere from $100 to $200, making a total cost of up to $700 for high-end keys and installation.

Block Kits

If you’re only looking to raise up the rear of your truck, a block kit is typically the best type of lift kit to buy. Block kits add height, and they are generally inexpensive and easy to install yourself. Cast lift blocks simply fit into the place where your U-bolts go and raise the back end of the truck.

• DIY: You can purchase a block kit for anywhere from $34 to $600. Kits vary in price based on the truck’s make and model, and some kits come with U-bolts while some do not. Blocks come in different heights, allowing you to provide a more customized lift for your truck.
• Professional installation: If you opt for professional installation for your block kit, the price will include the cost of the kit plus the cost of labor, which should be around $200 to $500 with alignment. In total, you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $1,100 for professional installation. The work should not take more than an hour.

Body Lift Kits

Body lift kits avoid manipulating your truck’s suspension and instead focus solely on adding height to your truck. This is a good option for truck owners who wish to add some lift but desire a less expensive option and want to leave the truck’s suspension out of the equation.

• DIY: You can purchase a body lift kit for around $80 to $2,300. The price depends on the truck’s make and model, the lift kit brand, and how many components come with the kit.
  • Note: Installing a body lift kit is difficult, time-consuming, and can require you to install additional steering parts.
• Professional installation: Due to the complexity of the installation, hiring a professional can cost nearly $1,000 in labor fees, plus the initial cost of the kit, totaling anywhere from $1,080 to $3,300.

Leveling Kits

Leveling kits are a cost-effective way to add height, and they’re easier for beginner mechanics to install than other types of lift kits. Trucks are manufactured with the back slightly higher than the front to accommodate towing heavy loads, so as the name implies, a leveling kit raises the front of the truck to match the back. It is a fairly hassle-free way to achieve an allover lifted look.

• DIY: You can purchase a basic kit for around $20 or a more complex kit for around $2,000 or more. The price varies depending on your truck’s make and model.
• Professional installation: While leveling kits are relatively easy to install, if you prefer to have a professional do the installation, you can expect to add up to $500 in labor fees on top of the initial cost of the kit, totaling $520 to more than $2,500.

If you’re considering a leveling kit, our article explains whether or not a lift kit will damage your truck.

Suspension Lift Kits

A suspension lift kit alters the geometry of your truck’s suspension, so if the kit you purchase isn’t designed to fit your truck properly or isn’t installed correctly, there could be stability issues. This method may also require other alterations, including gear ratio modification, brake upgrades, and/or adding shock absorbers. For a suspension lift, you’ll also need to adjust or replace the steering rack. This could entail replacing worn nuts and bolts along with the rack itself, and any accompanying o-rings.

• DIY: You can find suspension kits for anywhere from $30 to more than $5,000. The price varies by brand, size, design, and complexity.
• Professional installation: Professional installation is recommended, and could cost up to $1,500 plus the price of the kit. This could make the total price more than $6,500, but a truck that’s not aligned could end up causing damage to your vehicle over time, which could cost more to fix.

In Summary

The cost to lift a truck varies depending on the size and type of your truck, the lifting method you choose, and if you want to do it yourself or pay a professional to do the work. If you’re on a tight budget, you can find lift kits for as low as $20 that will add a little lift to your truck and that you can install yourself without any help. If you have a bit more money, you can find more expensive lift options and hire a professional to do the job for up to $6,000 or more. Whatever your financial circumstance, if you’re looking to add some lift to your truck, there are plenty of options available to you.

For information about other modifications, see our articles about the cost to wrap a truck or the cost of powder coating.