How to Lift a Truck

At Ryan Family Dealerships, you’ll find pickup trucks from major OEMs like Chevrolet, RAM, Dodge, GMC, Nissan, and Honda. With so many trucks in our inventory, we understand the draw of lift kits and why so many truck owners love them. With a lift kit, it’s easy and safe to venture off the beaten path and travel in confidence. The technicians at our service centers are often asked, “How do I lift my truck?” So, we’ve put together the guide below to answer some of the burning questions you may have about lift kits!

Tools Needed to Lift a Truck

You’ll need the following tools to install a lift kit:

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

It’s also a good idea to have a pry bar and hammer handy, just in case you run into any stubborn old parts that won’t budge. You can also use WD-40 to loosen tight joints. It’s important to note that the tools listed above are the bare minimum you’ll need; if you can use a full-fledged auto shop, then do so. Our parts centers are great resources for the materials you’ll need!

How Do I Lift My Truck: The At-Home Guide

It’s important to note that the instructions below are a simplified guide, so you have a quick overview of the process. The best set of instructions to reference is the manual that came with your truck lift kit, so be sure to read it thoroughly and follow every step to the letter. 

After you’ve purchased a lift kit that’s compatible with your truck, take the following basic steps to install it:

1. First, remove the negative battery cable.
2. Then, use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts, so you can more easily remove the tires when when the truck is raised.
3. Use your jack and jack stands to raise your truck.
4. Remove the wheels and tires. Set them aside for now.
5. Remove the old U-bolts, as well as the shocks and springs.
6. Assemble any parts you need for the new shocks and suspension system, carefully following the manual that came with the kit.
7. Then, attach the new bolts and install the new shocks and suspension.
8. Using the torque wrench, tighten all of the bolts to the proper specifications.
9. Re-install the tires/wheels, or attach a larger set that’s compatible with your truck’s new lift kit.
10. Finally, slowly lower the truck, keeping it as level as possible until it’s fully resting on the ground.

Your truck may also need a longer driveshaft, a new transfer case, or another new component, depending on the lift kit you’ve purchased. After you’ve completed the installation, it’s a smart idea to schedule a service visit at one of our service centers to make sure everything is working properly.

How Long Does it Take to Lift a Truck?

It’s no secret that installing lift kits or leveling kits can be time-consuming jobs — neither is a quick process. So, it’s important to ask yourself if you’re willing to put the time and effort into installing a lift kit at home. Also, do you have the experience? It can take trained technicians around 7 to 15 hours to properly install a new kit. If you’re not familiar with suspension systems, it’s best to let the professionals handle it. Also, if you don’t have the parts you need, it might actually be more cost-effective to take it to a service center and have them install it for you with the correct equipment.

Lift Your Truck at a Ryan Family Dealership Location!

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how to lift a truck and what the process entails. In most cases, it’s easier, safer, and less risky to simply schedule a service appointment and have certified technicians complete the work for you. And, it might even be more affordable. If you have any further questions, contact one of our locations today!