Lifting a Jeep: Pros & Cons of Modifying Your Suspension

What Is a Lift Kit?

Before we jump right into the nitty gritty of why you should or shouldn't install a lift kit, it's important to understand what they are first. Lift kits help you lift your Jeep for better off-road performance, and this can be accomplished by lifting the entire suspension or by lifting the vehicle’s frame. The amount of lift you’re after determines the parts that come in the kit, along with how expensive it will be. A great example is lifting your Jeep about a half inch or only two inches with a leveling kit. This can often be done with stock suspension parts that you pair with larger wheels and tires. Other kits make use of new shocks and struts that add an inch or two. For most Jeep applications, lift kits will raise a Jeep about an inch to five inches depending on the type of terrain you plan on driving on or how aggressive you want your Jeep to look.

Benefits of Lifting Your Jeep

Let's start on a high note with the pros of lifting your Jeep. You'll find that lifting your Jeep will help you customize your vehicle, improve your ride quality on rough terrain, and even add a few style points. Learn more about the benefits of lifting your Jeep below.

Aggressive Styling

When you want to make your Jeep feel uniquely yours, one of the best ways to do so is to install a lift kit. Having your Jeep Wrangler literally stand above the others is a great way to draw some attention to a build you've spent your hard-earned time and money on. Plus, the extra height gives you room for bigger wheels and tires that can improve your Jeep’s appearance and style.

Better Off-Road Capability

Sure, a lift kit makes your Jeep look great, but the benefits go well beyond that. Lift kits give you more clearance so that your vehicle doesn't come into contact with any rocks or bottom out on uneven terrain. Plus, you'll have more room to install a set of off-road wheels and tires, like the 17x8 Mammoth Split 8 Wheel & 33in NITTO All-Terrain Ridge Grappler A/T Tire Package; Set of 5.

Better Visibility

One benefit that's often overlooked is more visibility. When you lift your Jeep a few inches you'll have an easier time seeing over other vehicles on the road. While it's nice to see the road, seeing what's going on ahead of you will help you prevent accidents or brake sooner rather than slamming your brakes. This is also useful for off-roading.

Easier to Work on Your Jeep

Installing a lift kit will make your life a whole lot easier when you want to work on anything under your vehicle. Whether you need to tighten an exhaust clamp or swap out gaskets by the headers, having a few extra inches of clearance will help the job go smoothly.

Drawbacks of Lifting Your Jeep

Lift kits will help your Jeep stick out from the crowd, perform better off-road, and take your build to the next level, but they don't come without their fair share of risks. Learn about some of these drawbacks below.

High Cost

Unfortunately, upgrading your Jeep's suspension is expensive, especially if you’re adding a lot of new parts. For example, a kit like the JKS Manufacturing 2.50-inch J-Kontrol Heavy Duty Rate Coil Suspension Lift Kit with FOX Adventure Series Shocks can cost you more than $1,500. What's more, that's the price without installation, which can add another one or two thousand dollars depending on the parts.

Greater Risk of Tipping

Let's face it, while Jeeps might look great, they're not exactly aerodynamic or built to handle sharp turns; you've probably felt them creaking in big gusts of wind. Unfortunately, adding a lift kit will often increase the risk of tipping, which is the last thing you want if you’re off-roading. The good news is that you can minimize tipping by sticking with a lift kit that's in the 1-2.5-inch range.

Possible Warranty Problems

Driving one of the more recent Jeep Wranglers? Or perhaps you have a used Wrangler with a warranty from the dealer? In both cases, changing your suspension parts can void your warranty and leave you with costly repairs if something goes wrong.

Poor Performance

Lift kits might make your Jeep look great, but if you get excessive with it and don't upgrade the right parts your Jeep will have some performance problems. First and foremost, you'll notice a reduction in fuel efficiency if you pair a five-inch kit with massive wheels and tires due to the increase in weight. Not only will this hurt you at the pump, but it'll be harder to turn, take longer to stop, and reduce your overall ride quality.

Lift Your Jeep the Right Way

We can all agree that the pros outweigh the cons of a lift kit – they're too cool to go without, especially if you like to hit the trails. Still, you need to choose the right lift kit for your build to mitigate any of the drawbacks they might come with. Fortunately, our sales techs are ready to help you find the perfect kit for your Jeep, and they're only a phone call away.