How to Lift a Truck: The Main Steps to Take

LINE-X of Greenville Blogger • Dec 05, 2022

There are countless reasons why people choose to lift their vehicle. Learn how to lift a truck by checking out this guide.

When buying a truck, you're buying an extension of yourself. Some people need trucks for work or heavy loads, while others go for the style and power. Most people enjoy a little bit of both.

Truck lovers are always looking to upgrade their vehicles. One popular way is by lifting the truck. Reasons vary but are often for more clearance, off-roading, visibility, or simple aesthetics.

So, how do you lift a truck? You could ask a pro or do it yourself. A step-by-step guide will help you decide and know what a DIY approach would look like. Read on to learn how to lift a truck.

Decide if You Want to Do it Yourself

Before lifting a truck, you must decide if you want to do it yourself. Those who are handy with cars or tools, and are capable of following instructions, can always do this. Those who are less confident or don't know their way around essential tools will struggle.

We will go into the kinds of tools and steps you'll need later, but there's a lot to consider. For starters, lifting a truck requires a lift kit. These come in three main types: suspension, body, and leveling lifts.

Regardless of whether you choose one or a combo, it will cost you. First, you must buy the kits and the appropriate tools if you don't already have them. Depending on the kits and situations in question, this can get pretty expensive.

Yes, going to the pros will also cost you money, but it's a trade-off. You might spend less money, time, and hassle going with the pros than buying everything and troubleshooting it yourself. You have to run your own cost-benefit analysis.

Figure out what it would cost to do it yourself and how much a pro would charge. Then figure out your skill level and how hard or easy this task will be. Most kits come with detailed instructions, but that doesn't mean each one will be novice-friendly.

There's no shame in getting some help to ensure everything gets done correctly.

Have the Right Tools

So, you've decided to do the truck lift yourself. There are many types of trucks, but all require the same sets of tools. Those serious about their tools even get a toolbox installed in the back of their truck.

Let's start with the tools you'll need and go from there.

Jacks

Without a vehicle jack or jack stand, you can't elevate your truck to the point where you can install the kits to lift it. Unfortunately, most people only have one jack and stand - the one that often comes with the truck if you bought it new.

Few people have a full hydraulic lift in their garage, so multiple jack stands are the best alternative.

Wrenches, Screwdrivers, and More

Once you have the jack and stands, you'll need a series of wrenches. A socket wrench, lug wrench, and torque wrench are all standard. Most handymen will have the ones they need already.

Those who don't and can't find someone to loan them their tools could be in trouble. Wrenches are pretty expensive these days, specialized as they are for their tasks.

The next piece of the puzzle is a good screwdriver. Anyone who doesn't have an assortment of screwdrivers or a modular one will need to fix that. It's always a good idea to have screwdrivers for basic stuff around the house, but they are essential for a truck lift.

In addition to the above, here are a few extras worth having. You also want a WD-40 and a pry bar for stubborn parts. It also helps to have some extra bolts or nuts.

Take it Step by Step

Different trucks will have lift kits that are specific to their models. Some kits purport to be general purpose, but be careful with these. When learning how to lift a truck, take everything step by step.

The First Steps

Start by removing and loosening everything you need to first. The negative battery cable needs to go for now. After that, ensure the lug nuts are loose but not falling off!

Once you've raised your truck using your jack and placed it on jack stands, removing or loosening necessary components will be more challenging. So do it while the car is on the ground and in an easier-to-reach state.

When raising your truck, be super careful. This is one of the most dangerous parts of the installation. Getting the center of gravity wrong or not raising it to a level height is a fatal error.

Carefully Remove and Install Parts

After lifting the truck, remove the wheels and tires using your wrenches. You'll see your truck's U-bolts: remove them and the shocks and springs. Your lift kit will come with new U-bolts and extra parts.

Follow the instructions to the letter, and install these extra parts. Some kits might require you to install a new transfer case or even a longer driveshaft. Usually, the instructions for those extra steps are in the manuals that come with the kits.

Once the extra parts are in, start attaching the new shocks and suspension, which also came in the kit.

Nice, Tight, and Finishing Right

Tighten everything up. Use your torque wrench to make sure the bolts and everything else are set to the recommended specs in the instructions. Once everything is nice and secure, put your old tires back on or replace them with new ones if you'd like.

Carefully lower your truck back down. Do it in incremental stages, keeping everything as level as possible. This will be a slow and steady process, but necessary for safety.

Congratulations! You've lifted your truck.

How to Lift a Truck

Knowing how to lift a truck is a skill anyone can learn. All it takes is planning, patience, confidence, and being handy with basic tools.

Are you looking to invest in quality tools and accessories for your truck? LINE-X of Greenville has everything you need to take your vehicle to the next level. Contact us today to find out more,

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