Leveling Kit vs Lift Kit: Which Does Your Truck Need?

This guide is for truck owners deciding between a leveling kit and a lift kit. A leveling kit raises the front to match the factory rear height, without changing the rear suspension. A lift kit raises the vehicle above its factory ride height by replacing or adding suspension parts, which increases clearance underneath and makes room for larger tires. Choose by what you want to change: the nose-down stance, or the height of the whole truck.

What each one changes

• Leveling kit: the front. A leveling kit reduces or removes the factory nose-down stance by raising the front, on its own or more than the rear.
• Lift kit: the whole truck. A suspension lift raises ride height to clear larger tires. Component kits vary in what they include, so check the parts list; some kits ship as several component boxes that together make up the kit.

What to check first

• Factory height. Some trucks leave the factory already lifted or leveled. See ReadyLift's check below before you order a leveling kit.
• Drive and engine. Titles often say 2WD/4WD, 4WD only, Diesel or Gas.

Fit is confirmed product by product: use the vehicle selector, then read the fitment table on the product page.

Leveling kits

The Rough Country 2" Leveling Kit, 09-25 F150 2WD/4WD is listed for 2009-2025 F150, 2WD and 4WD. It raises the front to match the factory rear height, without changing the rear suspension. See Rough Country Leveling Kits.

The ReadyLift Suspension Leveling Kit, 2.5" Lift, 4WD, 2011-2026 Ford F-250 / F-350 Super Duty (66-2726) shows what a leveling kit can include: a sound isolator between the spacer and the spring to keep the original smooth ride and cut noise, and shock extensions so the factory front shocks stay. ReadyLift says it installs with no cutting or drilling. Its notes add that on F-250 trucks with the factory 3" rear block it gives nearly level positioning, which may measure slightly short of level.

Check factory height first

The ReadyLift Suspension Leveling Kit, 2.25" Lift (66-2215) raises the front end by 2.25 inches to bring the vehicle closer to level. ReadyLift's notes say it is not for trucks that are factory pre-lifted or leveled, or that have the "off-road package", and give a check: with the wheels pointing straight ahead, use a plumb line to measure from the centre of the wheel hub to the bottom edge of the fender at 12 o'clock. Over 22" means the truck already has some factory front lift, and this kit is not the right one. See ReadyLift Leveling Kits and ReadyLift Lift Kits.

Lift kits

The Rough Country 2" Lift Kit, 21-25 F150 2WD/4WD (RCT-57100) lifts the vehicle 2 inches over stock ride height for added ground clearance. Unlike the Rough Country 2" leveling kit above, which raises the front to meet the rear, it raises the truck over stock. See Rough Country Lift Kits.

Compare the parts list of a taller system. The Fabtech 4 Link Lift System, 4", Diesel, Performance Shocks (K2216) is listed for 2017-2022 Ford F-250 Super Duty / Ford F-350 Super Duty. Fabtech describes a bolt-on 4 link system that also includes sway bar drops, a track bar relocation bracket, a pitman arm and a U-bolt kit, and the title lists performance shocks. See Fabtech Lift Kits.

Browse lift kits by height: 2–4" Lift Kits and 4–6" Lift Kits.

How to decide

• Choose a leveling kit if you want the front to sit even with the rear and are happy with the factory height at the back.
• Choose a lift kit if you want more clearance at both ends or room for larger tires.

Before you lift in Canada

Rules on lift height and tire size differ by province, so check your province's rules before you lift or fit larger tires. On a truck with a few winters of road salt behind it, plan for seized suspension hardware. We ship across Canada and prices are in Canadian dollars; each product page lists the years, makes and models it fits. Shop all Truck Leveling Kits and Truck Lift Kits.

FAQ

Does a leveling kit change the rear of the truck?

A leveling kit raises the front to match the factory rear height, without changing the rear suspension. Some kits also raise the rear, but less than the front, so read the title and the parts list.

Is a 2" leveling kit the same as a 2" lift kit?

No. A 2" leveling kit raises the front to meet the rear. Rough Country's 2" lift kit (RCT-57100) lifts the vehicle 2 inches over stock ride height.

Can I keep my factory shocks?

It depends on the kit. ReadyLift's 2.5" Super Duty leveling kit includes shock extensions so the factory front shocks stay, while Fabtech's 4" 4 Link Lift System lists performance shocks in its title. Check the parts list.

How do I know if my truck already has factory front lift?

Use the plumb-line check ReadyLift gives for its 2.25" kit (above), and compare with the figure on the product page.