If you’re looking to get a lift kit installed on your vehicle in the Chicagoland area, you’ve come to the right place. A good lift kit or leveling can make a significant difference in the look and feel of your truck or jeep. A simple body leveling kit installation might be fine if you only want the look, but if you plan on actually off-roading then you will want to upgrade to at least a lift kit or leveling kit. Installing a lift kit on your truck requires a mix of technical knowledge and also some regular upkeep and attention to your vehicle's suspension. If you are like most of our customers in the Chicagoland area then you are somewhere in the middle, although we do have some nice local off-roading spots, you want the smooth ride of a daily driver, but you go off-roading sometimes so you also want the flexibility to hit the mud bogs and the trails in the summer. It all boils down to whether you prefer style, function or a mix of the two. If you really want to go crazy then a full suspension lift kit is the way to go. Yes, they are more expensive, but if you are putting together a show truck or if you really want to take your truck off-roading a lot then it is not a bad idea. One thing to keep in mind is the higher you go the more your trucks suspension, steering and axles change. The higher clearance from the lift kit and bigger tires also raises your vehicle’s center of gravity, which can reduce handling. Certain tires designed specifically for off-road conditions can improve traction depending on the circumstances, but the awesome tires you’ve been looking at might not be right for your application. We have seen some real hack jobs and unfortunately, once you have an amateur mess up your truck/jeep suspension it’s hard and expensive to fix or even just to put back to stock. All of our mechanics ride trucks and jeeps so we know what we are talking about when it comes to 4x4 vehicles, lift kits, custom bumpers, etc. We will help you choose the best solution for your particular planned usage. We never try to sell you more or less than you want or need. We have a completely stocked warehouse full of truck parts and accessories and if we do not have your part in stock, we can have 95% off things we order in the next day. We can also remove old accessories that you do not want or need fixing and we welcome you to bring in parts you already purchased for us to install. Types of Suspension Lift Kits Available: Lifted Spring Suspension: The most commonly used type of truck lift kits in the world and one we like for beginners are the Lifted Spring systems. This type of truck lift kit will allow you to run larger tires for additional clearance, while still having excellent control on the highway. Coil Suspension Lift Kits: For serious four wheelers a Coil Suspension Lift Kits might be the way to go. These lift kits offer unmatched ride quality and can also utilize cheaper springs. One drawback is these lift kits sometimes requires welding. Besides that, a coil suspension lift kit provides excellent articulation on the trail and a comfortable ride when not getting muddy. Shackle Suspension Lift Kits: As probably the most affordable way to add inches to your rig, Shackle Suspension Lift Kits are primarily for the truck enthusiast looking to add larger tires, yet are not intending to do much hardcore off-roading. Moderation is recommended with these truck lift kits, as Shackle systems are known to affect steering and sway control. Shackle Reverse (S/R) Suspension Lift Kits: Shackle reverse truck lift kits are designed to provide a smooth ride upon mild terrains such as forest roads, dirt roads, and scenic trails; however, high-speed driving on highways is not recommended. For that reason, you might only want this type of lift kit if you’re up fitting your second trail-only 4x4. Spring Over Axle (SPOA): SPOA suspension lift kits are most popular among serious rock crawlers looking for the utmost articulation (up and down wheel travel). These truck lift kits keep the tires on the ground for maximum traction, while correctly lifted springs lifts everything out of harm's way, including the springs. These kits are most certainly only for someone who has a dedicated trail vehicle or lives on a mountain! Suspension Lift Sizes: Small Lift Kits: Small lift kits consist of 1.5 or fewer inches, and will grant you a little more clearance and room to run slightly larger tires. The most common way to gain a small lift is by using coil spacers in front and long shackles in the rear. The best part of a smaller lift is the lower cost and they are easier to install and maintain with very few complications. Medium Lift Kits: A medium lift is roughly 2” of lift, and is a good choice for those looking for the best tire clearance, but aren't planning on doing any real off-roading. Common medium-sized lifts use spacer and add-a-leaf lifts, and sometimes come with new shocks. With this size of lift kits you'll notice some changes in handling and performance, which are manageable, but you'll also need strong rear springs. One drawback is if you plan to use an add-a-leaf kit, later modification for more lift may be difficult, since add-a-leafs are designed to lift stock springs. Large Lift Kits: The largest lifts consist of 3 to 4” or more for an aggressive look and the best off-road performance. A common large lift setup consists of new front coils and add-a-leafs in the rear, plus some combination of new front coils and new rear springs. These kits often include a matching set of shocks. Large lifts are the most expensive and there can be more complications than with smaller lifts. They also require you to monitor your vehicle more. On-road performance will also be affected, sometimes dramatically, especially if installed incorrectly. Nevertheless, a large lift will transform your rig into an intimidating off-road machine that will stand out among a crowd. Some of the services we provide include: Lifts Kits for 2x4 and 4x4 vehicles (Body & Suspension) Jeep Lift Kits Air Ride lift kits Lowering Kits Suspensions Upgrades Full Suspension Systems Jeep Specific Accessories Truck Accessories Truck & Jeep Fender flares Bumpers Winches Off road lighting Custom wheels and tires Performance parts Rock rails Fender flares
...read more
