Is It Possible To Lift a Truck Without a Lift Kit?

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Let’s face it, upgrading your truck to suit your preferences can cost quite a lot. In most cases, truck owners want to lift their trucks between 2 and 6 inches (50.8 – 152.4 mm), but that comes with a hefty price tag. With lifting ranging between $200-$12,000, it would be great if there were a way to do it yourself, right? 

There are alternative methods for lifting a truck that don’t require a lift kit. Use lift blocks, torsion keys, and spring spacers, or add a leaf for alternative and cost-effective methods of lifting your truck. 

The rest of this article will go through different ways you can lift your truck without breaking the bank on a lift kit. So, if you’re ready to get your vehicle up to par with the rest of the industry, take advantage of these budget-friendly options!

you can lift a truck without a kit
OSWEGO, UNITED STATES – Jul 05, 2020: A white lifted Ram truck near green trees on a sunny day

Lifting a Truck Without a Lift Kit

Lifting your truck is an excellent addition to your ride, so don’t give up on the idea because the lifting kits you looked at were expensive. Alternative solutions are available if you want to solve the problem differently. Continue reading and find out what you need to know.

For a 1.5 Inch Lift, Add Torsion Keys

You can safely lift your factory torsion bars by upgrading your torsion keys. A torsion key is a machined steel plate mounted on the frame ends of torsion bars that facilitate height adjustments. You can use the keys without changing your factory settings, which is nice. 

You can lift the torsion bars 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) on a stock truck with stock keys. But, if the torsion bars are not very saggy, they can reach a lift of 2.5 inches (63.5 mm). However, be warned that too much CV joint bending can cause axle binding, which will mean bad news for your truck’s internal bearings. 

For a 1 to 2.5 Inch Lift, Use Coil-Spring Spacers

A coil spacer, or budget boost lift, raises the vehicle with either a polyurethane or steel spacer. They generally reach 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) in height and sit on top of the vehicle’s existing coil spring. These kits are incredibly inexpensive, which is one of their biggest draws.

A spacer is an effective way to lift your truck’s front and rear end. It is called a coil-spring spacer because it is suitable for coil-sprung rigs. To set this up, you need to place the spacer between the spring and the coil-spring pad. As a result, your truck will have a wider gap and lift, but your axles may stretch more.

Coil-sprung spacers are cost-effective, help facilitate a smooth drive, and don’t affect the performance of your truck.  

For a 3-Inch Lift, Use Add-a-Leaves

Adding a leaf is another effective way of lifting a truck without a lift kit. If your vehicle uses a leaf-spring pack, you can add an extra leaf to increase the height.

They work by increasing truck carrying capacity or reducing sway by creating a firmer ride. You can also use them to raise the height of your truck. A percentage change in elevation and subsequent ride quality is directly related to the number and thickness of leaves added.

In addition to the existing leaf springs, an additional leaf spring adds more tension. Increasing tension means more shock absorption on bumpy roads, challenging terrain, and heavy loads. Using this technique can also increase the lifespan of older springs.

Despite its advantages, this method does have some drawbacks. Adding leaves requires unscrewing the axle, so you’ll need to be comfortable using power tools, a jack, and a jack stand. Furthermore, this method reduces axle articulation, resulting in reduced performance or experience.

For a 1 to 5 Inch Life, Use Lift Blocks

Lift Blocks can be used to raise the back end of your truck. They’re a block that adds extra space between the axle and leaf spring. If you want extra height, you can stack more than one or use them with add-a-leaves. The advantage of using blocks is that they are inexpensive compared to other options and will not increase the firmness of your ride.

Because of this, some truck owners find them ideal. These are usually added to provide some practical benefit, such as providing more space for larger wheels, additional clearance space, or improving cosmetic appearance. 

They’re best for stock trucks that need more rear lift to help with load capacity handling and older trucks with sagging rear leaf springs. 

Lift blocks also help with off-road driving. You can install a rear block to raise the back and prevent the truck from hitting the ground. And, for those who prefer a larger wheel, installing lift blocks raises the truck’s height to make room for them.  

Find the Best Way to Lift Your Truck Based on Your Needs

The overall goal of any truck driver is to have a nicer-looking and better-performing truck. And lifting your vehicle will help you with both. 

It takes some time and careful consideration to lift a vehicle. What is your reason for wanting/needing a lift? 

  • Is it for appearances’ sake or for practical reasons?
  • Does it serve primarily as a recreational vehicle or a daily driver? 
  • Is there a specific goal you are aiming for? 
  • Does it make driving safe? 
  • What is your budget? (even though you won’t be buying a lift kit, you’ll still have to purchase additional tools- if you don’t have them already)  
  • What is the height you would like to lift? 

Lifting your vehicle requires answers to these questions. It’ll give you a better idea of which technique will work for you because comfort and practicality are essential considerations to keep in mind

For example, spacers are the best way to achieve a lift between 1 and 2.5 inches (25.4 – 63.5 mm). While it’s likely that you’ll need four to five inches (101.6 – 127 mm) of lift in the front if you intend to drive off-road. Therefore, you may need more than one method. For example, more substantial shocks and longer springs.

  • The types of lifts available are front, back, and level lifts. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for you based on your needs and preferences.
  • Level lifts are preferred by most truck owners. They are usually more comfortable. This is because whether you’re hauling a heavy or light load, a balanced truck stays level. 

An excellent-looking tall truck provides significant improvements in comfort. There will be no need to worry about traction when driving your vehicle in different road conditions. 

you can lift a truck using blocks

Final Thoughts

Although lift kits are one of the most effective ways to lift a truck, there are alternatives. For example, you can purchase and use lift blocks or add-a-leaves to increase the height. If most of your driving isn’t off-road, you can also consider using spacers for the best results. 

Luckily, there are many lifting methods effective to varying degrees and will have their own pros and cons. The best solution for your truck is to use alternative techniques to ensure you get the most out of your vehicle and save money.

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