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What Style of Lift Kit Do I Have?

Picture of JBA Offroad Team By   ·  2 minute read

Whether you’re just starting to explore off-road upgrades or you’re looking to better understand your current suspension, we’ll help you identify the right lift kit for your off-road adventures. Explore various lift kit styles: Spring Lifts, Spacer Lifts, and Leveling Kits, as well as more complex setups like Cradle Drop, Cross-Member Drop, or Drop Bracket Kits and Cradle Drop Kits with Spring Lifts. Let’s get into it!

Spring Lift, Spacer Lift, or Leveling Kit [1 to 3.5-inch lift]

Spring_lift

Spacer Lift or Leveling Kit

These kits cause the upper arms to angle downward toward the ball joints. The Leveling kit or strut lift removes the factory rake angle by lifting the front level with the vehicle's rear suspension.

  • Coil Spring spacer
  • On-top strut spacers
  • Preload Collar 
  • Bilstein 5100 Series, adjustable struts
  • Bilstein 6100 Series, adjustable struts
  • Using lift springs on struts
  • Higher-rate strut springs
  • Adjustable coil over struts

Spring lift kit

These kits cause the upper arms to angle downward toward the ball joints. Spring kits remove the factory rake angle and lift the rear of the vehicle about 1.5" - 2.5".

  • Coil Spring spacer
  • On-top strut spacers
  • Preload Collar 
  • Bilstein 5100 Series, adjustable struts
  • Bilstein 6100 Series, adjustable struts
  • Using lift springs on struts
  • Using higher-rate strut springs
  • Adjustable coil over struts 

 

Cradle Drop, Cross-Member Drop, or Drop Bracket Lift Kit [4 to 12-inch lift] 

Cradle_Drop

Cradle Drop Kit

These kits keep the upper arms level like the factory stock suspension. 
cradle drop lift, cross-member drop, or drop bracket lift kit

  • This style kit relocates the lower control arms on the front of the vehicle using a drop bracket. These brackets offset the lower control mounting holes by 4", 6", or 8". These kits also include longer steering knuckles to fit within the bigger gap between the upper and the lower ball joints. 

 

Cradle Drop Kit with Spring Lift [6 to 12-inch lift] 

Spring_lift_with_Cradle_Drop

Cradle Drop Kit

These kits cause the upper arms to angle downward toward the ball joints. cradle drop lift, cross-member drop, or drop bracket lift kit

  • This style kit relocates the lower control arms on the front of the vehicle by using a drop bracket. These brackets offset the lower control mounting holes by 4", 6", or 8". These kits also include longer steering knuckles to fit within the bigger gap between the upper and the lower ball joints.

Spring lift kit

Spring kits on the front struts  

  • Coil Spring spacer 
  • On-top strut spacers 
  • Preload Collar  
  • Bilstein 5100 Series, adjustable struts
  • Bilstein 6100 Series, adjustable struts
  • Using lift springs on struts
  • Higher-rate strut springs
  • Adjustable coil over struts 

Example: 4" cradle drop lift with a 2" spring/coil over lift = 6" lift kit.  6" cradle drop lift with a 2" spring/coil over lift = 8" lift kit. When the mounting holes are offset by 4" and the kit is a 6" kit, the other 2 inches are made up from the strut lift or spring lift.

 

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on Spacer Lifts, Leveling Kits, and more advanced setups like Cradle Drop Kits and Spring Lift Combos, you’re ready to assess your off-road rig’s suspension or choose your next upgrade. Whether you're leveling out your truck or gearing up for the roughest trails, the right lift kit is essential for tackling whatever the wild outdoors throws at you.