Whether you're a seasoned off-roader or a newbie looking to venture into the wild, increasing ground clearance with the best lift kit can be beneficial.

The best off-road lift kits to increase ground clearance include the following:

  1. Skyjacker Suspension Lift Kit
  2. Rugged Ridge ORV Suspension Lift Kit
  3. Pro Comp Stage 1 Lift Kit
  4. ReadyLift SST Lift Kit
  5. TeraFlex 1251000 Lift Kit

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take an in-depth look at the five best off-road lift kits that have proven to excel in performance, durability, and quality. Each kit has been carefully reviewed and tested by our team of experts to ensure accuracy.

Key Takeaways

  • The Skyjacker Suspension Lift Kit is the overall lift kit available for off-road driving.
  • A lift of 4.5 to 6.0 inches is recommended to tackle extreme off-road conditions.
  • A lift kit with larger tires is the best modification to improve off-road driving.

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Table of contents

HideShow

5 Best Offroad Lift Kits: Your Ultimate Guide to Enhanced Performance

When choosing the best off-road lift kits, a few factors play into the decision, including the vehicle type, intended use, and the user's personal preferences and budget.

Lift kits are designed to raise your vehicle's height, providing more clearance for those larger tires and enabling you to tackle those challenging off-road terrains with ease easily.

Lift kits can be installed to raise the suspension system so a vehicle is more capable of off-road adventures. This guide will review some of the best suspension lift kits available today, including some leveling kit options worth considering.

1. Skyjacker Suspension Lift Kit

Skyjacker Suspension Lift Kit
Skyjacker Suspension Lift Kit

When it comes to offroad lift kits, the Skyjacker Suspension Lift Kit really stands out from the rest. Its smooth, comfortable ride and responsiveness to various on or off-road conditions offer exceptional performance.

Each component is carefully crafted to ensure optimal performance. The four-inch lift provides an impressive clearance for larger tires, opening a world of possibilities for tackling rougher, more challenging trails.

Regardless of the terrain, these shocks offer smooth performance, ensuring that your off-road adventures are as comfortable as they are exciting.

What Sets This Lift Kit Apart

The Black Max shocks that come with this kit are a testament to Skyjacker's innovative engineering. They're designed to adjust to road conditions, providing an optimal balance of comfort and control.

This kit’s shocks absorb the impact of rough terrains effectively, reducing the stress on the vehicle and providing a smoother ride. On the road, the lift kit maintains good control and stability, ensuring that regular driving isn't compromised.

Pros

  • Wide range of lift heights and performance levels
  • Maintains factory ride quality and improves handling
  • Suitable for most Dodge, Jeep, Ford, and Chevy vehicles
  • Excellent on and off-road performance
  • High-quality and durable components
  • Easy installation with detailed instructions

Cons

  • Potentially higher cost compared to other lift kits in the market

2. Rugged Ridge ORV Suspension Lift Kit

Rugged Ridge ORV Suspension Lift Kit
Rugged Ridge ORV Suspension Lift Kit

We've come across many suspension lift kits, but the Rugged Ridge ORV Suspension Lift Kit truly stands out. Designed for light off-road use, this lift kit utilizes your factory coil springs, making installation a breeze.

The ORV poly spacer kits feature high-density spacers that provide durability and performance while maintaining a comfortable ride. With its durable construction and high-quality materials, this lift kit can easily handle off-road conditions.

Plus, the polyurethane spacers improve shock absorption, resulting in a comfortable ride even on rough trails. But be aware this is not an entry-level lift kit, and it provides a lift height range of 4.0-5.5 inches.

What Sets This Lift Kit Apart

This suspension kit shines when it comes to performance. The increased ground clearance allows you to install larger tires, thereby enhancing your vehicle's off-road capabilities.

The ORV Shocks in this kit are truly exceptional. They easily handle rough terrains, providing a smooth and comfortable ride despite the challenging conditions. On regular roads, they offer stable and controlled handling, ensuring a comfortable ride even with the increased ride height.

Pros

  • Easy installation
  • Durable and corrosion-resistant components
  • Customized lift heights are available
  • Nice blend of performance, comfort, and affordability
  • Affordable

Cons

  • It may require additional modifications for optimal performance

3. Pro Comp Stage 1 Lift Kit

Pro Comp Stage 1 Lift Kit
Pro Comp Stage 1 Lift Kit

We believe that the Pro Comp Stage 1 Lift Kit is one of the best lift kits available. What makes it stand out is the combination of reliability, performance, and affordability.

Pro Comp is known for its high-quality manufacturing processes and strict quality control, ensuring only the best products for its customers. So you can use this kit to upgrade your suspension systems.

This kit's high-quality coil springs and spacers provide the necessary lift, while the included shocks ensure smooth rides, even on the roughest trails. Its robust construction, ease of installation, and excellent performance make it a compelling choice.

What Sets This Lift Kit Apart

When it comes to performance, the Pro Comp Stage 1 Lift Kit doesn't disappoint. The increased ground clearance offered by this kit allows you to fit larger tires, enhancing your vehicle's off-road capabilities.

On rough terrains, the ES9000 shocks deliver impressive performance. They absorb the impact of rough trails effectively, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride. Despite the increased ride height, the vehicle maintains excellent control and stability on regular roads.

Pros

  • Robust design to provide more durable handling for off-road conditions
  • Increased ground clearance
  • Durable ES9000 shocks
  • Easy installation

Cons

  • Premium pricing and one of the most expensive suspension kits

4. ReadyLift SST Lift Kit

The ReadyLift SST Lift Kit stands out from other options, as it's designed specifically to provide an optimal balance of lift, ride, and off-road performance. This kit provides a 3.5" front / 2" rear lift.

It also offers a fantastic mixture of enhanced ground clearance, extended suspension travel, and rugged stance. With this lift kit, you'll experience impressive performance on challenging terrains while still enjoying a smooth ride on the highway.

It also comes with the necessary suspension components to make a full suspension upgrade. The materials used in the construction of these components ensure durability and longevity, even under the most challenging conditions.

What Sets This Lift Kit Apart

Right out of the box, the ReadyLift SST Lift Kit impresses with its high-quality components and meticulous design. The kit includes everything you need to elevate your vehicle, from CNC-machined billet aluminum construction spacers to robust rear lift blocks.

The added ground clearance allows for larger tire fitment, substantially enhancing your vehicle's off-road capabilities. Despite the elevated height, the vehicle's on-road handling remains impressive, largely thanks to the kit's well-designed components.

Pros

  • Improved off road capabilities
  • Retains factory ride quality
  • Durable and high-quality components
  • Excellent balance of lift, performance, and ride

Cons

  • Some users might prefer a higher lift for extreme off-roading

5. TeraFlex 1251000 Lift Kit

TeraFlex 1251000 Lift Kit
TeraFlex 1251000 Lift Kit

We find the TeraFlex 1251000 Lift Kit to be an ideal choice for daily-driven Jeep Wranglers. This 2.5-inch lift kit provides the perfect amount of lift to accommodate 35-inch tires while maintaining the maximum wheel travel and articulation.

It is designed to offer excellent off-road performance without compromising on-road drivability, making it a versatile option. The addition of 9550 VSS Shocks ensures your ride remains comfortable while tackling challenging terrains.

Depending on your vehicle and the type of off-roading you plan to do, you may need to purchase one separately. Some users have reported needing to modify the exhaust for proper fitment.

What Sets This Lift Kit Apart

Performance is where the TeraFlex 1251000 Lift Kit truly stands out. The lift allows for larger tire fitment, greatly enhancing off-road capabilities. Despite the added height, the vehicle maintains impressive control and stability, even on regular roads.

Crafted with top-tier materials, the components ensure durability and performance. Each part, from the coil springs to the shock absorbers, is designed to offer exceptional off-road performance and a comfortable ride.

Pros

  • Increases ground clearance
  • Accommodates up to 35-inch tires
  • Maintains smooth on-road drivability
  • Improves off-road performance

Cons

  • Requires aftermarket wheels with 4.5 backspacing or less

What Is The Best Lift Height For Off-Roading?

Typically, a lift kit between 2 to 6 inches is considered suitable for off-roading. For mild to moderate off-road adventures, a 2 to 3-inch lift can be a great option, providing enough clearance and improved suspension without compromising your vehicle's stability.

However, if your off-road adventures include more aggressive trails and larger obstacles, you might want to consider a 4.5 to 6-inch lift. This lift range allows for increased ground clearance and enhanced articulation, accommodating larger tires for utmost off-roading prowess.

It's important to note that higher lift heights may reduce on-road comfort and safety due to the increased center of gravity. So, balancing off-road capability and everyday drivability is essential when deciding on a lift height.

Installing your own lift kits lets you get more out of your vehicle in off-road driving situations. Try to use the best lift kit brands like Rough Country or BDS Suspension to improve durability too.

Do Lift Kits Make Off-Roading Easier?

In our experience, lift kits tend to make off-roading much easier for several reasons. One of the main benefits is the increased ground clearance that a lift kit provides for our vehicle.

When we install a lift kit, we gain valuable inches that allow us to clear obstacles and tackle challenging terrain more effectively. It's all about getting over those pesky rocks without damaging our truck's undercarriage.

Another significant advantage we've noticed is the improved suspension that comes with most lift kits. This allows us to have better control over our vehicle, especially on uneven surfaces.

Lift kits also allow you to install larger, more aggressive tires. Larger tires offer better traction and can more effectively navigate rough and uneven terrain, such as mud, sand, and rocky landscapes.

Does A Lift Kit Decrease Your Truck's Value?

The impact of a lift kit on your truck's value can depend on several factors, including the quality of the kit, the installation, and potential buyers' preferences.

A body lift kit may not substantially affect the ride quality since it doesn't alter the suspension. On the other hand, a suspension lift kit can change the truck's performance and requires a more thorough approach to maintain ride quality.

To keep our truck's value, we must pick the right components and set the suspension up for the best performance. It's also important to stick to reputable brands and, ideally, a quality aftermarket suspension lift kit.

Additionally, proper installation is crucial. If we aren't confident in our abilities, having a professional install the lift kit is better. A well-executed installation preserves our truck's value, while a poor one can lead to issues that reduce its worth.

Leveling Kits vs. Lift Kits: Which One Is Right for Off-Roading?

Lift and leveling kits can be used on trucks and vehicles to assist suspension performance. Both options have their unique strengths and potential drawbacks.

A leveling kit works by raising the front of your vehicle to match the stock height of the rear. This is typically done to correct the factory rake that many trucks and SUVs have. The purpose of the rake is to compensate for heavy loads or towing, which would otherwise lower the rear of the vehicle.

A lift kit is designed to lift the entire vehicle off the ground at the front and rear. Lift kits provide higher ground clearance, allowing for larger tires and improved off-road performance.

Overall, high-quality lift kits are the best solution for off-road riding. They offer the best performance due to their increased ground clearance and ability to accommodate larger tires.