How Long Does It Take to Install a Lift Kit?

A lift kit is among those crucial modifications that off-roaders must install in their vehicles. So, we bring out the whole process of installing a lift kit in a vehicle and answering how much time it takes to install. How long does it take to install a lift kit?

Generally, installing a lift kit by a professional takes around less than 4 hours; however, it takes a little longer if you are a beginner. The actual time to install the lift kit also depends on the type of lift kit you are installing.

Nevertheless, it is important to make sure that the installation process is done properly to avoid any problems with the vehicle in the future. Let’s analyze more details now.

What is a Lift Kit, and Why is It Important to Install?

A lift kit is an aftermarket modification installed in vehicles to prepare them for off-roading. The modification increases the vehicle’s ground clearance, and after that, the normal vehicle can pave its way to off-roading.

Lift kits usually lift the suspension of the vehicle or the vehicle’s body. This, in turn, makes a lift kit of two types: Suspension lift and Body lifts.

• Talking about both of these lift kits, the body lift kit usually involves adding 1–2-inch space in a regular vehicle. This does not create much difference in the body’s height. This type of lift kit mainly aims to install bigger tires in the vehicle.
  
• On the other hand, the suspension kit offers enough ground clearance because it increases the length of the suspension of the vehicle. Now the vehicle body is lifted above to almost 6 inches or more. This results in greater ground clearance, enough room for big tires, and greater stability for the vehicle.

We have created the infographic below that covers how long it takes to install a lift kit. (You are welcome to use and share but please credit us if you do so.)

Lift kits are very important for vehicles since off-roading is all about getting over obstacles and paving the unpaved path. With improved ground clearance (offered by suspension lift), the vehicle can also cover extreme terrain conditions.

Besides this, lift kits are cheaper than other custom modifications that enable the vehicle for off-roading, and they can be installed within no time.

Installation Time of Different Lift Kits:

As we already mentioned, the lift kits are generally categorized into two types: suspension lift kit and body lift kit. Both these kits are operationally different, and therefore, their assembly time varies as well. Usually, the body lift kit takes less time than the suspension lift kit.

A body lift kit can be installed in about 3 hours as it involves placing brushes in the body, and that can be done by removing the tires and making the gap by removing lugs.

However, in the case of suspension lift kits, the process is quite complex as the vehicle has to be put on stands. And, then the shocks are removed and replaced by new shocks. This, in return, takes the time of around 6-7 hours.

Time Taken by Professionals vs. Oneself to Install Lift Kit:

This section attempts to analyze how the work is done by professionals and by oneself to install a lift kit. What are the pros and cons of both these practices, and how much does the professional cost?

Lift Kit Installation by Professionals:

For professionals, the time taken is around 4 hours to set up a standard lift kit in the vehicle. It is mainly due to all the required tools available and the expertise of the staff.

However, in the case of a professional, you have to take your vehicle to the garage. Then, there can be a possible queue, and you have to wait for your turn. This may take two to three days easily. Other than this, these charges cost around less than $300 for installing a standard lift kit.

Making this point, professionals have expertise in installing the lift kits. Therefore, they will not cause any harm or danger to your vehicle. Plus, the levelling will be smooth, and you can expect the best experience with your new shocks.

Lift Kit Installation by Yourself:

If you are attempting to install the lift kit by yourself, the time depends on your expertise to handle the tools, the tools available, and the type of vehicle you are having now, if you are an expert and have all the tools required to install a lift kit. 

Only then will you be able to install it within four hours. This is due to the reason that the lift kit involves several learning curves that are involved in it, and that may take a lot of time.

Other than this, you might be able to save your money by doing it yourself. However, there are chances that you may harm your vehicle due to your novices, which can put a burden on your pocket. So, you better keep this in mind if you are attempting to install a lift kit by yourself.

You need to gauge the costs of tools, and the tools and equipment for installing the kits comes expensive. So it will be of no use if you spend double or triple the amount on the tools and still cannot get the job done properly. Similar to this, certain lift kits are difficult to install compared to others. So it would help if you kept this in mind as well.

How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Jeep Wrangler?

Our Advice:

Now, as you have read, all the pros and cons of installing it by yourself or taking it to a mechanic. We want to give you some advice in this regard. Our verdict is if you are not an expert or even doubt yourself a bit, it is still better to take your vehicle to a mechanic for installing it.

The reason behind this, even if you can install it yourself, you will still have to take your vehicle to the mechanic. That is for aligning the tires and doing other small stuff. So then, what’s the point after all?

If you are an expert and have all the tools, then it can be a viable option to take such a risk. The lift kits come at a particular cost, and the cost doubles when you hire a mechanic to fit them. An estimation is if you have bought a lift of around 700 dollars, then chances are you will pay around $500 for installing it. 

It can still exceed this point due to the type of lift kit. The suspension lift kits are complex; therefore, they require more time, about 6-7 hours approx and that much to be installed. So, it would help if you considered all the factors that come into play before choosing any of the options.

What are the Benefits of Installing a Lift Kit on Your Vehicle?

The benefits of using a lift kit on your vehicle are multi-folds:

1. The first and most obvious benefit of installing a lift kit is that it will give your vehicle a lifted or taller appearance.
   
2. A lift kit will also increase the ground clearance of your vehicle, which is important if you plan on doing any off-roading or driving through rough terrain.
   
3. Lift kits can also improve your vehicle’s performance by giving it better stability and handling.
   
4. Lift kits can also increase the load capacity of your vehicle, which is useful if you are planning on carrying heavier loads.
   
5. And finally, lift kits can help protect your vehicle’s suspension and other components from damage when driving over rough terrain or off-road.

Things to Consider Before Installing a Lift Kit on Your Car or Truck:

There are a few things to consider before installing a lift kit on your vehicle:

• First, make sure that you select the right lift kit for your vehicle. Not all lift kits are created equal, and some may be better suited for your specific vehicle than others.

• Second, make sure that you read the installation instructions carefully and follow them step by step. If you are not familiar with installing a lift kit, it is best to have a professional do it for you.

• Third, be prepared to spend some extra money on upgrading other components of your vehicle, such as the brakes, suspension, and tires, when you install a lift kit.

• Finally, always remember that lifting your vehicle will also increase the risk of rollover accidents.

Where Can You Find Installation Instructions for a Lift Kit if You Decide to Install One Yourself?

There are several places where you can find installation instructions for a lift kit, including the manufacturer’s website, online forums, and YouTube. However, it is always best to consult the instructions for your specific lift kit.

Tools for Installing a Lift Kit:

Now that you have made up your mind to install the lift kit yourself. We present you with the tools to be there with you while installing the lift kit.

1. So the number one piece of equipment you have to have is Pry bars. Pry bars will help you loosen up the tight parts of the vehicle. To make this job a lot easier, PB blaster can help you. PB blaster is an oil injector tool that injects oil to stiff nuts and bolts and greases them to be easily taken out.
   
2. After that, you need a good pair of stands and jacks. These tools will help you lift your car safely and then place it in an elevated position. So that you can install the lift kit easily, make sure the jacks and stands are of good quality to sustain your vehicle’s load.
   
3. After this comes the torque wrench and Lug wrench. The torque wrench is used to install fasters with the correct torque spec. Likewise, the lug wrench will help to save time in removing the lugs of suspension easily so that you can replace them.
   
4. Then, you will require a set of screwdrivers to unscrew nuts and bolts. Along with it, you will require a hammer to knock out screws that are not easy to unscrew. This will help you get the basic frame out of suspension to install the lift kit.

With all these, you can have some pair of gloves, extra nuts, and bolts to bring back everything in shape safely.

These are more or less the tools that are essentials for fitting a basic standardized lift kit in the vehicle.

How to Install a Lift Kit:

After you have collected all the tools required to lift the lift kit, the next step is to understand the process of installing lift kits. Below, we have given a step-by-step guide to installing the lift kit.

1. The first step is to remove the negative terminal of the battery. That eliminates any chances of getting an electric shock from the vehicle.
   
2. The second step is to loosen up the lug nuts. Not removing them will create problems when you try to lift the vehicle.
   
3. The third step is to lift the vehicle to an adequate length to easily remove the tires and install the lift kit. This can be done with the help of lift jacks and placing stands beneath vehicles to maintain the height.
   
4. After raising the vehicle’s height, remove the tires safely and bring a lift jack beneath the vehicle to support the weight of the axle.
   
5. After tires, you will move to remove the vehicle shocks, U bolts, and springs. You need to be careful in this step if you intend to place them again in your vehicle at some other time.
   
6. After this step, you need to place a new lift kit in the vehicle. But, first, you need to place the U nuts. These will position your new kit in the right place. After that, you can go on to place the new lift kit.

For this, you need to place the spring in place of the previous one and tighten it.

Note: The springs have to be assembled first for some lift kits. So you need to read the instructions and assemble the springs first.

After that, you have placed the new shocks; the next step is to take a wrap-up of checking all the nuts, bolts, and the levelling of the new shocks with the help of a leveller. This is to make the new kit safe to use. Then you can put on the wheels back and move to the rear wheels.

Installing lift kits in the rear wheel is easier. However, the process is pretty much the same.

Make sure you lay a great emphasis on reading the instruction manual for the spring assembly because that can play a vital part in making your lift work smoothly.

Also Read:

How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Jeep Wrangler?
How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Jeep Gladiator?
How Much Does It Cost to Lift A Jeep Liberty?
How to Wire Off-Road Lights Without Relay?
How Does an Off-Road Snorkel Work? Detailed Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How long does a lift take to install?

To install a standard body lift kit, you won’t need more than 3 hours to install the lift kit. However, in the case of a suspension lift kit, the time may be extended up to 5 to 6 hours – depending on if you are having it installed by yourself or by a professional.

How long does it take to install a lift kit on a truck?

The timings of installing the lift kit on your truck vary and depend on the type of truck you are having. For normal pickup trucks, the timing includes 3-4 hours for the body lift kit and 5-6 hours for the suspension lift kit.

How much does it take to install a lift kit?

Usually, the cost of installing a lift kit is equal to the cost of a lift kit. An estimate of the cost is around $300-$400.

How long does it take to install a 2.5 lift kit?

6-7 hours is a standard time of installing a 2.5 lift kit.