How to Lift a Truck in Waterloo

Whatever you drive in Waterloo, we understand why lifting a truck would appeal to you. It’s a premier off-roading accessory that frees up your drives beyond Mascoutah, and allows you to drive almost anywhere with confidence! Due to the costliness of lift kits, our neighbors are always asking us about how to lift a truck at home! While there are important distinctions amongst the suspension lift kits, body lift kits, and leveling kits, our introductory guide can help you determine if you’re up to the task.

How Do I Lift My Truck: Required Accessories

One of the most important things to consider is whether you have all the tools required for lifting a truck:

• Vehicle jacks and jack stands
• Torque wrench
• Socket wrench
• Lug wrench
• Screwdriver

It’s also a good idea to have a pry bar and a hammer on hand if you find any old parts that you are having trouble removing. Every DIY mechanic should have a stock of WD-40, or the penetrating oil of their choice for loosening tight joints. Keeping a few extra nuts and bolts around never hurts either. Keep in mind, this is just the bare minimum – having access to a full shop is the ideal situation.

If you are looking for any of the parts listed above, or you still haven’t purchased your lift kit, you can order exactly what you need online and pick it up at the closest Auffenberg Ford South Belleville parts department.

A Step-by-Step Guide: How Do I Lift My Truck at Home

Online instructions will not act as a substitute for the instruction manual that was included with your lift kit at the time of purchase! The steps below are simply designed to provide a brief overview of the process, so you can decide whether DIY or a professional installation for your kit will work better for you.

Before you start, ensure that you have purchased a lift kit that is appropriate to your vehicle’s specifications. Then, follow these steps to install a lift kit at home:

1. Remove the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the lug nuts so the tires are easier to remove when your truck is off the ground.
3. Use your jack and jack stands to raise the vehicle. The process will take a while, so you’ll want to make sure that the vehicle’s center of gravity is right where it should be.
4. Remove the wheels and tires and set them aside.
5. Remove the old U-bolts, along with your vehicle’s current shocks and springs.
6. Attach the new bolts and, while assembling any parts according to the instructions that came with your kit, attach the new shocks and suspension. 
7. Use your torque wrench to make sure that all pieces and bolts are tightened according to the proper specifications.
8. Attach your old tires, or attach a set of bigger tires that you’ve purchased for your vehicle.
9. Lower your vehicle carefully, going little by little, and keeping it as level as possible as it inches towards the ground.

The scale of your modifications may require you to install a longer driveshaft, a new transfer case, or some other additional components.

If you follow these steps, your lift kit should now be installed. Prior to hitting the trails around Mascoutah or Columbia, it’s a good idea to schedule an inspection at the Auffenberg Ford South Belleville service center. A second set of eyes will help to ensure that everything went accordingly. The next time somebody wonders, “How do I lift my truck?” they might even turn to you for help!

How Long Does it Take to Lift a Truck?

Although it’s easier to install leveling kits than it is to install an off-road-ready suspension lift kit, neither job is going to be a quick one. Trained and certified technicians can take between seven and fifteen hours to install a new kit. Even if you’re a DIY service veteran, it will likely take at least twice that long installing a lift kit at home. Those with a lot of experience might be able to get it done in a weekend. Those who aren’t very familiar with suspension systems probably shouldn’t attempt the process at all.

Should I Lift My Truck at Home?

There’s no way around it: Lifting a truck is a difficult, time-consuming process that requires many tools and quite a lot of patience. Since lift kits can be expensive, it can be tempting to try and avoid the cost of installation. However, if you don’t have the parts you need on hand, the cost of lifting a truck might actually end up being lower if you take it to a professional.

How Much Does It Cost to Lift a Truck?

The average cost of lifting a truck can range from anywhere between $500 and $4000. This cost varies widely based on what type of lift you choose, the height that you want, and where you have it installed. It also varies if you have it professionally installed or you are lifting a truck at home.

Get Your Truck Lifted at Auffenberg Ford South Belleville Today!

You should now have a general idea of how to lift a truck at home! However, you should know that in most cases, it’s going to be quicker, easier, and less risky to schedule service with our service center. It might even end up being cheaper!