How To Measure Lift On A Truck

How to Measure Lift on a Truck

Knowing your truck's lift height is crucial for several reasons: safety, performance, and legality. Whether you're planning a lift kit installation, checking existing lift height for maintenance, or just curious, understanding how to accurately measure is essential. This guide will walk you before, during, and after you lift your truck.

Why Measure Lift Height?

Before diving into the how, let's understand the why. Accurate lift height measurement is vital for:

• Safety: Incorrect lift height can impact suspension geometry, affecting handling, braking, and stability. An improperly lifted truck can be dangerous.
• Performance: Suspension geometry directly influences ride quality and off-road capability. Getting the lift right optimizes performance.
• Legality: Many jurisdictions have regulations concerning vehicle modifications, including lift heights. Measuring ensures compliance.
• Maintenance: Tracking lift changes helps identify potential issues with the suspension or lift kit over time.

Tools You'll Need

Measuring lift height requires simple, readily available tools:

• Measuring Tape: A standard tape measure is sufficient. Make sure it's accurate and in good condition.
• Level: A bubble level ensures accurate readings, preventing skewed measurements due to uneven ground.
• Notebook and Pen: Record your measurements for future reference.
• Chalk or Marker (Optional): Useful for marking reference points on your truck.

Measuring Your Truck's Lift: A Step-by-Step Guide

This process assumes your truck is in a level, stable position on a flat, hard surface.

1. Find Reference Points: Identify the points you'll measure from. Common points include the center of the wheel hub and the bottom of the wheel well. Consistency is key. Choose the same points for all measurements. Mark them with chalk if needed.

2. Measure Before the Lift: Before making any modifications, measure the distance from your chosen reference points (e.g., hub center to ground) on both sides of the truck's axles. Record these measurements. This is your baseline.

3. Measure After the Lift: After installing a lift kit or making any suspension modifications, repeat the measurements from the same reference points. Again, ensure the truck is level on a hard, flat surface.

4. Calculate the Lift: Subtract the "before" measurement from the "after" measurement to determine the lift height for each axle.

5. Compare Sides: The lift height should be consistent across both sides of the truck's axles. Significant discrepancies may indicate a problem with the installation.

6. Front vs. Rear Lift: Many lift kits allow for independent adjustment of front and rear lift heights. Measure both front and rear lift separately.

Understanding Different Types of Lift Kits

The type of lift kit will influence the measurement process and final height.

• Body Lifts: These lift the body of the truck separately from the chassis. Measurements will reflect the change in body height.
• Suspension Lifts: These alter the suspension components themselves, affecting ride height directly. This will be reflected in the difference in measurements.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

• Uneven Ground: Always ensure your truck is on level ground before taking any measurements.
• Tire Size Changes: If you also change tire sizes, account for the increased diameter when comparing before and after measurements.
• Inconsistent Measurements: If measurements are inconsistent, recheck your work. Ensure the truck is level and you're using the same reference points.

Measuring your truck's lift height accurately is crucial for safety and proper function. Following this guide will help you perform the measurement correctly and ensure your truck is modified safely and effectively. Remember to consult with a professional mechanic for any complex or significant modifications.