Best Suspension Lift Kits for Jeep Wranglers: Hiking Things Up
There are several ways to lift your Wrangler. We outline some of the best products on the market.
Our Top Picks
- Rough Country 1.25-Inch Wrangler JK and JL Body Lift
- Daystar 1.5-inch leveling kit
- Maxtrac leveling kit
- Icon 3-inch standard lift kit
- RealTruck Superlift 2.5-inch lift kit
- BDS 5.5-inch long-arm lift kit
- RealTruck Superlift 4-inch long-arm lift kit
The Jeep Wrangler is arguably the most iconic off-roader ever made and one of the most upgradeable and modifiable vehicles still in production. If you put these two factors together, the only logical conclusion you can reach is that you can make your Wrangler an even better off roader than it already is pretty easily. And one of the best ways to do that is by treating it to a suspension upgrade to further amp up its already legendary performance over the rough stuff.
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There are multiple types of suspension lift kits for the Wrangler, each with their pluses and minuses. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Body lift kits: If you're only looking for a slight lift, these kits will do it with minimal effort and no complex modifications.
- Leveling kits: Your Wrangler is probably slightly tilted toward the front due to the heavy engine block. A leveling kit fixes that and evens it out.
- Standard suspension lift kits: These add 2 inches or more of extra ground clearance but require extra components, such as longer suspensions, to make up for the added height.
- Long-arm suspension lift kits: Getting more than 3–4 inches of extra lift requires redesigned articulations and other modifications, such as drive shaft, steering system, and brake system adjustments.
Given how long the Wrangler has been around and its upgradability, there are all manner of kits available for it. Below are a couple of the best Jeep Wrangler suspension lift kits on the market, depending on how much you want to raise its ground clearance.
Rough Country 1.25-Inch Wrangler JK and JL Body Lift
If you're only looking to lift your Wrangler by an inch or so with minimum fuss, a body lift kit is what you need. The Rough Country 1.25-inch body lift kit will give you a little more lift than most similar kits, so you can fit in bigger wheels and give your Jeep a slightly more aggressive look. These kits are made from fiberglass-reinforced nylon, which will keep its initial shape even after years of hardcore off-roading in extreme temperatures.
Key specs:
- Lift: 1.25 inches
- Material: Fiberglass-reinforced nylon
- Weight: 8.58 pounds
- What makes it special: It gives you an extra quarter-inch height compared to similar body lifts
Two of the Best Wrangler JK and JL Leveling Kits
Like many other SUVs, your Jeep Wrangler is probably slightly tilted forward due to the extra weight of the engine block in the front. You can easily level it out with the help of a good leveling kit. The Maxtrac leveling kit comes in two sizes: 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches. This allows you to choose yours based on how tilted your Jeep is. They're easy to install and made from lightweight and durable aluminum.
The Daystar 1.5-inch leveling kit is a viable alternative. It can be mounted on the front or rear, so you can level your Jeep if you're constantly carrying heavy loads that tilt it toward the back.
Key specs for the Maxtrac Leveling Kit:
- Lift: 1.5 inches or 2.5 inches
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 1 pound
- What makes it special: You can choose between two sizes
Key specs for the Daystar leveling kit:
- Lift: 1.5 inches
- Material: Polyurethane
- Weight: 1.36 pounds
- What makes it special: It can be fitted on either the front or the rear wheels
Two of the Best Wrangler JK and JL Standard Suspension Lift Kits
Body lifts and leveling kits are nice if you want a slight elevation, but you'll need a suspension lift kit if you really want to raise your Wrangler. Besides giving you much more ground clearance, a suspension lift will also make room for beefy 35-inch off-road tires. The Icon 3-inch standard lift kit is a great way to get the lift you want without affecting your on-road comfort too much. Its progressive springs are designed to give you the suspension articulation you need when tackling rough terrain but are also well balanced enough for a comfortable ride on paved roads.
The RealTruck Superlift 2.5-inch lift kit is also a great way to improve your Jeep Wrangler's ground clearance. Like the Icon 3-inch lift, the Superlift comes with dual rate coils that behave differently in off-road and on-road situations, providing the best of both worlds.
Key specs for the Icon 3-inch standard lift kit:
- Lift: 3 inches
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 86 pounds
- What makes it special: Off-road performance and on-road comfort
Key specs for the Superlift 2.5-inch lift kit:
- Lift: 2.5 inches
- Material: Alloy steel, aluminum
- Weight: 119 pounds
- What makes it special: Dual rate coils that behave differently off and on the road
Two of the Best Wrangler JK and JL Long Arm Suspension Lift Kits
If you really want to get the absolute best out of your Wrangler when off-roading, you're going to need more than 3 inches of lift. Long-arm suspension lift kits are designed to extend all suspension components and give you extra ground clearance to climb huge obstacles and fit in extra-large tires. The BDS 5.5-inch long-arm lift kit comes with everything you need to lift your Wrangler and make room for tires as large as 37 inches. It gives you a 5.5-inch lift in the front and a 5-inch lift in the back, evening out your Wrangler.
If you don't need that much lift and want the best on-road comfort you can get, the RealTruck Superlift 4-inch long-arm lift kit is a great choice. Its dual-rate long-gravel coil springs will help you make the most of any off-roading adventure and deliver a smooth ride.
Key specs for the BDS 5.5-inch long-arm lift kit:
- Lift: 5.5 inches in the front, 5 inches in the back
- Material: Polyurethane, alloy steel
- Weight: 245 pounds
- What makes it special: Improves off-road performance and makes room for 37-inch tires
Key specs for the RealTruck Superlift 4-inch long-arm lift kit:
- Lift: 4 inches
- Material: Alloy steel
- Weight: 126 pounds
- What makes it special: Offers excellent ride quality on any surface
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