How to Lift a Truck

“How do I lift my truck?” This is a question we receive quite often here at Quality Chevrolet. Since lift kits can be cost-prohibitive, many Oceanside-area truck owners want to know how to lift a truck themselves to both save money and get the exact customizations they most want. To help you do this work on your own, Quality Chevrolet’s service team has created this general guide for how to lift a truck.

How to Lift a Truck at Home: Tools Needed

Before we answer the question, “How do I lift my truck?”, we want to make sure you have all the tools you’ll need for the work ahead. This is what you should have on hand:

• Lug wrench
• Pry bar and hammer to remove any stubborn old parts
• Socket wrench
• Screwdriver
• Torque wrench
• Vehicle jacks and jack stands
• WD-40 to loosen joints

If you need a lift kit or any of the above parts, place an order with our Escondido parts department.

How to Lift a Truck at Home Step-by-Step

First, be sure to read and follow the instructions that came with your lift kit. The steps below are meant as a general how-to; the best advice for your specific lift kit will come from the instructions that were included with it.

Here is an overview of the steps involved in lifting a truck at home:

1. Remove the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the lug nuts, as this makes the tires easier to take off when the truck is jacked up.
3. Raise the truck with the jack and jack stands. Bear in mind that this usually takes some time, so the truck’s center of gravity should be stable.
4. Remove the wheels and tires.
5. Remove the old U-bolts and the current shocks and springs.
6. Attach the new bolts, and when you assemble any parts according to the directions that came with your kit, attach the new shocks and suspension.
7. Use a torque wrench to make sure that all pieces and bolts are tightened appropriately.
8. Attach the old tires, or a set of larger tires if you’ve bought them.
9. Lower your vehicle slowly to keep it perfectly level until it reaches the ground.

You may also need to install a longer driveshaft, a new transfer case, or other parts, depending on the size and scope of your lift kit.

Before you hit the roads–and off-roads–of Poway, schedule an inspection at our service center. This will guarantee that the work has been done correctly and that your truck is safe for use.

How Long Does it Take to Lift a Truck?

A trained technician typically takes between seven and 15 hours to complete a truck lift. Expect to devote at least twice as much time to the job, even if you’ve had some DIY experience.

Should I Lift My Truck Myself?

While this is ultimately up to you, it’s important to remember that lifting a truck is a challenging and time-consuming process. Trusting the job to a professional will not only ensure it’s done correctly, but it can also save you money since professionals have all the required parts and tools already on hand. But if you do decide to tackle the work on your own, the most important thing is to follow the instructions that came with your lift kit to the letter.

Get Your Truck Lifted at Quality Chevrolet

Now you know how to lift a truck, and we totally understand if you’d like to leave the job to the experts at Quality Chevrolet! Contact us to make an appointment or schedule your service visit online. We look forward to getting you an impressive lifted truck that will be sure to turn heads throughout the Carlsbad area.