Learn How to Lift a Truck with Dave Arbogast!

Are you a Troy owner of a Toyota, Nissan, RAM, GMC, Chevy, Jeep, or Ford truck? Regardless of which Buick, GMC, Ford truck you drive, there’s a lift kit for you! The freedom to drive anywhere in Ohio with a lift kit makes it a highly sought-after off-roading accessory. However, lift kits can be costly and not everyone knows how to install one by themselves!

Before you get started, it’s important to understand the distinctions between leveling kits, body lift kits, and suspension lift kits. Nonetheless, you can learn the basics of how to lift a truck with this comprehensive breakdown from the experts at Dave Arbogast!

What Equipment Do I Need to Lift a Truck?

First things first, here are the tools you’ll need to install a lift kit:

• Screwdriver
• Lug Wrench
• Torque Wrench
• Socket Wrench Set
• Vehicle Jacks and Jack Stands
• Pry Bar
• Hammer
• WD-40 or Penetrating Oil of Your Choice
• Nuts and Bolts
• Safety Glasses and Work Gloves

If you need 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 atthe closest Dave Arbogast parts department.

How Do I Lift My Truck at Home? Step-by-Step Instructions

There are plenty of great online instructions for how to install a lift kit. However, every lift kit is different, so be sure to consult the manual that was included with your lift kit when you purchased it! The steps outlined below are only designed to give you a general overview of the process, so you can choose between installing the kit yourself or having a professional handle the job.

Make sure that you’ve purchased a lift kit that is appropriate to your vehicle’s specifications. Then,take the following steps to lift your truck at home:

1. Disconnect the Battery: Remove the negative battery cable before you begin any work.
2. Loosen the Lug Nuts: Loosen the lug nuts so the tires are easier to remove when your truck is off the ground.
3. Lift up the Vehicle: Use your floor 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. Take off Old Wheels and Tires: Remove the wheels and tires and set them aside.
5. Get Rid of U-Bolts: Remove the old U-bolts, along with your vehicle’s current shocks and springs.
6. Install new Bolts: Attach the new bolts and, while assembling any parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions, attach the new shocks and suspension.
7. Tighten: Use your torque wrench to make sure that all bolts are tightened according to the proper specifications.
8. Put the Wheels Back On: Reinstall your original wheels, or attach a set of larger tires and wheels if your lift kit allows.
9. Lower the Vehicle Down: Lower your vehicle carefully, going little by little, and keeping it as level as possible as it inches towards the ground.

Your lift kit should now be successfully installed. However, depending on how many modifications you’ve made to your vehicle, you might also need to install a new transfer case, a longer driveshaft, or a few other additional mechanical components to ensure that everything is working properly.

It’s also recommended that you contact our Dave Arbogast Service Center before hitting the Piqua or Sidney trails to ensure that your lift went according to plan. A second set of eyes inspecting your vehicle will guarantee that your DIY project has gone smoothly and that your Buick, GMC, Ford vehicle is safe.

Explore Truck Lifting Options at Dave Arbogast

Now you have a much better idea of how to lift a truck at home! We understand that truck lifts can be a costly affair, however, it’s often easier, faster, and safer to schedule service with the technicians at Dave Arbogast! Depending on the service specials we have available at the time of your maintenance appointment, your truck lift could be much cheaper than doing it yourself!