Jeep Body Lift vs Suspension Lift: Make the Right Choice!

If you are wondering that, between Jeep Body Lift vs Suspension Lift which method then consider reading this article. The installation of a body lift for your Jeep will increase its ground clearance and improve its control. While the jeep suspension lift will raise the elevation of the jeep’s suspension and thus offers the highest jeep lift options.


A body lift merely modifies how your Jeep’s frame is arranged. In addition, this will alter the height of your vehicle’s tires, but the suspension system must remain unchanged.
On the contrary, a suspension lift modifies both the chassis and the suspension system. Moreover, it will also make it simpler for you to install larger and taller tires on the vehicle without the concern of hitting any obstacles along the way.


However, suspension lifts and body lifts both provide a higher ride and space for larger wheels and tires, but they differ in cost, the center of gravity and handling adjustments, and ground elevation. So which choice should you make?

In this guide, we will compare the Jeep Body Lift vs Suspension Lift to ensure you can make a smart choice regarding which will perform best for your Jeep!

What is a Suspension Lift?

A suspension lift raises your vehicle off of its original frame with an aftermarket part, allowing you to get better clearance while driving off-road and to get over obstacles more easily.


A suspension lift installs very easily and requires very little modification to your Jeep’s body or frame. You won’t need to replace any steering system components either, lowering your overall installation costs.


Normally, most add-ons aren’t too concerned about ground clearance when seated in their highest position, but this could be an issue for some.

What is a Body Lift?

This form of modification increases the clearance of your vehicle and will give you more confidence when driving off-road. Body lifts extend the frame of your vehicle to allow you to install taller tires and wheels.


There are many benefits to body lifts, not the least of which is that they are easier to install and cost less than suspension lifts. There is no need to purchase additional parts, and taller tires can usually be installed at the same time without having to replace your stock wheels.


Drivers who already have large tires on their cars but aren’t satisfied with the ground clearance may benefit from this choice.

Major Difference: Body Lift vs Suspension Lift Jeep

Jeep owners constantly seek new methods to enhance their vehicle’s ability. There is a significant distinction between body lifts and suspension lifts for jeeps. Suspension lift systems offer more advantages than jeep body lifts since they can assist with trail clearance and road obstructions.

A body lift is an inexpensive and simple method to add height to a Jeep. This lift utilizes spacers across the frame and body plates to raise the body of the Jeep off the frame. This can assist you in achieving your ideal lift and add approximately 1 to 2.5 inches to your height.

A Jeep suspension elevation, on the contrary, may raise your vehicle’s travel height by up to 4 inches! A Jeep suspension upgrade replaces the vehicle’s hydraulics and stock struts. This increases the distance between your vehicle and road obstacles, such as pebbles and trunks of trees on unpaved roads.

Price is one of the most significant advantages of body lift over suspension lift. Body lift systems are less expensive than suspension lifts, and they can be installed in your garage with just a few tools.

What Are Some Pros and Cons of Body and Suspension Lift

Pros of Body Lift

  • Installing a body lift is inexpensive and simple.
  • It provides a small gap between tires and fenders.
  • When used with large tires, it prevents friction problems.

Cons of Body Lift

  • It does not significantly enhance road performance as anticipated.
  • It makes the center of gravity higher.
  • It creates an obvious gap between the body of the Jeep and the frame, rendering your Jeep ugly.
  • If you use a conventional gearbox Jeep without modifying the selector opening, you may encounter gear-shifting issues.
  • After adding body lifts, electronic wire connection lines, and steering component issues may arise.

Pros of Suspension Lift

  • It provides the capacity for massive tires.
  • It also permits enhanced handling.
  • It improves off-road suspension motion.
  • The vehicle has increased ground clearance.

Cons of Suspension Lift

  • Installation is complex and costly.
  • Due to the raised center of gravity, there is a greater chance of rollover.
  • The steering geometry could be altered or compromised.
  • You might have to modify other Jeep components, such as the length of the brake lines and the driveshafts.
  • There could be increased atmospheric resistance.
  • The modifications may prevent your Jeep from passing the safety test.

Which is More Costly: Body Lift or Suspension Lift?

Whenever your budget is in question then you will have to consider the total cost of your lift. In this regard, body lifts are hands down the best choice since they are simple kits of body blocks not requiring suspension or steering adjustments.

Since leveling kits often consist of just two strut spacers for the Macpherson struts at the front, they can be less expensive than full suspension lifts, which involve steering, suspension, and spindle modifications and can easily double the cost of a body lift of the same size. You can get the largest wheels and tires for the cheapest price by getting a body lift.

What is Better: Jeep Body Lift vs Suspension Lift?

Installing the suspension lift is less complicated. It makes your vehicle appear more aggressive and increases ground clearance, which aids off-roading, but it does not provide complete accessibility to the engine or powertrain without an upgrade to the driveline.

A body elevation for a Jeep provides easier entry to the engine and drivetrain, but it is more costly than a suspension lift. No alterations are made to the vehicle’s design; only its height is increased so that taller tires can be installed.

A suspension lift is also more difficult to implement without experience than a body lifts for a Jeep. It also necessitates more space, making it more challenging if you lack a garage.

The choice between a Jeep body lift and a suspension lift falls based on personal preference, work demands, and budget. The suspension lift would be the simpler option due to its reduced cost and simple installation.

What are the Additional Parts Required for Installing Either Type of Lift?

You might need to get some additional parts to lift your Jeep or replace the old ones if they are bad. Lifting your Jeep requires that your Jeep parts are in excellent condition. You don’t want to run into trouble.


In some cases, lifting your jeep may require you to replace the trailing arms and control arms of the vehicle. Lift kits are designed specifically for your Jeep’s drive train. Some include coil springs, lift blocks, and spacers.


To ensure that your Jeep is driving properly, you might also need to modify the steering geometry, driveshaft length, and brake lines.

Does Body Lift Affect Ride Quality?

It is important to note that lifting a car also raises its frame. The car’s frame will be above your body and the parts it rests on.
You will have less room to move anything that sits on top of your car or body, which will affect how well it rides. It is possible to experience wheel hop when driving over uneven terrain in some cases.

Do Body Lifts Damage Jeeps?

Jeeps do not benefit from body lifts because they change the ground clearance, which is what distance your tires are from the bottom of your vehicle.

Therefore, you should be extra cautious when driving off-road. In some mud bogs and deep ruts, you will have a hard time getting out of your vehicle if you have a body lift.


You will also have a much harder time getting out of a ditch or under overhanging limbs in a storm if you have this problem. Furthermore, when you drive on the road, your body decreases ground clearance, so potholes are more likely to happen.

Which Gives Better Ground Clearance?

Suspension Lift wins in this contest. The body lifts only raises the body, so the distance between the bottom of your vehicle and the ground does not change. Unlike axles and differentials, suspension lifts increase the frame of the vehicle, so a three-inch lift will give you three inches of ground clearance.

Due to the fact that the front of a truck or SUV with a raked stance is the lowest point of the frame, leveling kits only raise the front suspension, so you gain ground clearance in the amount of the height of your leveling kit.

How High Should You Lift My Jeep Wrangler?

When determining the proper height for your 4WD vehicle, you should measure how tall your tires are. If you’re using aftermarket rims, you should also measure those.
In most cases, when people lift their vehicles, they just want some extra clearance to prevent their fenders from scraping on other cars’ bumpers and to keep their fenders from scraping.


Lifting the frame a few inches will accomplish this with little investment in equipment. If you want it to be higher, it would be better to use aftermarket wheels or larger tires to bring it closer to the replacement rims.

Conclusion

Before applying any modifications to your Jeep, you have to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of the process you’re about to undertake and choose the one that best suits your needs.


Install suspension elevation equipment on the Jeep if you’d like it to have off-road capabilities. However, if you only wish to improve the aesthetics of your Jeep by installing larger tires, a body elevation kit is enough. In the end, selecting the proper lift kit for your Jeep Wrangler is all about achieving your objectives.


Hopefully, we have made this simple for you, and you now have a solid understanding of the factors you must consider before deciding which type of lift to purchase.



FAQs

What does a Jeep body lift consist of?

A body lift is a modification that increases the distance between the frame and the body of a Jeep. It entails inserting spacer blocks or pucks between the vehicle’s body and frame to lift the entire vehicle’s body. This form of elevation focuses primarily on providing additional ground clearance for larger tires or enhancing the vehicle’s aesthetics.

What exactly is a Jeep suspension lift?

A suspension lift is a modification that increases the travel height by replacing or modifying the vehicle’s suspension components. To facilitate a higher lift, the coil springs, leaf springs, dampers, and other suspension components are typically replaced. Suspension modifications are utilised primarily to increase ground clearance, improve off-road capabilities, and accommodate larger tyres.

What are the primary distinctions between a Jeep body lift and a suspension lift?

The primary distinction between a body lift and a suspension lift is the components that they affect. A body lift elevates the Jeep’s body above the frame, whereas a suspension lift modifies the suspension components.

Are suspension lifts and body lifts compatible with one another?

Yes, it is possible to combine a Jeep’s body raise and suspension lift. This combination increases the ground clearance and tire capacity. When making such modifications, it is essential to consider the potential effects on the vehicle’s centre of gravity