Ford F-150: Lift Kit Reviews

This article applies to the Ford F-150 (2005-2014).

There are multiple reasons to lift your truck. Off-road enthusiasts like to lift trucks for the increased ground clearance and room for larger tires. Some people just want to be able to see over the traffic on the interstate. Whatever your reason for wanting a lift, our guide will help you pick the kit most appropriate for your lifestyle.

There are a few ways that suspension companies will lift your truck. The most common—and least expensive—way to lift the front of your truck is with spacers. These blocks sit between the top of your struts and the body of your F-150. Generally, they're made out of either steel or a polycarbonate. Alternatively, some kits offer taller struts. These are more expensive, but they'll also give your truck increased suspension travel. More suspension travel means your truck can handle rougher off-road conditions much better.

There are two options for the rear suspension as well. Most lift kit makers will increase the size of the block between the axle and the leaf springs. Like spacers, these are generally made out of polycarbonate or steel and are relatively inexpensive. Some higher end kits will offer new leaf springs instead. Like new struts, new leaf springs actually add suspension travel to the truck. New shocks are generally included with these kits as well, regardless of how they lift the truck.

	Skyjacker	Zone Offroad	BDS Suspension	ProComp	Fabtech	Rough Country
Price	$2,396	$1,549	$2,005	$1,700	$1,987	$1,300
Front Lift	Replacement struts	Replacement struts, OEM coil	Replacement struts	Spacers	Spacers	Spacers
Rear Lift	Replacement leaf springs	Suspension blocks	Suspension blocks	Suspension blocks	Suspension blocks	Suspension blocks
Warranty	Limited lifetime warranty	Limited lifetime warranty	Limited lifetime warranty	60,000 miles / 5 year warranty	60,000 miles / 5 year warranty	Limited lifetime warranty

Skyjacker

Price: $2,396

Front Lift: Replacement struts

Rear Lift: Replacement leaf springs

Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Even though this may be one of least common kits on the road today, don’t rule them out just yet. The biggest benefit to this kit is that it doesn't use a block to lift the rear; instead, a set of full replacement lift leaf springs are included. This helps to eliminate axle wrap and and give the truck an even lift. If you measure both sides of the truck's rear end, you'll likely find one side to be lower due to worn leaf springs. Replacing leaf springs eliminates the unevenness that would remain just using blocks. Another pro is that it doesn't use a spacer up front; instead, it comes with replacement struts that reuse the OEM coil. The downside to this kit is depending on what lift height you settle on (adjustable 4-6” in ½” increments), you won’t retain the factory angles on your ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. With the most options, this kit packs the highest MSRP of $2,396 and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Recommended if you need added height without spacers or blocks.

Zone Offroad

Price: $1,549

Front Lift: Replacement struts, OEM coil

Rear Lift: Suspension blocks

Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Zone may be one of the newest, but by forum response it looks like they’re the up and coming underdog. Their lifts are affordable and of good quality. These kits use a tapered block to help re-center the rear wheel into the wheel well. They also use a full replacement strut that reuses the OEM coil, so no spacer up front. Unlike the Skyjacker kit, your truck will retain the factory angles, which allows you to add a small spacer up front to go higher if desired. Unfortunately, Zone offers no warranty on the kit. Recommended if you don't want to spend extra on a lift kit just for the warranty.

BDS Suspension

Price: $2,005

Front Lift: Replacement struts

Rear Lift: Suspension blocks

Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

BDS is one of the most popular brands on the market today judging by the sheer amount of times it's recommended on the forums. This kit has exceptional quality and one of the best looking front crossmembers. Like the previous two kits, it uses a replacement strut up front that reuses the OEM coils. Similar to the Zone kit, it sets the front angles back to the factory level, allowing you to go higher. Also included is an offset spring plate for the rear to help re-center the rear wheel. For those with a little more money to spend, BDS offers an upgraded kit that replaces the front struts with Fox Racing 2.5” coilovers and the rear shocks with the Fox 2.0s. The Fox shocks are better suited to hard off-road driving than the ones that come with the kit. You’ll also get BDS’s ‘No Fine Print’ limited lifetime warranty. Recommended if you want a well respected lift kit with a great warranty.

ProComp

Price: $1,700

Front Lift: Spacer

Rear Lift: Suspension blocks

Warranty: 60,000 miles / 5 year

The ProComp kit is definitely a quality made lift, however, it loses some points due to its price and what it includes. While being one of the most expensive on the list, it lacks a replacement strut for the front suspension. Instead, this kit uses a 6" spacer on top of the OEM strut. A spacer usually makes a kit more budget friendly, but in this case it doesn't. While this kit does carry the ProComp 60,000 mile 5-year warranty, it is recommended to pass on this kit unless you get a great deal. Recommended if you want a name brand with a good warranty.

Fabtech

Price: $1,987

Front Lift: Spacer

Rear Lift: Suspension blocks

Warranty: 60,000 miles / 5 year

Fabtech ranks right up there with BDS in both quality and popularity. If you see a BDS kit recommended, you'll probably see a Fabtech recommendation following it. Fabtech has possibly the most distinctly recognizable front crossmember on the road today. Fabtech’s downfall is the use of a spacer like the ProComp kit. With this kit having a pretty high MSRP, a strut replacement should be included instead. With that aside, this kit is still recommended due to its tried and true quality. Another plus is the Fabtech 60,000 mile 5-year warranty. Recommended if you want high quality with a good warranty.

Rough Country

Price: $1,300

Front Lift: Spacers

Rear Lift: Suspension blocks

Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

If money is a concern, then Rough Country is without a doubt the best kit on this list. With a MSRP of $1,300, it sits well below the next on the list: Zone at $1,550. While this kit doesn’t utilize a replacement strut up front, it definitely makes up for it in the price and quality. General consensus makes this one of the favorites for the budget-restricted buyer who wants a lift. This kit puts you right around stock angles, allowing you to go higher, and has a great looking crossmember and a limited lifetime warranty. Like some of the higher end kits, you’ll also get a rear block that helps re-center the rear wheel. Recommended if your want to lift your truck on the cheap.

Final Review

For the non-budget-oriented, BDS ranks highest in quality, appearance, and warranty. For the budget-oriented, Rough Country is the recommended kit, as it shares the same traits as the BDS kit without as many higher-end options.