Lift Kit Installation Instructions

Installing a suspension lift kit with spacers is a practical way to increase vehicle ground clearance while retaining many of the factory suspension components. However, spacer design and installation position can vary significantly depending on the vehicle and suspension type.

This guide explains several common lift kit spacer installation configurations, including front spring and strut spacers, rear shock absorber extenders, upper strut mount spacers, rear coil spring spacers, and strut mount spacers with threaded extensions.

Common Lift Kit Installation Types

Before Installing a Lift Kit

Before disassembling the suspension, confirm that the lift kit matches your exact vehicle, suspension configuration, and model year.

Compare the supplied spacers, extenders, and hardware with the factory components before removing the suspension. Check mounting-hole patterns, stud spacing, bolt diameter, thread pitch, spacer orientation, and hardware length.

Coil springs can store significant energy. If a spring cannot be completely unloaded by lowering the suspension, use the correct spring compressor and service procedure for that vehicle.

Front Spring / Strut Spacer Installation

Some vehicles use a spacer positioned at the upper part of the front coil spring or within the upper strut assembly.

In the example below, the specified factory rubber component is removed and replaced by the polyurethane lift spacer supplied with the kit.

General Installation Procedure

1. Safely raise the vehicle and remove the wheel.
2. Remove the front strut assembly according to the vehicle manufacturer's service procedure.
3. Use an appropriate spring compressor to safely unload the coil spring when required.
4. Remove the upper mount or spring seat components needed to access the spacer installation position.
5. Compare the supplied lift spacer with the factory rubber component.
6. If the specific kit requires the factory rubber isolator to be removed, remove it and install the lift spacer in its place.
7. Reassemble the strut assembly and confirm that the coil spring is seated correctly.
8. Reinstall the complete strut assembly on the vehicle.

Rear Shock Absorber Extender Installation

Some suspension lift kits include a rear shock absorber extender to compensate for the additional suspension height created by rear spring spacers.

After the rear suspension is lifted, the factory shock absorber may reach the end of its downward travel sooner than intended. The extender relocates the shock absorber mounting position and helps maintain a more suitable working range.

General Installation Procedure

1. Safely raise and support the vehicle.
```
2. Support the rear axle beam or suspension arm with a floor jack before disconnecting the shock absorber.
3. Locate the rear shock absorber mounting point where the extender will be installed.
4. Remove the required shock absorber mounting bolt.
5. Move the shock absorber clear of its original mounting position.
6. Install the supplied shock absorber extender at the factory mounting location.
7. Use the bolts, nuts, washers, and other mounting hardware supplied with the kit where specified.
8. Attach the shock absorber to the new mounting position on the extender.
9. Check that the extender and shock absorber do not interfere with the axle beam, suspension arms, brake components, or nearby parts.
10. Tighten the mounting hardware according to the applicable vehicle and lift kit specifications.

Upper Strut Mount Spacer Installation

Another common lift kit design uses a spacer installed directly above the factory upper strut mount.

Depending on the vehicle and spacer thickness, the kit may retain the original mounting studs or use longer studs supplied with the kit.

General Installation Procedure

1. Compare the lift spacer with the factory upper strut mount and verify the hole and stud pattern.
2. Remove the complete strut assembly from the vehicle.
3. If access to the mounting studs requires strut disassembly, safely unload the coil spring before removing the upper mount.
4. Replace the factory studs with the supplied extended studs when required by the kit.
5. Reassemble the strut assembly.
6. Position the lift spacer above the factory upper mount.
7. Reinstall the complete strut assembly into the vehicle body.

Rear Coil Spring Spacer Installation

Many vehicles use a rear suspension where the coil spring and shock absorber are separate components.

On this type of suspension, the rear spring can often be unloaded by supporting and slowly lowering the suspension arm or axle beam after the shock absorber mounting point has been disconnected.

General Installation Procedure

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Support the rear suspension arm or axle beam with a floor jack.
3. Disconnect the appropriate shock absorber mounting point when required to allow additional suspension droop.
4. Slowly lower the suspension until the rear coil spring becomes completely unloaded.
5. Remove the spring and note the original position of the end of the coil in the lower spring seat.
6. Compare the supplied spacer with the factory spring isolator.
7. Remove the factory isolator only if the specific lift kit requires its removal.
8. Install the spacer in the correct position.
9. Reinstall the coil spring and make sure it is seated correctly at the top and bottom.
10. Slowly raise the suspension while checking that the spring and spacer remain correctly positioned.

```

Strut Mount Spacer With Threaded Extension

Some lift kits use a polyurethane spacer together with a threaded extension installed on the strut rod.

This design increases the effective mounting height while retaining the factory upper mount assembly.

General Installation Procedure

1. Remove the strut assembly according to the vehicle manufacturer's service procedure.
2. Confirm that the spacer fits the factory mount and that the supplied threaded extension matches the strut rod thread.
3. If the specific kit requires modification of an upper washer, enlarge the center hole only to the diameter specified by the kit manufacturer.
4. Install the threaded extension onto the strut rod.
5. Use removable threadlocker where specified.
6. Position the polyurethane spacer on the factory mount.
7. Reinstall the washers and factory strut rod nut in the correct assembly order.
8. Tighten the assembly using the applicable specifications.
9. Reinstall the complete strut assembly on the vehicle.

Retightening Suspension Arm Bushings After a Lift

Raising the vehicle changes the normal resting position of the suspension.

On some suspension designs, bonded rubber suspension-arm bushings can remain twisted or preloaded if their mounting bolts are tightened while the suspension is hanging at full droop.

Where required by the vehicle manufacturer's service procedure, final tightening of the relevant suspension bushing fasteners should be performed with the suspension positioned at normal ride height.

Wheel Alignment After Installing a Lift Kit

Increasing vehicle ride height changes the normal working position of the suspension and can affect alignment angles such as camber and toe.

A professional wheel alignment is recommended after installing suspension lift spacers, especially when front struts, suspension arms, or other alignment-sensitive components have been removed.

Torque Specifications

There is no universal torque specification for all lift kit installations.

Factory suspension bolts and nuts should be tightened according to the specification for the exact vehicle, while kit-specific studs, bolts, nuts, and extenders should follow the specifications supplied by the lift kit manufacturer.

Final Inspection After Lift Kit Installation

Before driving the vehicle, perform a complete visual and mechanical inspection of the suspension.

Lower the vehicle onto its wheels and check that it sits correctly on both sides.

Drive carefully for a short distance and listen for unusual suspension noises such as knocking, clunking, squeaking, spring movement, or contact between components.

Reinspect accessible lift kit hardware after the initial driving period according to the recommendations supplied with your kit.

Important Lift Kit Installation Safety Notes

• Never remove a loaded coil spring without the appropriate unloading procedure or spring compressor.
• Never work underneath a vehicle supported only by a hydraulic jack.
• Do not remove factory spring isolators unless your specific spacer design requires their removal.
• Do not modify factory washers, studs, mounts, or other suspension components unless specifically required by the lift kit.
• Never allow brake hoses, ABS wiring, or parking brake cables to limit suspension travel.
• Verify the correct mounting pattern, bolt diameter, thread pitch, and hardware length before installation.
• Always verify torque specifications for the exact vehicle and supplied lift kit hardware.

Lift Kit Installation FAQ