Top Lift Kits for the Chevy Silverado 1500

Your Chevy Silverado is one of the most popular trucks on the road, and that popularity means that you have a wealth of aftermarket options available to you if you decide to modify or enhance it in any way. One of the best ways to improve your truck’s off-road ability while boosting its style is to install a lift kit, so read on as we explore some of your best options for Chevy Silverado 1500 lift kits.

Why Install a Lift Kit?

Why go to the trouble of changing your truck’s suspension? There are several benefits that come with a lifted stance:

• The ability to add larger tires. Lifting the suspension raises the fenders and allows you to fit bigger wheels and tires to your truck, improving your off-road capability.
• Improved ground clearance. A larger tire increases the distance between the ground and your axles, rockers, and all the important bits tucked underneath the truck. This increase in breakover angles can be a lifesaver when traversing rough terrain.
• Enhanced approach and departure angles. By lifting your suspension, you change the relationship between the tires and bumpers, increasing your ability to attack difficult obstacles while on the trail.
• It just looks better. Adding a 33” or 37” tire to a 4X4 completely changes the look and stance of the truck, greatly improving its aesthetics.

Types of Chevy Silverado 1500 Lift Kits

Before choosing your hardware, you’ll want to examine the main categories of lift kit to determine which one best suits your needs.

Rear Lift Blocks

Rear lift blocks are usually manufactured from steel or billet aluminum and are inserted between the axle and the leaf spring on your rear suspension. The installation process is simple and relatively quick, at about an hour, but there is a limit to the amount of lift you can safely attain through this modification.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Easy to install, even for a backyard mechanic
• Maintains OEM suspension feel with smaller lifts

Cons:

• You’ll need to make separate adjustments to the front suspension to balance the rake
• Small off-road performance gains
• Suspension feel changes with increased lift heights

Leveling Kits

A leveling kit adds a spacer to your front struts to increase the height at the front of the truck. They are often used to eliminate the factory rake and allow a slightly larger tire up front, but if you combine them with equal-sized rear lift blocks you can maintain the factory rake.

Pros:

• Cost-effective
• Simple installation
• Expanded tire size options

Cons:

• Lift heights are limited to a maximum of about 3”
• Higher lifts can change steering geometry and degrade handling
• Increased ball joint wear

Body Lift Kits

A Chevy Silverado 1500 body lift kit adds spacers between the frame of the truck and the body, giving the appearance of a lifted truck while maintaining all the factory suspension components. This is a mostly cosmetic treatment since you won’t get any increase in suspension travel or ground clearance, aside from any that comes from a larger tire fitment. Installation is also quite a bit more involved than lift blocks or leveling kits.

Pros:

• Retention of factory suspension components and ride quality
• Increased tire clearance
• Tow ratings and payload capacity stay the same

Cons:

• Higher lifts expose the frame of the truck
• Installation may require cutting or drilling into the frame

Full Suspension Lift Kits

A full suspension lift is the holy grail of truck mods, gaining improved off-road capabilities, along with great looks and the option to add very large tires, depending on your lift height. It’s not uncommon to see suspension lifts of 6”-8”, contributing to massively improved suspension travel for absorbing bumps and increasing trail capacity.

Pros:

• Maximum lift heights
• Great articulation for technical trails or desert running
• They look great!

Cons:

• Prices can balloon quickly
• Complicated to install
• On-road performance can suffer

What are My Best Options?

Start by assessing your needs. Here are three options for you.

Daystar Universal Body Lift Blocks

Do you want to keep your truck’s towing and payload capacities stock while giving it a bit of a lift? Try a set of Daystar Universal Body Lift Blocks. They come in sizes from 1” to 3”, and they’re an easy, unintrusive way to add some height.

Eibach Rear Lift Blocks with MotoFab Levelling Kit

Are you looking to level the rake of your truck, or do you want a simple solution that you can install yourself? Then use some combination of the highly-rated Eibach Rear Lift Blocks and a front strut leveling kit like the MotoFab.

Rough Country Suspension Lift Kit

Do you have a need for desert speed, or want to conquer the gnarliest trails while looking like a boss? A Rough Country Suspension Lift Kit with adjustable coil-overs will give you the ground clearance, suspension travel, and aesthetics that will keep you looking back every time you park your truck. Whichever route you take to lifting your Chevy Silverado 1500, it will certainly improve curb appeal, increase your resale value, and provide the enjoyment of having a unique truck that expresses your personality.