How to Pick the Right Lift Kit for Your HiLux

One of the first system upgrades off-road HiLux enthusiasts perform on their vehicle is the lift. Whether that’s a full body or suspension, a lift can directly influence how much fun and use you can get out of your HiLux. That being said, making the right selection can translate into a better off-road driving experience. But in order to make the right selection, there are a couple of things you have to consider.

First and foremost, you’ll strongly have to consider where you’ll be driving most. Are you going to split time between off-roading and commuting to work? A HiLux that’s dedicated to off-road driving can accommodate more extreme modifications. However, if you’re still going to hit the streets every so often, then you have to consider your HiLux’ ability to corner, maneuver and brake on asphalt.

Next, consider whether you want larger tyres, and if the answer is yes, how large do you want them? Once you pick the tyres, you’ll have an easier time lifting your vehicle to accommodate them. You can read all about the lift manufacturer’s recommended tyre size. Moreover, you want to keep the vehicle’s center of gravity low, so dont overdo it with the tyres.

Furthermore, if your HiLux has leaf springs, the best way to lift it is by installing new springs. When you lift a leaf spring, you’ll get a steeper arch. If your HiLux has the axle mounted below the springs, you can use HiLux lift blocks to gain more height. However, avoid stacking those blocks, as they’re prone to collapsing – use HiLux lift blocks together with lifted springs instead.

You can also lift a leaf spring HiLux with longer shackles. However, it’s worth knowing that the lift will be only about half the length of the total increase. Simply put, a 3 inch longer shackle will lift your vehicle for 1.5 inches. Moreover, longer shackles will alter the shackle angle and pinion angle as well and reduce the lateral stability.

Alternatively, you might want to consider a coil spring lift. These lifts are applying a spring spacer, which are the less expensive option, but more importantly, you won’t have to perform too many adjustments to your HiLux with this lift. This means that the quality of your driving won’t change all that much. A coil spring lift is the better option if you perform a smaller lift of about 2 or 3 inches. If you go higher than that, you’ll also need something known as a corrected lift.