Not all pickup trucks are created equal, especially when you start messing with lift kits. Some are blank canvases, begging for custom suspension setups and towering off-road builds.
Others? Well, let’s just say even finding compatible hardware feels like you’re trying to restore a truck from the ’80s using wishful thinking and duct tape. If you’ve spent time in forums or wrenching in your own garage, you already know which pickups are modder-friendly and which are a total pain.
Aftermarket support isn’t just about availability; it’s about variety, price, ease of installation, and how deep the rabbit hole goes. A great lift kit needs proper brackets, tuned shocks, upgraded control arms, and ideally, a ton of online help when you hit snags.
On the other side of that are the trucks where even the smallest lift turns into a logistics headache: mismatched geometry, scarce components, or obscure bolt patterns.
In this piece, we’ll go over five pickups that have huge aftermarket lift-kit support—brands you can count on, kits available in every imaginable flavor, and a modding community to back it all up.
Then, we’ll hit five trucks that are either too new, too niche, or just ignored by the aftermarket, making lift kits a frustrating journey. If you’re planning a lift, you’ll want to know who’s easy to build and who’s a parts desert.
5 Pickups with Best Aftermarket Lift-Kit Support
These trucks are favorites among lift-kit fans. From mild 2-inch lifts to serious long-travel setups, there’s no shortage of parts or advice. The aftermarket support is huge—forums, bolt-on kits, YouTube guides—you name it.
You won’t need custom fabrication or a massive budget to get started. They’re built to be modded and ready for weekend projects. If you’re itching to lift something without turning it into a full-blown money pit, these are the ones to look at first.
ALSO READ: 5 SUVs with Lowest Repair‑Shop Wait Times and 5 with Long Queues
1. Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is basically the poster child for modding. There are thousands of lift kit options—everything from basic 2-inch spacer kits to full coilover conversions and 6-inch suspension lifts.
Because the F-150 has been America’s best-selling truck for decades, companies like BDS, Rough Country, Fabtech, and Icon have flooded the market with kits tailored to every model year.
That aftermarket depth also means serious tuning options. Want to run 35s on your 2019 FX4? Easy. Looking to transform your 2023 Lariat into a trail-eating beast with long-travel suspension? No problem.
Every part of the lift puzzle—drop brackets, knuckles, extended brake lines, differential spacers—is out there. And you’ll find installation videos, part reviews, and community feedback all over YouTube and forums.
Even better, the F-150’s independent front suspension is well-documented, so you won’t hit surprise compatibility issues. Whether you’re a weekend DIYer or letting a shop do the work, the F-150 gives you all the tools to lift it right.
Parts are everywhere, pricing is competitive, and you won’t be stuck waiting weeks for a single missing bushing. It’s the most plug-and-play platform for lifts.
2. Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma has built an almost cult-like following, especially in the overlanding and off-road crowd. And that love translates into huge aftermarket support, particularly for lift kits.
You’ve got everything from Old Man Emu kits to adjustable coilovers from Bilstein, King, and Fox. Plus, long-travel kits for serious rock crawlers and desert runners.
Toyota’s reliability helps too—builders know that if they invest in suspension upgrades, the truck’s going to last long enough to justify the cost.
Even better, the geometry on 2nd and 3rd-gen Tacomas plays well with 2–3-inch lifts, which are common for running 33-inch tires with minor trimming.
Also, the aftermarket doesn’t stop at suspension. You’ll find upgraded UCAs, rear leaf packs, extended travel dampers, and diff drop kits.
It’s a modular system—easy to start small and scale up. Online resources are endless, from TacomaWorld forums to build guides and walk-throughs.
If you want a mid-size pickup that can be lifted cleanly with off-the-shelf parts—and have a community that’s done it all before—the Tacoma is a no-brainer.
3. Ram 1500
The Ram 1500, especially post-2012 models, offers solid lift-kit compatibility with tons of aftermarket brands supporting it. Whether you’ve got the coil-spring rear end or the air suspension version, there are kits for both. Companies like Zone Offroad, BDS, and ReadyLift have you covered.
Ram’s appeal for lifts lies in its comfortable ride and big wheel wells, which make fitting larger tires easier. A modest 4-inch lift can get you running 35s without major trimming.
For air-suspension models, specific lift spacers keep things functioning while adding clearance, though those require a little more planning.
Plus, most kits come with matched control arms and driveshaft extensions, so you’re not improvising halfway through the install.
Ram’s also got a growing presence in the off-road aftermarket thanks to trims like the Rebel and TRX, so there’s demand, and that keeps parts availability high.
If you’re after a half-ton truck that handles a lift cleanly and still rides great on pavement, the Ram’s a strong contender.
4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Chevy guys haven’t been left behind. The Silverado 1500 is another half-ton with strong lift-kit support, especially for post-2014 models.
BDS, Cognito, Rough Country, and Fabtech all offer kits from basic 2-inch spacers to 7-inch bracket lifts that’ll make your truck tower.
One big plus for Silverado owners: lift kits often include everything needed for proper alignment and geometry, including high-clearance crossmembers, dropped knuckles, and rear shock extensions. It’s a well-documented platform with wide compatibility across years.
Also, the Silverado has a more “square” stance compared to some others, making it easier to fit big tires after lifting.
And GM’s updated suspension in 2019+ trucks has drawn even more aftermarket attention. You can run aggressive setups without constantly fighting CV angles or dealing with weird frame quirks.
If you want a full-size GM product with solid aftermarket lift support and years of documentation to back it up, the Silverado checks the boxes.
5. Jeep Gladiator
While technically a midsize truck, the Gladiator is basically a Wrangler with a bed—and that means an insane amount of lift-kit support.
Mopar, Teraflex, AEV, and MetalCloak are just a few of the brands that offer full lift systems, from 2.5-inch budget kits to 4-inch long-arms and high-clearance setups.
What really sets it apart is the solid axle front and rear—something rare in modern pickups. That makes it way easier to lift without worrying about IFS geometry.
Plus, with 37s becoming common on Gladiators, the aftermarket has adapted with steering upgrades, driveshafts, and shock tuning packages.
There’s also an entire subculture of Gladiator off-road builds. That keeps the community active and the support strong. If you’re looking for a trail-friendly truck that lifts like a Lego set, this is your ticket.
5 Pickups with Scarce Lift-Kit Parts
These trucks look sharp right out of the factory, but try throwing a lift kit on them and you’re in for a frustrating ride. The aftermarket scene just hasn’t caught up—options are limited, fitments are questionable, and online forums offer little help.
Whether the truck is too new, too rare, or simply not on enthusiasts’ radar, getting a proper lift becomes more trial-and-error than plug-and-play.
You’ll be digging through obscure parts lists, checking compatibility across models, and hoping someone else has tried it first. In short, what should be a simple upgrade turns into a drawn-out scavenger hunt for solutions.
ALSO READ: 5 Sedans Whose Batteries Last 6+ Years and 5 Dying by Year 3
1. Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is a solid unibody truck with a comfy ride, but it’s terrible for lifting. Because it’s built more like a crossover than a body-on-frame truck, suspension lift kits are very limited.
A couple of niche brands like Truxxx and ReadyLift offer mild spacer kits (around 2 inches), but anything beyond that is asking for drivetrain headaches.
The front struts and rear independent suspension don’t take kindly to big geometry changes.
There’s no support for serious trail use, and good luck finding compatible shock upgrades or extended control arms. And the aftermarket community? Mostly silent when it comes to lifts.
Add in the fact that the Ridgeline shares its platform with the Pilot and Passport, and you’re basically modding a lifted minivan. Fine for snow and camping—but a pain if you’re hoping for a proper lifted truck.
2. Hyundai Santa Cruz
Cool-looking? Sure. Liftable? Barely. The Santa Cruz is a brand-new unibody truck with zero real aftermarket suspension support.
A few folks are experimenting with custom spacer lifts or tire upsizing, but there are no major lift kits on the market—at least nothing you’d call “plug and play.”
Because it’s new and still niche, aftermarket companies haven’t prioritized it.
And with IFS in front and multi-link rear suspension, you’re looking at major alignment and wear issues if you mess with the height too much. It’s best left stock or very mildly lifted for aesthetic reasons—nothing off-road serious.
3. Nissan Frontier (Pre-2022)
The older Frontier had a long run (2005–2021), but never caught the modding world’s full attention.
There are some lift options out there—mainly spacer kits and some basic long-travel options—but compared to the Tacoma or Ranger, support is sparse.
The biggest issue is variety. Most kits don’t include upgraded shocks, control arms, or other essentials. It’s piecemeal.
If you want to go big, you’ll be piecing together parts from a handful of brands, and many of them won’t be designed to work together cleanly. It’s not impossible to lift—but it’s annoying.
4. Ford Maverick
It’s too new, too small, and too car-like. The Ford Maverick is a compact unibody truck, and while it has off-road ambitions (especially the FX4 and Tremor trims), the lift kit scene is still in its infancy.
There are a few 1.5 to 2-inch kits available, mostly spacers—but forget about coilovers, control arms, or serious long-travel setups.
Being a unibody hybrid in many trims also complicates things.
Tuning suspension height without throwing off ride quality, geometry, or hybrid system cooling is a challenge.
If you just want to level it, sure. But if you want real ground clearance, you’re stuck waiting for the market to catch up.
5. Rivian R1T
EV trucks like the Rivian R1T are cool, but they’re not modder-friendly—at least not yet. The air suspension system on the R1T already offers adjustable height, and trying to modify it beyond factory specs is risky and complicated.
There are almost no third-party lift kits available, because Rivian’s suspension architecture is tightly integrated with its software and active damping system. Mess with it, and you might trigger system errors or even void the warranty. Also, there’s no real community or aftermarket backing—yet.
It’s too early, and too proprietary. Maybe in five years, someone will crack it. But for now? Leave it alone.
If you’re planning to lift a pickup, choosing the right base truck makes all the difference. Some models, like the F-150 and Tacoma, offer endless options, clear guides, and tons of community support.
They’ve got suspension kits for every budget, they’re easy to work on, and every bolt has been turned before by someone in a forum or YouTube video.
Then there are the trucks where lifting becomes a project no one warned you about. Trucks like the Ridgeline and Maverick look nice, but they weren’t built with suspension modification in mind. And when parts are scarce or unsupported, your lift project can quickly become expensive or even unsafe.
What’s frustrating is that some of the trucks with the worst lift-kit support aren’t bad vehicles—they’re just not designed for that kind of modification.
Whether it’s because they’re too new (Rivian), too niche (Santa Cruz), or just have complicated suspension systems (Maverick), the result is the same: limited options, higher costs, and more work.
So before you start shopping for 35s and high-clearance bumpers, make sure your truck is actually ready to take that step. The right pickup makes lifting fun. The wrong one? You’ll spend more time hunting for parts than driving with them.
