How To Measure Vehicle Ride Height

Here's the proper way to measure your vehicle's ride height before attempting any leveling kit, body lift and suspension lift kit install. Photo copyright Performance Accessories.

Before lifting your vehicle with a suspension, body-lift or leveling kit, it’s important to begin by properly measuring its ride height. By doing so, you’ll be able to see and document the amount of actual lift you’ve attained. Then you can take that information and determine the correct size and diameter of wheel you can use with the vehicle’s new ride height. Here’s the proper way to measure:

1) Select a clean, dry and level surface to take the vehicle’s ride height measurements
2) Drive the vehicle forward at least 10-feet onto the level surface to settle the suspension. 
3) Park the vehicle and wedge or block to secure the tires so that the vehicle will not roll forward or back.
4) Take a measuring tape and measure the ride height from the center of the axle or hug, straight up (vertical) to the bottom of the fender lip. 
5) Repeat the process for all four sides and record the measurements. 

Once this is done, you’ve recorded the proper ride height measurement of your truck, SUV or Jeep. After you’re lift has been installed, take these measurements again and see the total amount of actual ride height you’ve gained.
By DS Media Relations