ATV Lift Kits

This article explains how ATV lift kits work, an overview for installing an ATV lift kit, and links to additional information.

The main reason for adding a two inch lift kit to your ATV is because it will allow you to add oversize tires without them rubbing the fenders when turning. Other reasons for adding lift kits is to increase ground clearance to make it easier to go over obstacles, raise the level of intakes to go through deeper water, and most importantly because bigger is better and it makes your four wheeler look cool!

Adding large tires also increases your clearance, so you can end up with five or more inches of height increase. This will definitely make a difference! If you lift your ATV using progressive shocks/springs, as opposed to just raising their mount points, you’ll also benefit from a stronger suspension, that you can fine tune.

Stage 1 ATV lift kits that add 2-3 inches of lift are not very expensive, less than $200, and aren’t very difficult to install. Once you cross the 3″ threshold the price skyrockets ($1000′s range). The main reason for adding the two inches is because it will allow you to add oversize tires without rubbing the fenders when turning. Adding large tires also increases your clearance, so you can end up with five or more inches of height increase.

The reason for the big difference in costs for lifts over 3″ is because your wheel base begins to narrow as you lift, and the angle of the CV joints becomes to great. These larger lifts require changing a lot of additional stock components to compensate for this.

There is currently no equivalent of a body lift like you can find for trucks. Body lifts only raise the body without affecting ground clearance.

The Stage 1 (2″-3″) lift kits, are considered “Suspension Lifts”, and work by some combination of:

• Raising the shock/spring mount points
• “Rolling” the shock/spring mount points
• Adding a spacer below or above the springs
• Replacing the stock springs and/or shocks (has the added benefit of giving you heavier duty suspension)

Each kit will come with installation instructions, and these should be followed when actually installing the kit. Installation is usually not too difficult, and can be done in less than two hours. Some models and kits can be more challenging than others.

The basic ATV lift kit installation process:

• Remove the front tires and one shock mounting bolt from each side.
• Install brackets to raise shock mount points, and reinstall shock mount bolts and the tires.
• This process is then repeated for the rear, and is even simpler for ATV’s with a single rear shock.

Visit SmartATV.com/content/all-about-atv-lift-kits for more information and to view the different types of ATV lift kits available.

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