If you own an F-150, Silverado, or RAM 1500 here in Tampa, odds are you have thought about lifting it. Maybe you want to clear bigger tires for those weekend runs out to the Ocala National Forest. Maybe you just want your truck to stand out on Dale Mabry instead of blending in with every other stock half-ton on the road. Whatever your reason, choosing the right lift kit is one of the most important decisions you will make for your truck — and it is not as simple as picking the tallest one you can find.
We install lift kits every single week at Redline Auto Creations, and the questions we get are always the same: Which brand is best? How much lift do I actually need? Will it ride like garbage afterward? These are fair questions, and the answers depend on your truck, your budget, and what you plan to do with it.
In this guide, we are going to break down the top five lift kit brands — Rough Country, BDS Suspension, Fabtech, ReadyLift, and Fox — and compare them across the three most popular truck platforms in America. No fluff, no brand loyalty bias. Just honest recommendations from a shop that has installed hundreds of these kits and seen how they hold up over time in Florida conditions.
Rough Country is the entry point for most truck owners getting into the lift kit world, and there is nothing wrong with that. They offer kits ranging from 2-inch leveling setups all the way up to 6-inch suspension lifts, and their pricing is hard to beat. A basic Rough Country 3-inch bolt-on lift kit for an F-150 starts around $300 to $500, while their more complete suspension lift kits with shocks included run between $800 and $1,500 depending on the platform.
Pros:
Cons:
Rough Country is a smart choice if you want the lifted look and moderate off-road capability without spending $3,000 or more on a kit alone. We tell customers at the shop: if your truck is mostly a daily driver that sees dirt roads and occasional trails, Rough Country will serve you well.
BDS is where you step into the mid-to-premium tier, and the difference in quality is immediately noticeable when you open the box. BDS kits are engineered with tighter tolerances, better finish quality, and they include NX2 series shocks that are a significant upgrade over what you get in a budget kit. Pricing for BDS kits typically falls between $1,500 and $3,500 depending on lift height and truck platform.
Pros:
Cons:
BDS is what we recommend for customers who want to lift their truck and keep it for the long haul. If you are planning to own your F-150 or Silverado for another five to ten years, the extra investment in a BDS kit pays for itself in ride quality and durability.
Fabtech has been in the suspension game since 1989, and they have built a reputation for kits that can handle serious abuse. Their Stealth shock series is solid, and they offer some of the most complete kit packages on the market — meaning fewer extra parts to source separately. Fabtech kits generally range from $1,200 to $4,000 depending on configuration.
Pros:
Cons:
Fabtech is a strong choice for truck owners who want a complete package without hunting down individual components. Their kits for the RAM 1500 are particularly well-regarded in the industry.
ReadyLift carved out a niche by focusing on leveling kits and mild lifts — typically in the 2-inch to 4-inch range. If you do not need a towering 6-inch lift but want to level your truck's stance and fit larger tires, ReadyLift is probably the brand you should be looking at. Their SST Lift Kits are among the best-selling mild lift solutions on the market, with pricing between $200 and $1,800.
Pros:
Cons:
For the Tampa truck owner who wants to level their F-150, fit 33-inch or 35-inch tires, and maintain that smooth highway ride for the daily commute on I-275, ReadyLift is a fantastic option. We install a lot of their SST kits at Redline Auto Creations, and customer satisfaction is consistently high.
Fox is the premium player in the suspension world, and their products reflect that. Fox does not sell traditional lift kits the same way other brands do — instead, they focus on high-performance shock absorbers and coilovers that are often paired with other manufacturers' lift components. Their 2.0 Performance Series shocks are the standard upgrade recommendation, while the 2.5 Factory Series and 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks are reserved for serious off-road builds. Fox shocks alone run from $150 to $600 per shock, with complete coilover kits reaching $2,000 to $5,000 for a set.
Pros:
Cons:
Fox shocks are what we recommend when a customer tells us they want the absolute best ride quality possible after lifting their truck. Pairing a BDS or Fabtech lift kit with Fox 2.0 shocks is one of the best combinations in the business, and it is a setup we build regularly at the shop.
The F-150 is the best-selling truck in America, and it is probably the most common truck we lift at Redline Auto Creations. The aluminum body on the newer models makes weight a real consideration — lighter trucks respond differently to suspension changes, and not every kit accounts for that properly.
Best Budget Option: Rough Country 3-Inch Bolt-On Suspension Lift Kit (Part 54531). This kit runs around $700 to $900 installed and includes their premium N3 shocks. It clears 33-inch tires easily and 35s with minor trimming. For the money, it is hard to beat on an F-150.
Best Mid-Range Option: BDS 4-Inch Suspension Lift Kit with NX2 Shocks. This is our most popular F-150 lift at the shop. At roughly $1,800 to $2,200 for the kit plus installation, it delivers excellent ride quality, clears 35-inch tires without rubbing issues, and the build quality is noticeably superior to budget alternatives. The NX2 shocks handle the aluminum-body F-150's lighter weight perfectly.
Best Premium Option: BDS 6-Inch Suspension Lift with Fox 2.0 Performance Shocks. If you want your F-150 to tower over traffic on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, this is the setup. Budget roughly $3,500 to $4,500 all-in with professional installation. It clears 37-inch tires, looks absolutely commanding, and the Fox shocks keep the ride surprisingly composed for that much lift height.
The Silverado is a workhorse, and GM's independent front suspension on the 1500 models responds very well to quality lift kits. One thing we always tell Silverado owners: the newer T1 platform trucks (2019 and newer) require kits specifically designed for that chassis. Do not try to run an older-platform kit on a new Silverado — it will not work correctly and can create dangerous handling issues.
Best Budget Option: Rough Country 3.5-Inch Suspension Lift Kit with Forged Upper Control Arms (Part 29531). This kit addresses one of the biggest complaints about budget Silverado lifts — worn-out ball joints and poor alignment geometry — by including forged steel upper control arms. At around $900 to $1,200 installed, it is an excellent value that clears 33-inch tires and handles daily driving duties without complaint.
Best Mid-Range Option: Fabtech 4-Inch Suspension Lift with Stealth Shocks. Fabtech's Silverado kits are among their best work. The kit runs approximately $1,800 to $2,400 installed and includes everything you need for a clean, properly engineered 4-inch lift. It clears 35-inch tires and maintains good ride quality for both highway cruising and light off-road use. This is a great choice for Silverado owners who tow occasionally, as the Stealth shocks handle added weight well.
Best Premium Option: BDS 6-Inch Suspension Lift with Fox 2.5 Coilovers. This is the build for the Silverado owner who wants it all. Expect to invest $4,000 to $5,500 for the complete package with professional installation. The Fox 2.5 coilovers are adjustable, allowing you to fine-tune ride height and damping to your preference. It clears up to 37-inch tires and delivers a ride quality that makes people question whether your truck is actually lifted when they ride in it.
The RAM 1500 with its coil-spring rear suspension (on non-Classic models) is arguably the best-riding half-ton truck from the factory, and choosing the right lift kit preserves that advantage. The air suspension models (those equipped with the four-corner air ride system) require specific kits and careful installation — this is not a DIY project for air ride RAMs.
Best Budget Option: ReadyLift 4-Inch SST Lift Kit. Unlike the F-150 and Silverado, our budget recommendation for the RAM is ReadyLift rather than Rough Country. The RAM's coil-spring rear suspension responds beautifully to the ReadyLift SST system, and the ride quality retention is exceptional. At approximately $600 to $900 installed for non-air-ride models, it clears 35-inch tires and maintains that signature RAM ride quality that owners love.
Best Mid-Range Option: BDS 4-Inch Suspension Lift with NX2 Shocks. BDS makes an outstanding RAM 1500 kit that works with both the standard coil spring and air ride suspension models. The air ride compatible version costs more — roughly $2,500 to $3,200 installed — but it preserves full air suspension functionality, which is critical. For standard suspension models, expect $1,800 to $2,400 installed. Either way, the ride quality is superb.
Best Premium Option: Fabtech 6-Inch Radius Arm Lift with Fox 2.0 Shocks. Fabtech's radius arm design for the RAM 1500 is one of the best high-lift solutions on the market. The radius arm geometry keeps the front end tracking straight and stable even at 6 inches of lift, which is a challenge many brands struggle with on the RAM platform. Budget approximately $4,000 to $5,500 installed. It clears 37-inch tires and delivers the kind of aggressive stance that stops people in parking lots.
We get it — there are YouTube videos showing garage installations of every kit on this list. And yes, a mechanically inclined truck owner with the right tools can technically install a leveling kit or basic spacer lift in their driveway. But here is what those videos do not show you:
At Redline Auto Creations, every lift kit installation includes a full alignment, brake system inspection, driveline angle check, and road test. We want your truck to ride right and last, not just look tall.
To help you plan your budget, here is a general overview of what you can expect to spend on a lift kit including professional installation at a reputable shop in the Tampa Bay area:
These ranges cover the kit, installation labor, alignment, and any necessary additional hardware. Wheels and tires are separate — and if you are lifting your truck, you should absolutely be talking to us about wheel and tire packages too. We can bundle everything together and often save you money compared to buying components separately.
One thing we always discuss with customers is what lift height actually makes sense for their situation. Living in Tampa, most of us are not rock crawling every weekend. Our terrain is flat, our obstacles are mostly sand and mud, and our biggest daily challenges are potholes on Nebraska Avenue and flooding during summer storms.
Here is our general guidance:
2-inch level or lift: Perfect for fitting 33-inch tires, eliminating the factory rake, and giving your truck a more aggressive stance without changing the driving dynamics significantly. Best for daily drivers who want a subtle upgrade.
3 to 4 inches of lift: The sweet spot for most Tampa truck owners. Enough lift to clear 35-inch tires, look genuinely lifted, and handle light off-road use at places like Croom or Hardrock. Ride quality stays comfortable with a quality kit, and you will not struggle in parking garages.
6 inches or more: This is a statement. Your truck will stand out everywhere, clear 37-inch or larger tires, and handle serious off-road terrain. But daily driving requires more attention — higher center of gravity, wider turning radius, and you will need to recalibrate your speedometer for accurate readings with larger tires. Worth it for the right build, but make sure you go in with eyes open.
Choosing a lift kit is a big decision, and the right answer depends on your truck, your goals, and your budget. That is exactly why we encourage every customer to come talk to us before making a purchase. We have seen what works and what does not on hundreds of trucks right here in Tampa, and we will give you an honest recommendation — even if that means telling you a less expensive kit is the smarter choice for your situation.
At Redline Auto Creations, we stock and install lift kits from all five brands covered in this guide. We offer complete lift kit packages that include wheels, tires, and alignment — everything your truck needs to look right and drive right. Whether you are lifting a brand-new F-150, freshening up your Silverado, or building out your RAM for serious off-road use, we have the experience and inventory to make it happen.
Give us a call at (813) 544-4009 or stop by the shop to talk through your build. We will walk through your options, show you examples of trucks we have lifted on similar platforms, and put together a quote that fits your budget. No pressure, no upselling — just straight talk from a team that lives and breathes truck builds every day in Tampa.
At Redline Auto Creations, we specialize in crafting custom vehicles with precision and passion. From wheels and tires to suspension, performance upgrades, and custom designs, we bring your vision to life. Contact us today and transform your ride.
© 2026 Redline Auto Creations LLC. All Rights Reserved.
11626 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
.png){kind=icon}
