Leveling Kits, Lift Kits, and Air Springs can all change how your truck sits, but they solve very different problems. Here are the most common questions truck owners ask when deciding which suspension upgrade they need:
What Is the Difference Between a Leveling Kit, Lift Kit, and Air Springs?
The easiest way to think about it is:
- Leveling Kits correct the truck’s factory front-to-rear rake.
- Lift Kits raise the vehicle for additional height and clearance.
- Air Springs provide adjustable load support when towing or hauling.
They can also be used together because each upgrade performs a different job.
What Does a Leveling Kit Do?
Most pickups sit higher in the rear than the front from the factory. A Leveling Kit raises the front of the truck to create a more even stance.
Depending on the application, Leveling Kits can also provide additional clearance for larger tires.
Pacbrake offers vehicle-specific Leveling Kits for a range of truck and SUV applications.
When Should I Choose a Leveling Kit?
A Leveling Kit may be right for you if you want:
- A more level, aggressive stance.
- Additional front tire clearance.
- A relatively simple suspension-height upgrade.
- To reduce the appearance of factory rake.
However, a Leveling Kit does not provide additional rear load support. If your truck squats when you hook up a trailer or load the bed, Air Springs are designed to address that problem. Properly supporting the suspension under load with an ALPHA™ Air Suspension Kit can help maintain ride quality, suspension travel, handling and stability.
What Does a Lift Kit Do?
A Lift Kit raises the vehicle higher than stock, providing additional height and clearance.
Lift Kits are commonly used for larger tires, increased off-road clearance, or simply to give the vehicle a taller stance.
Unlike a Leveling Kit, which primarily changes the front-to-rear stance, a suspension lift changes the vehicle's overall height.
What Is the Difference Between a Body Lift and a Suspension Lift?
Both can make a vehicle sit taller, but they do it in very different ways.
A body lift raises the vehicle's body away from the frame using spacers or blocks. The frame and suspension remain at roughly their original height, so a body lift can create additional room for larger tires but does not provide the same increase in suspension or under-chassis clearance as a suspension lift.
A suspension lift raises the vehicle through changes to the suspension system, such as springs, spacers, control components, or other application-specific parts. Because the suspension and vehicle are raised, a suspension lift can provide greater clearance for off-road use and larger tires.
In simple terms:
Body Lift = Raises the body above the frame.
Suspension Lift = Raises the vehicle through the suspension.
Suspension lifts generally involve more components and can have a greater effect on suspension geometry, alignment, and vehicle handling, making proper installation especially important.
When Should I Choose a Lift Kit?
A Lift Kit may make sense if:
- You want additional ground clearance.
- You want to install larger tires.
- You regularly drive off-road.
- You want a noticeably taller vehicle.
A Lift Kit changes vehicle height, but it is not a load-support system. A lifted truck can still experience rear suspension compression and squat when towing or hauling, and stability may be compromised by the raised center of gravity.
What Do Air Springs Do?
Air Springs — also called air helper springs or air bags — work alongside the truck's existing suspension to provide adjustable load support and enhance stability.
When a trailer, camper, equipment, tools, or other heavy cargo compresses the rear suspension, air springs can be inflated to help bring the truck back toward a level stance.
Pacbrake ALPHA™ Air Suspension allows you to adjust air pressure based on the load rather than permanently changing the truck's ride height.
When Should I Add Air Springs to My Truck?
Air Springs are a great option if:
- Your truck squats when towing or hauling.
- Your loads frequently change.
- You want adjustable rear suspension support.
- You tow travel trailers, fifth wheels, boats, equipment trailers, or toy haulers.
- You carry campers, tools, equipment, or heavy bed loads.
Air Springs are especially useful for trucks that regularly switch between loaded and unloaded conditions.
Pair your Pacbrake ALPHA™ Air Springs with BRAVO™ Wireless Air Controls and adjusting for different loads becomes even easier.
The BRAVO™ app lets you save three pressure presets for the setups you use most—such as daily driving, towing your trailer, or carrying a heavier bed load. Instead of remembering pressures and adjusting from scratch every time your load changes, simply select the preset that matches how you’re using your truck.
You can also fine-tune pressure from your smartphone and control both air springs together or independently when needed.
Three presets. Three common setups. One tap to get your air springs ready for the load.
Do Air Springs Increase Payload or Towing Capacity?
No.
Air Springs do not increase your truck's GVWR, payload rating, or towing capacity.
Those factory limits remain unchanged. Air Springs help support the vehicle’s suspension and maintain ride height with loads that are already within the vehicle manufacturer's ratings.
Can I Use Air Springs With a Leveling Kit?
Yes.
A Leveling Kit and Air Springs perform different jobs and can work together.
The Leveling Kit controls the truck's unloaded stance, while Pacbrake’s ALPHA™ Air Suspension provides adjustable rear support when a trailer or heavy load is added.
For trucks that tow regularly but also want a leveled appearance, this can be a practical combination.
Can I Put Air Springs on a Lifted Truck?
Yes, depending on the application and suspension setup.
The important factor is ensuring that the Air Springs operate at the correct installed height. Depending on how the truck was lifted and where the air springs mount, an Air Spring Spacer may be required.
Pacbrake offers Air Suspension Spacers for compatible lifted-truck applications. Spacer requirements should be determined by the actual suspension setup rather than simply matching the advertised lift height.
Do Air Springs Permanently Raise My Truck?
No.
An Air Spring is not designed as a permanent suspension lift. It is designed to provide adjustable support and maintain proper ride height as loads change.
Air pressure can be adjusted in the Springs depending on what you're carrying or towing, allowing you to add support when the truck is loaded and reduce pressure to Pacbrake’s minimum pressure requirements, when that additional support is no longer required.
Can I Adjust Pacbrake Air Springs From My Phone?
Yes—and this is where an air spring setup becomes much easier to use.
Pair ALPHA™ Air Suspension with BRAVO™ Wireless Air Controls and you can adjust air spring pressure directly from your smartphone, see pressure feedback in real time, save presets for common loads, and switch between simultaneous or independent left/right control.
Instead of manually filling your air springs every time your load changes, BRAVO™ puts adjustment right at your fingertips.
What Is BRAVO Setup Assist™?
BRAVO™ isn't just about adding and releasing air.
Setup Assist™ helps you keep an eye on the health of your air system through the BRAVO™ mobile app, including leak-warning functionality that can help identify when your system may need attention.
That adds another layer of confidence during setup and everyday use. Instead of simply setting pressure and hoping everything is working properly, BRAVO™ gives you real-time system information right from your phone.
For anyone already investing in ALPHA™ Air Suspension, stepping up to ALPHA™ + BRAVO™ means getting convenient wireless adjustment, pressure monitoring, presets, and Setup Assist™ together in one system.
ALPHA™ supports the load. BRAVO™ makes managing it easier.
Which Suspension Upgrade Does My Truck Need?
Start with the problem you're trying to solve.
| IF YOU WANT TO... | CONSIDER... |
|
Remove factory front-to-rear rake |
Leveling Kit |
|
Gain overall vehicle height |
Lift Kit |
|
Create additional tire clearance* |
Leveling or Lift Kit |
|
Reduce rear squat under load |
Air Springs |
|
Adjust support for different loads |
Air Springs |
|
Tow with a leveled or lifted truck |
Level/Lift + Air Springs |
* depending on application and tire/wheel combination
The key is not expecting one suspension product to do everything.
Leveling kits change stance. Lift kits add height. Air Springs provide adjustable load support.
Choose the upgrade—or combination of upgrades—that matches how you actually use your truck.
