Whether you are looking to go off-road, put larger rims and tires, or just generally want to improve the looks of your truck, a specifically designed lift kit can do all that and more.
Now, picking out the right lift kit for your truck can get both confusing and time-consuming so in order to save you time, we’ve done the research for you and found the five best lift kits for Chevy 2500HD that fit trucks made from 2001 all the way to 2020.
Please note: a torsion bar unloading tool is usually required for all lift kits so be sure to rent it from your local auto parts store (renting is significantly cheaper) or buy it if the original kit does not include one.
The 5 Best Lift Kits for Chevy 2500HD
 Advertising | Best Choice (1st Gen) Supreme Suspensions Full Lift Kit |
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 Advertising | Best Value (1st Gen) TORCH 3" Front 2" Rear Lift Leveling Kit |
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 Advertising | Best Choice (2nd-3rd Gen) Supreme Suspensions AZM 115 |
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 Advertising | Best Value (2nd-3rd Gen) WULF 3" Front 2" Rear Lift Leveling Kit |
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 Advertising | Premium Pick (1st Gen) Rough Country 8596N2 |
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Supreme Suspensions Full Lift Kit – Best Choice for 2001-2010
If you are looking for one of the best lift kits for an older generation Chevy Silverado, then Supreme Suspensions might be the answer for you. While being far from the most expensive one on the list, it offers quite a lot.
- Installation time: 2 to 3 hours
- Lift height: 1-3’’ front and 1-3″ rear
- Material: Alloy steel
This lift kit is mainly made from forged and cold-rolled high-strength steel. The manufacturer even says that it has TWICE the strength compared to the initial system. Additionally, lift blocks were machined from a piece of steel rather than welded – that means it does not have weak points that are created by welding the two materials together. The parts were also treated through the galvanization process and coated with zinc phosphate to receive superior corrosion resistance. A kit like this is going to last a lifetime.
Furthermore, you have control over the amount of lift at the front of your truck. By fine-tuning the position of the front torsion keys, you can get anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of lift. But keep in mind that a torsion bar unloading tool is required for the job. However, that might not be a problem as they can be rented at most auto stores.
This lift is super easy to install. It can be done in 3 hours or less and, apart from the torsion bar unloading tool, it only requires basic tools and can be done in your driveway.
Now, one of the things that could have been improved upon is the U-Bolts that come with the kit. They’re a bit smaller in diameter when compared to OEM U-Bolts that are in your truck right now, therefore if you’re doing really heavy towing or driving your Chevy in other extreme conditions, getting a better set of U-Bolts is a fantastic idea.
Overall, if you are looking for a reasonably priced lift kit that will outlast your truck, then this is the one you should be on the lookout for.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Adjustable front lift
- Quick installation
- Good price-to-performance ratio
Cons
- U-bolts are a bit smaller in diameter when compared to OEM
TORCH 3″ Front 2″ Rear Lift Leveling Kit – Best Value for 2001-2010
This is a great budget-oriented alternative to the Supreme Suspensions lift kit above, and it isn’t all that different either.
- Installation time: 2 to 3 hours
- Lift height: 3’’ front and 2’’ rear
- Material: Steel
The Torch lift kit has similar strength as the latter for a lower price, and the manufacturer also promises that this kit is almost twice as strong as the factory kit. It also comes with adjustable height torsion keys to achieve the perfect level between the front and the rear end of your truck.
In case the main reason you’re looking for a lift kit is being able to fit larger tires, then this is the right lift kit for you. It will let you easily fit 33” tires without mods and 34” or 35’s are also possible if you really want to push it.
Moreover, this is a bolt-on kit that does not require any modifications to the truck. It can be done in your driveway and you only need basic tools, apart from the torsion bar unloading tool.
The only downside would be that the rear lift blocks were welded rather than machined from a simple block. But the welds look good, and at this price range – it’s not a big deal. Some buyers said that the rear U-Bolts on their 2500HD got loose after some time but that is easily fixed with medium strength thread locker or with a set of locking nuts.
All-in-all, even though this lift kit has it’s pros and cons, you certainly get a handful for the price.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Cheap
- Strong
- Indexed front kit
Cons
- Rear lift blocks are welded
Supreme Suspensions Full Lift Kit – Best Choice for 2011-2020
If you drive the newer 2011-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, then Supreme Suspensions has got you covered.
- Installation time: 3 to 4 hours
- Lift height: 1-3’’ front and 1″, 1.5″, 2″ rear
- Material: High strength steel
Just like the previous Supreme Suspensions lift kit for the older generation Chevy 2500HD, this one offers the same features, but also comes with a torsion bar unloading tool included.
Unsurprisingly, this lift kit was also made using the same high-strength steel and was coated to prevent rust in order to ensure quality and dependability for a lifetime. Additionally, zinc phosphate-coated U-bolts, which are crucial for ride safety with a lift kit, are five times more corrosion resistant than with only zinc plating.
Installation is as quick as you might expect. It can definitely be done in your driveway with basic tools and takes as little as two hours of your time if you know what you’re doing. A u-shaped torsion bar unloading tool is already in the box, so it saves you the unnecessary hassle of buying or renting one for the installation.
The only downside would be that rather than being machined from a single piece of metal, the rear blocks were welded together. But according to the manufacturer, a fancy-named “heavy-duty GMAW seam and fillet welding processes” and additional inner support structures were used to further strengthen the block. Even though abbreviations don’t mean much by themselves, they do claim to have tested the blocks with a force of around 60,000 lbs with no noticeable deformations.
Pros
- Guaranteed to hold
- Torsion bar unloading tool is included
- Price to performance ratio
- Quick installation
- Adjustable front kit
Cons
- Rear blocks are welded
WULF 3″ Front 2″ Rear Lift Leveling Kit – Best Value for 2011-2019
If you are looking for a better value for your money, again, Wulf lift kits offer similar features and quality for a lower price.
- Installation time: 3 to 4 hours
- Lift height: 1-3’’ front and 2” rear
- Material: Steel for the front and billet aluminum for the rear
This configuration offers an adjustable front lift height that spans from 1 to 3 inches by using standard indexed front torsion keys and a 2-inch height increase at the back. Therefore, the whole level of the truck can be fine-tuned, and there were accounts that users were able to fit 35” tires on their trucks.
Unlike other manufacturers, Wulf made this kit ultra-durable for the price as the rear lifting blocks use machined billet aluminum as opposed to steel. It is lighter and has significantly better resistance to corrosion, therefore not only will your truck look good, but it will also be tougher for those off-road trips.
Like all the other kits, this one can also be installed at home with the usual tools and it only takes a few hours of your time.
As for the negatives, the rear lifting blocks might require a bit of encouragement to fit, but this is a minor inconvenience at best.
All-in-all, this is one of the best bang for your buck lift kits on the market that does not compromise on quality.
Pros
- Heavy-duty materials
- Easy installation
- Good value for money
Cons
- None
Rough Country 3″ Lift Kit – Premium Pick
If you’re going to lift your 2500HD, you might as well spend some extra money and do it the proper way – that’s exactly what the Rough Country lift kit is designed to do.
- Installation time: 3 to 4 hours
- Lift height: 1-3’’ front and 3” rear
- Material: Forged solid steel
One of the main selling points is that premium N3 series front and rear shocks are included. They are balanced and crucial for maintaining the ride quality, though some users report that they are a little stiff out of the box.
Forged upper control arms are also included in this kit, and let me tell you – they are an important part when lifting your 2500HD. Whenever you lift the front of the truck by 3″ or more, the OEM upper control arms will start hitting the lower bump stop which will limit the front suspension travel. The aftermarket upper control arms that come with the kit take care of that problem, maintain the proper gap between the bump stop and the control arm, and bring the suspension travel back to factory specifications. You definitely won’t see these components in cheaper kits.
Even if something breaks, Rough Country has you covered with a Lifetime replacement plan. But that’s out of the question as this lift kit is unlikely to break even in tough situations as it was made from high-quality forged steel and coated to prevent corrosion.
The amount of lift that you can get with it is pretty good – you get a maximum of 3 inches higher clearance both front and back. That means you can easily fit tires up to 33 inches with no tire rubbing, or just enjoy the increased ground clearance.
Installation is a piece of cake. You don’t have to be a mechanic or have any other specialized tools apart from the torsion bar unloading tool. Moreover, it is a bolt-on kit that does not require any cutting or drilling which might weaken your truck.
Rough Country says that this kit gives your truck “the perfect blend of performance, protection, and style”. Can’t argue with that, really.
Pros
- Durable, forged steel
- Comes with both front and rear shocks
- Comes with aftermarket forged upper control arms
- Increased ride quality
Cons
- Pricey but worth it
Choosing the Best Lift Kit for Chevy 2500HD – Buying Guide
Lifting your Chevy 2500HD is not as difficult as it might seem, however, there are a couple of challenges that you might face when doing so.
In order to save you the headache of any unexpected surprises when installing your lift kit, we’ve compiled information on some of the things you should look for when making a purchase; tips, and solutions to some of the problems you might face.
Differential Drop Kit Is Strongly Recommended for 4WD Models
The CV joints and boots in the front are designed to operate at a certain angle from the factory. When you lift your 4WD 2500HD, your CV joints are forced to operate at a sharper angle, which increases wear and ultimately leads to premature CV joint failure.
To prevent increased wear, you need to install a front differential drop kit. The kit consists of a pair of longer bolts and some spacers. It drops down the differential by a certain amount and brings the angle of the CV joints back to factory specifications.
Differential drop kits are pretty easy to install and inexpensive – if you care about your lifted Silverado 2500HD, a differential drop kit is a must.
You’ll Need a Torsion Bar Unloading Tool
Chevy and GMC heavy-duty pickups have been using torsion bar suspensions for decades and the Chevy Silverado 2500HD is no exception.
The height of your Chevy 2500HD is controlled with the use of torsion bar keys. The stock torsion bar keys can be fine-tuned but aren’t designed to provide any substantial lift, therefore you’ll have to change them to upgraded ones that come with your lift kit.
The problem is that the torsion bar keys are twisting the torsion bar with an incredible amount of force – you’ll need to relieve the tension with a special tool.
You can buy a torsion bar unloading tool or you can rent it from your local auto parts store. Unless you are planning on regularly working on your suspension, renting the torsion bar tool is much cheaper than buying one. If you’re mechanically inclined, you might get away with a large C-Clamp. It’s not as safe but definitely doable in a pinch.
Aftermarket Shocks Are a Good Idea
When lifting your 2500HD, it’s a good idea to get aftermarket shocks if you have the money to spare. Once the front is lifted by 3” and up, the suspension starts to feel stiff and the OEM shocks start to top out if no spacers are used. To prevent that, a good set of Bilstein 5100’s *will make the ride quality significantly better.
Aftermarket Control Arms Might Be Needed
When you lift your Chevy Silverado 2500HD by 3” or higher, it’s possible that the travel of your OEM upper control arm will be limited and hit the lower bump stop.
To prevent or fix that, you’ll need to order aftermarket upper control arms for lifted applications. They are pricey, therefore it might be cheaper to choose a lift kit that comes with the aftermarket upper control arms included, instead of buying them separately.
Alignment Is a Must
As a general rule of thumb, lifting any truck (including the 2500HD) by more than 2” will change its wheel alignment, suspension, and driveline geometry. Once they are out of factory specifications, your tires will wear slightly faster and unevenly, while your CV joints will fail prematurely and your CV boots will tear.
That’s why you need to get a full alignment at a professional alignment shop after you’ve installed your lift kit – it will fix the tire wear issues (if there are any).
Now, when it comes to CV joints, a differential drop kit is absolutely necessary for 4WD models. There’s no going around that.
Also Read: The Best Jeep Lift Kit for Daily Driver
Lift Kit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do lift kits ruin your truck?
No. In a worst-case scenario, a lift kit would only allow for uneven tire wear and cause premature CV joint and boot failure. That is, however, easily fixed by getting a professional all wheel alignment, and by installing a differential drop kit. In most cases, a lift kit would increase the resale value of your truck.
Is a 2-inch lift worth it?
Yes. A 2” lift kit will give you considerably more clearance when off-roading, let you run bigger tires, and make your truck safer as it’s higher up. If god forbid, your truck collides with a semi, there will be fewer chances that your truck will get crushed under the semi.
Are spacer lifts bad?
Spacer lifts are not bad for medium to low off-roading conditions. However, they are not the best option for hardcore off-roading conditions.
Do I need new shocks with a 3 inch lift?
You don’t need new shocks in most cases, but they are certainly recommended. They would increase the ride quality significantly and keep the full factory spec suspension movement.
How long will a lift kit last?
In most cases a lift kit will last the whole life of your vehicle. There are no moving parts (except shocks) and the metal spacers are made from the same or even stronger and more rust-resistant metal than your truck’s frame.
Eddie is the co-founder of CarCareCamp.com, and the site’s primary contributor.
Under his belt, Eddie has a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Electronics Engineering and almost a decade of experience working as a semi-truck technician (specializing in electrics).
