Best Leveling and Lift Kits for the Chevy Silverado 1500

Lift Kit Styles

First up on the docket are lift kit styles. After all, no two lift kits are the same! 

Lift kits come in several shapes and sizes, ranging from cost-effective body lifts and leveling kits offering mild ride height increases to pricey, high-end coilover kits offering significant lifts and exceptional performance! So, which style is right for you?

Body Lift Kits

Body lift kits are an unconventional lift style, being that they don’t modify the suspension in the slightest! Unlike other lift styles, which derive lift from modified suspension components, body lifts utilize high-density spacers installed between the body and frame mounts. These kits effectively ‘lift’ the body up over the frame, thus resulting in a lifted appearance. 

While body lifts are relatively inexpensive, they offer little to no improvement in off-road performance. Since only the body changes height, the frame, suspension, and chassis retain the same ground clearance. Additionally, your Silverado retains its factory suspension components and, thus, ride quality. While comfortable on the street, body lifts aren’t ideal for heavy wheelers and dedicated off-road rigs. 

Pros:

• Cost-effective

• Maintains factory ride quality

• Retains payload and towing capacities

• Increases tire clearance

Cons:

• Typically requires cutting and trimming of frame horns for bumper relocation brackets

• Minimal lift; approximately 1–3 inches 

• Time-consuming installation

Leveling Kits

Leveling kits are another cost-effective suspension solution; however, unlike the other products on this list, they modify only the front suspension rather than the front and rear. 

Leveling kits counteract your Silverado’s factory rake (i.e. when the front suspension sits considerably lower than the rear). Doing so adds clearance in the front fenders for larger tires and evens out the stance for a clean, uniform appearance. 

Pros:

• Balances stance

• Increases front ride height, ground clearance, and tire clearance 

• Retains factory towing characteristics

• Cost-effective

• Bolt-on installation

Cons:

• May cause a reverse rake while towing/hauling

• Minimal lift; approximately 1–3 inches

Basic Suspension Lifts

Basic suspension lifts are the most economical means of considerably lifting your Silverado. These kits utilize components like high-strength drop brackets, lift spindles, strut spacers, and lift blocks to raise your Silverado’s ride height without breaking the bank. 

While these kits offer exceptional on-road performance and aesthetics, they retain several of your Silverado’s factory suspension components. As a result, these kits offer little to no improvement in off-road performance. While a basic lift kit will more than suffice for a daily driver, we’d recommend a high-end coilover suspension kit if you regularly take your Silverado through challenging terrain. 

Pros:

• Offered in various lift heights

• Improves ground and tire clearances

• Improves aesthetics

• Most affordable suspension lift style

Cons: 

• May alter on-road performance

• May require modifications (cutting, drilling, etc.)

Coilover Suspension Lifts

If you’re searching for the best blend of on-road comfort and dominating off-road capabilities, you can’t beat a premium coilover suspension lift! These kits ditch the money-saving coil and strut spacers of a basic lift kit for high-end, performance-tuned front coilover suspension and performance rear dampers, making for a far more capable rig off-road. 

However, these add-ons significantly impact the price. Most coilover kits are approximately double the price of their basic counterparts! Is the added performance worth the price? You decide! 

Pros: 

• Adjustable ride height

• Solid on-road performance

• Improves ground and tire clearances

• Improves aesthetics

Cons: 

• Pricier than similar basic lift kits

• May alter on-road performance

• May require modifications (cutting, drilling, etc.)

Top Lift Kits

Now that we’ve covered the most popular lift styles and each's pros and cons, let’s get into our expert’s top picks in each category! Each product listed offers the best blend of build quality, performance, and value, ensuring a product that satisfies even the pickiest Silverado owners!

Best Body Lift: Performance Accessories 2" Body Lift Kits

Performance Accessories is one of the leading names in the body lift industry, supplying high-end, American-made products! The company’s 2” Body Lift Kits are no exception, including everything necessary to lift your Silverado by a uniform 2 inches. This kit includes durable fiberglass-reinforced nylon body blocks, laser-cut steel brackets and fittings, and high-strength hardware. 

Performance Accessories backs its 2” Body Lift Kits with a limited lifetime warranty. If any issues arise due to manufacturing or material defects, Performance Accessories has you covered!  

Features: 

• Maintains factory ride quality

• Allows installation of larger wheels and tires

• Does not alter factory suspension geometry or stability control

• Fiberglass-reinforced nylon body blocks

• Laser-cut steel fittings and brackets

• High strength hardware

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty

Best Leveling Kit: ReadyLIFT SST Leveling Kits

If you’re looking to even out your Silverado’s stance, consider investing in a premium SST Leveling Kit from ReadyLIFT! ReadyLIFT SST Leveling Kits are built to last and feature durable, corrosion-resistant alloy constructions for maximum durability. Where other kits corrode and fatigue over time, ReadyLIFT SST leveling kits stand the test of time! 

ReadyLIFT SST Leveling Kits offer simple, bolt-on installations in under half the time of conventional kits! Each order includes all necessary mounting hardware and instructions for a hassle-free installation. 

ReadyLIFT backs its SST Leveling Kits with a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

• Increases front ride height without sacrificing ride quality

• Fast and simple installation process takes about 1/3 the time of other kits

• Steel kits have a durable powder coat finish

• Aluminum kits are resistant to corrosion

• Coil spring spacers, torsion bar keys & strut spacers are available

• Includes mourning hardware

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty

Best Basic Suspension Lift: MaxTrac 7" Basic Lift Kits

Give your Silverado the altitude adjustment it deserves with a MaxTrac 7” Basic Lift Kit! Unlike most lift manufacturers, MaxTrac resists crossmember drop brackets when possible, instead implementing lift spindles and strut spacers! Not only does this design make for a simpler installation, but it also provides maximum ground clearance for improved styling and off-road performance! 

The MaxTrac 7” Basic Lift Kit includes everything necessary to lift your Silverado by a whopping 7 inches, including heavy-duty powder-coated steel brackets, hardware, and thorough installation instructions. MaxTrac proudly manufactures its products in the USA and backs them with a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

• Maintains OEM ride quality while achieving maximum lift

• Allows installation of larger wheels and tires

• Fast and easy installation

• Steel kits have a durable powder coat finish

• All mounting hardware is included

• Backed by a limited lifetime warranty

• Made in the USA

Best Coilover Lift Kit: Superlift 3.5" Coilover Lift Kit

If you’re looking for minimal lift and maximum performance, check out the SuperLift 3.5” Coilover Lift Kit! This high-end suspension lift blends on and off-road ride quality, ditching conventional dampers and struts for performance-tuned FOX front coilovers and rear shocks. 

This kit includes everything necessary to lift your Silverado 3.5 inches. Superlift proudly manufactures its lift kits in the USA and backs them with a limited lifetime warranty. Superlift is a RealTruck brand; when you order the 3.5” Coilover Lift Kit or any other Superlift product from us, you’re ordering directly from the manufacturer. 

Features: 

• Complete front and rear lift kit

• Vehicle-specific fitment

• Includes all required installation hardware

• Includes high-performance FOX coilovers and dampers

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty