If you are reading this, it would be fair to assume that you love off-roading! Enjoy it; perhaps even live for it!
Winter is still a few months away here in the States, and now is the time most off-roaders go ahead and conquer the worst tracks imaginable.
If you indeed are one of them, surely your checklist is complete. The proper ride. Great offroad wheels. GPS. First-Aid kit. It’s a long list.
Umm, have you considered using off-road suspension systems?
Just like our favorite aftermarket Fuel Wheels and so many big names in this genre, there are several aftermarket suspension systems available too. Didn’t you know?
Merely swapping your vehicle’s existing suspension (and that too using kooky DIY hacks) won’t do. You need to visit a proper service station where trained personnel will replace the most essential parts of every suspension system.
The springs. The dampers. And finally, the shock absorbers.
Once you start using a branded off-road suspension kit, you’ll be surprised at how utterly good it feels!
There are several major brands that manufacture custom suspensions.
Take a look at the top names of 2022!
Which are the best off-road suspension brands?
Before we begin, the key word used here is ‘branded’. Of course, there are several unbranded suspension systems available as well, but would you prefer a set of untested ‘forged 1-piece wheels’ from an unknown manufacturer over KMC Wheels?
That’s what we thought.
Purchasing branded suspensions guarantees better performance over nightmarish roads, sets your pulse racing and also protects your set of expensive off-road wheels!
And now for the list!
- ReadyLift Suspensions: Another all-American company, ReadyLift has been manufacturing lift and leveling kits since 2006. Initially, they used to cater exclusively to trucks. But by 2010, the company realized that:
- They would also have to design custom products for pickups and SUVs.
- They would cater to the massively underserved market that demanded cost-effective solutions and did not need monster lifts.
To that end, ReadyLift modified its business stance and is today one of the biggest names in this domain, dominating the budget-conscious section in particular.
If you are looking for a not-too-aggressive, reliable, stylish and moderate lift, this should be your go-to brand.
You will find that these products are best-suited for light trucks, mid-to-heavy SUVs and help improve handling to a great extent even when you are off-roading. With lift kits in the size range of 1.5 to 9-inches, there are plenty of options for you to choose from!
- BDS Suspensions: This is another brand that we have tested on a 2016 Chevy Silverado with 2-piece KMC Wheels designed primarily for off-roading. Like ReadyLift, BDS also provides affordable lifting solutions. That said, it also excels in crafting customized lift kits in the size brackets of 0.75 and 10-inches.
BDS takes the best of both worlds and provides affordability with a lifetime warranty on their craftsmanship.
Their 2.5-inch kits sell widely across the country and are primarily used by pick-up truck owners. The Ford F-150 is their ‘target vehicle’ so to speak.
- Superlift Suspension: Most such lists start with Superlift since they have been around for well over 50 years. The company was founded by a group of like-minded engineering enthusiasts who preferred driving and building for Jeeps!
Superlift is still the go-to brand for off-road suspension kits for Jeep Wranglers, the new Rubicon sub-family, the Gladiator, and a few others. That shouldn’t be surprising!
Superlift does not label itself ‘only for Jeeps,’ however. They are experts in the design and manufacturing of custom off-road suspension systems for almost all major trucks and pick-up vans.
What sets this brand apart from most others is their customization quality. Once you approach a Superlift Suspension outlet or retailer with a specific query, you will be contacted by service representatives from the company asking you exactly what you want – and what is possible.
With a kit range that starts at just 1.5-inches and goes right up to 12-inches, this is one company you can always rely on. Even if you are using oversized off-road wheels and tires, they will find a way to work around that.
We know because we had a (very) positive experience when we used a 2.5-inch lift kit (level 1) for our 2018 GMC Sierra 1500. We had that monster riding massive Fuel Wheels with a bronze finish.
The problem is that the brand can be pretty expensive. On the flip side, lifetime warranty!
- Rough Country: A recent favorite of many Americans, Rough Country brings a new meaning to cost-effective high performance. Like most other manufacturers, their lift & leveling kits kick off at 1.5-inches and go up to 8-inches. That means more options for you regardless of the vehicle or the size of off-road wheels you are using!
They have shown great improvements over the last few years thanks to better R&D.
For now, these are the best off-road suspension brands you can currently have a look at. As 2022 draws to a close, chances are that a few more models might just be launched!