Coilovers for Trucks, SUVs and Raised Builds

This article was written by Coilovers.com Owner and Principal, Lou Tortola.

We list coilovers for trucks like the Tacoma X-Runner and Honda Ridgeline, and for a long list of SUVs and crossovers. Most of these kits hold stock height or lower it, so if you want a lift, read the raised-builds section before you order.

Truck and SUV owners call us with two different goals. Some want a street truck or a crossover that sits lower and corners flatter. Others want more ground clearance for gravel roads and trails. A coilover kit can do the first job well. The second job needs a kit built for it, and that list is short.

Everything below comes from the titles of our own listings. If your year, trim or drivetrain is not named, we do not assume it fits. Confirm on the product page, or call 1-800-460-9106 with your VIN.

Coilovers for Trucks: What We List

Pickups make up a small part of our catalogue. Two modern ones stand out.

We do not list coilovers for full-size pickups. If you drive one, call us and we will tell you straight what the brands make for it.

SUVs and Crossovers We List

This is where most of our truck-and-SUV calls land. A few examples from our listings:

Each one is its own listing with its own exclusions. Read the whole title. On BC Racing kits, Swift Springs SPEC-R upgrade springs are an option on most fitments. Some SUV titles say "Swift Front Only", "Swift Rear Only" or "Swift Springs Not Available", like the Durango.

Air Suspension and Electronic Dampers on SUVs

Many SUVs leave the factory with air springs or electronic dampers. That changes which listing you need, or whether one exists at all.

If your SUV has air or electronic suspension, call before you order. The wrong kit on these cars can leave you chasing warning lights.

Raised Builds: What Coilovers Can and Cannot Do

Here is the honest part. Most coilover kits are designed around stock height or lower. One of our own titles, the 2003-2013 Honda Element BC Racing kit, says "NO LIFTED BUILDS" right in the name. Do not try to wind a lowering kit up to get a lift.

Kits built to raise a car do exist.

A raised setup changes more than the stance. Ride height, camber and toe all move, so plan on an alignment. Bigger off-road tires add unsprung weight, the mass the springs do not carry. Over rough ground, the dampers have to work harder to keep those heavier tires in contact. Our guide to rally suspension design covers why travel matters more than drop on loose surfaces.

Which Brand Fits a Truck or SUV Build

The brands approach these platforms from different angles, and the series choice is often narrower than on a sports car.

BC Racing covers the widest spread of SUVs and crossovers we list. Many of those listings, like the Explorer, Durango and RX 350 AWD, come in the BR Series. It has 30-click simultaneous compression and rebound in a nitrogen-charged monotube damper. BC Racing North America lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, from the date of purchase, subject to its warranty terms.

KW covers the Ridgeline in KW V3 and a run of European SUVs. KW V3 uses twin-tube dampers in stainless steel bodies, with rebound and compression adjusted separately.

Feal hand-builds its kits in Murrieta, California, and its 441+, 442 and 443 series all appear on the Tacoma X-Runner listing. Fortune Auto hand-builds in Virginia and lists several Subaru and Honda crossovers. Bilstein fills in with B12 packages on SUVs like the Q5, X5 and Touareg.

Coilovers for trucks and SUVs are performance suspension for a heavy platform, so the brand matters less than the fit. Pick the listing that names your exact car, then pick the series that matches how you drive.

Spring Rate and Damping on Tall, Heavy Platforms

SUVs and trucks are tall and heavy. Their center of gravity sits higher than a sedan's, so the body leans more in corners. A firmer spring rate and good damping reduce that lean. Go too firm, though, and the ride turns harsh over broken pavement.

Tell us how you use the car. Daily miles, family hauling, towing or the odd trail all change the right setup. We will steer you to a kit and spring rate that fits, rather than the stiffest option on the page.

Lowering a crossover is a different job from lowering a sports car. If you are weighing a coilover kit against springs alone, read our guide to coilovers vs lowering springs first.

Driver-Assist Sensors After a Height Change

Many newer trucks and SUVs use cameras and radar for lane keeping, emergency braking and adaptive cruise. Those sensors are aimed for factory ride height.

A research report for New Zealand's transport agency, NZTA, looked at this in December 2023. It found that changing ride height and rake angle affected how some driver-assist systems performed. Recalibrating to the maker's spec brought performance back to around baseline in the cases tested.

So after you change height, ask your dealer or a calibration shop whether your car needs recalibration. Do it after the alignment. Set your final height first, using our guide to set ride height on coilovers, so you only calibrate once. Then check that every locking collar is tight.

Frequently Asked Questions