Ford Bronco Lift Kit Guide
Leveling kits, spacer lifts, adjustable shocks, lift springs and coilovers for the 2021+ Ford Bronco: how much lift you need for 35s and 37s, what your HOSS suspension changes, and when you need upper control arms.
Quick Answer
Most Bronco owners lift between 1 and 3 inches. On a non-Sasquatch Bronco, a 2 inch leveling or spacer kit with lower-offset wheels is the most common route to 35s; in our build data, 15 Broncos ran 35s on a leveling kit and 12 reported no rubbing. For 37s, plan on a 3 inch lift or more, plus trimming. Factory upper control arms handle a mild lift, but bigger lifts and 37s are where aftermarket upper arms and tie rods earn their keep. If your Bronco has HOSS 3.0 Fox shocks, look at perch-collar lifts that keep them.
Table of Contents
- What You Need to Know First
- Which Option Is Right for You?
- Types of Bronco Lifts
- Lift Height by Tire Size: Real Build Data
- HOSS Suspension: Know What You Have
- How a Lift Changes Your Bronco
- Supporting Parts You May Need
- Common Mistakes
- Recommended Setup Paths
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Guides
- Sources & Technical References
1. What You Need to Know First
The Bronco uses independent front suspension (IFS) and a solid rear axle. That matters for lifts: the front gains height by changing the coilover or strut, and every inch of lift changes the angle of the front CV axles and upper control arms. That's why Bronco lifts stay modest compared to solid-axle Jeeps, and why most owners stop between 1 and 3 inches.
Three things decide which lift is right for your Bronco:
- Your package. Sasquatch trucks already sit higher and run 35s, so the same kit gives them less extra lift than a non-Sasquatch truck.
- Your HOSS level. The factory shocks range from basic twin-tubes to Fox internal-bypass shocks. Some lifts replace them; others keep them.
- Your tire goal. 35s need a little lift on non-Sasquatch trucks; 37s need more lift plus supporting parts.
2. Which Option Is Right for You?
Pick by what you want the truck to do, not just by lift height.
3. Types of Bronco Lifts
| Lift Type | Typical Height | What It Does | Brands to Look At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spacer / leveling kit | 1 to 2 in | Spacers above the factory coilovers. Cheapest way to level and fit 35s. Keeps factory shocks. | Rough Country 2 in, Zone 2 in |
| Adjustable shocks | 0.7 to 2.5 in front | Replaces the factory shocks and reuses your springs. Better damping and adjustable ride height. | Bilstein 5100 |
| Lift springs | About 1 to 2 in | Taller springs instead of spacers, so the suspension keeps more of its travel. | Eibach Pro-Truck Lift springs |
| Perch-collar lift | About 1 to 1.5 in | Raises the spring perch on factory Fox coilovers so HOSS 3.0 owners keep their Fox shocks. | RPG, Foutz |
| 3 in lift kit | 3 in | A complete kit aimed at 37s, usually with new shocks or struts. | ReadyLift 3 in SST, Zone 3 in |
| Coilover system | 2 to 4 in | Fully adjustable performance coilovers, often paired with upper control arms. Best ride and travel, highest cost. | ICON, Eibach Pro-Truck Coilover, Fox, King |
Rough Country is the most common lift brand in our Bronco build data (20 of 63 builds), followed by Zone, Eibach and ReadyLift. Spacer kits are popular because they're affordable and give the look and tire clearance owners want. If you also want a better ride, step up to Bilstein 5100s, Eibach springs or coilovers.
Shop Bronco Lift Kits → Shop Bronco Leveling Kits →
4. Lift Height by Tire Size: Real Build Data
From 63 owner-reported Ford Bronco builds (2022 to 2025, Raptor not included). "Rubbed" includes slight rubbing at full steering lock; "trimmed" means the owner cut metal.
| Suspension | 35 in tires | 37 in tires |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 5 builds · no rubbing, 2 trimmed | 1 build · no rubbing, 1 trimmed |
| Leveling kit | 15 builds · 3 rubbed, 7 trimmed | 2 builds · no rubbing, 1 trimmed |
| 2 to 2.5 in lift | 8 builds · no rubbing, 6 trimmed | 2 builds · 2 rubbed, 1 trimmed |
| 3 to 3.5 in lift | 4 builds · 1 rubbed, 2 trimmed | 6 builds · 2 rubbed, 2 trimmed |
| 4 in lift and up | 3 builds · no rubbing | 3 builds · 1 rubbed, 2 trimmed |
A lift height by itself doesn't guarantee a tire fits. Wheel offset, tire width, your package and trimming all change real-world clearance. See the Tire Size Guide and Wheel Fitment Guide for the full picture.
5. HOSS Suspension: Know What You Have
Ford calls the Bronco's suspension packages HOSS. Your level affects which lift makes sense, because some lifts throw away expensive factory shocks.
| HOSS Level | Factory Shocks | Typical Trims | Lift Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOSS 1.0 | Twin-tube shocks | Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Black Diamond | Spacers, Bilstein 5100s, springs or coilovers all make sense |
| HOSS 2.0 | Bilstein monotube with piggyback reservoirs | Badlands, Sasquatch-equipped trucks, Everglades, Heritage | Spacers or springs keep the factory Bilsteins; coilovers replace them |
| HOSS 3.0 | Fox 2.5 in internal-bypass | Wildtrak; optional on some trims | Perch collars keep the Fox shocks |
| HOSS 4.0 | Fox 3.1 Live Valve | Bronco Raptor | Separate platform; Raptor-specific parts only |
HOSS availability has changed by model year and package, so check your window sticker or build sheet if you're unsure.
6. How a Lift Changes Your Bronco
Lifting an IFS truck changes more than ride height. Here's what to know.
Upper Control Arms
Lifting the front changes the angle of the upper control arms, which pulls camber and caster out of spec. Bronco owners report most mild lifts align fine on the factory upper arms. Bigger lifts, 37s and hard trail use are where aftermarket upper control arms help: they correct alignment at the upper ball joint and add clearance for bigger tires.
CV Angles
The front CV axles run at a steeper angle as you lift. Too much lift, especially from tall spacers, can wear CV joints and boots faster. When camber is corrected only at the lower arms, the CV shafts effectively work at a longer reach at full droop. Staying in the 1 to 3 inch range keeps CV angles reasonable.
Steering
Bigger, heavier tires put more load on the tie rods and steering rack. Ford upgraded the tie rods and steering rack on 2022 and newer Broncos. Upgraded tie rods are a common addition on trucks running 37s.
Ride Quality
Spacers keep your factory shocks and springs, so the ride stays close to stock, but they can limit down-travel. Adjustable shocks, lift springs and coilovers change the ride itself: usually firmer and more controlled, and on quality coilovers, better than factory both on-road and off.
Alignment
Every lift needs an alignment. Lifting changes camber, caster and toe, and skipping the alignment wears tires fast and makes the truck wander on the highway.
7. Supporting Parts You May Need
Depending on how far you go, these parts finish the job.
Shop Bronco Suspension Components →
8. Common Mistakes
- Chasing height with tall spacers. Stacking too much spacer lift steepens CV angles and limits down-travel. Most Broncos are happiest between 1 and 3 inches.
- Throwing away HOSS 3.0 Fox shocks. If you paid for Fox internal-bypass shocks, a perch-collar lift keeps them.
- Expecting the lift alone to clear 37s. 37s also need the right wheel offset and, in most builds, trimming.
- Skipping the alignment. Every lift changes camber, caster and toe.
- Buying by height alone. A Sasquatch truck and a non-Sasquatch truck get different results from the same kit. Check your package before ordering.
9. Recommended Setup Paths
Budget 35s
- Rough Country or Zone 2 in leveling kit
- 35x12.50R17 tires
- 17x8.5 wheels, 0 offset
35s with a better ride
- Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks or Eibach Pro-Truck Lift springs
- 35 in tires
- 17x8.5 or 17x9 wheels, +30 to 0 offset
37s
- ReadyLift 3 in SST or Zone 3 in kit, or ICON coilovers
- Aftermarket upper control arms and tie rods
- 37x12.50R17 on 17x9 wheels, 0 to -12 offset, plus trimming
10. Frequently Asked Questions
How much lift do I need for 35s on a Bronco?
On a non-Sasquatch Bronco, a 1 to 2 inch level plus lower-offset wheels is the common route; 12 of 15 leveled builds on 35s in our data reported no rubbing. Sasquatch Broncos run 35s with no lift.
How much lift do I need for 37s on a Bronco?
Plan on 3 inches or more. In our build data, 9 of 14 Broncos on 37s run a 3 inch lift or bigger, and many also needed trimming and lower-offset wheels.
Can I lift a Sasquatch Bronco?
Yes. Sasquatch trucks already sit higher, so the same kit gives them less extra lift. For example, Bilstein lists its 5100 front shocks at 0.7 to 2.5 inches of front lift on non-Sasquatch Broncos and 0 to 1.7 inches on Sasquatch Broncos.
Do I need upper control arms to lift my Bronco?
Not for most mild lifts. Owners report 2 inch lifts generally align on the factory upper arms. Bigger lifts, 37s and hard off-road use are where aftermarket upper control arms help with alignment and CV angles.
Leveling kit or lift kit for a Bronco?
A leveling kit raises the front to remove the factory rake and is enough for 35s on most non-Sasquatch trucks. A lift kit raises the whole truck and is the better route for 37s or more clearance.
How do I lift a Bronco with HOSS 3.0 without losing the Fox shocks?
Use a perch-collar lift. It raises the spring perch on the factory Fox coilovers for about 1 to 1.5 inches of lift while keeping the Fox shocks.
What is the most popular Bronco lift kit?
In our build data, Rough Country is the most common brand (20 of 63 builds), followed by Zone, Eibach and ReadyLift. 2 inch spacer kits are popular for 35s, and 3 inch kits for 37s.
11. Related Guides
12. Sources & Technical References
- HOSS 1.0 to 4.0 shocks and trims: The Bronco Nation
- Upper control arms, lifts and alignment: Bronco6G.com
- Bilstein 5100 lift range: Bilstein B8 5100 ride-height adjustable front shock specifications for the 2021+ Bronco
- 2022 tie rod and steering rack upgrade: The Drive
- Build data: 63 owner-reported Ford Bronco builds, 2022 to 2025 model years, compiled by Offroad Source.
Not sure which lift fits your Bronco? Call 419-670-3141 or email sales@offroadsource.info with your trim, package and tire goal. We also install lifts at our shop in Paulding, Ohio.