Are you thinking of lifting your truck?
You need to install a lift kit that will make your truck look cooler at the same time it will be performance-oriented.
This article comprises a detailed analysis of the 4-inch and 6-inch Silverado lift kits you will need to make the right decision with the pros and cons of 4 and 6-inch lift kits.
05 Difference Between 4 Inch Lift Vs 6 Inch Lift Silverado
Choosing a 4-inch lift vs a 6-inch lift Silverado can be challenging.
As several factors differentiate them, which you need to consider.
However, we have gone the extra mile to break the differences down to make a choice easy for you.
01. Performance
Performance is one major reason many people decide to lift their trucks.
And the 4-inch lift is different from a 6-inch in its respective performance.
4-inch lift kit endures wear and tear, don’t rust easily and is durable.
Also, 4 inches helps improve the steering ability when you are at full speed.
It is also noiseless and won’t cause uneven running of the tires.
Meanwhile, 6 inch, although also last long, has better functioning and is easy to handle on bad roads.
But it consumes more fuel with less maneuverability than its 4-inch counterpart.
02. Ease of Usage
4-inch lifts are unique and easy to use.
Although it is not ideal for rocky terrains, it is perfect for your Silverado truck.
It has a tremendous supportive ground clearance and is not hard to install.
On the other hand, 6-inch lift kits are powerful and efficient for rocky terrains.
Also, 6-inch provides user-friendly parts that help reduce vibration and shock.
However, they require a long time to install, more than 15 hours.
03. Protection
A good lift should provide security and protection for long-lasting use.
And there is a huge difference between a 4-inch and 6-inch lift in this regard.
4-inch lifts are usually made with durable materials, with most brands offering kits that are great to use on tough terrains.
For Silverado trucks, a 4-inch lift gives better ground clearance, thus allowing the tires to run faster without affecting the handling.
However, as good as the 4-inch sounds, it is mostly only suitable for the on-ride experience.
No smooth off-road driving experience as they are meant for gravel paths.
However, 6-inch lifts are steel and come with parts designed to give the ultimate desired lift.
They are perfect for off-road driving and come with protection that prevents your Silverado truck tires from being damaged.
04. Maintenance
The 4-inch lift is less expensive to maintain when it comes to maintenance.
It doesn’t consume much fuel and is relatively easy to customize due to its parted sections.
6-inch lifts, on the other hand, although powerful, are costly to maintain.
The repair cost is high, and the amount of fuel it consumes is a problem in itself.
05. Truck Lifting Capabilities
The 4-inch lift doesn’t have high lifting capabilities to provide good ground clearance.
Although it works well with both 33-inch and 35-inch tires, it’s not the best for off-road driving.
A 6-inch lift gives a higher lift and provides an adventurous and aggressive driving experience to its user.
When driving on gravel, 6 inches provides the best lift with no troubles at all.
Overall, it all depends on what you want when it comes to 4 inches vs 6-inch lift for your Silverado truck.
Pros and Cons of Silverado 4-Inch Vs 6-Inch Lift
Each has its ups and downsides when it comes to Silverado 4-inch vs 6-inch lift.
Let’s start with the 4-inch lift.
Pros of 4-inch lift
- It is easier to drive
- It is easier to access and climb the truck
- It has a less fuel consumption rate
- It is less expensive to maintain
- It provides just enough lift to not break any laws.
Cons of 4-inch lift
- It is not as cool as higher lifts.
- It is efficient for off-road driving.
Pros of 6-inch lift
- It is perfect for off-road driving due to its height
- For some big trucks, 6 inches is the only option.
- If you want to install a 35-inch tire as well, then 6 inch is the right option
Cons of 6-inch lift
- It is not easy to maneuver
- You will have to get bigger tires which are usually expensive
- It is not legal in all the states
03 Things to Consider When Deciding to Lift Your Chevy Silverado Truck
Before you lift your truck, you need to ask yourself why you are doing it.
Is it to improve the overall function of your truck, or do you just want to look cool?
Yes! People lift their trucks just to look cool, and you can do it too.
However, when you lift your car, you get the frame, differentials, and body higher while gaining clearance.
All that is perfect if you are mainly an off-road user, as it will make it easier to clear tree stumps and rocks.
For off-road users, a lift increases the approach, departure angles, and break over.
The lifted suspension also helps to balance all four wheels on the ground, giving you maximum traction.
But if you use your truck mainly for commuting, the large tires and extra high will be of no use.
This is especially true if you plan to use your truck bed to transport equipment.
You will quickly realize that with all the extra height, simple things like that become hard.
Also, before lifting your truck, you need to research about lift kit and the effect of the lift on your Chevy Silverado truck.
Because some lift kits are all-inclusive, others will require you to change many parts of your truck.
Below are some things to know before lifting your vehicle.
A 6-Inch Lift Doesn’t Always Translate To a 6-Inch Gain
After you have installed your lift, you often understand what 4 inches and 6 inches mean.
Some lifts after installation don’t give your truck the height it was advertised to add.
You should go for the lift from your lift kit to avoid this.
However, there are lots of things you need to know.
For example, after installing a 6-inch lift, you will need large tires to accommodate your now less stable and taller truck.
And the addition of these large tires increases the overall height of the truck.
Then you find out after measuring that instead of 6 inches your truck is now measuring 8 inches!
Sometimes it no longer fits in your garage.
To learn how you can estimate how high the result of your truck will be, here is a YouTube video for you-
What It Feels Like To Drive a Tall Vehicle
People often assume that there won’t be that much difference in driving the truck after a lift.
And that’s where most people are wrong; you shouldn’t assume that too.
Remember that after lifting your truck, the overall performance and the center of gravity are increased.
As such, you will need to watch your speed when driving, especially when turning.
Another thing to keep in mind is that starting small and then increasing to fit your desire is better.
Sometimes people regret lifting their truck that high after it is done.
Plus, remember that depending on the state you live in, there can be limitations on where you can drive and park your truck.
How Much Does Each Lift Cost?
The cost difference is huge when it comes to a 4-inch vs 6-inch lift.
For example, to carry out a lower scale lift on your truck, raising it by 2 to 5 inches, you will need between $500 to $12000.
And that price heavily depends on the amount of work you are willing to put in.
Now, when you want something higher than that, let’s say 6 inches to 12 inches, you will need at least between $1500 – $15000.
As 6 inch and above is considered higher-scale lifts.
The price difference also depends on whether you want a lift or suspension kit installed.
It will surely increase the price, but ultimately, it is much safer.
Why 4 Inch Or 6 Inch Lifting Needed for My Chevy Silverado Truck?
Many trucks can be lifted anywhere between 3 inches and 12 inches.
And when it comes to lifting your Chevy Silverado truck, you might be thinking the inches don’t matter.
And that any amount of lift will give the desired results.
Well, that’s not how it works, and you will be surprised at the huge effect just a few inches will add.
Generally, 4 inches is the standard lift recommended as it doesn’t affect your gas mileage or the truck’s maneuverability.
Also, the 4-inch is legal everywhere you are.
However, the 6-inch lift that many people desire comes with extra cost.
This cost can run into thousands of dollars; plus, that extra 2 inches you crave might just be illegal in the state you reside.
If you are still confused as to why 4-inch or 6-inch lifting is needed for your Chevy Silverado truck, then we have the answer for you.
Keep reading to find out.
Silverado 4-Inch Lift Kit Before And After
Most people choose 4 Inch lift kit for lifting their vehicle.
A 4-inch lift is considered a standard lift.
It’s neither too high nor too low for your Silverado.
There is no doubt, after installing a 4-inch lift kit will give a cool and aggressive look to your Silverado truck.
It will also add some benefits but there will be some downsides too.
Check out this YouTube video for a Silverado 4-inch lift kit before and after.
Silverado 6-Inch Lift Kit Before And After
Many people ask what is the benefits of a 6-inch lift kit.
After installing a 6-inch lift kit in your Silverado truck, surely there would be massive differences.
According to our research, people install 6-inch lift kits in their Silverado trucks for two purposes.
Firstly, they want to look different from others.
Secondly, for off-roading.
Many people drive off-roads most of the time due to their profession or other reasons.
So, they choose a 6-inch lift for their Silverado 6-inch lift kit.
After installing a 6-inch lift kit, there is a huge difference in terms of performance and benefits.
It’s obvious after installing the 6-inch lift kit, your vehicle won’t be the same in terms of performance.
It’s very good for off-roading. But it has some downsides too.
To find out the Pros and Cons, check out this YouTube Video for a before and after Chevy Silverado 6-inch lift Kit
Silverado 4-Inch Lift Vs 6-Inch Lift, Which is Better?
For your Silverado truck, the 4-inch lift is better. Because-
- A 4-inch lift kit is easy to maintain than a 6-inch lift kit
- The 4-inch lift kit performs better than the 6-inch lift kit
- Gives better ease of usage
- Cost less
- The repair cost is low compared to a 6-inch lift kit
- Don’t consume extra fuel
In contrast, we found that 6-inch is a high-maintenance lift, consumes fuel, and is expensive to maintain.
Regarding their respective truck lifting ability, we found that the 6-inch is better as it has a higher lifting than the 4-inch lift.
The 6-inch lift kit performs better on off-roads.
By the end of the day, which is better depends on what you want.
The truck is primarily used for (i.e., for regular commuting or off-road driving).
FAQs
Should I Lift My Truck 4 Or 6 Inches?
If you have been following our explanation adamantly, you will know by now that it depends on what you desire with your truck. Requirements like usage, performance, and maintenance all play a role in your final decision.
As you can see, if your truck is just for commuting, and you are on a budget, then you should go for a 4-inch lift.
However, if you have the money and you desire the power and adventurousness of the 6-inch lift, then go for it.
By the end of the day, what you want is to determine if you should lift your truck 4 inches or 6 inches.
How tall is a Silverado with a 6-inch lift (Silverado 1500)?
On average, a 6-inch lift will make the front end of the truck gain 8 inches while the back will gain 5 inches.
However, this is coupled with the installation of new tires.
How tall is a Silverado with a 4-inch lift?
A 4-inch lift on 33.5 will give 84 – 85 inches in total height at the back end.
When you measure from the middle of the wheels, from the floor to the end of the fender, you get 42.75 inches at the front and 43 inches at the back.
Is a 6-inch lift too high for Silverado 1500?
It is advisable to not lift smaller trucks too much.
However, the Silverado 1500, although small among the series, is still quite large.
So, you can install a 6-inch lift.
Is a 4-inch lift noticeable on my Silverado 1500?
Yes, it will be noticeable if you use the right lift kit.
Is a 6-inch lift worth it for my Silverado?
If you want to use it as a truck rather than just commuting, then yes, it is worth it.
4 vs 6-inch lift on Silverado, Which gives a comfortable ride?
4 inches give a more comfortable ride.
Final Thoughts
From a comparison point of view, there is not much difference between Silverado 4-inch lift and the 6-inch lift kit.
It all depends on your desires, requirements, and preference for the truck.
So, you must choose a 4 or 6-inch lift according to your need.
We hope you choose the right one.