When it comes to lifting a truck or Jeep, there are two primary options: body lifts and suspension lifts. While there are many manufacturers of lift products, nearly all lifts fall into one of those two categories. A body lift is applied to the existing suspension of the vehicle and raises it, but provides no extra travel and won't feel much different than the stock suspension. A suspension lift replaces the stock suspension and looks similar to a body lift on the outside, but on the inside boasts better off-road performance, more suspension travel and a higher price. You can easily identify which of the two types you have on your Jeep with a quick inspection.
Loosen, or "break," the lug nuts of one of the rear wheels while the Jeep is still on the ground.
Place your Jeep on a jack or lift, raise it so the rear tires are elevated and make sure it is safely stabilized.
Remove one of the wheels of your Jeep. You can do this by removing the lug nuts from the wheel with a tire iron or air tool.
Examine the suspension of your Jeep. You should be able to see it clearly with the wheel removed. If your Jeep has a lift but still has the stock suspension springs installed, it is a body lift. If you see third-party suspension springs installed, you have a suspension lift. While not all third-party springs can be visually identified, most are painted black or another color, feature decals or have some sort of identification on them. Stock springs will look dull and dirty.
Take detailed notes about your suspension. Write down anything you can use to identify the make and model of your lift kit, like displayed brand names, part identification numbers engraved into the pieces, or unique identifying traits like large size or color. You can then cross-reference these with various manufacturers' catalogs or websites to determine exactly which kit is on your vehicle.
