Home > Services and Upgrades > Suspension & Steering: Lifts, Alignments & Lowering

SUSPENSION & STEERING IN COLUMBUS, OHIO

Suspension work at Pickups Plus Cars covers both ends of the spectrum. For truck and SUV owners, that usually means a lift: more ground clearance, larger tires, and the stance that goes with it. For car owners, it means lowering: springs, coilovers, and a setup that improves handling as well as looks. We carry products from brands including Skyjacker, Superlift, Rancho, Fabtech, Trail Master, Belltech, Ground Force, Eibach, and Hotchkis.

Beyond upgrades, we handle the corrective and maintenance work that keeps a suspension system safe and functional. Worn shocks, failed ball joints, bad bushings, and misaligned wheels all affect how a vehicle drives and how quickly tires wear. After any lift or lowering install, an alignment is essential to get the geometry back in spec. We do both at our Lewis Center and Hilliard locations so the full job gets done in one visit.

SUSPENSION & STEERING SERVICES

Truck & SUV Lifts
Lift kits range from leveling kits that correct a nose-down factory stance to full suspension lifts that add significant ground clearance for larger tires and off-road use. The right option depends on how much lift you want, what tires you plan to run, and whether you're prioritizing capability or appearance. We install all three types and will tell you upfront what each does to your ride geometry and what a post-install alignment will require.
Lowering Suspension
Lowering reduces body roll, drops the center of gravity, and changes the stance in a way stock suspensions can't replicate. Options include lowering springs for a fixed drop and coilovers for adjustable ride height and damping. We assess the vehicle and your goals before recommending a setup, and we handle the alignment after install to make sure the geometry is correct.
Suspension Maintenance
Shocks and struts wear gradually, making it easy to miss how much ride quality has degraded. We inspect and replace shocks, struts, bushings, ball joints, tie rods, and control arm components as needed. If your ride feels rougher than it used to or your tires are wearing unevenly, bring it in and we'll identify the cause before recommending any work.
Alignments
Alignment keeps your vehicle tracking straight, reduces tire wear, and ensures the suspension geometry is where it should be. It's required after any lift or lowering install and worth doing any time you notice a pull to one side or an off-center steering wheel. We align both stock and modified suspensions and adjust to the specs appropriate for your specific setup.

SUBSERVICES

COMMON SUSPENSION & STEERING QUESTIONS

What's the difference between a leveling kit and a full suspension lift?

A leveling kit raises the front of the vehicle to match the rear, correcting the factory nose-down stance most trucks ship with. It typically adds 1 to 2.5 inches of lift in the front and allows for a modest tire size increase. A full suspension lift replaces or modifies the suspension components front and rear to raise the entire vehicle, typically 3 to 6 inches or more, depending on the kit. Full lifts allow for significantly larger tires and more aggressive off-road geometry, but they're a bigger investment and require a thorough alignment afterward. We'll walk you through what makes sense for what you're trying to do.
Do I need an alignment after lifting or lowering my vehicle?

Yes, every time. Any change to ride height shifts the suspension geometry, which throws off camber, caster, and toe. Driving on an out-of-spec alignment after a lift or lower will cause rapid, uneven tire wear and can affect how the vehicle handles under braking and cornering. We include alignment as a standard part of every lift and lowering install. If you've had a lift or lower done elsewhere and skipped the alignment, it's worth getting it corrected before it costs you a set of tires.
Will lifting my truck affect ride quality?

It depends on the type of lift and the quality of the components. A leveling kit on most trucks has minimal impact on ride quality when installed correctly. A full suspension lift changes the geometry and the shock travel, which can affect how the truck rides on the road. Higher-quality lift systems from brands like Rancho, Skyjacker, or Fabtech are engineered to preserve a reasonable on-road ride while improving off-road capability. We'll be direct with you about what to expect from a given kit before you commit to it.
Can I lower my car without compromising ride comfort?

In many cases, yes. The impact on comfort depends on how much you're lowering and what components you're using. Lowering springs drop the vehicle a fixed amount and generally maintain a street-friendly ride. Coilovers give you adjustability over both height and damping, which means you can dial in a setup that's lower than stock without going full track-stiff. The tradeoff between drop and comfort is real, and it varies by vehicle. We'll help you find a setup that gets the look you want without making the car uncomfortable to drive daily.