The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular trucks to lift, and for good reason. The right suspension setup completely changes the stance of the truck, gives you room for larger wheels and tires, and can improve off-road capability.
But one of the first questions we hear at Bad Boy Customs is:
Should I go with a 3-inch lift or a 6-inch lift on my Ford F-150?
The answer depends on what you want the truck to look like, what size tires you want to run, how you use the truck, and how much you’re willing to change from the factory setup.
Here’s what you need to know before making the decision.
3-Inch vs 6-Inch F-150 Lift: What’s the Difference?
A 3-inch lift gives an F-150 a noticeably more aggressive stance without completely changing the personality of the truck.
A 6-inch suspension lift is a different animal. You’re getting a much taller truck, substantially more room for larger wheels and tires, and the unmistakable lifted-truck appearance.
Neither one is automatically “better.”
The best lift kit is the one that works with your truck, your wheel and tire combination, and the way you actually drive it.
Why Choose a 3-Inch Lift for Your Ford F-150?
For someone who daily drives their F-150 but wants considerably more attitude than the factory stance, a 3-inch setup can be a great option.
You get additional height and tire clearance without going all the way to a full 6-inch build.
Depending on the year, trim, wheel width, offset and exact suspension system, a roughly 3-inch lifted F-150 can commonly accommodate larger 33- to 34-inch tire combinations, with some setups capable of fitting 35s. Fitment needs to be checked on the individual truck because wheel offset and tire width can make just as much difference as tire height.
Advantages of a 3-Inch F-150 Lift
- More aggressive stance without going extremely tall
- Easier entry and exit than a 6-inch lifted truck
- Great option for a daily-driven F-150
- Room for larger wheels and tires
- Less dramatic change from the factory driving characteristics
- Can be a more budget-friendly build
- Looks great with the right wheel offset and tire combination
The biggest mistake is choosing a lift based solely on the number on the box.
Suspension geometry matters.
At Bad Boy Customs, we look at the entire combination before recommending a setup—not just how high you want the truck.
Why Choose a 6-Inch Lift for Your Ford F-150?
If you want your F-150 to actually look lifted, this is where the 6-inch suspension lift comes in.
A 6-inch lift gives the truck a completely different presence and opens the door to much more aggressive wheel and tire packages.
Depending on the F-150’s year, trim, drivetrain, wheel specifications and lift manufacturer, 6-inch suspension systems are commonly paired with 35-inch tires and can allow 37-inch combinations when properly configured.
That’s where choosing the correct wheel width and offset becomes extremely important.
Just because a tire technically fits under the truck doesn’t mean it’s the right setup.
We look at clearance at full steering lock, suspension travel, wheel offset, tire width and overall drivability before putting a wheel and tire package together.
Advantages of a 6-Inch F-150 Lift
- Dramatically more aggressive appearance
- Additional ground clearance
- Room for larger wheel and tire combinations
- Great foundation for a complete custom truck build
- More off-road clearance when properly equipped
- Completely transforms the stance of the F-150
A properly built 6-inch F-150 isn’t simply a lift kit bolted onto a truck. The suspension, steering, alignment, wheels and tires all need to work together.
Can You Run 35s on a 3-Inch Lift?
Possibly—and this is where internet answers can get people in trouble.
Two Ford F-150s with the “same” 3-inch lift can have completely different clearance depending on the wheels and tires installed.
A 35×12.50 tire on an aggressive negative-offset wheel takes up significantly different space than a narrower tire on a wheel that sits closer to the factory position.
Your F-150’s year, trim, drivetrain, wheel width, wheel offset and tire dimensions all matter.
If your goal is specifically to run 35s, tell us that before buying the lift. We can build the suspension and wheel package around the result you’re trying to achieve instead of trying to make mismatched parts work afterward.
What About 37-Inch Tires?
If you’re after the big-wheel, big-tire look, a 6-inch suspension lift is generally the direction we’d start looking.
But 37s add more than height.
A larger, heavier tire can affect acceleration, braking, steering feel, fuel economy and overall drivability. Depending on the truck and setup, additional changes may also make sense.
That’s why we don’t believe in blindly throwing the biggest tire possible onto every truck.
We want it to look great, but we also want it to drive right.
Don’t Forget About Wheel Offset
Wheel offset is one of the most overlooked parts of building a lifted F-150.
You can have the right lift and the right tire diameter and still end up rubbing because the wheel specifications are wrong.
Too far inward and you can create clearance problems with suspension components.
Too far outward and you can create additional clearance issues around the bumper, fender liner and body while also changing how far the tire sticks outside the truck.
This is why we recommend choosing your lift, wheels and tires as one complete package whenever possible.
Does an F-150 Need an Alignment After a Lift Kit?
Yes.
Changing suspension height changes the geometry of the front suspension. A professional alignment should be performed after the lift is installed.
Proper caster, camber and toe are important for steering feel, stability and tire life.
At Bad Boy Customs, alignment isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of making sure the finished truck doesn’t just look right—it drives right.
Which Lift Kit Brands Are Best for the Ford F-150?
There isn’t one lift kit that’s perfect for every F-150.
Different manufacturers offer different systems depending on budget, desired height, ride quality and how the truck will be used.
Bad Boy Customs works with leading suspension manufacturers, giving us the ability to recommend the system that actually makes sense for your build instead of trying to sell every customer the exact same kit.
Options can include brands such as:
- Rough Country
- BDS Suspension
- ReadyLIFT
- Zone Offroad
- ICON Vehicle Dynamics
- Eibach
- McGaughy‘s
- Carli
- Metalcloak
- Teraflex
- And other leading suspension manufacturers
We also pay attention to something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the warranty and support behind the product.
Looks matter. Ride quality matters. Safety matters. And if there’s ever a problem, having a manufacturer and a local shop that will stand behind the product matters too.
3-Inch or 6-Inch Lift: Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re looking for a clean, aggressive daily driver and don’t necessarily need huge tires, we’d typically start the conversation around the 3-inch range.
If you want a dramatic transformation, bigger wheel and tire options and the unmistakable appearance of a lifted F-150, you’re probably going to be happier looking at a 6-inch suspension system.
But we don’t recommend choosing either one until we know what you ultimately want the truck to look like.
That’s the difference between simply installing parts and actually building a truck.
Ford F-150 Lift Kit Installation in New Port Richey, FL
At Bad Boy Customs, we take a concierge-style approach to custom builds.
Every build starts with a private consultation where we talk about your F-150, how you use it, the stance you’re trying to achieve, your wheel and tire preferences, your budget and what you expect from the truck when it’s finished.
From a simple suspension upgrade to a complete F-150 build with a lift kit, wheels, tires, lighting and accessories, we’ll help put together a combination designed to look right, fit right and drive right.
Bad Boy Customs proudly serves truck owners throughout New Port Richey, Port Richey, Trinity, Holiday, Hudson, Tarpon Springs, Pasco County and the surrounding Tampa Bay area.
Ready to Lift Your Ford F-150?
Before ordering a lift kit or guessing which wheel and tire combination will fit, talk to us.
Bring us your F-150, show us the look you’re going for, and we’ll help you put together the right setup.
Bad Boy Customs
6732 US-19
New Port Richey, FL
727-838-8016
Lift kits. Wheels. Tires. Alignments. Lighting. Accessories. Custom builds.
Bad Boy’s got your back.
Fitment varies by vehicle year, trim, drivetrain, suspension configuration, wheel specifications and tire dimensions. Suspension modifications and non-factory wheel/tire combinations can alter vehicle handling and other characteristics. Always verify application and fitment for the specific vehicle before installation.
