How Much Does It Cost To Lower A Car Or Truck?

Dropping a car or truck means lowering the vehicle’s suspension, usually between one to three inches, for performance or aesthetic reasons.

There are at least a half-dozen ways to lower a vehicle, from replacing a few stock parts to installing an intricate hydraulic suspension. And because of various determining factors, the price range can vary greatly.

Determining the cost of what you will spend to lower a car or truck is more about what you can afford and your mechanical abilities.

In this simple guide, I will explain the processes and related costs in more detail. Let’s get to it.

How Much Does It Cost To Lower A Car Or Truck?

If lowering your vehicle involves a simple DIY swap of some springs, coils, or drop spindles, Amazon sells inexpensive lowering spring kits for under $50, with a decent brand of replacement coil springs costing around $150 to $200 per side.

If you’re having a professional mechanic handle the installation, add another $300-$700, bringing the average cost of a professionally installed lowering kit to around $700-$1,000 for a quality mod.

But if you’re lowering your vehicle to make it a show-stopping show car, you’ll spend a lot more because you’ll want the more impressive air suspension kit, which is the most expensive lowering option and can cost anywhere from $300 and $4,000.

Note: Prices mentioned in this guide are estimates. The exact cost to lower a car or truck depends on the make and model, shop rate, and method used.

DIY Or Go With A Pro? Cost Differences

There is a vast difference in prices regarding the lowering system used and who’s installing it.

If you’re planning to do the job yourself, whether it involves installing a lowering kit or replacing individual coils or springs, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in labor costs.

Related aftermarket parts can be found at major auto retailers for as little as $40 for items like a two-inch lowering shackle kit to drop the rear suspension in a mid-size pickup truck.

However, quality lowering kits with drop springs, drop control arms, flip kits, and/or shocks range from $100 to $700 and up.

Professional Installation Costs And Concerns

Labor costs for a pro installation of a straightforward install, like swapping stock springs with shorter aftermarket springs, generally average around $300.

Of course, if you’re taking a more sophisticated approach to lowering your car or truck, such as using airbag suspension or hydraulic suspension, you’ll pay more for labor.

These technically sophisticated lowering systems are more complex than a simple swap and will require an additional $500 to $1,500 for the installation.

Additional Related Costs When Dropping A Vehicle

There are additional cost considerations when conducting a DIY mod, such as access to necessary equipment like a lift or spring compression tool.

The price of renting or buying tools could impact your overall cost, but it doesn’t have to be by much. You can purchase a coil spring compressor for around $50 and rent a bay with a lift for around $30-$75 an hour.

The vehicle will also likely require a post-installation alignment, and if the price is not included in the original quote from a shop, you’ll have to add another $150-$300 in alignment costs.

Also, some big-name auto shops may not allow you to use your own aftermarket products if they’re doing the installation, and they could require you to purchase from them at a markup cost.

Will Lowering My Car Or Truck Affect My Warranty Or Auto Insurance Costs?

Any modification done to a vehicle may affect its manufacturer’s or aftermarket warranty. So it is a very good idea to check your warranty before beginning any vehicle-lowering project.

Equally important is to check your auto insurance policy to see where your agency stands with vehicle modifications.

Some agencies may require receipts and photos of the mods to determine if they fall within acceptable specs.

Conclusion

You can lower a truck or car for a cost of anywhere from $100 for a DIY job swapping out stock springs or coils with aftermarket products up to $1,000 for a more technically sophisticated air ride system or hydraulic suspension, which may require another $500-$1,000 for labor.

That cost increases if it does not include related work like a post-installation alignment, which can add another $150-$300 in labor costs.