If you love your Model Y for its quiet daily comfort, quick acceleration, and smart packaging, you are not alone. The only time it comes up short is when real life throws steep driveways, tall speed bumps, snow ruts, or rough access roads in your way. That is exactly why we created the Unplugged Performance Model Y Leveling Lift Kit. This post covers what the kit does, why a leveling lift is the simplest path to more capability, how it installs, and how to build the ultimate daily-plus-adventure Model Y with wheels and tires that match the mission.
What is a Leveling Lift Kit for Tesla Model Y?
Our Leveling Lift Kit is a bolt-on system that spaces the body upward relative to the suspension at the correct factory mounting points. The kit adds approximately 35 mm of ground clearance and reduces the stock forward rake for a balanced, and preserves the familiar factory feel you enjoy every day. It uses durable front strut and rear spring spacers, along with OE-style isolators and hardware, so your suspension keeps operating as Tesla intended.
Key benefits
- About +35 mm, 1.5 inches, of additional ground clearance
- Leveled stance that looks purposeful and reduces front rake
- No cutting and no permanent modification, fully bolt-on
- Factory ride quality and NVH preserved
- Complete kit with matched front and rear components and hardware
- Compatible with 2020–2025 Model Y and 2026+ Model Y refresh, Juniper
Why Lift a Model Y?
Daily life creates edge cases that the stock ride height cannot always clear. Think about the situations you encounter:
- A driveway with an aggressive apron where you usually creep in at an angle
- School-zone speed bumps with a full car of passengers and weekend gear
- Snow ruts on a neighborhood street after a storm
- Construction lips, ferry ramps, and surprise transitions on neglected asphalt
- Graded dirt and mild fire roads that lead to the best campsites or trailheads
- Tight parking garages with sharp break-over angles
An extra 1.5 inches gives you real margin. You will notice fewer approach and departure scrapes, less anxiety about the battery shield, and a calmer drive over uneven surfaces. If you commute Monday through Friday and explore on Saturday, the leveling lift kit is the most seamless way to add capability without changing the character you bought the car for.
Leveling Lift vs. Full Lift Kit with New Shocks
There are two smart paths to a higher Model Y.
- Leveling Lift Kit, keep your factory suspension
This is the most cost-effective option for owners who want practical clearance and an OEM-plus ride. Springs and dampers work within their intended range, NVH stays in check, and you can reverse the install in the future if needed. If your priority is daily comfort and a tougher stance, start here.
- Dirt and Snow Lift kit that includes dampers or coilovers
If you want to tune ride quality or add more control on broken pavement and trails, you can pair height increase with our Dirt and Snow Lift Coilover package. This path opens damping adjustability and, depending on the system, more range for ride height fine tuning.
Both routes are valid. Your decision comes down to your roads, your goals, and your budget.
Installation Overview and Best Practices
Any professional shop familiar with Tesla suspension can install the kit. Front shock assemblies are temporarily removed to access the tophat, then the stud extenders and spacers are added. In the rear, springs and shocks come out to fit the shims and isolators, then everything is reassembled.
Important tips
- Get a professional four-wheel alignment after installation
- Re-torque fasteners after initial break-in miles
- Inspect tire wear over the first 1,000 miles and adjust alignment as needed
- This kit works with factory or aftermarket dampers and springs
Prefer professional help? Our Hawthorne, California facility can handle installation, and we have an Authorized Installer Network across the United States. Doing it yourself? We have an installation guide for you right here.
Pair It With the Right Wheels and Tires
Lift height is only part of the capability story. Sidewall and tread pattern complete it. For owners who want a daily that is ready for the occasional trail, we recommend pairing the Leveling Lift Kit with our UP Forged Off-Road Spec wheels like these UP-03 or UP-05 in 18×9 +20 and an all-terrain tire such as Yokohama Geolandar. The additional sidewall absorbs sharp edges on broken pavement and rutted dirt, improves puncture resistance compared to low-profile street tires, and enhances confidence on washboard sections and mild trails.
The result is a Model Y that still feels refined on the highway, yet shrugs off rough city streets and backroad imperfections. You will also notice a more assertive stance that fits the vehicle’s utility.
Will It Change the Way My Model Y Rides?
With the leveling lift, your factory springs and dampers keep working in the manner you expect. Most owners describe the car as feeling essentially stock, only less likely to touch down on challenging surfaces. NVH remains well controlled because we use OE-style isolators rather than hard stack-ups that can add vibration. If you want a softer or more controlled ride on broken pavement, consider pairing the lift with an adjustable damper kit, which gives you more freedom to tailor the response.
Fitment and Compatibility
- Vehicles: Tesla Model Y 2020–2025 and 2026+ refresh, Juniper
- Suspension: Compatible with factory dampers and springs, also works with quality aftermarket systems
- Wheels and tires: Works with stock sizes, and pairs perfectly with UP Forged Off-Road Spec 18×9 +22 and Yokohama Geolandar A/T options for added sidewall and durability
If you run wider tires or aggressive tread, confirm clearance with your specific setup. Our team can advise on combinations that meet your goals for grip, noise, range, and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much lift does it add?
Approximately +35 mm, about 1.5 inches.
Do I need to cut or modify anything?
No. The system is fully bolt-on and reversible.
Will alignment change?
Yes. Any time ride height changes, alignment changes. Plan for a professional four-wheel alignment after installation.
Does it affect Autopilot or safety systems?
The kit maintains factory geometry at the correct mounting points. After installation and alignment, owners report normal system function.
Can I combine it with a damper or coilover kit?
Yes. Many customers start with the Leveling Lift Kit for clearance, then add adjustable dampers for ride tuning.
If you’re interested to learn more, our team is here to help you choose the right upgrades for your roads and your goals.
