Tuff Country 51700 1.5 Lift Kit for Crosstrek 2013-2017
If you own a Subaru Crosstrek from 2013 to 2017, you’re likely chasing a bit more ground clearance for light off-roading, room for larger tires, and a tougher look — all without sacrificing the comfortable ride you expect on daily drives. The Tuff Country 51700 1.5 lift kit is designed specifically for those Crosstrek models, using billet aluminum spacers to lift the front and rear by 1.5 inches while preserving suspension geometry. It’s a practical upgrade for drivers who want better capability without turning their Crosstrek into a rough-riding machine.
A lot of shoppers who research lift kits also look at options for other brands. You’ll often see mentions of chevy lift kits, ford lift kits, gmc lift kits, and toyota lift kits in comparative guides. While those brands have their own platforms and constraints, the Crosstrek kit from Tuff Country is tailored to Subaru’s independent suspension and lighter body mass, delivering a balanced combination of stance, tire clearance, and ride quality.
Rough Country is another well-known name in the lift-kit space, and many buyers look for a rough country lift kit review to gauge ride feel and durability. The Tuff Country solution focuses on precision geometry with billet spacers to help keep steering response and alignment true, especially on paved roads and rocky trails. If you’ve read Rough Country reviews and weigh options, you’ll notice how the Crosstrek kit aims to offer a more factory-like ride with extra height.
What makes the Tuff Country 51700 lift kit a good fit for the Crosstrek?
First, the kit adds 1.5 inches of lift at both the front and rear, creating a leveled stance that improves tire clearance. This extra space helps you fit larger tires, which can translate to better traction and ground clearance on light off-road trips. The engineering relies on billet aluminum spacers, chosen for their durability and precise tolerances, which helps preserve the essential suspension geometry that keeps steering feel steady and predictable.
Second, installation is designed to be straightforward. The kit includes front and rear upper coil/strut spacers and all the necessary hardware—spacers, sleeves, bushings, and fasteners—so you can complete the job with the standard tools you’d use for a typical suspension upgrade. It’s built around the Crosstrek’s platform, rather than a generic lift approach that might affect ride quality or alignment over time.
Another important note: the Tuff Country lift does not include shocks. If your Crosstrek’s current shocks are still performing well, you can reuse them. If you’re seeking a more comprehensive upgrade, you might pair the lift with new shocks that suit your preferred ride characteristics and off-road usage. Either way, the kit’s spacer design helps maintain geometry and keeps the intent of a near-factory ride behind the lift.
What’s inside and how it benefits you
- Front and rear upper coil/strut spacers engineered from billet aluminum for durability and precise fitting
- Comprehensive hardware set: spacers, sleeves, bushings, and fasteners for straightforward installation
- Lift height of 1.5 inches at both the front and rear to level the Crosstrek’s stance
- Shocks are not included; you can reuse existing units or upgrade as part of your build
- Made in the USA with a limited lifetime warranty for long-term assurance
The combination of high-quality materials and a purpose-built design means you don’t have to compromise steering feel or ride quality to gain extra clearance. For many Crosstrek owners, that balance is what makes the Tuff Country kit appealing as a practical modification for weekend adventures and daily driving alike.
Compatibility, fitment, and installation basics
The 51700 kit is specifically engineered for 2013–2017 Subaru Crosstrek models. It preserves the suspension’s essential geometry, helping maintain alignment and steering response after the lift is installed. Because the kit uses upper coil/strut spacers, it works with the Crosstrek’s stock springs and does not require extensive suspension redesign.
Before you begin, it’s worth planning your wheel and tire combination. The added clearance opens the door for larger tires, but clearance can still be influenced by wheel offset and fender styling. Always verify clearances and perform a proper alignment after installation to avoid uneven tire wear or steering drift on the highway.
For drivers comparing lift options across brands, the landscape includes offerings for many makes — including popular choices like Chevy lift kits, Ford lift kits, GMC lift kits, and Toyota lift kits. Each brand has its own chassis geometry and suspension tuning, so it’s important to pick a kit designed for your specific vehicle. The Crosstrek lift from Tuff Country is built with Subaru geometry in mind, prioritizing a ride that stays comfortable while delivering the ground clearance you want.
Maintenance, warranty, and aftercare
With the Tuff Country kit, you’re backed by a limited lifetime warranty, which adds peace of mind for long-term ownership. Routine checks are still smart: inspect bushings and alignment after installation, keep an eye on fasteners for any looseness, and ensure you follow any torque specs published by the manufacturer during reassembly or future maintenance.
Wheels, tires, and real-world performance
How much bigger can you go? The lift provides extra space for larger tires, which can improve traction and ground clearance on rough terrain. However, the actual tire size you can run safely also depends on wheel width, offset, brake clearance, and fender trimming, if any. Always test fit tires in a controlled setting and recheck alignment after dialing in your suspension setup.
From a performance perspective, the upgrade helps you conquer light trails, gravel roads, and wet or uneven terrain with more confidence. The goal is to retain predictable steering and a comfortable ride on paved roads while gaining the capability you expect when you head off the beaten path.
Choosing wisely: how this kit stacks up against the competition
If you’ve compared lift options for other brands, you might have seen how different manufacturers approach ride quality and geometry. Some customers lean toward a Rough Country lift kit review to gauge ride stiffness or durability, while others prioritize a design that preserves factory feel. The Tuff Country Crosstrek lift uses billet spacers to maintain geometry and steering response, which many drivers find offers a balanced compromise between performance and comfort. For those weighing toyota lift kits versus Subaru-specific solutions, this kit demonstrates how a model-specific approach can pay off in real-world daily driving and weekend exploration alike.
Conclusion: is the Tuff Country 51700 lift kit right for your Crosstrek?
If you want a straightforward, USA-made upgrade that adds ground clearance and tire space without severely altering ride quality, this 1.5-inch lift kit is a compelling option for the 2013–2017 Crosstrek. It comes with a robust hardware package, a focus on preserving suspension geometry, and the security of a lifetime warranty. As with any suspension modification, set your expectations, plan your tire choice, and arrange a proper alignment to ensure the best possible performance on and off the road.


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