Next Level Performance
September 30, 2026 • 11 min read
When the first storm dumps a foot of snow on your driveway, ground clearance stops being a styling choice and becomes the difference between rolling out and getting stuck. A 2021+ Ford Bronco lift kit lets you clear deeper snow, run taller winter tires, and keep frozen ruts from dragging on your crossmembers. We spend our Tampa, FL winters shipping suspension to snow country, and the Belltech 4in–7.5in Trail Performance Lift Kit (PN 152600TP) is the kit we point 6th-gen Bronco owners toward when the goal is maximum snow capability. This review covers what you get, how much clearance it really adds, how it compares to two other Bronco suspension systems, and what winter tire sizes it unlocks.
Our Verdict
The Belltech Trail Performance kit is the best snow-capability upgrade for a 2021+ Bronco — adjustable 4in to 7.5in of lift with matched off-road shocks and room for 37-inch winter tires.
For a daily-driven Bronco that also needs to power through unplowed roads, this is the complete, bolt-on answer. Buyers who mostly want a level stance and 35s should look at the Performance Handling kit; overlanders carrying constant winter weight should read our note on the ARB Old Man Emu heavy kit below.
Shop Our Top Pick →Why a Bronco Lift Kit Is Winter Traction, Not Just Looks
A lift kit improves winter capability in two direct ways: it raises the lowest point of your Bronco above packed snow, and it makes room for taller, more aggressive tires that bite through slush to the pavement below. A stock 2021+ Bronco carries roughly 8.4 to 11.6 inches of ground clearance depending on trim and tire. Add 4 inches of suspension lift plus a 35- or 37-inch winter tire and you push the belly, differentials, and crossmembers well clear of the drifts that beach a factory truck.
The second half of the equation is the shock. Cold-packed, rutted snow is a high-frequency impact surface, and a lift kit that only swaps springs leaves the factory dampers overworked and fading. The Belltech Trail Performance system ships with matched Trail Performance shocks tuned for the taller ride height, so the suspension keeps controlling wheel movement when you are crawling a frozen two-track at 15 mph. That is the part cheap spacer lifts skip — and the reason we recommend a full kit for winter driving rather than a leveling puck.
The Trail Performance kit is a complete, matched system — springs, shocks, and hardware.
Belltech Trail Performance 4in–7.5in Lift Kit: Full Review
The Belltech Trail Performance Lift Kit is a complete, adjustable suspension system for the 2021+ Ford Bronco that delivers 4 to 7.5 inches of lift with off-road-tuned Trail Performance shocks. It is designed as a bolt-on package: everything needed to raise the truck and control the taller ride height ships in one part number (152600TP), so you are not sourcing shocks, spacers, and hardware from three vendors. At around $3,200 it sits at the premium end of the Bronco lift market, and the build reflects it.
What sets the Trail Performance kit apart for winter use is the adjustable lift band. You can set it up conservatively at 4 inches to keep geometry close to factory and preserve on-road manners for the commute to work, or dial it toward 7.5 inches when you want maximum clearance and the biggest tire for deep-snow weekends. That range means one purchase covers a mild daily setup and an aggressive snow build, instead of forcing you to pick a fixed height up front.
The adjustable 4in–7.5in band lets one kit cover a daily setup and an aggressive snow build.
Key Specifications
Matched Trail Performance shocks control the taller ride height on frozen, rutted trails.
How Much Snow Clearance Do You Actually Get?
Set at its full height, the Trail Performance kit adds up to 7.5 inches of lift, and combined with a 37-inch tire it raises effective ground clearance dramatically over stock. In practical winter terms, that means your differentials and skid area ride well above the average unplowed suburban street, and you gain the approach and departure angle to climb snow banks at driveway entrances without plowing the front fascia into them.
Clearance is only useful if the tire can turn the snow into traction, which is why lift and tire size are a package deal. The 4-to-7.5-inch band was chosen specifically so the truck can swallow a true 37-inch winter or hybrid tire without constant rubbing at full lock — the size most Bronco owners want for serious snow. Run a dedicated three-peak-mountain-snowflake tire in that size and the Bronco becomes genuinely hard to stop in winter conditions.
More lift plus a taller winter tire keeps the belly above packed snow and frozen ruts.
Belltech Trail Performance vs Performance Handling vs ARB Old Man Emu
The Trail Performance kit is our snow pick, but it is not the only 6th-gen Bronco suspension worth considering. If you want a milder, more street-focused lift, Belltech also builds a 0in–4in Performance Handling kit (about $2,760) tuned for on-road composure and 35-inch tires. If your winters mean carrying a bumper, winch, and camping load full-time, the ARB Old Man Emu Heavy Kit (roughly $1,900) is engineered around constant heavy weight rather than maximum height. Here is how the three compare on the attributes that decide a winter build.
| Kit | Lift Range | Ride Tuning | Max Tire | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belltech Trail PerformanceTop Pick | 4in–7.5in | Off-road / trail | Up to 37in | $3,240.00 |
| Belltech Performance Handling | 0in–4in | Street / handling | Up to 35in | $2,763.00 |
| ARB Old Man Emu Heavy Kit1 | Mild (heavy-load) | Overland / loaded | 33–35in | $1,896.79 |
Belltech Performance Handling 0in–4in Kit
If you rarely see deep snow and mostly want a leveled, planted stance with room for 35s, the Performance Handling kit is the smarter buy. Its 0-to-4-inch adjustable range keeps geometry closer to factory, which pays off on icy pavement where predictable steering matters more than raw clearance.
ARB Old Man Emu Heavy Kit for Loaded Winter Rigs
Old Man Emu approaches the problem from the opposite direction. The Heavy Kit is tuned around a Bronco that carries constant weight — a steel front bumper, winch, roof rack, and a bed or cargo area full of recovery and camping gear. Rather than chasing maximum height, it delivers a mild, load-rated lift with damping matched to the heavier curb weight, so the truck does not sag or wallow when you pile on winter equipment. There is also a slightly lighter-load ARB OME Heavy Kit2 (about $1,875) for owners running less permanent weight.
OME's Heavy Kit is engineered for a Bronco that carries winter weight full-time.
Pros and Cons of the Belltech Trail Performance Kit
What We Like
- + Adjustable 4in–7.5in lift covers mild daily and aggressive snow builds
- + Matched Trail Performance shocks, not just spacers — control on frozen ruts
- + Clears up to 37-inch winter tires for maximum snow bite
- + Complete bolt-on kit under one part number (152600TP)
Things to Consider
- – Premium price — the most expensive of the three kits here
- – Taller settings and 37s call for professional alignment and gearing review
For customers headed to snow country, we set this kit toward the taller end and pair it with a 37-inch three-peak winter tire before the first storm. That combination is what turns a stock Bronco into one that walks over drifts instead of getting beached on them.
— Next Level Performance install team | Tampa, FL
Installation: What to Expect Before Winter
The Trail Performance kit is a bolt-on system, but it is a serious suspension job and not a driveway afternoon for most owners. Plan on a full day with a lift, spring compressor, and torque specs in hand, or budget for a shop install. Because the kit changes ride height and can be set anywhere from 4 to 7.5 inches, a professional alignment afterward is not optional — correct caster and toe are what keep the Bronco tracking straight on icy roads.
Do the work before the first storm, not during it. Installing a lift and mounting a fresh set of 37-inch winter tires in a warm garage in the fall beats fighting frozen hardware in January. If you are jumping several tire sizes, ask us about re-gearing so your Bronco keeps its factory drivability with the taller rubber.
Install the lift and mount winter tires in the fall — before the first storm hits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a lift kit help a Ford Bronco in snow?
Yes. A lift kit helps a Ford Bronco in snow by raising ground clearance above packed drifts and making room for taller, more aggressive winter tires. The Belltech Trail Performance kit adds 4 to 7.5 inches of lift and clears up to a 37-inch tire, which together keep the differentials and belly above snow that would beach a stock truck. Traction still depends on running a proper winter or three-peak-mountain-snowflake tire.
What size tire fits a 2021+ Bronco with the Belltech Trail Performance lift?
The Belltech Trail Performance 4in–7.5in kit is designed to clear up to a 37-inch tire on a 2021+ Ford Bronco. At its lower 4-inch setting most owners run 35s comfortably; near the top of the range a true 37-inch winter tire fits without constant rubbing at full lock. Aligning tire size to lift height is what prevents fender contact.
How much does a Belltech Bronco lift kit cost?
The Belltech Trail Performance 4in–7.5in Lift Kit (PN 152600TP) runs around $3,240 at NLP Performance, while the milder Belltech Performance Handling 0in–4in kit is about $2,760. The ARB Old Man Emu Heavy Kit, built for constant winter loads, sits near $1,900. Prices shown on our product pages update live and may include current promotions.
Trail Performance or Performance Handling for a winter Bronco?
Choose the Trail Performance 4in–7.5in kit if you want maximum snow clearance and 37-inch tires; choose the Performance Handling 0in–4in kit if you mostly want a level stance, 35s, and factory-like on-road manners on icy pavement. Deep-snow and unplowed-road drivers are better served by the taller Trail Performance system.
Do I need an alignment after installing a Bronco lift kit?
Yes. Any lift that changes ride height requires a professional alignment afterward to reset caster and toe. This is especially important for winter driving, where correct alignment keeps the Bronco tracking straight and predictable on ice and packed snow. Plan the alignment as part of the install, not an afterthought.
Does the Belltech Trail Performance kit fit a 2-door Bronco?
The kits reviewed here are cataloged for the 2021+ Ford Bronco 4-door. Fitment and spring rates differ between 2-door and 4-door Broncos, so confirm your exact model and trim before ordering. Our Tampa, FL team can verify the correct part number for your Bronco.
Build Your Bronco for Snow Before the First Storm
Shop Belltech, ARB Old Man Emu, and more Bronco lift kits — matched shocks, adjustable height, and winter tire clearance.
Shop the CollectionFree shipping on select brands • Located in Tampa, FL
