The first production version of Unplugged Performance’s 2.5-inch lift kit for the Tesla Cybertruck is now available. Development took two years and followed a high-profile failure that required a complete redesign.
Lifting a Cybertruck differs from modifying a traditional truck. Most trucks use a separate frame, so adding a 2.5-inch lift involves spacers, spring swaps, or extended control arms. The Cybertruck integrates air suspension, ride-height sensors, steer-by-wire, and rear-wheel steering into one system. Adjusting one element without considering the others can disrupt the entire setup.
Some owners have attempted quick fixes by altering sensors or over-extending the air suspension to gain height. These methods work temporarily but push the suspension beyond its designed limits. Unplugged Performance developed a mechanical solution that maintains all factory functions while raising the body and battery by 2.5 inches.
The kit includes billet aluminum upper control arms made from 6061-T6 alloy with stainless steel hardware. These components are not just longer—they preserve original suspension geometry and keep sensors in their correct positions. The redesign also resolves a key issue: under extreme off-road compression, the stock upper control arm becomes a limiting factor. The new arms eliminate this problem while increasing clearance.
Owners gain improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The added height also provides extra protection for the battery, which sits low and remains the truck’s most expensive part.
An earlier prototype of the lift kit was tested at the Mint 400, an off-road race known for harsh conditions. The only Cybertruck competing in the event experienced a failure when an attachment pin broke under stress.
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Unplugged Performance used the incident to improve the design. The affected area was reinforced, and the component count was reduced to remove potential weak points. The final kit contains fewer parts, stronger materials, and validation from a real-world failure most customers will never face.
This approach reflects how suspension development should work: test under extreme conditions, identify weaknesses, and refine the product. While common in motorsports, this method is rare in the Tesla aftermarket, where many products launch based on renders and optimism.
Priced at $9,995 before installation costs, the kit is not inexpensive. The comparison to simpler trucks is misleading, however, because the Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and air suspension with ride-height sensors must function perfectly after modification. The engineering required to maintain these features contributes to the cost, along with two years of development and high-quality materials.
For Cybertruck owners who plan to drive off-road, this kit remains the only option that enhances capability without compromising factory performance. Installation is recommended at Unplugged Performance’s facilities in Hawthorne or Fremont, California.
The lift kit is costly, carefully engineered, and tested in competition. Unplugged Performance prioritized reliability over speed, and the redesign after the Mint 400 demonstrates this commitment. Owners of an AWD or Cyberbeast Cybertruck who intend to take it off pavement now have a proven solution.
