Can You Lower a Honda Ridgeline?

Yes—the Honda Ridgeline can be lowered using shorter springs, adjustable coilovers, or custom air suspension. However, bolt-on options are limited compared with body-on-frame pickups, and a quality result requires careful parts selection, alignment correction, and an understanding of the platform’s independent suspension and all-wheel-drive systems. Below is what to know before you decide, including methods, trade-offs, costs, and practical setup advice.

What Lowering Means on a Unibody Pickup

Unlike most trucks, the Ridgeline uses a unibody chassis shared with the Pilot and Odyssey, with a MacPherson-strut front end and an independent multi-link rear suspension. There’s no “body drop” option—any change in ride height comes from the suspension itself. Lowering reduces ground clearance and suspension travel, which can sharpen on-road handling and stance but can also affect ride comfort, tire wear, approach/departure angles, and load/tow dynamics.

Viable Ways to Lower a Ridgeline

The methods below outline how owners typically achieve a drop on first-generation (2006–2014) and second-generation (2017–present) Ridgelines. Availability varies by model year, and exact drop amounts depend on parts and setup.

• Lowering springs on OE-style struts: The most straightforward route. Expect roughly a 1.0–2.0 inch drop. This preserves factory-like simplicity but benefits from matched dampers to control bounce and prevent bottoming.
• Height-adjustable coilovers: When available, coilovers provide finer control of ride height and damping, often supporting a 1.0–3.0 inch range. Selection is more limited than for sedans/SUVs, so verify Ridgeline-specific fitment and travel.
• Custom air suspension (“bagged” setup): Achieves a wide height range and show-truck stance, but typically requires custom struts, brackets, and plumbing. Cost and fabrication complexity are significantly higher.
• OEM-plus component swaps: Because the Ridgeline shares architecture with the Pilot/Odyssey, some owners adapt compatible springs/struts. Fitment and rates must be confirmed carefully to avoid mismatched ride height or poor damping.

In practice, a tasteful drop of about 1–1.5 inches is the sweet spot for daily use, keeping alignment manageable and ride quality acceptable. Larger drops are possible but demand more supporting parts and careful tuning.

Generation-by-Generation Availability

For first-gen trucks (2006–2014), aftermarket options exist but are niche; most owners use lowering springs, occasionally paired with upgraded dampers. For the second generation (2017–present, including the 2021 refresh and later trims), selection remains limited but improving in some markets; again, springs are the most common bolt-on. Coilover and air solutions tend to be specialized or custom for both generations. Always confirm part numbers for your exact model year, trim, and drivetrain before purchasing.

What You’ll Need to Address When You Lower One

Lowering changes suspension geometry, wheel travel, and clearances. The following items help preserve safety, tire life, and ride quality after the drop.

• Alignment and camber correction: A four-wheel alignment is mandatory. Plan for front camber bolts or arms and rear camber/toe adjustment (arms or eccentric bolts) to bring specs back into range and protect tires.
• Matched dampers and bump stops: Use shocks/struts valved for shorter springs. Consider progressive or trimmed bump stops to avoid harsh bottoming on big hits.
• Wheels, tires, and clearance: Check offset and tire diameter to prevent rubbing at full lock or over large bumps. Rolling the fender lips is rarely needed on mild drops but verify clearance with passengers/cargo aboard.
• Load and towing impact: Reduced travel and stiffer rates can increase squat with payloads and trailers. If you tow occasionally, be conservative with drop, and consider helper solutions such as progressive bump stops.
• ADAS and lighting: Lower ride height can affect headlight aim and, in some cases, camera/radar calibration. Re-aim headlights and have safety systems checked if your model year requires it.
• Ride quality and NVH: Expect a firmer, sometimes noisier ride on rough pavement. Independent rear suspension helps, but harshness increases as drop grows.

Addressing these items up front minimizes the common downsides—uneven tire wear, rubbing, and bottoming—while preserving daily drivability.

Costs and Timeframes

Budget varies with method and how much work is outsourced. Typical ranges (parts only): lowering springs $200–$500; matched dampers/struts $400–$1,000; coilovers $900–$2,000+; custom air suspension $3,000–$6,000+ (fabrication can push higher). Installation labor for springs/struts is commonly 3–5 hours; coilovers similar; custom air systems require significantly more time. A professional alignment typically runs $120–$200. Camber/toe arms, if needed, add roughly $200–$500 in parts.

Installation and Alignment Targets

Have a shop torque all control-arm and bushing hardware at the new ride height (not in the air) to prevent bushing preload and squeaks. After settling the suspension with a short drive, get a four-wheel alignment. Many owners aim for near-factory numbers with slightly increased negative camber for balance and tire life—commonly around −0.5° to −1.2° front, −0.5° to −1.0° rear, and a touch of toe-in for stability. Follow Honda specs, tire manufacturer guidance, and your use case.

Warranty, Insurance, and Legality

In the U.S., the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act means a dealer must show a modification caused the failure to deny coverage—but suspension claims could be scrutinized. Inform your insurer of modifications. Also check local regulations on headlight height and bumper heights; you may need to re-aim headlights after lowering.

Bottom Line

You can lower a Honda Ridgeline—and achieve sharper on-road manners and a cleaner stance—by using springs, coilovers, or custom air setups. Because aftermarket support is thinner than for popular sedans or body-on-frame trucks, plan carefully: verify fitment for your model year, budget for alignment and possible camber/toe components, and keep drops modest (around 1–1.5 inches) if you still haul, tow, or drive on rough roads.

Summary

The Ridgeline can be lowered, but options are limited and the platform benefits from a measured approach. Springs are the simplest path to a 1–2 inch drop; coilovers offer more control where available; air requires custom work. Expect to invest in alignment, potential camber/toe correction, and matched dampers to maintain safety, comfort, and tire life.

Why are Honda Ridgelines not selling?

Honda Ridgelines aren’t selling well because of their high price compared to competitors, limited towing and off-road capabilities due to their unibody construction, an outdated V6 engine lacking modern efficiency and torque, and a lack of innovative features or a hybrid option, making it a less compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers and truck enthusiasts compared to redesigned and more capable rivals.
 
High Price Point 

• Expensive: The Ridgeline’s starting price is significantly higher than competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado.
• Overpriced Perception: This high cost, even for base models, makes buyers feel it’s not a good value, especially when competitors offer more for less.

Limited Capability

• Unibody Construction: The Ridgeline’s unibody frame, shared with the Honda Pilot, gives it a car-like ride but sacrifices towing and off-road performance, which are critical for truck buyers. 
• Lower Towing/Payload: Its towing and payload capacities are less than body-on-frame competitors, making it unsuitable for many heavy-duty truck tasks. 

Outdated Powertrain 

• Aging V6 Engine: . Opens in new tabThe Ridgeline uses the same V6 engine it has had for many years, which now feels outdated compared to the newer, more powerful, and more efficient turbocharged engines in rivals.
• Lack of Modern Torque: . Opens in new tabThe naturally aspirated V6 lacks the immediate torque of modern turbocharged engines, leading to a less engaging driving and towing experience.

Stagnant Innovation

• Lack of Hybrid Option: Honda hasn’t offered a hybrid option for the Ridgeline, a feature found in successful rivals like the Ford Maverick that appeals to fuel-conscious buyers. 
• Conservative Approach: Honda has taken a conservative approach, failing to keep up with aggressive redesigns and advanced technology seen in competitors like the Tacoma and Ranger. 
• Lack of Off-Road Appeal: The Ridgeline doesn’t offer the beefier aesthetics and real off-road features that drive success for some competitors. 

Market Positioning 

• Niche Product: The Ridgeline is positioned as a niche product, failing to capture the broader market of traditional truck buyers who prioritize power, capability, and ruggedness.
• Stalled Evolution: Its failure to evolve with market demands has turned a potentially unique and comfortable offering into a sales flop.

Can you lower a Honda Ridgeline?

2017 – 2022 Honda Ridgeline suspension designed for lowering and made for daily driving. Lower your Ridgeline 0.25-2.5″ with the flat out SR kit. Available in White, Red, and Black colorways. 2017 – 2022 Honda Ridgeline suspension designed for lowering and made for daily driving.

What year to stay away from Honda Ridgeline?

Years to avoid for the Honda Ridgeline include the 2006-2008 first-generation models due to issues like cylinder failure and premature suspension wear, and the 2017-2019 second-generation models which had widespread transmission problems. The 2020 and later models are generally considered reliable, though owners of the 2020-2023 models should be aware of a brake system recall. 
First Generation (2006-2014)

• 2006: The worst model year due to significant issues, including a problematic fourth cylinder engine and premature suspension wear. 
• 2007: Faced complaints about premature rusting and ongoing issues with the initial design. 
• 2008: Less severe problems, but still had complaints about faulty A/C units and other issues. 
• Post-2008: The first generation saw improvements in later years, especially after 2009, with fixes for issues like the SMOD (Submerged-In-Fluid Optical Sensor Module) affecting the radiator and transmissions. 

Second Generation (2017-Present) 

• 2017-2019: These models are known for significant transmission problems, including torque converter failure. The less expensive models lacked a heavy-duty transmission cooler, further increasing the risk. 
• 2020 and later: While the 2020 model year saw a significant mid-cycle refresh and is considered a very good year, it was included in a recall for loose fasteners on the brake booster assembly on certain 2020-2023 models. 

Key Considerations

• Maintenance is Crucial: A properly maintained Ridgeline, regardless of the year, has a strong reliability record and can last for 300,000 miles or more. 
• Focus on the Best Years: The second-generation Ridgeline (2017 onwards) is often praised for its improved technology and features, but stick to models after 2019 to avoid transmission issues. The later first-generation models are also a solid, reliable option. 

How high off the ground is a Honda Ridgeline?

7.6 inches
And that is the caveat with the 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport. Honda has genuinely improved its midsize pickup truck’s off-roading capability this year. However, with the same 7.6 inches of ground clearance as the base truck, it falls short when compared with other trucks in the segment, such as the Toyota Tacoma.