How We Took Our Beloved Smart Car and Made It Grow Up

From City Zipper to Lifted Companion: Giving Our Smart ED a Practical Boost

If you've followed our journey, you already know how much we love our Smart ED. It’s compact, electric, and easy to park just about anywhere. But like many great things in small packages, it came with one persistent challenge—ground clearance.

Our Smart has been amazing and with four snow tires, it went up and down the mountains in UT like a mountain goat. But when it snowed half a foot and we had to go out before the plows, it was a challenge.

Similarly, because the Electric Drive Smart is lower to the ground than the gas version, we always did have to consider the ramp angle when loading onto the HDT.

So we decided to help it grow up. Literally.

Why Lift a Smart Car?

Lifting a Smart ED might sound like an oddball project—until you look at the use case. We rely on our Smart as our runabout vehicle when our main RV rig is parked. In the winter, it is Robert's daily driver up over the mountains. We love adventure, so going off the beaten path to reach an an epic hike, is not outside the realm of possibilities.

We didn’t want to replace it. We didn’t want to stop using it. So we looked for a way to make it work better.

Enter Little Big Supply

After some research, we came across Little Big Supply, a company that specializes in niche upgrades for small vehicles like the Smart car. They offered exactly what we needed: a 3-inch lift kit designed specifically for the Smart ED.

It was just the right amount—not so much that it threw off the look or feel of the car, but enough to give us clearance confidence in all the situations we use it for.

The Installation Journey

Installing the lift kit was one of those hands-on, weekend projects that reminded us why we love tinkering with our vehicles. It took patience, a few tools, and a bit of teamwork.

Let's just say it is not for the faint of heart.

What did I do?

It took a few days to get the suspension installed and we made the initial body modifications to allow for the bigger wheels and tires. However, we did not realiaze how much more extensive it needed to be. To maintain that tight turning radius and not get the wheels caught on the existing body parts, it needed some surgery. Luckily our friends at Austin Spencer Collision came to the rescue.

After the lift was installed, the difference was both functional and visual. Suddenly, the ramps didn’t feel like an obstacle course. We are excited to tackle snow-covered roads this coming winter. And the Smart didn’t just look a little tougher—it felt ready for more. And we are getting looks, thumbs up, and comments everywhere. And, as our project on the lake has been delayed and we don't have a drive way, we can now easily drive in without hesitation.

The End Result: A Smarter Smart

Now, our little electric car has a bit more attitude—and a lot more capability. Whether it's tagging along on top of the HDT, navigating slushy streets, or simply rolling into a parking lot with newfound presence, it's clear: our Smart grew up.

And we couldn’t be prouder.

Thinking about lifting your own Smart ED? We’re happy to share what we learned along the way. Sometimes, a small tweak is all it takes to transform the way you live—and drive.

Because even the tiniest vehicle deserves to stand a little taller