What you Need To Know
If you are looking for a way to improve the look and performance of your truck, you might be interested in installing a lift kit. A lift kit is a set of components that raises the body or suspension of your truck, giving it more ground clearance, a more rugged look, off-road capability, and room for larger tires. However, before you decide to customize your truck with a lift kit, there are some things that you need to think about.
What are the types of lift kits Available?
There are two main types of lift kits: body lift kits and suspension lift kits. Body lift kits raise the body of your truck by adding spacers between the body and the frame. This type of lift kit does not affect the suspension or steering setup of your truck. The body lift parts themselves are usually inexpensive, but the labor is typically more expensive than a suspension lift. However, body lift kits only provide a small amount of lift (usually 2 to 3 inches), and they may leave a gap between the body and the frame that can look awkward. Other parts of the vehicle like side steps, bumpers, exhaust and receiver hitches are also left looking out of place because they are connected to the chassis and do not raise with the body.
Suspension lift kits raise the entire suspension of your truck by replacing or modifying the springs, shocks, control arms, and other suspension/steering parts. This type of lift kit can provide a significant amount of lift (usually 4 to 8 inches), and can improve the off-road performance and handling of your truck by improving the travel of the suspension. Suspension lift kits take more modifications to complete properly but they give the vehicle a factory and perfect stylish finish.
What are the benefits of lift kits?
Lift kits can provide several benefits for your truck, such as:
- Improved appearance: A truck that has been lifted will have a more aggressive and rugged look.
- Better visibility: A lifted truck can give you a higher vantage point that can improve your visibility on the road or trail.
- Larger rims and tires: A lifted truck can take larger tires and rims that will improve the appearance, traction, stability, and ride comfort of your truck.
- Greater ground clearance: A lifted truck can have more ground clearance that can help you avoid obstructions and damage to your undercarriage when taking your vehicle off-road.
Lift kits can also have some drawbacks for your truck, such as:
Lift kits can also have some drawbacks for your truck, such as:
- Increased cost: A lift kit can be expensive to buy and install, and it may also increase the maintenance and fuel costs of your truck.
- Reduced ride quality: By not choosing the right lift kit, ride quality of your truck may suffer by making it stiffer, harsher, or less stable on paved roads. Always do your homework or consult an enthusiast to pick the correct kit for your use.
- Warranty issues: A lift kit can void the warranty of your truck or some of its components if not installed by an authorized installer.
How to choose the right lift kit for your truck?
If you decide to have a lift kit installed on your truck, you need to choose one that suits your needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right lift kit:
- Your budget: You need to determine how much you are willing to spend on a lift kit, including the installation and long term cost of maintenance. If the costs are too high then you may want to consider a leveling kit.
- Where will you be driving your truck the most: You need to determine what kind of environment you will be using your truck in the most, whether it will be mostly on paved roads, dirt roads, or off-road trails.
- Your compatibility: You need to make sure that the lift kit you want is compatible with your truck model, make, year, engine size, drivetrain type, and other specifications that an authorized installer can discuss with you.
