| You see them all the time: Light trucks, | | | | particularly if it's a stock suspension. |
| Sport Utility Vehicles, Jeeps, and more, | | | | Trusted, durable suspension components and |
| coasting down the highway, sitting atop | | | | lighter aluminum wheels can sometimes help to |
| towering truck suspension lift kits and | | | | reduce the strain. |
| sporting a set of tires so big that a person | | | | |
| could live in them. If you're the curious | | | | - Handling: Adding truck suspension lift kits |
| type looking to lift up your own rig, a more | | | | will undoubtedly raise the vehicle's center |
| important question than "How do I get my ride | | | | of gravity, resulting in less stable turns. |
| to do that" is "Why should my ride do that?" | | | | This is a common issue when installing truck |
| | | | lift kits, but is mostly just a matter of |
| There are several reasons why people might | | | | becoming accustomed to a vehicle's change in |
| customize their vehicles with suspension lift | | | | performance. |
| kits, as well as quite a bit to know before | | | | |
| you get started. If you're a seasoned veteran | | | | - Legality: Some suspension lift kits are |
| who has conquered the most vicious terrains | | | | such a serious change in your suspension |
| and knows your vehicle better than your own | | | | system that it may not be legal. Check the |
| mother, there probably isn't much for you to | | | | suspension regulations within your country, |
| learn here. On the other hand, if you're just | | | | state, or province to be sure. |
| getting started and want to familiarize | | | | |
| yourself with the basics, read on. | | | | - A Few Useful Accessories: Before installing |
| | | | a lift kit, it's a good idea to first examine |
| Why should I lift my ride? | | | | if any components will be affected by your |
| | | | vehicle's new height. Here are a few useful |
| Glad you asked. Equipping vehicles with a | | | | accessories that may need to be upgraded: |
| suspension lift kits involves much more than | | | | |
| buying the sexiest looking truck lift kit and | | | | - Brake Upgrades: Stock brakes can't always |
| then dropping your ride off at the local | | | | accommodate larger tires, or will wear easily |
| mechanic. Actually, chances are good that if | | | | due to the added strain. |
| that's all you plan to do, lifting your ride | | | | |
| might not be right for you in the first | | | | - Drivetrain and Differential: Axles, gears, |
| place. Installing truck suspension lift kits | | | | differential covers, lockers and more ensure |
| requires some hard work, a bit of technical | | | | that your drivetrain is up to par with your |
| savvy and consistent upkeep and attention to | | | | suspension. |
| your vehicle's components. | | | | |
| | | | - Replacement Parts: Longer Control Arms and |
| The first determination you need to make when | | | | Track Bars to compensate for the additional |
| considering suspension lift kits is what you | | | | height of your rig. |
| want to do with it. There are essentially two | | | | |
| main purposes for installing truck lift kits: | | | | - Shock Absorbers: For those taller lifts, |
| style or function. Although the two are | | | | longer shocks will ensure the smoothest |
| somewhat interrelated, it's still important | | | | performance both on and off road. |
| to consider which purpose you most wish to | | | | |
| pursue, as it will assist you in making the | | | | - Other Parts: Steering linkage, slip yoke, |
| correct modifications to your vehicle. | | | | drive shaft length, u-joint angle, and brake |
| | | | lines are all worthy of consideration before |
| Style: | | | | installing suspension lift kits. |
| | | | |
| Let's face it: Transforming a vehicle into a | | | | Installing Suspension Lift Kits: |
| style statement has been a popular hobby ever | | | | |
| since the advent of tailfins and flame | | | | When it comes time to install a lift kit, |
| decals. As much as we all might chuckle at a | | | | there are two ways possible ways to go about |
| hybrid hatchback sitting on 18" wheels, or | | | | it: install it yourself, or have a |
| the family sedan with a wing that resembles | | | | professional do the job. Naturally, each has |
| the Seattle Space Needle more than a spoiler, | | | | its advantages and disadvantages, and when it |
| we also find our own vehicles having fuzzy | | | | comes to your rig, attention to detail is |
| dice hanging from the mirror, or a bobbling | | | | crucial. A general rule to follow is that |
| hula dancer statuette on the dash. As far as | | | | even if you know you want a large lift, it's |
| style is concerned, adding truck lift kits | | | | best to start with a small lift and work your |
| makes more of an impression than anything | | | | way up. This allows you to work out any kinks |
| else you can do to your ride. Heads turn | | | | and hindrances along the way to make sure |
| instantly at the sight of a lifted rig with | | | | your kit works right. |
| massive tires that appear to be sprouting | | | | |
| fangs and an exhaust system that scares stray | | | | 1. Do-It-Yourself |
| puppies into hiding. | | | | |
| | | | Even if you're not technically inclined, |
| When it comes to adding suspension lift kits | | | | taking the time to learn the inner mechanics |
| to make a style statement, looking good is | | | | of your vehicle is a valuable experience that |
| the easy part. Sometimes it's easy to | | | | can save you time and money. An intimate |
| overlook general, everyday performance in the | | | | knowledge of your rig can also allow you to |
| midst of decking out a ride. For this reason, | | | | make your own modifications to your vehicle |
| choosing the right suspension lift kit with | | | | if the need arises. There are numerous |
| attention to comfort, reliability, | | | | resources available that can usually guide |
| durability, safety, and not to mention price, | | | | you through the majority of the process; |
| should be given just as much consideration as | | | | however, one must keep in mind that it's a |
| those precious inches you want to add. | | | | lot to take in, and tweaking the intricate |
| | | | components of your vehicle is no small |
| Performance: | | | | matter. It's always a good idea to have a |
| | | | second set of hands or an experienced |
| So you've made the jump into tuning your rig | | | | individual assisting you. |
| for the off-road world, and you're ready to | | | | |
| take the plunge to invest in one of many | | | | On the downside, even with the increasing |
| truck lift kits. But before diving headfirst | | | | availability of bolt-on kits, installing |
| into a custom truck lift kit and gigantic | | | | suspension lift kits is no easy task, |
| tires, there are a number of issues to | | | | particularly if you're a beginner. |
| address to ensure a correct setup. The first | | | | Additionally, certain instructions or |
| step is to ask yourself what you will be | | | | resources can sometimes be misleading or |
| doing the most, whether it's slow-speed rock | | | | based upon the personal preferences of |
| crawling, high-speed desert racing, general | | | | individual gearheads. Often times, after |
| purpose 4 wheeling, mud racing, or long | | | | installing a lift kit you'll find yourself |
| distance open country treks. From there, you | | | | spending hours tweaking the other components |
| can narrow down what you need to do in order | | | | of your vehicle to get them back to spec. |
| to customize your vehicle to suit your needs. | | | | That's a whole lot to take on, particularly |
| | | | if you're inexperienced. |
| Whether you're just starting out, or you're | | | | |
| the experienced professional, tuning your rig | | | | 2. Mechanic |
| for optimum off-road performance is an | | | | |
| expansive hobby with numerous factors to be | | | | A licensed professional installing your lift |
| wary of. The possibilities are limitless, | | | | kit is typically the best way to ensure that |
| which can sometimes make it hard to determine | | | | suspension lift kits are installed correctly, |
| exactly which suspension lift kits are ideal | | | | so long as you're willing to pay the labor |
| for what you want. | | | | charges. A professional can perfectly tune |
| | | | your vehicle to your liking and see to it |
| Where do I begin? | | | | that all components are working as they |
| | | | should, all within a fraction of the time it |
| As if determining which suspension lift kits | | | | would take even the most experienced |
| to purchase weren't complicated enough, | | | | gearheads to install it themselves. |
| installing truck lift kits can alter other | | | | |
| components in your vehicle, sometimes causing | | | | On the other hand, as is the case with regard |
| unforeseen issues that could affect | | | | to any mechanic, it might be difficult to |
| performance or be potentially detrimental to | | | | find one you can trust to install the kit |
| the vehicle itself. For example, drive shaft | | | | properly while not overcharging you for any |
| length, steering geometry, brake lines, | | | | unnecessary parts. Also, if you're not a |
| highway performance and handling, gear | | | | gearhead, anytime there's a functional |
| ratios, and overall weight are just a few of | | | | deficiency or your vehicle needs minor |
| the factors that could potentially be | | | | tweaking, you have no choice but to return to |
| impacted by adding truck suspension lift | | | | the mechanic for service. |
| kits. | | | | |
| | | | Suspension Lift Sizes: |
| Finding ample resources to determine what | | | | |
| products you need can be difficult. Speaking | | | | Small: A small lift consists of 1.5 or fewer |
| with a mechanic can provide some insight. | | | | inches, and will grant you a little more |
| Reading factory service manuals, off-road | | | | clearance and room to run slightly larger |
| magazines, internet message boards, | | | | tires. The most common way to gain a small |
| manufacturer's guides, and a number of other | | | | lift is by using coil spacers in front and |
| resources can help as well. But by far the | | | | long shackles in the rear. |
| most useful way to determine what truck lift | | | | |
| kits are right for you and your vehicle is to | | | | - Advantages/Disadvantages: Small lifts are |
| consult an experienced and knowledgeable | | | | inexpensive and easy to install with very few |
| person who has a vehicle similar to yours and | | | | complications. |
| uses it in the manner similar to what you | | | | |
| want to do. Not only can such a person | | | | Medium: A medium lift is roughly 2" of lift, |
| suggest the correct products, but also likely | | | | and is a good choice for those looking for |
| has experience with installation tips and | | | | the best tire clearance, but aren't planning |
| general drivability. | | | | on doing any off-roading. Common medium-sized |
| | | | lifts use spacer and add-a-leaf lifts, and |
| In the meantime, here are some of the basic | | | | sometimes come with new shocks. |
| elements of suspension lift kits for you to | | | | |
| keep in mind as you plan your modifications. | | | | - Advantages/Disadvantages: You'll notice |
| | | | changes in handling and performance: some |
| What does a Suspension Lift Kit do? | | | | good, some bad. You'll also need strong rear |
| | | | springs, and if you plan to use an add-a-leaf |
| 1. Clearance | | | | kit, later modification for more lift may be |
| | | | difficult, since add-a-leafs are designed to |
| For starters, one of the foremost reasons for | | | | lift stock springs. |
| installing truck suspension lift kits is to | | | | |
| raise the height of your ride off the ground | | | | Large: The largest lifts consist of 3 to 4" |
| to enable steeper ascent or descent off-road, | | | | or more for an aggressive look and the best |
| and higher ground clearance. In general, it | | | | off-road performance. A common large lift |
| makes sense that when driving over boulders, | | | | setup consists of new front coils and |
| slogging through mud, coasting across the | | | | add-a-leafs in the rear, plus some |
| desert, or even just making your way through | | | | combination of new front coils and new rear |
| the occasional forest trail, higher clearance | | | | springs. These kits often include a matching |
| facilitates negotiating certain obstacles. | | | | set of shocks. |
| This can often be a tricky bit of artistry to | | | | |
| manage, as higher clearance also raises your | | | | - Advantages/Disadvantages: Large lifts are |
| vehicle's center of gravity, which can reduce | | | | obviously the most expensive, and more |
| handling. | | | | complications are expected than with smaller |
| | | | lifts. On-road performance will also be |
| 2. Larger Tire Fitment | | | | affected, sometimes dramatically. But a large |
| | | | lift will transform your rig into an |
| The general consensus suggests that larger | | | | intimidating off-road machine that will stand |
| tires equate to more traction, right? Well, | | | | out among a crowd. |
| not entirely. While larger tires may provide | | | | |
| some improvement to traction in off-road | | | | Types of Suspension Lift Kits: |
| conditions, there are other ways to improve a | | | | |
| vehicle's traction that are far more | | | | Spring Over Axle (SPOA): |
| efficient than simply bulking up the rubber. | | | | |
| Aside from the obvious stylistic discretion, | | | | SPOA suspension lift kits are most popular |
| the main reasons for adding larger tires are | | | | among serious rock crawlers looking for the |
| for higher vehicle clearance for improved | | | | utmost articulation (up and down wheel |
| performance in mud, deep snow, rocks, and | | | | travel). These truck lift kits keep the tires |
| deeply rutted trails. Certain tires designed | | | | on the ground for maximum traction, while |
| specifically for off-road conditions can | | | | correctly lifted springs lifts everything out |
| improve traction depending on the | | | | of harm's way, including the springs. |
| circumstances, but the added clearance is the | | | | |
| most immediate and direct benefit of larger | | | | Shackle Reverse (S/R) Suspension Lift Kits: |
| tires. | | | | |
| | | | S/R truck lift kits are designed to provide a |
| Factors to Consider with Truck Suspension | | | | smooth ride upon mild terrain such as forest |
| Lift Kits: | | | | roads, desert driving, and scenic trails; |
| | | | however, high-speed driving on highways is |
| - Installation: Many manufacturers offer | | | | not recommended. |
| manuals for installing truck lift kits onto | | | | |
| certain vehicles; however, some installations | | | | Coil Suspension Lift Kits: |
| are quite intricate, requiring some welding | | | | |
| or cutting in order to add some necessary | | | | The choice of many of the world's best-riding |
| components. In this case, having a trusted | | | | 4 wheel drive vehicles, Coil Suspension Lift |
| mechanic or a few knowledgeable friends is | | | | Kits offer unrivaled ride quality and cheaper |
| the best resolution. | | | | springs, but installation sometimes requires |
| | | | some welding. The end result, however, is a |
| - Additional Modifications: Upgrading to | | | | suspension lift kit that provides excellent |
| truck lift kits with taller tires also means | | | | articulation on the trail, and a comfortable |
| that a number of components may require part | | | | ride you have to feel to believe. |
| upgrades or some tuning to compensate. For | | | | |
| instance, a truck's engine is tuned at | | | | Lifted Spring Suspension Lift Kits: |
| specific gear ratios to propel the vehicle. | | | | |
| When adding taller tires, the gear ratios | | | | The most commonly used type of truck lift |
| must be tweaked accordingly, since the engine | | | | kits in the world, Lifted Spring systems are |
| has to spin much larger, heavier tires. | | | | easier to install, and an excellent choice |
| Again, consult with more experienced | | | | for first-time lifters in the off-road world. |
| individuals for further insight. | | | | These truck lift kits allow you to run larger |
| | | | tires for additional clearance, while |
| - Highway Performance: Larger, wider tires | | | | producing control on the highway. |
| can sometimes result in instability on roads | | | | |
| or a noisy, uncomfortable ride, particularly | | | | Shackle Suspension Lift Kits: |
| at high speeds. Also, more aggressive | | | | |
| off-road tires tend to wear faster on the | | | | As probably the most affordable way to add |
| highway, and traction might not be as great | | | | inches to your rig, Shackle Suspension Lift |
| as you would expect on wet roads. In this | | | | Kits are primarily for the truck enthusiast |
| sense, larger tires can sometimes be a gamble | | | | looking to add larger tires, yet are not |
| without any direction from an experienced | | | | intending to do much hardcore off-roading. |
| off-road veteran. | | | | Moderation is recommended with these truck |
| | | | lift kits, as Shackle systems are known to |
| - Weight: larger tires are heavier, which can | | | | affect steering and sway control. |
| put a lot of strain on your suspension, | | | | |