| While many off-road vehicles can greenland or | | | | Longer Control arms |
| "two track" most unpaved roads. The desire of | | | | Longer Pitman arms |
| many off-roading enthusiasts is to attempt much | | | | Air bag spring replacement |
| more challenging terrain. The following listings show | | | | Longer leaf spring shackles |
| the modifications that are done and why: | | | | Reverse leaf spring mounting on the axle |
| Vehicle lifts | | | | Large tires |
| A vehicle lift is when the normal height of a | | | | A quick and easy way to gain ground clearance is |
| vehicle is lifted to increase the amount of | | | | to increase the size of the tires on a vehicle. One |
| clearance between the ground and the bottom of | | | | advantage over body and suspension lifts is that |
| the body or frame of the vehicle. There are | | | | larger tires will improve ground clearance under all |
| numerous types of vehicle lifts: | | | | parts of the vehicle, including the axles and |
| Body lift: A simple and cheap way to lift a vehicle | | | | differentials - typically the next lowest points after |
| that has a body on frame design such as a pickup | | | | the tires. While some vehicles can have larger |
| truck or some SUVs. A body lift consists of larger | | | | tires added without a lift kit, such as a Ford F-250 |
| spacers that replace the normal mounting points | | | | F-350 pick-up trucks, most will require a lift kit in |
| of the vehicle's body on its frame. These typically | | | | addition to larger tires, and in some cases |
| are between 1 - 4 inches. Any more than four | | | | bodywork modification (cut back wheel arches) |
| inches will create a less sturdy set up. Body lifts | | | | may also be necessary. |
| are not possible on vehicles with a "Uni-body" | | | | Many off-roaders will combine different aspects |
| construction. Uni-body vehicles have the frame | | | | of each of these vehicle lifting techniques, with |
| formed into the body, such as on a Jeep | | | | the more experienced combining all of these |
| Cherokee. | | | | items for a vehicle that could be lifted over 12 |
| Suspension lift: A suspension lift is when | | | | inches from its normal ride height |
| modifications are done to the vehicle's springs, | | | | Traction control |
| shocks, controlling arms and steering linkage. In | | | | One of the main aspects of off-roading is to be |
| this case small or short pieces of the suspension | | | | able to keep traction on different obstacles. This |
| are replaced with longer or larger items of similar | | | | can be done with more aggressive tread on tires |
| construction. Lifting a vehicle changes it's driving | | | | as well as with help from traction control devices |
| dynamics and a suspension lift adds to the | | | | in drivetrain. |
| vehicle's handling capabilities in relation to the | | | | Some traction control devices used are: |
| increased height (see lifting concerns below). | | | | Locking differential |
| Some examples of this are: | | | | Lowered Gear ratio |
| Larger arced Leaf springs | | | | Limited slip differential |
| Longer Coil springs | | | | Four-wheel drive |
| Coil spacer blocks | | | | 'Airing Down' - greatly lowering the air pressure in |
| Leaf spring spacer blocks | | | | the tires |