You may be traveling daily on the urban highway or racing through incredible wilderness settings daily. Whichever one you frequent; you have likely taken notice of the passing Jeeps and trucks that have been equipped with a lift kit. We all want our own truck to be the best-equipped, and so there are just a few things to consider before you are ready for your new look and stature.
Questions to Ask Before You Get A Lift Kit
What Type of Off-Roading Do You Plan to Do?
To make sure that you select the lift kit that is best for you, you'll want to think about whether you want to drive mostly on the weekends or tackle the roughest of terrain daily. If the much smoother ride is a priority for you, include into your decision the issue of a bit of extra effort to get in and out of the cab is worth it.. (we think it is!)
What Type of Vehicle You Have?
Your vehicle's make and model are important to take into consideration for this decision. If you happen to install components that are not ideally compatible, you may be left with a vehicle that is problematic during handling. The size of the vehicle, amount of lift, and tire size all need to match up.
Desired Tire Size
Tire size is another important factor to consider before you select the lift kit and get ready for installation. First, check and see exactly what size tires are on your vehicle. After doing this you can base the height that you select from your findings. If you are primarily using your truck for work or daily errands, a lift with slightly less clearance may best suit your needs.
Budget
The body lift option can tend to be a bit more inexpensive, and you can still gain 1-3 inches of valuable lift. Here at Toytec, we can answer all the questions you may have about what will work best for your fitted lift!
What Type Of Lift Kits Are Available
Lift Kits
Pros:
- The lift kit can improve your suspension capability for boulder crawling, and any other obstacles that you could not otherwise clear.
- You'll achieve the ground clearance you were seeking.
- You can't notice any space between the body and the chassis, improving visual first impressions.
- This is a very sturdy and long-lasting option if you plan on going off-road frequently.
Cons:
- These tend to be more expensive than the body lift option.
- You will likely need a wheel realignment due to how this alters the entire suspension's makeup.
- You will not continue to enjoy the stock performance and handling qualities, as a true overhaul of the suspension will take place.
- An experienced professional is the best choice for an installation.
- The driveshaft and rear end may need thorough modification to assure that the U-joint will not experience wear and tear, as well as the eventual separating of the front CV axles.
Body Lifts
Pros:
- These kits are more affordable than suspension lift kits
- Body lifts don't tend to change the comfort and quality of the ride, which is noticeable during washout and fire-road navigation
- This lift type makes way for knobby and large tires up to 33”
Cons:
- Once the vehicle's frame is separated from the body, there is a gap at the rear wheels that can be corrected with wheel liners.
- You may not notice an increase in performance advantage, simply the presence of more advantageous tire clearance.
- With a limited range, the variety of tire sizes you can add is affected.
Leveling Kit
Pros:
- These will always make your truck off-road-ready!
- They are inexpensive
- Installation is not too difficult
- Once larger tires are used, hauling and towing performance is improved
- If you want to run a plow or winch, leveling kits provide the needed extra support.
- By creating more balance after adding a truck leveling kit, braking pressure will be reduced during very sudden stops.
Cons:
- Your off-road performance may not drastically improve
- Tire clearance is not as high with a leveling kit
- Since wind resistance is increased, fuel economy may decrease while hauling a heavy load.
- There is a chance that you may void your truck's warranty.
- Your speedometer might have minor inaccuracies after installation of a leveling kit.
Whichever kind of lift kit you decide is best for your truck, you can buy online at Toytec. We are the nation's premier provider of aftermarket accessories.
