One of the best things about owning a 4WD is its versatility. These trucks can tow and haul stuff, and with the right modifications, they can go almost anywhere. In this guide, we`ll tell you which factors to think of when buying a truck lift kit.
Choosing a Kit
Your choice of lift kits comes down to a few factors: the vehicle`s type, purpose, tyre size, and your budget. Do you plan to do any trail riding, or do you simply want to make your commute more comfortable? Do you regularly haul heavy loads, or are you planning to upsize your tyres? By asking and answering these questions, you`ll point yourself in the right direction.
Consider a Body Lift Kit
These kits typically consist of spacers that separate the truck`s suspension from its frame. Though this lifts the body, the suspension and chassis stay in the same place, so no extra ground clearance is provided. These kits only offer a little lift, but it`s enough to accommodate larger tyres without affecting ride comfort and quality.
Suspension Lifts
Suspension lift kits create ground clearance by raising the chassis. Various components, such as coil springs, spring spacers, torsion bars, shackles, and lift blocks, are used to achieve this goal. Depending on the kit you choose, you may also get new bushings, shocks, and control arms. Kits use various methods to provide lift, but all offer the same benefits and disadvantages. First, the benefits:
- Better looks
- A greater lift range than that of a body lift
- Improved off-road suspension performance
- Additional ground clearance
And now, the disadvantages:
- Suspension lift kits are typically costlier than body lifts
- Adding this type of lift alters suspension geometry
- Adverse effects on ride quality
- Installation can be complicated
Because of these pros and cons, suspension lift kits are popular among dedicated off-roaders.
Leveling Kits
A leveling kit is used to give a truck an even stance from front to back. Depending on the vehicle and its suspension, this may be done with added leaf springs, blocks, or torsion keys. By lifting a truck`s front, you can slightly increase tyre clearance and diminish the “raked” look. Most people add leveling kits for aesthetic reasons, but they can raise hauling performance by making it easier to fit larger, tougher tyres.
The Final Word
Like choosing other accessories, such as roof racks, it can be easy to get caught up in the sheer number of available options. When deciding how much lift to add, suspension travel and tyre clearance are the determining factors. It`s important to remember that, by lifting a truck, you`re raising its center of gravity. Furthermore, by fitting larger tyres, you may need to make changes to performance settings such as gearing and speedometer calibration. Whether you`re going for a little lift or a big one, your local 4WD accessory dealer can help you find the right parts and products.