If you have ever ridden around in a truck that is extremely high off the ground, you know the feeling of ultimate power you get from looking down at the cars on the road. Body lift kits are designed to lift your truck or SUV two or three inches higher by putting a high grade nylon spacer between the body and the frame. Suspension lift kits are made to lift trucks as high as the owners will let them. But what are the downsides to putting a lift kit on? Do the kits change the vehicle? Let’s go over the pros and cons of lifting your truck or SUV.
Pros of Body Lift Kits
Lift kits are specially made not to change the quality of how your truck rides. Most lift kits are not too expensive and they are more economical than suspension lifts. Because the shocks are not touched during the lift, new shocks are not required for lift kits. For people who like to go “off road,” lift kits will give your tires more clearance while still retaining the factory suspension geometry and alignment.
Cons of Body Lift Kits
Lift kit installations are more time consuming because of the nature of the job. These kits require the body to be lifted and bolted back into place. A big downside of the lift kit is that the frame is more visible than it was before and gaps can be seen in the fender wells. Unfortunately, due to placement of the body, factory bumpers are not raised with the body. A common complaint with lift kits are the frame visibility. This could be taken care of by gap guards place on the frame. This type of lift does not offer any performance advantages and can hinder the performance because of the new center of gravity.
Pros of Suspension Lift Kits
Although body lift kits can only be moved one to three inches higher, suspension lift kits can go as high as the driver feels comfortable. This lift allows the owner to purchase bigger tires if they desire. This lift also makes the suspension more articulate.
Cons of Suspension Lift Kits
The annoyance factor can no be overlooked here. It can get annoying climbing in and out of a beast of a truck so before choosing a monster truck, try to picture yourself and your family climbing in and out of it. This lift comes with some maintenance. The supporting pieces may need to be replaced every so often so make sure you are prepared for the costs involved. These kits are also more expensive overall because of the customization done to them. It can void some warranties on your truck or SUV and you will not have a ride as smooth as one without a lift or with a body lift.
Body lift kits are good if you do not want your truck or SUV to perform differently. The quality of the drive remains the same when these lifts are involved. If you want a kit that will raise your truck only a few inches without being a problem, this is the kit for you! If you are looking for that monster truck feeling, the suspension lift kits are for you. Your truck can be raised as high as your budget will allow but be prepared for quite a bit of upkeep as well as having a stepladder in your
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