Saturday, September 23, 2006

Truck Lift Kits

Truck lift kits are some of the most popular accessories used in customizing pickup trucks and other vehicles. A lift kit is an aftermarket vehicle accessory that is installed to raise the suspension or the body of a vehicle and give it a higher profile.

Truck lift kits are usually used by enthusiasts who want to create a more imposing look to their pickup trucks. When a lift kit is installed, the wheel wells of a truck ride higher, thus allowing larger tires to be installed.

Lift kits have both advantages and disadvantages. The main benefit of truck lift kits is the improvement in handling as well as the visual enhancement it provides. A higher ground clearance makes the truck look more aggressive and muscular. Some 4x4 truck owners install lift kits in their vehicles to enhance their performance when offroading. The main disadvantage of lift kits is that they raise your truck?s center of gravity. This makes the vehicle less stable, especially when negotiating sharp turns.

Lift kits are classified into two types: body lift kits and suspension lift kits. A body lift kit only lifts the body from the frame, usually from one to three inches higher. Lift kits are relatively inexpensive and consist of spacers and blocks installed under the body. Body lift kits are easy to install and do not affect the ride quality of the vehicle or alter or enhance the suspension. It also does not increase ground clearance, although it will increase the height of the wheel well, allowing taller tires to be installed.

Suspension lift kits, on the other hand, replace the front and rear leaf springs and shocks to lift the suspension, usually four to six inches higher. Suspension lift kits are costlier than body lift kits but will improve ground clearance more. Truck lift kits are readily available from several manufacturers in a wide range of prices. If you are planning to install a lift kit in your truck, it is advisable to consult a mechanic or specialist first so that you can discuss it in detail. On the other hand, you should take note that installing an aftermarket truck lift kit may void your vehicle warranty.


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