Are you considering a lift kit for off-roading or to make your truck stand out? Have you heard mixed reviews, and are you wondering if lift kits are worth their price tag?
Adding a truck lift kit is a popular modification for those who love off-roading. The mod raises and strengthens a truck’s suspension allowing drivers to easily clear bumps, rocks, and other obstacles. Oh, and they also look really cool!
The following guide will address some common myths about trucks with lift kits. Then, we’ll bust those myths and explain why the best truck lift kits start with proper installation.
A Truck Lift Kit Voids Your Warranty
The voided warranty myth is partly false. Laws state that a warranty cannot be voided because of aftermarket parts.
However, parts damaged by the installation of the kit may no longer be covered. This is one reason why proper professional installation is crucial.
Truck Lifts Affect Towing
Drivers often worry that adding a lift kit negatively affects their towing abilities. This towing myth is completely false.
The misconception usually has to do with people trying to tow a vehicle that’s stuck by connecting the tow-strap to their bumper. This is not the correct way to tow any type of vehicle.
Only use a receiver hitch or tow hooks to tow correctly. They attach directly to your vehicle’s frame, and a lift kit does not affect the towing process in any way.
Leveling and Lifts Kits Are the Same
A common misconception is that leveling kits and lift kits are the same. However, they are very different from one another even though they both change the truck’s suspension.
A lift kit raises the front and rear of your truck’s suspension. Lifts kits typically require replacing certain stock parts to complete the lift.
A leveling kit only lifts the front of the truck’s suspension and not the rear. Leveling uses stock parts and doesn’t require the need for replacement components.
Brake Lines Are Too Short for Lifts
Brake line length does not affect your ability to lift your vehicle. All brake lines come with added length. The hard lines that connect to the master cylinder have the ability to extend several inches to a few feet because they’re coiled.
All vehicle manufacturers provide this extra slack in the brake lines. This is because straightened lines create unwanted vibration.
Body Mount Bolts Bend
The myth that body mount bolts are prone to bending originates from a misunderstanding of off-road driving effects on vehicles. Any vehicle parts are likely to bend if impacted hard enough.
So, it’s true that the body mount bolts might bend under extreme situations just like any other metal parts in your vehicle. But it has everything to do with a driver’s habits and nothing to do with the lift kit itself.
Ball Joint Blowouts
Some people think that getting a lift kit causes ball joints to blow out all the time. This isn’t true with newer trucks. However, older trucks with bigger wheels and tires may experience this issue.
Even in old trucks, the tire size is the culprit for ball joint replacements and not the lift kit. Expect more maintenance if you plan on lifting an older vehicle.
Lift Kits Lower Vehicle Value
Any changes made to a vehicle’s appearance make it more or less appealing, depending on the buyer’s personal preferences. Cosmetics are subjective, and it’s hard to gauge how other’s will perceive a lifted truck’s appearance.
However, the myth that changing your truck’s suspension will negatively affect its value depends on two factors. Those factors are the type of suspension alteration and the quality of the kit’s installation.
If you install a lift kit that needs new replacement parts, it typically alters the actual suspension permanently. If a potential buyer wants to remove the kit, it’s costly, which could decrease the final sale value.
Leveling kits don’t cause any permanent changes. So, buyers won’t have to worry about spending excessive amounts of money to undo modifications.
Although, enhancing your truck’s offroad capabilities and altering the appearance may greatly appeal to some people and actually raise the value. It’s all about finding the right buyer when it comes to value fluctuation.
Lifts Separate From the Body in Accidents
If a lift kit is installed properly with quality parts, it is almost impossible for it to separate from the body in a crash.
The high tensile bolts would only snap if an impact was so massive that the entire vehicle would be destroyed anyway. There are usually between 12 to 16 mounts on a kit that ensure it stays safely attached.
Holes in the Floor From Offroading
It is possible for hard offroading to cause holes in the floor. However, this only occurs if using sub-par kits that don’t have the right diameter lift blocks.
Uniform solid lift blocks must be the same size or larger than factory body mounts to eliminate damage to the vehicle’s body. Kits with a smaller diameter than factory mounts often lead to cracked floors.
Lifts Make a Vehicle Top Heavy
The weight distribution for a standard 4 wheel drive vehicle is around 25% body and 75% wheels, tires, axles, motor, etc.
Lifts always alter vehicle handling to some degree. Although, a body lift raises the lightest part of the vehicle and minimizes changes to the handling. Handling is still impacted, but far less than same height suspension lifts.
Ready to Buy a Lift Kit?
Now you know that most myths you’ve heard about installing a truck lift kit are false. The disadvantages of lift kits often arise from not using quality parts and poor installation.
Please contact us if you have more questions about lift kits. We guarantee the best parts, installation by skilled professionals, and great warranties and financing options. We hope to hear from you soon!