Do you know that truck lift kits are one of the most popular truck accessories? It's obvious that the monster truck look has been gaining popularity with pick up truck owners for the last several years. The lift kits are bought main by men, ages 18 to 35, but there are actually no gender or age restrictions for any pick up truck owners that would want to buy truck lift kits.
Many truck enthusiasts equip their trucks with suspension without first checking with their local law enforcement. It is crucial that you check with your state highway patrol concerning the height limitations for street legal trucks. You should also check with an OEM dealer parts, service department and a local independent repair center as well. Compare the answers from all three to make sure that your suspension lift kit will is in accordance with local and state laws.
Installing a truck lift kit can be an expensive plan, so be sure your finished product will be street legal before you spend your hard earned cash on your pick up truck.
When you are shopping for a suspension lift kit, do yourself a favor. Don't buy whatever your friends are slapping on their trucks at least not before doing your own research and perhaps a little soul-searching on your own. Only after those researches you can decide how you'll be using your vehicle. These days, even simple, solid-axle kits can cost hundreds of dollars and that's just the basics without any optional kit gear, shocks, or the new taller tires that you dreamed of.
Spring rate is one of the most important design aspects of any lift kit along with proper steering and suspension geometry. Even though spring rate can be defined simply as the amount of weight necessary to compress a spring one inch, matching the correct rate to a particular vehicle and its usage is as more of art and opinion as it is science and engineering.
The number one myth when lifting a 4x4 truck is that you will achieve more wheel travel (or axle articulation). In most cases, you actually reduce this off-road trait. In reality, the taller you go, the harder this is to regain. However with a reasonable amount of lift you can get significant advantages such as higher ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles also room for bigger tires. There are also steps you can take to make your tall lift work well.
You can find many manufacturers that produce suspension lift kits. Many of these companies are globally recognized as leaders in off-road technology. Since late 1992, these companies have been manufacturing high quality, durable lift kits for on and off road racers and enthusiasts truckers. Every year, these manufacturers try hard to create more value for your truck by improving product performance and integrating new technologies into suspension lift kits.
Will a Lift Kit Change The Ride of My Rig?
It depends on your preferences and also your truck. In general a straight axle truck lift kits with leaf springs or coil springs will ride firmer than stock suspension in your truck. Firmer spring rates are necessary as height increases to reduce body roll and offer stability when riding your truck. More lift means a firmer ride. A Truck with independent front suspension will normally ride, as well as, or better than stock with most truck lift kits.
In current market you can find numerous choices of suspension systems and accessories for your truck or SUV. Whether it is 2WD or 4WD you'll find some companies that make the right suspension lift kits for you and your truck. Increase the height of your truck from 2" - 7" to provide plentiful tire and terrain clearance while still maintaining that factory ride quality is what most pick up truck enthusiasts hope for when installing truck lift kits.
How much does a Professionally Installed Lift Kit Cost?
It is a wise decision to have a truck lift kit installed by a professional. Though it is a great way to express your individuality you have to be able to afford it. Suspension lift kits can be installed at an OEM dealership, an independent body shop or a heavy duty spring shop.
You can expect the pricel range from approximately $1,800 to $2,500. It all depends on the location and the labor rates in the marketplace. Before deciding which body shop / spring shop to chose always get several quotes and references from previous customers and ask how long it will take for the process to be completed before committing to one place.
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The author, Michael Ottman, is an independent publisher that covers multiple topics in the automotive and custom truck accessories market. More specifically, this article features information on truck lift kits.
