While simultaneously making your truck or SUV look exponentially cooler, a lift kit makes it more capable off the road. Who doesn’t love the birds-eye view in traffic and the ability to get through terrain that restricts stock vehicle suspension?
Whether you lift your truck two inches or six-plus inches, there are going to be additional things to consider for maintaining your truck, and the potential to break parts increases too. You need to be aware of what you’re getting into when you install truck lift kits since it will cost more in the long run too. What you need to decide is… is it worth it? (The answer is almost always yes.)
Benefits of Lifting Your Truck
Alright, let’s first talk about the benefits to lifting your truck. The first practical benefit is that you get improved off-road performance. A lifted truck has increased ground clearance, which allows it to better navigate rough terrain, such as deep ruts, large rocks, and steep hills. And of course, there’s enhanced traction. Lifting your truck can allow you to fit larger, more aggressive tires, which can provide improved traction in muddy or slippery conditions.
And when you install lifted truck kits, expect enhanced towing and hauling capacity. Often, it can allow you to tow and haul heavier loads as the larger tires and additional ground clearance can help distribute the weight more evenly and improve stability. The beefier parts like shocks and springs play a part in that.
Don’t forget about the improved aesthetics either. Many people lift their trucks for the sake of appearance, as it can give the vehicle a more rugged, aggressive look. There’s nothing wrong with a little vanity in your vehicle, right? And depending on the specific make and model of your truck, lifting it may increase its resale value, as it is a popular modification among truck enthusiasts.
Keep in mind that lifting your truck can also have some drawbacks, such as decreased fuel efficiency, reduced stability at high speeds, and increased maintenance costs. But what added costs are there?
How to Maintain Your Truck After Lifting
Your truck will be more capable, but that doesn’t always equate to being more durable. The parts you’re installing can add stress on other components, contributing to problems you might not have otherwise.
The first rule for lifted truck maintenance is to regularly inspect the lift kit components. Make sure to regularly check all of the components of the lift kit, including the springs, shocks, and control arms, for any signs of wear or damage. Also, these three things should be on your radar:
- Keep an eye on your tires. Lifting your truck can put additional stress on your tires, so it is important to regularly check the tire pressure and tread depth, and replace the tires when necessary.
- Check your alignment. Lifting your truck can affect its alignment, which can lead to uneven tire wear and handling issues. It is a good idea to have your alignment checked by a mechanic after installing a lift kit.
- Pay attention to your suspension. The additional weight of the lift kit can put additional strain on your suspension, so it is important to regularly check suspension components for any signs of wear or damage like ball joints, tie rods, links, and bushings.
Replace any worn or damaged components you find on these inspections. You should make it a habit to check it out at least every time you do an oil change as well as before and after every off-road adventure you take, whether it’s cruising unmaintained backroads, pushing bush, or rock crawling.
Services You May Need
Your regular maintenance budget is going to need an extra injection if you have a lift kit, and the higher you go, the more it will cost. That’s doubly true as your tires and wheels increase in size to match the extra clearance you have.
If you’ve installed a lift kit that’s six inches or more, the first service you’ll need to be performed before you start driving it is a wheel alignment. If you don’t you might as well budget for a new set of tires every year. Tall lifts change the toe angle as well as the camber, so it’s going to be more than your basic toe adjustment.
Also, you’ll likely need a pinion angle adjustment. The driveshaft angles at both the front and rear axles might be too steep for the U-joints to turn smoothly, and a pinion angle adjustment rotates the axle assembly slightly to decrease the change your U-joints will bind and snap.
Other services you need to consider after driving your truck for a while include:
- Driveline services. The added strain on the drivetrain means that the fluids should be changed more frequently. The differentials will often need to be changed as often as every year or 12,000 miles, and the transfer case is typically every two years or 24,000 miles.
- Tire rotations. With added weight and typically with larger, heavier tires installed to match the lift, the tires will need to be rotated roughly twice as often as the normal schedule. Every oil change, rotate the front tires to the rear and vice versa to maintain even wear.
- Wheel bearing repacks. If you’re driving an older vehicle or a solid-axle truck and the wheel bearings aren’t sealed hubs, then you’ll want to watch for wheel bearing wear. You can prevent excessive wear and loose bearings by repacking them at least once a year.
With the additional wear and tear you’ll experience after you’ve lifted your truck, is it really worth it? If it’s purely for aesthetics, then you’ll need to decide for yourself if you’re alright with more ongoing costs. But if you’re going to be driving your truck offroad or hauling heavier loads with it, then the answer is almost always a resounding ‘YES’. With routine inspections and more frequent fluid changes, the maintenance costs will only be marginally higher than a stock truck.
And whether you’re shopping for truck lift kits, repair parts, or fluids to maintain it, 4 Wheel Parts has everything you need at a great price. Shop online or in-store today for the parts you want from trusted brands like Rough Country, Icon, and Pro Comp.
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