How To Guide to Lift Kits
Lifted trucks not only look cool, they give you more room to mount big wheels and tires. Lift kits come in two styles: body lifts increase the space between the body and frame, while suspension lifts increase the space between the suspension and frame. Suspension lifts have the added benefit of increasing suspension travel and ground clearance, which makes them ideal for off-road vehicles. However, the higher center of gravity increases the risk of roll-over.
Lift kits, like lowering kits, are not projects for new mechanics. Installing one can involve some serious time and work under your rig. If you’re not an expert mechanic, call around and find a shop or installer that can do the job for you.
Whether you’re considering installing a lift kit yourself or you plan to have it installed by a professional, this info can help you get what you want.
Add A Leaf
As the name suggests, you are adding more leafs to a leaf-spring pack to make the spring stiffer. This is a great way to fortify old, sagging springs, and it can also make the vehicle ride a little higher
Air Bags/Air Springs
As the name suggests, you are adding more leafs to a leaf-spring pack to make the spring stiffer. This is a great way to fortify old, sagging springs, and it can also make the vehicle ride a little higher
Blocks
These are metal spacers placed between the vehicle’s rear axle housing and leaf springs to provide lift. They should not be used on the front suspension.
Drag Link
A drag link connects to a Pitman arm on the upper end and a tie rod or knuckle on the lower end. On lifted vehicles, sometimes the stock drag link is replaced by a “dropped” drag link to reduce linkage angle.
Extended Brake Lines
Lifted vehicles often need to have the flexible factory brake lines replaced with longer, sturdier one, since the wheels are further from the master cylinder.
Helper Springs
This long, flat spring or set of leaf springs increases the vehicle’s ride height and spring rate. It “helps” the leaf springs when the vehicle is hauling heavy loads.
Lift Kits
Lift kits are designed to increase the space between the vehicle’s suspension and frame (a suspension lift) or between its body and frame (a body lift). All lift kits allow bigger wheels and tires. Suspension lifts also increase ground clearance and expand suspension travel.
Shackles and Hangers
These components attach a leaf spring to the frame of a vehicle. Some lift kits include different shackles and hangers to change the position of the springs in relation to the frame without affecting spring rate.
Spring Spacers
These are aluminum or polyurethane components that mount between the spring pad and spring on a coil spring suspension to give it a mild lift.
Toe-In/Toe-Out
A toe-in condition means that the fronts of the tires on one axle point into the body of the vehicle, increasing straight-line stability; toe-out means that they are pointed out of the vehicle, increasing cornering response. Excessive toe-in and toe-out can reduce the life of your tires by scrubbing them against the ground.
To check out our complete line of lift kits and lift components, go to our Online Store now!
