lift kit
04-06-2014, 09:10 AM
#11
Member
Thread Starter
I'll mostly be driving the streets and highways. Will go off road when I get the chance. Probably won't be every weekend or anything. Or I Was also thinking of just doing a leveling kit with bigger tires
04-06-2014, 09:27 AM
#12
Senior Member
If you're not sure which, I suggest you keep doing your homework until you're certain.
If price is a big concern, the leveling kit with some beefier tires on stock wheels might be your best route; especially since you don't offroad frequently. Full suspension lifts, with the purchase of new wheels, tires, & install. can easily set you back $5,000.
Leveling kits can be taken off and enable you to easily return the truck to stock. A point you might want to consider if you don't keep vehicles for a long time. Most suspension lifts are permanent mods since they require cutting and more intense suspension components and brackets/hardware.
However, there is no comparison in offroad performance. A leveling kit equipped truck has much more limited suspension travel. This becomes painfully evident when you hear the dreaded clunk from your UCA slapping your coil spring when navigating bumps/potholes. Leveling kits simply can't match the performance of a full suspension lift, nor were they intended to and their price reflects that.
If you really love the look of a truly lifted rig, you'll never quite achieve that stance with a leveling kit...even with 35"'s. So, if you know deep in your heart that you want that big and bad stance, you should just do a full suspension lift from the start because you'll never be satisfied with just a level. I speak from experience.
Another route is coilovers offered by various vendors on this forum. They aren't cheap, but offer a nice "middle of the road" option. Some provide up to 3" of lift.
F150Lifts has some nice products and a solid reputation. Alex is great to work with. I almost went that route until I discovered I could run my 17" Raptor wheels with the Rancho kits.
If you do a full suspension lift, I recommend Rancho or BDS. Both are high quality kits, but pricey. Check out my review of the new 6" Rancho kit.
I've been hearing good things about the McGaughy's lift too. Zone is another option as they are a sister company to BDS. Rough Country is a good entry level kit and priced reasonably. They might be the ticket for you since you only do limited offroading.
I hope I've been helpful. I'm no expert, but I've been down this road and speak from my past experiences.
Good luck & keep us posted! We're here to help if you have anymore questions.
Last edited by IrishRed; 04-06-2014 at 01:51 PM.
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HaloLifts (04-06-2014)
04-06-2014, 10:02 AM
#13
Senior Member
04-06-2014, 11:35 AM
#15
just a note about Mcgaughys: they were the only one i found that didnt need you to hack up the stock mounts for a permanent change. Just drill 1 hole and the rest is bolt up, plus you can still use the stock 20 and 18" rims.
I keep going back and forth myself, but i really do not need that much lift no matter how much i looks cool so will probably go with coilovers for a 3" lift.
Lots of options.
I keep going back and forth myself, but i really do not need that much lift no matter how much i looks cool so will probably go with coilovers for a 3" lift.
Lots of options.
04-06-2014, 02:34 PM
#16
Member
Thread Starter
There's quite a difference between a leveling kit setup & a full suspension lift.
If you're not sure which, I suggest you keep doing your homework until you're certain.
If price is a big concern, the leveling kit with some beefier tires on stock wheels might be your best route; especially since you don't offroad frequently. Full suspension lifts, with the purchase of new wheels, tires, & install. can easily set
you back $5,000.
Leveling kits can be taken off and enable you to easily return the truck to stock. A point you might want to consider if you don't keep vehicles for a long time. Most suspension lifts are permanent mods since they require cutting and more intense suspension components and brackets/hardware.
However, there is no comparison in offroad performance. A leveling kit equipped truck has much more limited suspension travel. This becomes painfully evident when you hear the dreaded clunk from your UCA slapping your coil spring when navigating bumps/potholes. Leveling kits simply can't match the performance of a full suspension lift, nor were they intended to and their price reflects that.
If you really love the look of a truly lifted rig, you'll never quite achieve that stance with a leveling kit...even with 35"'s. So, if you know deep in your heart that you want that big and bad stance, you should just do a full suspension lift from the start because you'll never be satisfied with just a level. I speak from experience.
Another route is coilovers offered by various vendors on this forum. They aren't cheap, but offer a nice "middle of the road" option. Some provide up to 3" of lift.
F150Lifts has some nice products and a solid reputation. Alex is great to work with. I almost went that route until I discovered I could run my 17" Raptor wheels with the Rancho kits.
If you do a full suspension lift, I recommend Rancho or BDS. Both are high quality kits, but pricey. Check out my review of the new 6" Rancho kit.
I've been hearing good things about the McGaughy's lift too. Zone is another option as they are a sister company to BDS. Rough Country is a good entry level kit and priced reasonably. They might be the ticket for you since you only do limited offroading.
I hope I've been helpful. I'm no expert, but I've been down this road and speak from my past experiences.
Good luck & keep us posted! We're here to help if you have anymore questions.
If you're not sure which, I suggest you keep doing your homework until you're certain.
If price is a big concern, the leveling kit with some beefier tires on stock wheels might be your best route; especially since you don't offroad frequently. Full suspension lifts, with the purchase of new wheels, tires, & install. can easily set
you back $5,000.
Leveling kits can be taken off and enable you to easily return the truck to stock. A point you might want to consider if you don't keep vehicles for a long time. Most suspension lifts are permanent mods since they require cutting and more intense suspension components and brackets/hardware.
However, there is no comparison in offroad performance. A leveling kit equipped truck has much more limited suspension travel. This becomes painfully evident when you hear the dreaded clunk from your UCA slapping your coil spring when navigating bumps/potholes. Leveling kits simply can't match the performance of a full suspension lift, nor were they intended to and their price reflects that.
If you really love the look of a truly lifted rig, you'll never quite achieve that stance with a leveling kit...even with 35"'s. So, if you know deep in your heart that you want that big and bad stance, you should just do a full suspension lift from the start because you'll never be satisfied with just a level. I speak from experience.
Another route is coilovers offered by various vendors on this forum. They aren't cheap, but offer a nice "middle of the road" option. Some provide up to 3" of lift.
F150Lifts has some nice products and a solid reputation. Alex is great to work with. I almost went that route until I discovered I could run my 17" Raptor wheels with the Rancho kits.
If you do a full suspension lift, I recommend Rancho or BDS. Both are high quality kits, but pricey. Check out my review of the new 6" Rancho kit.
I've been hearing good things about the McGaughy's lift too. Zone is another option as they are a sister company to BDS. Rough Country is a good entry level kit and priced reasonably. They might be the ticket for you since you only do limited offroading.
I hope I've been helpful. I'm no expert, but I've been down this road and speak from my past experiences.
Good luck & keep us posted! We're here to help if you have anymore questions.
Thanks for the info is was very helpful!!
I plan on keeping my truck for a long time, lifting it im worried about the wear an tear of the truck. But I do want that big bad look. Lol. Ive looked at tires just for the stock 20's. Ive also looked at rims n tire combos.. the $$ is but isnt an issue if that makes sense? Im not gonna do this all in one step. But alil bit step by step. I was looking into rough country for a lift. Some 35x12.50x20 toyo at2 xtremes.
04-06-2014, 03:20 PM
#17
Senior Member
Many will tell you that a simple leveling kit with bigger tires and no other suspension upgrades will produce more wear and tear on front end components than a modern day full suspension lift.
Stock suspension isn't designed to deal with the added weight of larger & heavier tires. Level kits also put front end components at angles that produce quicker wear & possible failure.
Full suspension systems keep the stock geometry and upgrade suspension and other components to deal with larger tire/wheel combos.
Stock suspension isn't designed to deal with the added weight of larger & heavier tires. Level kits also put front end components at angles that produce quicker wear & possible failure.
Full suspension systems keep the stock geometry and upgrade suspension and other components to deal with larger tire/wheel combos.