LaunchnRetrieve

So many lifted trucks! The world of lifted trucks is foreign to me, but I'm always curious about it.

What is the purpose of lifting your truck?
So you can run bigger tires? What's the benefit of running bigger tires?
More clearance? Does 2.5 inches of lift equal 2.5 inches of added clearance? Does that make a meaningful difference in where you can go?
Just for the look?
What's the least amount of lift that's worth doing for added function? What's the least amount of lift worth doing just for the look?

Obviously I don't know anything technical about lifting, so feel free to add answers to questions I didn't think, or know, to ask?

4x4wolf

Most just do it for the looks. The best thing to do is get the biggest tire you can with the least amount of lift. A lot on here have put 33's on our trucks with no real lift kit at all just turning up the stock torsion keys.

Old Red SCrew

Its mainly just personal preference of the owner. I have a soft spot for nice practically lifted trucks. About half are for function, and half for looks. And on he ground clearance question, the only time you ever gain real ground clearance is when you add larger tires, which can usually only be accomplished by some sort of lift. For example 6 inches of lift ONLY means that your driveline is now 6 inches lower than it was stock, thus lifting the truck but not gaining any real clearance, that's what big tires tires are for.

rbrais

Mine is for looks, but it does have function. It's better in deep snow, and not just because the tires add an extra 2" of clearence between the drivetrain and ground. You can drag your drivetrain in the snow with little resistance. It's when your frame hits that you really get bogged down. The added 6" of frame height really helps.

Same goes for water and sometimes mud (as long as it isn't too thick). Water you just have to worry about keeping the engine compartment dry and water out of the intake and exhaust. So 6" helps a lot in a hurricane or flood.

It is a bit of a pain to use the bed. I miss my ranger when loading up my quad, dirt bike, snowblower, etc. And I have to climb on the tire to lean over the bed. But all-in-all I'm happy.

Auburnfan400

It's usually just for looks. Like everyone's said the only real way to actually lift the truck higher is with bigger tires. Now with my 2wd, being there's nothing really in the front end, the lift spindles along with the tires truly lifted the truck itself off the ground. Truly lifting it 5(or so) inches higher. But then the rear end is still only higher from what the tires gave so ultimately I can't really clear anything I couldn't before.
The lift on 4X4 trucks really only shows itself (in my opinion) when your going through deep mud, keeping the body of the truck out and therefore giving you less to push through. But on any kind of trail riding or real world purpose isn't there other than again, with bigger tires.
I love the way a lifted truck looks, one within reason that is...a good 4-6 inch lift with some 35's...they look awesome. But someone putting some gigantic lift with tractor tires just baffles me, especially for a daily driver. They're usually harder to control, keep on the road and just to get around in a city environment. Which is usually where they are oddly enough.

Carcrazygts2

To me it is actually both. I love the look of a lifted truck, but I also use my 4wd on regular basis, and where I go it is sometime to much even for a truck on 33's. So when time comes I will be lifting my truck.

01f1502wd

I lifted mine so I can get over tall obsticals...I.e. ruts, I have gotten stuck soo many times b/c I got hung up on deep ruts made my mud trucks (also ripped off 1/2 of my valance b/c of this), now I dont have a problem with it on 9.5" of lift and 35in M/Ts. also when I go into tall grass it always got crammed into my lower valance and in all my suspension components. now Im lifted and have a huge skidplate that protects everything.

but there are a ton of people who lift them for fashion...I dont do that crap, neither do my closest friends haha

LaunchnRetrieve

Thanks guys, I actually learned a lot from the responses.

Auburnfan400

Hey bro, text me some pics of your skid plate, I need to get you, or someone to make me one

Almighty

The main reason people get stuck is because they are laying on their frame. A suspension lift jacks up everything but your axles, giving you clearance from getting stuck. Unless you get hung up on a tree or something your axles won't ever make you bottom out in mud or sand.