Should You Get Your Truck Lifted?

A buddy of mine just bought a brand-new GMC Sierra, and while it’s a great looking truck, it just doesn’t have that commanding presence that he’s looking for. So he is thinking about getting it lifted and fitted with some big tires. And who can blame him, as lifted trucks look pretty bad-ass!

There are generally two types of people who lift their trucks – Those that want to go off-roading (slow-speed rock crawling, high-speed desert racing, general purpose four-wheeling, mud racing, or long distance open country treks), and those who just want a macho ride that will stand out from the crowd.

If you plan on taking your truck off-road, getting a lift kit raises the height of your ride off the ground to enable steeper ascent or descent off-road, as well as higher ground clearance. Additionally, with bigger tires, the lift kit provides both greater traction off-road and more strength to tow hefty loads.

For those looking to make a style statement, take your ride to the next level with an exaggerated lift, gigantic rims and tires, a throaty exhaust system, and plenty of accessories (running boards, brush guards, custom grille, light bars, etc) to personalize your truck.

Once you decide on your reasoning for lifting your truck, it is time to do some research and figure out which setup (lift kits, leveling kits, air suspension, load levelers) is right for you, as each option comes with it’s own pros and cons. There are plenty of online forums where you can ask questions and see what other owners have done with their trucks.

Lastly, before you pull the trigger, go for a ride with someone who has a lifted truck, and see if you’re willing to deal with the trade-offs that come with it; Larger, wider tires can sometimes result in instability on roads or a noisy, uncomfortable ride, particularly at high speeds. In addition, more aggressive off-road tires tend to wear faster on the highway, and traction might not be as great as you would expect on wet roads.

So what do you say, are you ready to take the plunge and see what that lifted life is all about? If so, be sure you get the work done at a reputable shop that has experience with lifted trucks, as installing suspension lift kits is no easy task.

What do you guys think about lifted trucks?