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Question About Lifting Trucks...

1523 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  07Sport
Hey all,

As I mentioned previously, this is my first truck ever so I am completely new to fixing up of trucks & don't know diddley. I have owned several lowered cars to date and have found that any car, even if done properly, usually deteriorates faster when lowered. There are more squeaks and things feel a little looser. Even on cars like BMW's and Benzos.

My question: Are there any adverse affects such as faster deterioration or any other negatives when lifting a vehicle?

Thanks in advance for any info.
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I have had trucks since I have started driving, all lifted and yes lifting will cause issues in the long term. My new 07 Crewmax will not be.....aside from getting a nice set of rims and 285 ATs, I will not be lifting this one ever. I'm tired of the CV issues, replacing expensive coilovers, etc. Just my .02 but I'm done with it.
The only way you can lift one w/o really affecting anything is with a body lift. But, the whole purpose is to allow room for bigger tires which is where the issues lie. About the only way to keep it as dependable etc as stock would be very expensive.
How about the Readylift Leveling Kit. Does anybody have experience with these types of lifts. They don't appear to alter steering / driveline geometry or that is the claim. I'm thinking of getting one for the CrewMax I have coming.

Toyota Toyota - ReadyLIFT.com

Any opinions? I know RCSB5.7 installed one and that appears to have gone well, and look pretty sharp as well.

:ts:
This appears to be three pieces (2 plates and a cylinder) with welds. While I'm no mechanic or welder, this seems like a weaker design to me than the solid metal donut approach.
The only way you can lift one w/o really affecting anything is with a body lift. But, the whole purpose is to allow room for bigger tires which is where the issues lie. About the only way to keep it as dependable etc as stock would be very expensive.
I have been told that lifts less than 2.5-3" typically do not cause problems because the geometry is not changed that much. I can't confirm this however. If true and you stick with tires close to stock, would that be a "safe" but small lift in terms of CVs, etc? I want to lift mine about 2-2.5" too.
Its all in terms of degrees really. The bigger, the worse off youll be for dependability unless you spend ALOT of money. A spacer lift would be about the least intrusive way of lifting a truck w/o getting into the suspension/steering geomety stuff. Itll still affect the lifespan of certain things, but not to the point of it being a concern. Again, the difference mainly will be the difference in tire size/weight. I went from stock 245/75R17s on my last truck to 36x13.5x17 tires. The tires/wheels weighed over 110lbs a piece. That kinda change in rolling mass is what messes things up, wears out joints, is harder on the tranny w/o a gear change etc. If you just upgrade a size or 2 in tires, keep a stock offset on wheels and dont mess much w/ the suspension, I dont see any problems in the long haul.

Also, alot of the 6" lifts arent really 6" lifts. They lift the front of the trucks 5-6" and the rear only 1-2" w/ blocks/aal usually. So you could achieve the same look w/o getting into near the risks mechanically by doing a spacer up front to level out the truck, and then add a body lift on that. Youll be sitting as tall as the truck w/ a 6" susp. lift and can fit the same tires all while retaining a much closer to stock ride/feel.
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Body Lifts look terrible.

Go w/a good quality 6"-8" suspension lift and you won't have problems. Upgrade all the suspension components including adding a traction bar. If you go half azzed, that's what creates problems. Expect to pay at least 5K to do it right.
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Body Lifts look terrible.

Go w/a good quality 6"-8" suspension lift and you won't have problems. Upgrade all the suspension components including adding a traction bar. If you go half azzed, that's what creates problems. Expect to pay at least 5K to do it right.

Body lifts look terrible when you dont do them right, just as you said about suspension lifts. It also depends on the frame location on the truck. Older trucks that are quite literally body on top of frame look horrible, newer trucks where frames a "tucked" a little dont look bad at all w/ a body lift. This is my old truck and despite it being a dodge, it doesnt look bad at all (Id dare be so bold as saying it looked good). And, I paid a whopping $600 for the whole shooting match installed, it rode the same as stock and I fit tires bigger than the guys who paid $3k for susp. lifts. and sat taller than them to boot.





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