Why Add a Lift Kit and Pros/Cons to Them

[yellowdog]

I am curious to why lift kits are so popular, other than for the aesthetics. I don't have any experience in this area and from everything I have read or found here in my search the posts are about "which" brand lift kit to use, how much or what type.

The one thing I have seen in a post is the need for a lift kit if you are adding carrying more weight from a roof rack for example.

My questions are why do people add lift kits, and what the pros and cons are?

What I have learned from reading through the posts here are 1) higher ground clearance of underpinnings 2) more wheel travel which helps with bottoming out over ruts and climbing. One comment from a post I read in a thread here was, "improves the ride", and I am curious if this both in offroad and street? My short 15 minute test drive of a 2016 TRD Pro 4Runner was much stiffer and less forgiving than the SR5. But maybe adding a lift kit and certain suspension components doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up the ride comfort for a daily driver in an urban environment? Searching other places a few points raised were raised center of gravity makes for more roll in cornering and lower fuel mileage, are both of these true?

 

[RonJR]

There are really only two reasons for a lift.
1) Looks - purely a matter of personal preference
2) Ground clearance for offroading.

If the looks of a lifted vehicle aren't important to you, and you don't go offroad, leave it at stock height. There are no positives and some negatives regarding on-road performance with a lift.

 

[LandCruiser]

Most lift kits also let you haul more stuff and the vehicle acts more stable under heavy load.

 

[CF_Machete]

2) Ground clearance for offroading.

Lifts do not directly impact ground clearance, but they will allow for larger diameter tires which can give you more clearance.

Certain aftermarket suspensions will be stiffer than stock and all around improve your truck's handling performance. The lift itself is more for show unless you are doing some cutting like a bmc to accommodate significantly larger wheels compared to stock.

 

[yellowdog]

like a bmc to accommodate significantly larger wheels compared to stock.

bmc?

 

[gmatherly]

bmc?

Body Mount Chop = BMC

I was afraid of these until reading some of the post on here. Now there's a company or two that make the weld in metal for the chop...pretty awesome stuff!

 

[RonJR]

Lifts do not directly impact ground clearance, but they will allow for larger diameter tires which can give you more clearance.

Lifts certainly do directly impact ground clearance, except for the specific case of the rear differential and axle. Approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle are all positively affected by a lift.

In my experience, the rear diff is usually the least of my worries in terms of ground contact. First, it's usually pretty easy with good rear tire placement to keep it from hitting, and 2nd it's one of the tougher pieces of the underside of the vehicle.

 

[CF_Machete]

Lifts certainly do directly impact ground clearance, except for the specific case of the rear differential and axle. Approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle are all positively affected by a lift.

In my experience, the rear diff is usually the least of my worries in terms of ground contact. First, it's usually pretty easy with good rear tire placement to keep it from hitting, and 2nd it's one of the tougher pieces of the underside of the vehicle.

Installing a lift will magically raise your axles off the ground? Yes, your frame will be lifted, but the lowest point of your vehicle off the wheels is still the axle and that point does not change. If you drive over a log length wise that would ding your pumpkin prelift, the same log will still contact your rear diff after a lift.

 

[RonJR]

Installing a lift will magically raise your axles off the ground? Yes, your frame will be lifted, but the lowest point of your vehicle off the wheels is still the axle and that point does not change. If you drive over a log length wise that would ding your pumpkin prelift, the same log will still contact your rear diff after a lift.

You didn't read a thing I wrote, did you. I believe I addressed everything you just stated.

 

[CF_Machete]

You didn't read a thing I wrote, did you. I believe I addressed everything you just stated.

read it all and read its contradictions :deadhorse:

 

[Drummermonkey]

A lift kit will lift the body of your truck a fair amount as well as provide more flex in the suspension. Without larger tires, your axle will remain stock distance from the ground. This setup is practical when you are in a situation that you can position your tires on the highest part of the trail. A lot of the climbing I do here in CO requires me to crawl over rocks. I never drag my dif, however I come close to bottoming out on the front and rear bumpers and the in the middle. This problem would be solved with a lift. The tires come in handy if you aren't on a trail, or if your trail is riddled with large obstacles.

 

[fracturelines]

A lift kit will lift the body of your truck a fair amount as well as provide more flex in the suspension. Without larger tires, your axle will remain stock distance from the ground. This setup is practical when you are in a situation that you can position your tires on the highest part of the trail. A lot of the climbing I do here in CO requires me to crawl over rocks. I never drag my dif, however I come close to bottoming out on the front and rear bumpers and the in the middle. This problem would be solved with a lift. The tires come in handy if you aren't on a trail, or if your trail is riddled with large obstacles.

I'm new to the 4 Runner or offroad world. I'm currently looking at 2002 with what looks like a lifted front end. I figured they lifted it for the bigger tires, but then he also said the front CV and steering rack were just replaced. Is this front end wear due in part to the lift and angle being put on the front end? Sorry if wrong area to post, just trying get informed before I purchase something. Should I worry about this particular lift and having CV joints wear prematurely?

 

[Dorobuta]

read it all and read its contradictions :deadhorse:

I think you are missing a point or two. The lift, allows for more suspension travel.

With more suspension travel you get the ability to clear obstacles better, using a good approach, including your log example, but they key is approach. This means not trying to drive over it in a way that would cause damage.

Larger tires do raise the axel slightly, but they also increase the size of obstacle you can clear. There actually is a formula that determines the largest obstacle a given wheel / tire size can clear.

It still mostly comes down to the driver, but suspension and lift give you more options and capabilities.

 

[yellowdog]

Lifts do not directly impact ground clearance, but they will allow for larger diameter tires which can give you more clearance.

Certain aftermarket suspensions will be stiffer than stock and all around improve your truck's handling performance. The lift itself is more for show unless you are doing some cutting like a bmc to accommodate significantly larger wheels compared to stock.

Thanks for explaining BMC- here is a good video I found showing the modification- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmV74BZbGYk

 

[Pencil]

A lift with no tire change would still improve your breakover angle. I scrape my gas tank skid occasionally; a lift would fix that.