Out of the many exciting elements that you can add to your 4WD, lifting its suspension with a premium Suspension Kit is on every enthusiast?s must-do list! Lifting a 4WD means improving its off-road performance and handling, and of course enhancing the overall appearance. If you too are an off-road enthusiast, aiming to blaze the rough terrains with your lifted 4WD, then you should go for some powerful suspension modifications!
Let?s checkout how a suspension upgrade can bring in some unparalleled changes in the way your 4WD looks and performs. But before that, let?s understand what exactly a suspension lift kit is and what benefits does it provide to your 4WD.
What is a Suspension lift kit??
When you want to increase the overall height of your vehicle, to obtain some extra inches of ground clearance and a set of bigger tyres, Suspension lift kit is the unprecedented answer! The raised height helps you to navigate through the rough terrains in a more efficient manner, while avoiding the obstacles that may be found on the ground. Suspension lift kit allows you to take your adventures to yet another level, while keeping the fun factor and comfort level intact! Technically speaking, the Suspension lift kit raises the entire body of the vehicle from its axles and the wheels. Suspension lift kit replaces the stock suspension components entirely, to give a dramatic increase in the height of the vehicle, which makes its installation quite intense and comprehensive!
Suspension lifting has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, with advantages having an upper hand though. Let’s checkout a few advantages and disadvantages of the suspension lift kit to get a clear picture:
Advantages of a lifted 4WD:
- Adding more ground clearance: Installing a suspension lift kit means you are lifting up the entire suspension system, including all the critical components under your 4WD, away from the ground. This takes the frame of your vehicle higher up and away from the rocks and debris that your vehicle might meet during off-roading. If you are a passionate off-road enthusiast, ready to take up the adventures on the rough terrains very often, then an increased ground clearance, combined with suspension upgrade, would surely help you stay safe and comfortable!
- Adding to tougher and stylish looks: You would simply love the attention your raised 4WD would get when it zooms around the city roads or the off-roads. And if looks and style do matter to you, there is no way that you will just let go by, this opportunity of adding a suspension lift kit to your 4WD. Larger tyres add up to the charisma of your vehicle while giving it a tougher look, that will leave every onlooker amazed!
- Better handling of obstacles and road conditions: A Suspension lift kit renders a height to your vehicle, which can help you tremendously, to get over most obstacles without any worry! Handling bumps, curbs, driveways and rough roads is not a problem anymore! The ability of a lifted 4WD to manoeuvre over obstacles and rough terrains is an obvious advantage. It helps particularly when you are going over ruts and rocks and are basically off the road. A lifted vehicle practically gives you an opportunity to go almost anywhere! It will give you the liberty to drive over sand, mud or even snow, without the danger of being stuck in it.
- Allows a smoother ride: With a suspension modification, you will feel your ride turning out to be smoother even when you are driving with a load. This is because, it now provides you with the required space to even out the load.
- Makes for an increased towing ability: Undoubtedly, a lifted 4WD Is a better choice than stock 4WD when there comes the need to tow. A lifted 4WD provides better safety and weight advantage against the load. So if you have a boat, a trailer or a wagon, then lifting your 4WD might provide you with the kind of advantage you are looking for! Towing heavier loads with your stock suspension can make your 4WD squat down, but with the suspension lifting system on, you can just relax!
- For a better view around: A lifted vehicle provides you with many advantages and a better view around, is one of them! With a lifted vehicle you are in a better position to view the road and also avoid the potential hazards or traffic problems that might be approaching you. Additionally, at places where snow, hails and rainstorms are common, a lifted vehicle will allow you to have a better visibility. A lifted 4WD will also help you to navigate through the standing water and potholes on the roads, thus making your driving experience much easy.
- Easier access to the vehicle?s underbody: You might need to inspect or repair the undercarriage of your vehicle every now and then, and a confined space could be a hindrance. But with the suspension kit on, you get more space beneath the vehicle, thus making your access to the underbody more comfortable!
Apart from the many advantages that Suspension lift kits offer, there are a few disadvantages too, that cannot be missed. Let us check them out too:
Disadvantages of a lifted 4WD:
- A higher centre of gravity: Whereas an ideal raise in the height of the vehicle does not bring in much difference, an exceptional height raises the centre of gravity of the vehicle, thus making it susceptible to rollover at sharp turns. It could actually affect the stability of the vehicle, and unless you are an experienced driver, you might just meet-up with a mishap.
- Effect on warranty: Vehicles with suspension modifications don?t usually get a nod for warranty from their manufacturers, which could make things harder for you. Lifts put almost every part of your vehicle through additional strain, including the engine, drive train, drive shafts, axles and suspensions, making them more prone to mechanical failures than the vehicles which have not been tempered with. So before opting for any alterations to your suspension, check on with your dealers first to ensure if they would cover warranty or not.
- Lesser gas mileage: Even though bigger tyres give your 4WD a cool looks and more power, but it definitely effects your gas mileage.
- Overall cost: Adding a lift kit can cost you more than keeping your 4WD in the stock condition. A suspension lift kit in itself costs anywhere between several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on its brand, specifications and components. Then apart from this modification, you would also prefer adding larger tyres, as most enthusiasts do, for improving its overall aesthetics, that will cost you additional. You may even have to indulge in other slight modifications required by law, regarding lights, dropped bumpers, tags etc.
So if you want to feel powerful on the roads and rough terrains, Suspension lift kits is the way to go! But before you invest in getting one for your 4WD, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages explained here, so you can make an informed decision. But I think, with the kind of advantages you get with the suspension lift kit on, you are likely to overlook the disadvantages.
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As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
