Just wondering if anyone has had their truck lifted? I am contemplating adding a 2 inch lift to my 2000 chev dually as I find it a lot lower than the Ford F150 I previously drove. I would like to be a bit higher up as I really liked that about the Ford. In the winter it also gives you better clearance on the snowy roads. If anyone has any experience with this I would appreciate feedback. Do lift kits compromise safety?

Thanks,

Jodie

There are lift kits that just affect the body, others will modify the truck's suspension. To increase the amount of clearance under the differentials, transmission and transfer case, larger wheels and tires will have to be added.

This will change many things, including the drive train geometry, effective gearing, handling and usable highway power. Suspension travel, braking and acceleration will all be negatively affected.

Your trailer' goose hitch will have to be adjusted and probably modified. These modifications can cost thousands of dollars. The truck's stability and towing capacity that you now enjoy will be severely compromised.

If you want a jacked up vehicle for snow traveling, purchase a specific model. I would not recommend any modifications that would spoil the towing characteristics of your truck. It will only have a detrimental affect.

BOL  Gard

Hi Genebob,

That is interesting. I assumed that the raised trucks could actually go through deeper snow. It must be a purely aesthetic feature of the newer trucks. I definitely won't bother with it.

Regards,

Jodie

Hi Gard,

Wow, I am glad that I asked the question before just going out and having the truck raised. The companies that install these features certainly share these risks with the consumer. I was told that the only negative side effect to having the truck raised would be a slightly bumpier ride! Nothing mentioned about gearing, suspension, highway power or the other things you have cited. The compromised stability and towing capacity are the things are huge issues also! Not to mention the cost... I will leave the truck as is and just be happy that I have a more powerful truck to pull my trailer.

Regards,

Jodie

Jodie

A lift kit alone will not effect the majority of the changes I mentioned. It will change the drive shaft angles, and the truck's cg which will change the braking and handling. The larger tires are what will change the truck's overall running; braking, acceleration, handling and stability. Your gn trailer hitch will have to be shortened.

This type of truck is used for off roading or impressing your neighbors. This is not what you want for a tow vehicle.

As genebob mentioned, the largest snow drag is usually the tires. With your dually, this is even more relevant. The best snow tire has a tall skinny profile. The resulting profile of two tires side by side is just the opposite.

BOL  Gard