Why lift your Jeep? More height means more clearance for dealing with obstacles while offroading. It allows you to run larger tires, which also helps with conquering offroad challenges. Still another reason is that many folks just feel that a lifted Jeep with larger tires looks better, and I certainly agree with them. The added height and larger tires just give a Jeep a better more pronounced profile

No matter the reason for lifting your Jeep, there are a number of ways to go about it. Before you pick which one is right for you, you’ll need to make some decisions along the way. First, you’ll need to decide on what you’re looking to accomplish with the lift. Is it simply for show, or is it for go? Serious rock crawling anyone? Second, determine just how high you want to go. Looking for a little height for some mild wheeling or are you really serious about this height thing? Third, you’ll need to select the type of lift to use. Finally, install the lift or have it installed.

The basic methods for lifting a Jeep are Suspension Lift Kits, Body Lifts Kits, Shackle Lifts, Spring-Over-Axle Conversions, and Coil Spring Spacers. Jeep shackle lifts and coil spring spacers typically result in a maximum increase of 2 inches. Coil spring spacers are just what they say: spacers that are inserted under the base of the coil spring, resulting in lifting the springs higher. Shackle lifts are comprised of leaf spring shackles that are longer and lift the frame higher from the leafs. Both of these kits are rather inexpensive methods, but if you’re looking for more than a couple of inches, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Spring-Over-Axle conversion kits allow you to change the location of the leaf spring from beneath the axle to sit on top of it. They’ll usually result in a lift of 4 inches or more. This can be increased by the size of springs you use with the over axle kit. Use of these can cause cantering, and steering linkage and driveline issues which must be addressed. It can become a little complicated for the less mechanically inclined among us (I’m one of them!). It will definitely change the handling of the rig. While the spring-over-axle conversion kits are rather inexpensive when compared to suspensions lifts, there is a good bit of time and money spent on fixing the issues it creates, which needs to be taken into consideration when assessing the costs of your various options.

With Body Lift Kits you basically unbolt the body from the frame, and place manufactured blocks between the Jeep’s body and the rolling chassis. This raises the body of your Jeep but doesn’t directly increase the clearance of your undercarriage. The body lift does allow you to run larger tires, which will increase your Jeep’s clearance.

Suspension lift kits will directly increase the clearance of a Jeep. They call for installing taller suspension components (higher lift springs and longer recoil shocks). These systems deliver lift, better articulation, and better offroad handling. Unfortunately, they are the most expensive of the lift options, but they deliver the best handling performance.

When it comes down to choosing a lift, you’ll need to determine why you’re lifting the vehicle, and how much you’re willing to pay for it. If you’re only looking to add a couple of inches and you want the lift just for looks, a body kit, coil-spring-spacers or lift shackles may be just what the doctor ordered. If you’re looking to build a Jeep that is more offroad capable then you should look at suspension lift systems.

Many serious offroaders combine the suspension lift with a body lift for additional height. Installation of any of these lifting methods will usually change the handling of a vehicle. They all raise the center of gravity and will, therefore, affect side-to-side handling and cornering. This can be addressed by adding wider tires along with the lift. Depending on the type and size of kit you install and the model of your Jeep, you may need to install a dropped Pitman arm, longer control arms, longer brake hoses, a transfer case drop, and/or a CV drive shaft and slip yoke eliminator kit (due to a change of the angle of the drive train on TJs and some Cherokees). It’s important to not cut corners when lifting your Jeep. Why spend the money on a lift just to compromise the handling performance and face potentially serious wear and tear issues with key components? Do it right the first time and it will serve you in the long run.

Whatever system you select, the one thing for sure is that the added height will help give your Jeep that rugged tough look most of us seem to prefer.

Make no mistake about it; your truck is an extension of who you are. You put a lot of work into making sure your ride projects exactly the right image for your personality. But despite all of your efforts, do you still feel that your truck is missing that little something extra? In this article, we’ll give you a few easy suggestions on how to improve and upgrade your ride with truck performance accessories.

The first thing you need to do is make an honest evaluation of your truck’s current condition. While it may look as new as the day you bought it, could it use a little more “oomph” under the hood? By correctly identifying the areas in which your truck could improve, you will make it easier to find exactly the right upgrade. Let’s take a closer look at a few additions that will turn any truck into a force to be reckoned with.

The first suggestion on upgrading your truck’s performance is to add a high quality exhaust system. An aluminized or stainless steel exhaust will go a long way towards increasing the overall life of your truck. There are several reasons for this, the first being gas mileage. In today’s current market, gas prices are constantly rising, and there is no end in sight. However, you can actually boost your fuel economy by as much as 4 miles per gallon just by adding a new exhaust. That can mean big savings for you over the long haul. In addition, a new quality exhaust system will add some serious power to your vehicle; often times by as much as 10%! Lastly, a new exhaust will give your ride an unmistakable roar that is sure to turn heads everywhere you go. While you can expect to pay several hundred dollars for a top of the line model, it is easy to see that the potential gains far outweigh the cost.

Another upgrade you can make to both look and performance is to improve your truck’s suspension. If you are looking to create an imposing presence with your ride, you may want to consider a suspension lift kit. These kits make it possible to customize your truck with lifts ranging anywhere from 2” all the way up to a monster 8”. The components included in high quality kits all look outstanding, and in addition make it possible to increase tire size and capability. On the flip side, you may want to give your truck that “low-rider” look. This is where a lowering kit with drop shocks can help. Aside from giving your ride a sleek road-hugging look, a lowering kit can also help your truck’s overall performance and handling.

Whether thinking about an exhaust system, a suspension system, or both, you can be confident knowing that you are adding years onto your truck’s life while also making a stylish statement. Best of all – these items can be easily installed by yourself or a professional. Either way, you are sure to love the results when you see what a difference these upgrades truly do make. Enjoy!