Why Raise A Truck? (I'm Serious)

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U

Ulysses

Guest
This may be one of the dumbest questions ever asked on this NG but here
goes: why raise a truck? I have a Nissan Frontier 2WD and it could use a
little more height as it sometimes scrapes going through dips. But I have
seen many 4WD trucks that are so high you need a ladder to get in them.
What is the purpose of this? From what I can see the ground clearance is
still about the same (except for maybe a little gained by larger tires) so
how can it be an advantage offroad? Will it go through deep mud any better
than a truck that has not been lifted? Is it generally the body that gets
in the way offroad? I've seen two kinds of lift kits available: one is a
"body lift" and I'm not sure what the other one is. Is the idea to get the
axles further down away from the frame? Is it not a problem that the
differentials still are at the same height from the ground?

I have an old ('91) Explorer and it makes it through a lot of deep mud etc
but it is still the stock height. Will it be more capable offroad if I
raise it a couple of inches? I'm afraid to go too high as this particular
model has a history of rolling over.

Thanks.


 
A couple of reasons. I think you are on the right track. Body lift is
usually a cosmetic lift that might help accomodate larger tires. Larger
tires can help with climbing different obstacles. To get the best benefit
from a lift a suspension lift can be used to raise the frame from the axle
and help give you more room to articulate over obstacles. The further your
frame is from your axle the more movement your going to have. You can
climb over larger obstacles and still keep all 4 on the ground. I've got
a '94 Jeep Wranger that has both kinds of lifts. I've got a 2" body and a
2" suspension lift. Hope this helps.


 
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:15:39 -0700, "Ulysses"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>This may be one of the dumbest questions ever asked on this NG but here
>goes: why raise a truck? I have a Nissan Frontier 2WD and it could use a
>little more height as it sometimes scrapes going through dips. But I have
>seen many 4WD trucks that are so high you need a ladder to get in them.
>What is the purpose of this? From what I can see the ground clearance is
>still about the same (except for maybe a little gained by larger tires) so
>how can it be an advantage offroad? Will it go through deep mud any better
>than a truck that has not been lifted? Is it generally the body that gets
>in the way offroad? I've seen two kinds of lift kits available: one is a
>"body lift" and I'm not sure what the other one is. Is the idea to get the
>axles further down away from the frame? Is it not a problem that the
>differentials still are at the same height from the ground?
>
>I have an old ('91) Explorer and it makes it through a lot of deep mud etc
>but it is still the stock height. Will it be more capable offroad if I
>raise it a couple of inches? I'm afraid to go too high as this particular
>model has a history of rolling over.
>
>Thanks.
>


The other person who responded made some good points.

Generally speaking, tire height is always going to be the key in
obtaining ground clearance. The taller the tire, the more room
between the axle/suspension/frame/etc and the ground. A small
increase in tire diameter results in a small (half of the diameter)
increase in ground clearance. But you know what? Sometimes an extra
1" is the difference between being really stuck or not at all.

Usually it is your axles or other low parts that get you hung up, but
sometimes it can be your body. Especially concerning approach and
departure angles.

I've used both body and suspension lifts and they each serve a
valuable purpose. Don't forget cut-out fender flares too. You'd be
mazed at how much of a bigger tire you can fit with no lift and just a
set of Bushwacker flares.

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4 (no lift or giant tires on this
one.....yet)
 
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:15:39 -0700, "Ulysses"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>This may be one of the dumbest questions ever asked on this NG but here
>goes: why raise a truck? I have a Nissan Frontier 2WD and it could use a
>little more height as it sometimes scrapes going through dips. But I have
>seen many 4WD trucks that are so high you need a ladder to get in them.
>What is the purpose of this? From what I can see the ground clearance is
>still about the same (except for maybe a little gained by larger tires) so
>how can it be an advantage offroad? Will it go through deep mud any better
>than a truck that has not been lifted? Is it generally the body that gets
>in the way offroad? I've seen two kinds of lift kits available: one is a
>"body lift" and I'm not sure what the other one is. Is the idea to get the
>axles further down away from the frame? Is it not a problem that the
>differentials still are at the same height from the ground?
>
>I have an old ('91) Explorer and it makes it through a lot of deep mud etc
>but it is still the stock height. Will it be more capable offroad if I
>raise it a couple of inches? I'm afraid to go too high as this particular
>model has a history of rolling over.
>

Aw, gee this is too easy: Chicks dig *big* trucks! <bg>

(real answer? OK)

Other than looks (same reasons that some slam a truck...) the two
reasons I think of are tire clearance for really big tires (oops, back
on big again!) and better ground clearance over big (again?) objects.

Yep, I think big has something to do with it.

That said, it would be inappropriate to lift (the correct term, not
raise) a 2-wd truck, IMHO. Get a 4x4, and start making mods, going
off-road, and having a good time. Oh, yea, chicks dig going off road,
too! (Really!)
 
Look at it this way, say you have 8" clearance to your diffs, and 12" to
your transmision, transfer case, driveshaft ect. you drive over a 13" log,
tires take your diffs up and over, but without a lift your center section
doesn't make it, same with going over one rock, fairly easy to get a tire up
and over a good sized rock, but unless your vehicle is lifted, everything
inbetween front and back wheels wont make it.

"Ulysses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> This may be one of the dumbest questions ever asked on this NG but here
> goes: why raise a truck? I have a Nissan Frontier 2WD and it could use a
> little more height as it sometimes scrapes going through dips. But I have
> seen many 4WD trucks that are so high you need a ladder to get in them.
> What is the purpose of this? From what I can see the ground clearance is
> still about the same (except for maybe a little gained by larger tires) so
> how can it be an advantage offroad? Will it go through deep mud any
> better
> than a truck that has not been lifted? Is it generally the body that gets
> in the way offroad? I've seen two kinds of lift kits available: one is a
> "body lift" and I'm not sure what the other one is. Is the idea to get
> the
> axles further down away from the frame? Is it not a problem that the
> differentials still are at the same height from the ground?
>
> I have an old ('91) Explorer and it makes it through a lot of deep mud etc
> but it is still the stock height. Will it be more capable offroad if I
> raise it a couple of inches? I'm afraid to go too high as this particular
> model has a history of rolling over.
>
> Thanks.
>
>


 
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 20:09:54 -0400, PeterD <[email protected]> wrote:

>That said, it would be inappropriate to lift (the correct term, not
>raise) a 2-wd truck, IMHO.


I wouldn't say that. Back in the early 80s, I ran a 2wd Toyota truck
with a 3" body lift, 4x4 front fenders and a set of 30s on it, and it
was amazingly capable. I used it for mud running in southern Georgia.
No, it wouldn't go everywhere a 4x4 would go by any means, but the
increased ground clearance mixed with a bit more speed amazed several
CJ owners. (And when I did get stuck, a Warn winch on the front let
me get out!)

Today you can build a 2wd Ranger to run 33"s easily. Nope, not a rock
crawler, but still get you pretty far off the beaten path.

But I'm not giving up my 4x4 or even my AWD.....

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4
96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversioin Van
 

"Matt Mead" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 20:09:54 -0400, PeterD <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >That said, it would be inappropriate to lift (the correct term, not
> >raise) a 2-wd truck, IMHO.
>
>
> I wouldn't say that. Back in the early 80s, I ran a 2wd Toyota truck
> with a 3" body lift, 4x4 front fenders and a set of 30s on it, and it
> was amazingly capable. I used it for mud running in southern Georgia.
> No, it wouldn't go everywhere a 4x4 would go by any means, but the
> increased ground clearance mixed with a bit more speed amazed several
> CJ owners. (And when I did get stuck, a Warn winch on the front let
> me get out!)
>
> Today you can build a 2wd Ranger to run 33"s easily. Nope, not a rock
> crawler, but still get you pretty far off the beaten path.
>
> But I'm not giving up my 4x4 or even my AWD.....

I can't get along without 4WD but we bought the 2WD Frontier for hauling
lighweight cargo fairly long distances and it gets good gas mileage. We
don't drive it when it's raining or really muddy but when things dry out
there are often some really deep ruts we need to get through and that's one
of the reasons I'm asking about lifts and such. I found a limited slip
differential that will probably fit on the Frontier so that should help but
I can't find a locking differential that will work with the 4 cylinder
engine/axle combination. I'm looking for a 4WD truck too (mini to midsize)
and most certainly would not want a 4 cylinder in that! I drove the new 05
Frontier and liked it but have not tried the Toyota yet. The Dodge has good
reviews but costs a lot more. The Ranger has the overall best ratings for
offroad but has a reputation for starting on fire suddenly.

Thanks for all the responses!

>
> Matt
> 99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4
> 96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversioin Van


 
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 19:57:10 -0700, Matt Mead
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>I wouldn't say that. Back in the early 80s, I ran a 2wd Toyota truck
>with a 3" body lift, 4x4 front fenders and a set of 30s on it, and it
>was amazingly capable. I used it for mud running in southern Georgia.
>No, it wouldn't go everywhere a 4x4 would go by any means, but the
>increased ground clearance mixed with a bit more speed amazed several
>CJ owners. (And when I did get stuck, a Warn winch on the front let
>me get out!)
>
>Today you can build a 2wd Ranger to run 33"s easily. Nope, not a rock
>crawler, but still get you pretty far off the beaten path.
>
>But I'm not giving up my 4x4 or even my AWD.....
>
>Matt
>99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4
>96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversioin Van

Sorry, I wasn't trying to say 2 wds are 'bad' only that a 4x4 will
look much better. A lot depends on what part of the country you are
in. Here in New England, a 2 WD truck is a summer only truck. But in
the south west a 2 WD truck can do some great things, including
serious racing. <g>
 

"PeterD" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:15:39 -0700, "Ulysses"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >This may be one of the dumbest questions ever asked on this NG but here
> >goes: why raise a truck? I have a Nissan Frontier 2WD and it could use a
> >little more height as it sometimes scrapes going through dips. But I
have
> >seen many 4WD trucks that are so high you need a ladder to get in them.
> >What is the purpose of this? From what I can see the ground clearance is
> >still about the same (except for maybe a little gained by larger tires)
so
> >how can it be an advantage offroad? Will it go through deep mud any
better
> >than a truck that has not been lifted? Is it generally the body that
gets
> >in the way offroad? I've seen two kinds of lift kits available: one is a
> >"body lift" and I'm not sure what the other one is. Is the idea to get
the
> >axles further down away from the frame? Is it not a problem that the
> >differentials still are at the same height from the ground?
> >
> >I have an old ('91) Explorer and it makes it through a lot of deep mud
etc
> >but it is still the stock height. Will it be more capable offroad if I
> >raise it a couple of inches? I'm afraid to go too high as this
particular
> >model has a history of rolling over.
> >
>
> Aw, gee this is too easy: Chicks dig *big* trucks! <bg>

Well, I've been married for over 21 years and my wife thinks my truck is big
enough the way it is ;-)


>
> (real answer? OK)
>
> Other than looks (same reasons that some slam a truck...) the two
> reasons I think of are tire clearance for really big tires (oops, back
> on big again!) and better ground clearance over big (again?) objects.
>
> Yep, I think big has something to do with it.
>
> That said, it would be inappropriate to lift (the correct term, not
> raise) a 2-wd truck, IMHO. Get a 4x4, and start making mods, going
> off-road, and having a good time. Oh, yea, chicks dig going off road,
> too! (Really!)


 
"" wrote:
> A couple of reasons. I think you are on the right track.
> Body lift is
> usually a cosmetic lift that might help accomodate larger
> tires. Larger
> tires can help with climbing different obstacles. To get the
> best benefit
> from a lift a suspension lift can be used to raise the frame
> from the axle
> and help give you more room to articulate over obstacles. The
> further your
> frame is from your axle the more movement your going to have.
> You can
> climb over larger obstacles and still keep all 4 on the
> ground. I've got
> a '94 Jeep Wranger that has both kinds of lifts. I've got a
> 2" body and a
> 2" suspension lift. Hope this helps.

the supersized lifts you see are usually just because the owner thinks
it looks cool. much more than about 10in of combined lift is Usually
worthless (there is the rare exception). suspension lifts are the most
useful type, they allow your tires to have more play so all your tires
stay on the ground more often. a body lift is just to clear bigger
tires. the bigger the tire, the higer off the ground you are, thus the
more things you can drive over. but when the bottom of the trucks
doors are taller then you, its a cosmedic thing since the rollover
ratio is so high it makes offroading impossible for anything but
straight shot mud pits.

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Greg, you make a very good point, which is usally overlooked, no one
really thinks about the center section of a truck when they are talking
about ground clearance, and thats where most of the vital working parts
of the truck are. i personally have a 92' Chevy truck lifted 8" (6"
suspension, 2" body) and im running 35" tires. This is a very common
lift, which works very well. It is big enough to get over most
obsticals, yet still capible of getting into, even for smaller girls, i
have tried, and they can do it. Not to mention that they dig lifted
trucks. Therefore, for those people who actually use their trucks
off-road, and for other recreational uses, lifting it is a very good
idea. Yet, for those who will never take their trucks off-road, there
is absolutly no reason but for looks and getting girls.

 
I have a CJ with 5" lift and 33s, I'd go higher but why bother, I don't
get any girls now, my wife keeps telling them to get out.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Greg, you make a very good point, which is usally overlooked, no one
> really thinks about the center section of a truck when they are talking
> about ground clearance, and thats where most of the vital working parts
> of the truck are. i personally have a 92' Chevy truck lifted 8" (6"
> suspension, 2" body) and im running 35" tires. This is a very common
> lift, which works very well. It is big enough to get over most
> obsticals, yet still capible of getting into, even for smaller girls, i
> have tried, and they can do it. Not to mention that they dig lifted
> trucks. Therefore, for those people who actually use their trucks
> off-road, and for other recreational uses, lifting it is a very good
> idea. Yet, for those who will never take their trucks off-road, there
> is absolutly no reason but for looks and getting girls.
>


 
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:15:39 -0700, "Ulysses"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>This may be one of the dumbest questions ever asked on this NG but here
>goes: why raise a truck? I have a Nissan Frontier 2WD and it could use a
>little more height as it sometimes scrapes going through dips. But I have
>seen many 4WD trucks that are so high you need a ladder to get in them.
>What is the purpose of this? From what I can see the ground clearance is
>still about the same (except for maybe a little gained by larger tires) so
>how can it be an advantage offroad? Will it go through deep mud any better
>than a truck that has not been lifted? Is it generally the body that gets
>in the way offroad? I've seen two kinds of lift kits available: one is a
>"body lift" and I'm not sure what the other one is. Is the idea to get the
>axles further down away from the frame? Is it not a problem that the
>differentials still are at the same height from the ground?
>
>I have an old ('91) Explorer and it makes it through a lot of deep mud etc
>but it is still the stock height. Will it be more capable offroad if I
>raise it a couple of inches? I'm afraid to go too high as this particular
>model has a history of rolling over.
>
>Thanks.
>


The other person who responded made some good points.

Generally speaking, tire height is always going to be the key in
obtaining ground clearance. The taller the tire, the more room
between the axle/suspension/frame/etc and the ground. A small
increase in tire diameter results in a small (half of the diameter)
increase in ground clearance. But you know what? Sometimes an extra
1" is the difference between being really stuck or not at all.

Usually it is your axles or other low parts that get you hung up, but
sometimes it can be your body. Especially concerning approach and
departure angles.

I've used both body and suspension lifts and they each serve a
valuable purpose. Don't forget cut-out fender flares too. You'd be
mazed at how much of a bigger tire you can fit with no lift and just a
set of Bushwacker flares.

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4 (no lift or giant tires on this
one.....yet)
 
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 19:57:10 -0700, Matt Mead
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>I wouldn't say that. Back in the early 80s, I ran a 2wd Toyota truck
>with a 3" body lift, 4x4 front fenders and a set of 30s on it, and it
>was amazingly capable. I used it for mud running in southern Georgia.
>No, it wouldn't go everywhere a 4x4 would go by any means, but the
>increased ground clearance mixed with a bit more speed amazed several
>CJ owners. (And when I did get stuck, a Warn winch on the front let
>me get out!)
>
>Today you can build a 2wd Ranger to run 33"s easily. Nope, not a rock
>crawler, but still get you pretty far off the beaten path.
>
>But I'm not giving up my 4x4 or even my AWD.....
>
>Matt
>99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4
>96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversioin Van

Sorry, I wasn't trying to say 2 wds are 'bad' only that a 4x4 will
look much better. A lot depends on what part of the country you are
in. Here in New England, a 2 WD truck is a summer only truck. But in
the south west a 2 WD truck can do some great things, including
serious racing. <g>
 
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