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My wasn't lifted when bought it with 112K on it, the maintenance records show the ball joints where replaced at 85K I put a lift and 35s on it shortly after buying it and it now has 153K and the ball joints are still tight. I use my truck off road all the time and I also tow with it. It goes down the road at 80mph with no problems. If your lifted truck pulls to one side or isn't drivable then something wasn't done right. Those of you complaining about not lifting a truck because it puts more stress on components, maybe you shouldn't tow with your truck either, that puts way more stress on it than a lift and bigger tires does. The good news is our trucks were built to handle it.
At 112K balljoints are likely worn out. It happens with NO lift, it just happens WITH a lift much faster. Seen it first hand. The trucks were not built to handle that or they would have come stock (or as option) with lifts and other useless junk.
Towing something has a purpose other than 'looks'. We don't tow just for fun. We actually need to take something from A to B. Typical defense from a 'looky looky' truck owner.
It's a free country, do as you like. Don't cry when you get hurt when the truck flips over in an emergency situation. It will, you can't deny the laws of physics.
At 112K balljoints are likely worn out. It happens with NO lift, it just happens WITH a lift much faster. Seen it first hand. The trucks were not built to handle that or they would have come stock (or as option) with lifts and other useless junk.
Towing something has a purpose other than 'looks'. We don't tow just for fun. We actually need to take something from A to B. Typical defense from a 'looky looky' truck owner.
It's a free country, do as you like. Don't cry when you get hurt when the truck flips over in an emergency situation. It will, you can't deny the laws of physics.
Well congratulations, you finally got it thru my thick head. Tomorrow I am selling my truck and buying a Ford Focus so I don't FLIP OVER AND GET HURT
My truck has a wider stance and is just as stable as it was before it was lifted. My ball joints are still good after a little over 35,000 miles being lifted.
A long tme ago when I was between the ages of 19 and 23 I earned a self-awarded PHD in the field of getting stuck in and getting out of mud, sand and clay. I don't know why some folks lift their trucks; some look great, some look like krud and some look like everyone else is doing it. Per my PHD I do know this, when a vehicle is balanced on the differential(s) and the drive wheel(s) are spining; the vehicle is stuck and no matter how high it is lifted, it is still stuck. Of course there is an advantage to a lifted truck, it allows for taller tires to be installed. In most cases this is only a 3 inch advantage. Most threads that I have read install 37 inch tires, stock tires on 20" rims are 31 inch tires, this is a diference of 6 inches in diameter (which look great in the wheel wells) but only a difference of 3 inches in radius. Therefore, a truck with a 6 inch lift and 37 inch tires only has a 3 inch advantage in mud, sand or clay and probably snow over the stock application.
well said brother. I have the same lift with 35's... mild off-roading... but with the added clearance I never get stuck with the winters we have.
Originally Posted by Ron94150
Why do people buy a new 60k truck when a new 35k truck will do?
Why would you buy a SRW when your fifth wheel really calls for a DRW?
I ripped my front air damn off and bent my rear bumper at about 5k miles on a shallow creek crossing on a mountain fire road. I don't have to worry about that now. With the slightly wider wheels and the increased wheel offset, my truck is just as stable as it was before the lift. My truck pulls better now with 4.88's and 37's than it did with the factory 3.73's and 245/75r17's. My camper sits perfectly level thanks to an adjustable hitch.
I don't fish, I hardly ever hunt anymore, I don't race anymore, I don't golf, I really have none of those hobby's that cost money. My truck is my hobby I guess. I have a decent job, my wife does as well. I have two kids, and I haven't borrowed a dime off my parents in nearly 2 decades. My wife and kids love climbing in my truck and pulling the camper somewhere or taking it to the mountains through the fire roads or in 12" of snow in the winter(when we actually get it anymore).
Why did you spend all that money on a fifth wheel? RVs depreciate faster than a used condom.
My truck looks better than yours now. That is my opinion, I'm sure yours is the exact opposite. But I didn't build it to please you, I built it to please myself. I'm happy with it, and since it is my money, I guess that is all that matters.
Why would you post such a question on an ENTHUSIAST site?
if you look to the left of my truck you'll see the roof of my wife's car.
True, but that same 3 inches on a boat ramp means getting the boat into and out of the water a lot easier, with less chance of getting water into the differential.
And those tires require the lift for clearance.
Flip[ side, that long drop on the ball means the towing capacity is reduced. But if the load is wishing parameters, no problem.
I really do not need the lift on my truck, but it does not seem to be hurting it. Since going to a smaller tire size, my turning radius is back to stock as the tires are no longer hitting the springs at lock.
Anyway, severe off-roading (rocks), boat ramps, or just plain looks are all valid reasons for lifts and big meats. Towing within specs and minimizing cost of ownership due to the cost of repairs or modifications are great reasons to keep trucks in stock trim.
Separate from lifts and meats, the same question could be asked about performance mods. Chips, turbos. gears, DEF and EGR deletes, coolers, bullet-proofing, ...
True, but that same 3 inches on a boat ramp means getting the boat into and out of the water a lot easier, with less chance of getting water into the differential.
And those tires require the lift for clearance.
One time I was putting my boat in on a privately owned boat ramp, the water level in the lake was down and the boat ramp flattens out at the bottom so it wasn't very steep. I had my whole rear end submerged, and the front tires were in about a foot of water, the water level was right below my rockers, if my truck wasn't lifted It would have had water inside it, but hey I got my boat in.
Originally Posted by DogRidesInBack
Flip[ side, that long drop on the ball means the towing capacity is reduced. But if the load is wishing parameters, no problem.
I have a 8" and 6" drop hitch both rated for 12,000 lbs which is plenty of capacity for what I tow.
My truck/fifth wheel combo is within weight limits for the truck, the trailer, and the combination.
I didn't mean to start a fight here, I just get curious as to why people do what they do. If that's trolling, them I'm guilty. I just wonder about things and was hoping that I could get some good opinions without people taking offense.
I think the OP asked a fair question and has gotten mostly good answers.
I have often thought about lifting my truck and adding bigger tires. But I always come back to the fact that I tow quite a bit and run on the highway quite a bit too. I would never compromise performance for either especially when it costs quite a bit of money to do it.
Now, if I was doing mostly town driving or a lot of serious off roading I would consider it. I do a fair amount of driving off road during hunting season but nothing that my 285's can't handle so far.
I've also used some pretty sorry boat ramps before but have never submerged my rear differential.
It's all for looks by the young and stupid crowd and the wannabees.
Not only do you make the handling worse (can't deny the laws of physics), you are also asking for lots of other issues like worn ball joints (faster), worn steering gear, steering box, etc.
People claiming they need to lift their truck because they got 3 inches of snow make me laugh.. They clearly don't get it. The stock height of the trucks is actually quite capable with MUCH more snow.
If you do anything that requires more clearance, you probably should get a smaller and more agile vehicle suited more for off road stuff. I rather have a great 4wd system and good handling when towing or heavy loaded.
As to why people lower their vehicles, well some also do it for looks but others do it to improve handling. There is that pesky laws of physics again. I lowered a mustang years ago and the handling was improved quite a bit (done right).
All I know is that mechanics LOVE lifted trucks.. It means lots of repeat business for them.
Why do we need to resort to derogatory remarks? I simply asked a question and had two guys jump me immediately. Looks like a big double standard.
While no one is going to argue that there is more stress put on the ball joints and wheel bearings, that is a choice we just choose to except. As far as a higher truck not handiling as well... duh. But did you factor in the offset of the wheels with your physics class there?
how about the extra weight down low with the tires?
If a few inches really makes that big of a difference, than why do 350’s sit 2” higher in the rear? Why do the ‘17 trucks sit higher than the ‘16’s? It really isn’t as dramatic as you make it sound.
I'm not going to coment on needing an additional three inches, due to the double entedre that may be inferred. HOWEVER, I will say that in my perfect world form should follow function. Ron94150, tjxfrosty and dogridesinback present fuctunal solutions for nonsimular situations. Who can argue with that, not to mention the added benefit of their trucks looking nice sitting up a little higher? Not me. Regarding my truck, it's not lifted beyond the f350 fx4 package. 99% of my driving is on asphalt or concrete and my 18' 5th wheel already rides pointing upwards so lifting my truck would serve no practicle function and could result in worsening the 5th wheel configuration.
The worst case scenario is an inexperience driver rolling a lifted truck or the guy in Houston last summer in the f150 with huge oversize tires that lost a wheel due to axle fatigue and killed someone in the oncoming lane.
So lift them if you want to, keep them stock if you don't; In the free world the answer is live and let live.
Since then, I have new trailer, have off-loaded non-essential weight in the front compartments, and changed from a very heavy Curt fifth wheel hitch to an Andersen Ultimate.
There is some sort of rollover warning on the sun visor in my truck, so the factory clearly felt the need to issue a warning.
I agree a lifted truck is more prone to rollover than the same truck in stock trim, but the Corvette with its low COG has a higher rollover rate than stock trucks.
It is not just the vehicle, the driver is a large factor in any safety calculation.
the best SNOW vehicle I ever owned for deep snow on streets....
a 1972 Chevy Kingswood wagon.. with 300 pounds under the rear floor and L78/15 snow tires....
and it had the 400/400 combo for power and 4.11 gears with posi...
it could push snow over the hood... and keep going.
my example... that was a good car..
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