Depressing news
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
Every vehicle is a compromise. If you lift it, you change the compromise. You get ground clearance and (hopefully) better offroad capability, at the price of some degradation in highway handling.
In general, I'd say the way to avoid problems with a lift, is not to get crazy and go overboard with it. Unless you are willing to accept the extreme compromise and use the rig almost exclusively offroad, keep the lift moderate.
The good thing we have going for us, is that trucks are overbuilt for everyday use. A 3/4 ton pickup has heavier axles, brakes and bearings than a car of the same weight, so properly maintained axles, brakes and bearings can take a little extra stress. So a bit of lift and a bit wider rubber shouldn't harm us. But watch those bearings nad U-joints closely.
Really good shock absorbers will help you live with that lift.
Have fun and be safe.
Lane
In general, I'd say the way to avoid problems with a lift, is not to get crazy and go overboard with it. Unless you are willing to accept the extreme compromise and use the rig almost exclusively offroad, keep the lift moderate.
The good thing we have going for us, is that trucks are overbuilt for everyday use. A 3/4 ton pickup has heavier axles, brakes and bearings than a car of the same weight, so properly maintained axles, brakes and bearings can take a little extra stress. So a bit of lift and a bit wider rubber shouldn't harm us. But watch those bearings nad U-joints closely.
Really good shock absorbers will help you live with that lift.
Have fun and be safe.
Lane
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
That's a really vague question . . . too extreme for what? It's a big enough tire that the axles and steering really should be upgraded to properly handle it if you plan to use the truck offroad much. It's probably high enough that the bed of your truck won't be much fun to haul stuff in. There's a lot of factors to consider. Seeing as how you don't have the truck yet I'd say just test drive a few lifted trucks to get a feel for them and then see what you think. They don't handle like a stock truck so try before you buy and make sure it's going to do what you want it too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I don't know about your area but here we have a couple car lots that specialize in trucks and always have one or two bigger ones down there. That would be a great way to go. Are you planning to buy a truck and lift it or just buy one that's already built?
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Well i'm in the suburbs of pittsburgh and most of the car lots only have new and not so old trucks.
The only 73-79 ford's are sold by private sellers.
I'm looking for any 78 or 79 fords. If they don't have lifts on them, I'll buy a lift.
But if they do have a lift already on them and they lifted it correctly, I'll have no problem buying it.
The only 73-79 ford's are sold by private sellers.
I'm looking for any 78 or 79 fords. If they don't have lifts on them, I'll buy a lift.
But if they do have a lift already on them and they lifted it correctly, I'll have no problem buying it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I would also recommend that you stop by the state police/state patrol office, or whoever is in charge of vehicle equipment and ask them for some details on laws in PA that may effect lifted trucks. Some states have laws regarding tire size, rocker panel height, bumper height, the kind of lift that can be used, how much it can be lifted, etc. I'm not saying your state does have any of these, I just don't know. Do your research before you spend a lot of $$ on a lifted truck or on a lift kit for a truck you buy and then find out you can't drive it there.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I have heard Pa is a PITA about some of that, so you really want to check out the legals on it. I know Iowa has limits, and some cities will set different limits than the state has. Years ago I could have bought a fairly high lifted Ford that was impounded due to too much lift, and the only way the title would be issued is if the lift were removed. It was on an abandoned car auction...
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