lift kit effecting u joints
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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lift kit effecting u joints
Just curios, but one of my friends is all against lift kits because he says that the put the u joints on the drive shaft at an angle and it makes them wear very quickly. So is he full of it or is there some truth to what he's saying?
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If you lift smart, and don't abuse your stuff, you'll be fine.
Abuse and overdoing the lift (or cheaply) can put more strain on your stuff.
Watch for your CV angles, and ball joints. other than that, lift away.
On a Tundra, you can get away with 3" lift up front before needing to go to new a-arms and such.
A diff drop is a good idea if you're 4wd.
Mileage wise, I'm looking to get 150K miles out of my truck before I ditch it. I don't anticipate anything failing due to the lift kit I put on.
-rockstate
Abuse and overdoing the lift (or cheaply) can put more strain on your stuff.
Watch for your CV angles, and ball joints. other than that, lift away.
On a Tundra, you can get away with 3" lift up front before needing to go to new a-arms and such.
A diff drop is a good idea if you're 4wd.
Mileage wise, I'm looking to get 150K miles out of my truck before I ditch it. I don't anticipate anything failing due to the lift kit I put on.
-rockstate
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That's just for a leveling kit...
for a bigger lift - 6 or 12", you will need to check other sources than myself. I don't know enough, but I would say a 12" cheap lift is gonna cause problems because it will change angles and such. I am not a fan of anything more than 6" It just isn't useful.
-rockstate
for a bigger lift - 6 or 12", you will need to check other sources than myself. I don't know enough, but I would say a 12" cheap lift is gonna cause problems because it will change angles and such. I am not a fan of anything more than 6" It just isn't useful.
-rockstate
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Junior User
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well im looking at either a 4 or 6 in lift just i dont wanna be replacing things left and right becaue of a lift. but from what ur saying i should be fine? And i have a 2005 F150 4wd so should i lower diff?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Henrico, VA
Doing a 6" lift should not affect you too much unless it is done wrong (poor installation) or with a cheap kit that doesn't provide some of the extra components that some of the better kits come with.
Stick to a a quality kit and I would recommend having a shop install it for you unless you have all the tools and a good work area.
Stick to a a quality kit and I would recommend having a shop install it for you unless you have all the tools and a good work area.
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"Obsessed"
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From: On The Edge of the Cliff
I have a 6" lift done at 15,000 miles. I now have 98,000 miles and everything except the lift underneath is original and never needed replacing. My truck is a pavement queen though and have never seen anymore 4wheeling than trails and 30 inches of snow.
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Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: RVA
Most higher quality lifts should come with items like indexing rings for the transfer case, so that you can lower the initial angle of both the front and rear axle. They normally will include a spacer for the carrier bearing on the rear axle also. When you're shopping around for kits, ask the 4x4 Shop or the Manufacturer about these items. The good kits are engineered to last. The old saying "you get what you paid for" definitely applies to lift kits.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Henrico, VA
Most higher quality lifts should come with items like indexing rings for the transfer case, so that you can lower the initial angle of both the front and rear axle. They normally will include a spacer for the carrier bearing on the rear axle also. When you're shopping around for kits, ask the 4x4 Shop or the Manufacturer about these items. The good kits are engineered to last. The old saying "you get what you paid for" definitely applies to lift kits.
This is only too true. I know a guy who bought a kit (not sure which one) but the shop he had installing it just screwed everything up and he had problems with the truck until he sold the thing. I would stick to one of the better manufacturers and ask around your area to find a good shop to do the work. One that does the alignment for you usually works better then having to take it someplace else in my experience.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: RVA
I've always been a fan of what Fabtech has to offer. They seem to be able to provide a kit for just about anyone's needs. Whether that be a pavement pounder or a serious trail truck. Their coilovers (dirt logic) are some of the best aside from King and a select other few.
On a more cosmetic note...their blue powder coating is just bad a**, plaine and simple. You spend the $$$ why not show it off with that sweet bright blue.
Procomp makes a good product also. But comparing the two, my $.02 would be in favor of the Fabtech kits.
On a more cosmetic note...their blue powder coating is just bad a**, plaine and simple. You spend the $$$ why not show it off with that sweet bright blue.
Procomp makes a good product also. But comparing the two, my $.02 would be in favor of the Fabtech kits.
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Junior User
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are there any other brands that have a good rep that might be a little more budget friendly. I can afford a fab tech or pro comp but if i want new rims and tires with the lift then i'd like to save as much as i can. Of course i dont wanna sacrafice quality either. So what would you suggest just bite the bullett and spend the extra doe for the nice one or settle for a middle one?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Henrico, VA
Both FabTech and Pro Comp are good kits but so are Skyjacker, Super Lift, Rancho (so I have heard), and Tuff Country. Ready lift is a good solid kit maker as well but I don't think they have released a 6" for our trucks yet.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
are there any other brands that have a good rep that might be a little more budget friendly. I can afford a fab tech or pro comp but if i want new rims and tires with the lift then i'd like to save as much as i can. Of course i dont wanna sacrafice quality either. So what would you suggest just bite the bullett and spend the extra doe for the nice one or settle for a middle one?
But having a budget is something to consider. They're all well engineered, but you'll find a few things about some kits that are slight more or less appealing than some other kits. Do your research. Search on here. Ask your local 4x4 shop. Who knows, by the time you're ready to buy, you may have just saved up enough to get that FabTech with the wheel/tire combo you want.