How Can I Optimize My Lifted Vehicle’s Suspension?
If you already own a lifted truck or Jeep and you’re looking to optimize your suspension, there are lots of adjustments you can make to improve handling on-road and off. Raising the suspension of the vehicle can change your experience behind the wheel. That’s why it’s important to add aftermarket parts that improve handling, stability, and braking, including updated steering components and a new set of shocks. If you’re looking to get the most out of your off-road truck or Jeep, use this guide to optimize your ride.
Find a Comprehensive Lift Kit
When lifting a truck or Jeep, it’s best to buy a comprehensive lift kit. These kits include more than just lifting blocks and spacers; they come with everything you need to handle your newly lifted vehicle with ease, including steering knuckles, control arms, front and/or rear shocks, differential drop brackets, and more in order to give your vehicle the proper control and better ride.
With so many lift kit options out there, you need to make sure you buy a lift kit from a reliable, trusted aftermarket parts manufacturer, ideally one with a long history of serving truck and Jeep enthusiasts; otherwise, you may end up with a poorly optimized lift kit that’s doing your vehicle more harm than good.
Make sure and do your research before ultimately making that lift kit purchase. Check the manufacturer's website for the kit that fits your vehicle to ensure you are getting every part you need to lift your vehicle.
Lift kits and leveling kits can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand. As is the case with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If the price seems too good to be true, do your research and make sure the kit is up to your standards.
The kit also needs to be designed for the specific make and model of your vehicle. Avoid buying generic lift kits and look for those that are made with your vehicle in mind.
Aftermarket Parts and Upgrades
So you have purchased and installed a base lift kit with base shocks. Now, you are wanting more out of your lift kit and want to improve the ride quality or stability and handling. Look at items like performance base shocks, steering stabilizers, and more to achieve this.
Invest in King shocks, Fox Shocks or Bilstein shocks to give your vehicle the ultimate in shocks and handling. King and Bilstein are two of the most reliable shock manufacturers in the business. These upgraded shocks can give your vehicle the ultimate in ride quality and make those everyday drives down the open road or dirt trail a lot smoother.
Another investment that can help with overall lifted vehicle performance is a steering stabilizer. Most lift trucks and jeeps come with a factory steering stabilizer which can be upgraded with a more performance base stabilizer to help give your lifted vehicle better steering stability and reduce any steering issues after lifting your vehicle.
Upgrading your brakes is another upgrade that can help optimize your lifted vehicle. Lifted vehicles usually include larger tire and wheels which can require upgrading your brakes in order to give your lifted vehicle the right amount of braking power.
When in Doubt, Visit Your Mechanic
If you’re still having trouble with your lifted vehicle, visit your local mechanic for assistance. Chances are there’s a solution right around the corner.