Sometimes a regular van just isn’t enough. Buying a raised van is always an option, or buyers can buy a truck and install a lift down the line. There are body lift kits, suspension lift kits and other options. If that sounds like too much work, brands like Jeep, Ford, and Toyota offer factory-lifted trucks.
The advantages of buying a raised van or installing a lift on a truck
Buyers don’t usually come across a lifted truck by accident. Most buyers plan to buy a lift truck or intend to lift it after buying it. Kelley’s Blue Book says that installing a lift or suspension kit gives you a better view of things. The higher you sit in the vehicle, the more you can see the windshield. You can add larger tires that perform better off-road. Buyers can also upgrade to larger wheels and tires for aesthetic purposes.
A body lift kit is one of the easiest options. Trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Ram 1500 use a body-on-frame design. You can only install a body lift kit on a vehicle like this, and it only adds about one to three inches. It’s a cheaper option for trucks that want the extra height without too much hassle.
Most of the time people seem to buy a lift truck because it looks cool. Some can power through mud and off-road, while others just sit higher up the road.
Consider the Cons of Buying a Raised Pickup Truck
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After installing a lift kit on your van, larger tires usually mean poorer fuel economy. Depending on your set of tires, this could make your vehicle much less efficient. It also raises the center of gravity. Kelley Blue Book says, “This can make the vehicle less stable when cornering or in emergency evasive maneuvers.”
A suspension lift kit is complicated to install but can add a foot or more of height. Most factory installed lift kits will be suspension lifts. These can range from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the intensity of the lift. A suspension lift can also accelerate the wear of other parts.
You may not be able to tow as much if you have a lift truck. To compensate for the extra height, you need another type of hitch. It can also reduce the amount a truck can safely tow. Installing a warranty could void your warranty or impact your insurance. If you have an accident, this could also affect your coverage.
You can also buy a factory fitted version from Jeep or Toyota
These days, you can buy trucks or SUVs with a factory-installed lift. Automakers like Jeep, Ram, and Ford have added purpose-built off-road versions to some of the most popular vehicles in the lineup. One of the benefits of buying a factory-lifted pickup truck or SUV is that the automaker will cover it in the warranty. You won’t find extreme lifts from the factory, but it still has advantages.
The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 pickup truck has an extra 1.9 inches over the standard Colorado 4×4 Crew Cab. Ford’s 2022 F-150 Raptor with 35-inch tires has an additional 2.6 inches of height over the standard 2022 F-150 pickup truck. The 2022 Ranger Tremor is 0.8 inches longer than the standard truck, and the 2022 Ram TRX is 2.0 inches longer than the regular 1500.
Compared to the standard Grand Cherokee, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has 2.9 inches more lift. The 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro offers 1.5 inches of height in the front and 0.5 inches in the rear compared to the base Tacoma.
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