Looking for a Used Lifted Truck? Check Out These 5 Great Models

Trucks are useful and versatile vehicles, whether you need to get hard work done or like to have adventurous weekends out in nature and need to bring some equipment along for the ride. Lifted trucks have additional ground clearance, which makes them even better at navigating tough off-road terrain. Some people also like the look of lifted trucks or want a higher viewpoint while driving.

Whatever your reason for wanting one, you should come and check out the used lifted trucks for sale here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth. We get all kinds of makes and models on our used lot and have trucks ranging from practical daily drivers with some off-road capability to massive beasts that can conquer the wild. Some rolled off the assembly line with a lifted suspension, while others were modified with aftermarket lift kits. Let’s take a look at some of the models you should keep your eye out for while shopping.

#1 – Chevy Colorado

The Colorado is a midsize pickup that has good road manners and a wide variety of powertrains. Because it’s a versatile truck that’s highly configurable, it’s a good choice for customizations. Since it’s smaller than a full-size pickup, it’s more affordable and won’t be quite as top-heavy, which is worth considering when adding extra height.

For a factory-lifted trim, you can get the rugged and ready ZR2, which is built for off-roading. It’s equally adept at making good time over open ground and navigating tight trails in the woods, making it a jack of all trades for outdoor adventures. If you’re looking for high speeds off-road, you should stick to a gas powertrain. If rock crawling is more your speed, keep your eye out for models that run on diesel because they’ll deliver way more in terms of torque.

#2 – Ford F-150

America’s most popular truck is a top seller for a reason. It’s a well-rounded pickup with good styling, several capable powertrains, and a comfortable interior. For the 2015 model year, Ford started making the F-150 with an aluminum body on a steel frame rather than using a steel cab. This move significantly reduced the truck’s weight, so for better balance with a lift kit, we’d suggest sticking to 2015 models and newer.

The F-150 Raptor is a muscular truck that comes loaded with a powerful engine, specialized equipment, and a raised suspension for extra ground clearance. It’s seriously exciting to let loose with this bad boy on the dirt, but it’s still reasonably practical for day-to-day driving. So if you need a compromise between weekday practicality and weekend fun, the Raptor is a solid choice.

#3 – Ram 1500

Just because you want your truck to have an extreme exterior doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice interior comfort. The Ram 1500 has a cabin that’s both practical and premium, with high-quality materials and plenty of convenient tech. This is especially true of 2019 models and newer, which benefit from a complete redesign that also made the truck’s body sleeker and lighter. The Ram 1500’s hulking off-road trim, the TRX, debuted for the 2021 model year with 11.8 inches of ground clearance between its factory-lifted suspension and its gigantic 35-inch all-terrain tires.

#4 – Toyota Tacoma

Toyota has long had a reputation for building reliable vehicles that stay in good shape for years, making their trucks a solid foundation for customizing. The midsize Tacoma is a rugged option that’s as versatile as it is tough. It’s still offered with a manual transmission, so if you’re a stick-shift lover, you don’t have to give up modern technology in order to get the extra control you’re looking for. The Tacoma has several off-road-ready trims, including the TRD Off-Road and Trail Edition, but the TRD Pro is the top option with sturdy shocks, exclusive badging, and of course, a lift.

#5 – Nissan Titan XD

If you want more capability than a light-duty truck can offer but don’t quite want to move up to a heavy-duty model, then the Nissan Titan XD might be just what you’re looking for. It fits in between the two categories, able to tow and haul more than light-duty competitors but with a much more compliant ride than you’ll get with a heavy-duty truck. The Titan XD has long come with zero-gravity seats that will keep you comfortable even when the path gets rocky. Speaking of rocky paths, the Titan XD PRO-4X has standard four-wheel drive, an electronically locking rear differential, skid plates to protect the undercarriage, and increased ground clearance to prevent boulders from getting in your way.

Factory Lifted vs Aftermarket Lift Kit

Factory-lifted trucks tend to be trims that are designed with off-road use in mind. This means they’ll be built with other features meant to prevent damage and keep passengers comfortable in rough terrain, like heavy-duty shocks, skid plates, and tow hooks. But if you like the lifted look or want the advantage of a dramatic lift, then factory-lifted models may not be right for you since they tend to have only a few inches of extra ground clearance.

Aftermarket lift kits come in two basic types. A body lift kit creates space between the truck’s frame and body. Since these kits don’t raise the frame at all, they don’t provide additional ground clearance, and they can only add a couple of inches of lift, but this can be enough to give the look of a lifted truck or accommodate larger tires.

A suspension lift kit, on the other hand, raises both the body and frame from the axles. These kits can lift a truck by a foot or more and do increase ground clearance. This is a plus if you’re looking to drive your own personal Bigfoot, but do keep in mind that extreme lifts can cause more strain on the suspension, leading to increased wear and tear. They can also make it difficult to get up into the cab, and towing can become a hassle since raising the frame also raises the hitch.

Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we get plenty of pre-owned factory-lifted trucks in our inventory. But we also get our hands on some unique vehicles that have been modified with aftermarket lift kits. Of course, if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for on our lot, you can also consider buying a non-lifted truck and having us install your ideal lift kit.

Test Drive a Lifted Truck!

Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we take pride in providing a wide range of options for folks to choose from. We know that there are all kinds of Georgians with all kinds of needs, driving habits, and special interests. So while some dealers might steer clear of niche categories like lifted trucks, we embrace them and are happy to provide you with the opportunity to get your hands on a truck that is special and, in some cases, maybe even one-of-a-kind.

Whether you’re a truck enthusiast, an off-roader, or just like the look of a tall truck, owning a lifted truck can be a fun experience. If you know exactly what you want, give us a call, and we’ll work to get you behind the wheel of your dream truck. On the other hand, if you’re still thinking things through, you can drop by and see what we have on the lot, or contact us to start talking about lifts. We can answer any of your questions and hook you up with a test drive or two so you can figure out which model is the right fit.