What You Need to Know About Lifted Trucks

Off-road-ready trucks are getting more popular, and we have tons of customers looking for lifted trucks for sale. However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that there are actually a few different types of lifts, and each of them has its own pros and cons. In general, lift kits can be broken down into suspension lifts and body lifts. There are also some other options, such as leveling kits and spacer lifts, which don’t really fall into either of the two main categories. Driving home in the right lifted truck is a lot easier if you understand the different types of lifts and work with the knowledgeable team here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth to narrow down your options. We will make sure that you find the right lifted truck for your needs.

Factory vs Aftermarket Lift Kits

Besides the basic types of lifts, lifted trucks can be broken down into factory lifts, factory-approved lift kits, and aftermarket lift kits. Factory lifts are installed when the truck is manufactured and ensure that the lift meets the same high-quality standards as the rest of the truck. These are usually only found on specialized off-road trucks like the GMC Sierra AT4 or Ford F-150 Raptor. Factory-approved lifts are installed after the truck is sold, but use a lift kit approved by the original manufacturer. All the major truck manufacturers offer factory-approved lifts, and we sell GMC lift kits through our in-house parts department.

The big advantage of choosing a lifted truck that either has a factory lift or is equipped with a factory-approved lift kit is that these modifications do not void the factory warranty. That can be a major consideration if you are buying a brand-new truck and want to enjoy the warranty it comes with. However, if you are buying an older used truck that is out of warranty, or if the factory warranty is not important to you, then an aftermarket lift kit can be worth considering. If you do decide to go this route, make sure to do your research because aftermarket lift kits vary in quality.

If you stick with reputable aftermarket brands like BDS, Carli, and Icon, then an aftermarket lift can be just as reliable as the stock suspension. However, a budget lift kit can cause problems for your truck, ranging from a rough ride to broken components. Sticking to high-quality options is particularly important if you are planning on heading off-road in your lifted truck because the added stress from hitting obstacles on the trail can quickly damage a cheap lift kit. No matter what lift aftermarket lift kit you choose, it is important to have it installed by certified technicians, like the team at our service center. An improperly installed lift kit can damage your truck and even lead to safety issues when driving.

Body Lifts

A body lift is the cheapest and simplest type of lift kit, but it comes with many downsides. Rather than adjusting the suspension, this type of lift simply installs risers between the body and the frame. The end result gives you a taller ride height and lets you install larger tires, but it does not increase the ground clearance or articulation of your truck. This can be an acceptable choice if you want a lifted truck mainly for aesthetic reasons. However, if you are planning on heading off-road, you will definitely want to invest in something that adds more capability to your truck.

Leveling Kits

A leveling kit is a type of lift that only raises the front end of your truck. Because pickups are designed to carry heavy loads in the bed, the factory suspension usually has the rear riding higher than the front when the truck is unloaded. This way, when your truck is fully loaded, the rear suspension still has plenty of travel. However, if you mainly use your truck for hauling light loads and hitting the trails, then you might want to install a leveling kit that raises the front to match the rear. This isn’t a purely aesthetic mod, as a leveling kit will increase your ground clearance and approach angle, making your truck more capable off-road. GMC offers factory-approved leveling kits for its trucks, and we are happy to help you install one on your Sierra or Canyon.

Spacer Kit

A spacer kit is a type of simple suspension lift that can give your truck a small lift without spending much money. Unlike a full suspension lift, a spacer kit will install small spacers in the suspension, lifting your truck without replacing any of the expensive suspension components. A spacer kit can be a good choice if you are only interested in lifting your truck an inch or two. In fact, the factory-approved GMC leveling kits are a type of spacer kit. However, if you want anything taller, a spacer kit will likely overstress the suspension and can result in a rough ride since the suspension is being used in ways it wasn’t engineered for.

Suspension Lift

A suspension lift is the most versatile type of lift. In effect, a suspension lift replaces the factory suspension in your truck with an all-new suspension designed to provide increased ride height. If done properly, a suspension lift will increase ground clearance and articulation and can even improve ride quality. However, there is a significant difference in engineering between a cheap suspension lift and a high-quality suspension lift. A cheap kit will only replace the barest minimum of components needed to raise a truck to your desired height. This will save you money, but it will also result in a rough ride, lower reliability, and can even reduce articulation.

On the other hand, a high-quality suspension lift will replace every component necessary to create the perfect suspension geometry for performance and reliability. The higher the lift, the more engineering is necessary to preserve ride quality, but there is really no limit to how high a properly-designed suspension lift can be. In fact, monster trucks are nothing more than a suspension lift taken to extremes. You can buy 12-inch lifts and higher, but most drivers find that a three to four-inch lift is ideal for a truck that is regularly driven on the road. If you want to install 35-inch tires on a GMC Sierra without rubbing, you will need a five or six-inch lift kit, which is a common choice for dedicated off-road trucks.

Factory Lifted Trucks for Sale

The highest-quality suspension lifts are those installed at the factory in dedicated off-road models because they benefit from the same level of engineering that went into the standard suspension. If you want to find a factory-lifted truck for sale, we have several models available here at Rick Hendrick GMC Buick Duluth. The 2023 GMC Sierra AT4 and AT4X come standard with a two-inch suspension lift that provides 11.1 inches of ground clearance. If you are interested in a midsize truck, the new 2023 GMC Canyon comes standard with a two-inch factory lift and 9.6 inches of ground clearance. The Canyon AT4X goes even further, adding a three-inch factory lift for 10.7 inches of ground clearance and an improved approach angle. Pay us a visit, and we will show you how much fun these lifted trucks can be!