Ride and Suspension
Problem:
Many first-time lifted truck owners don't realize the ride penalty in going high. Not all kits are created equal, and a rough-riding rig can add to fatigue on long trips, make controlling the vehicle exhausting, and put wear on the truck itself. Generic suspension tuning and low-quality shocks can lead to driveability issues, such as vibrations, axle hop, and loss of suspension damping, which would lead to a more serious problem. While on the subject of suspension lifts, torsion bar twisting is an inexpensive method many people use to lift their truck, which may be OK for leveling, but it is not a true lift because it merely adjusts the level at which the truck sits in its suspension travel. Therefore, tires that rub at stock height will still rub with a torsion twist somewhere in the suspension travel. Also, the higher you go with a twist, the less down travel you will have, causing quirky handling, such as skipping across the road imperfections, rather that soaking them up. On 4x4 vehicles, this also causes an issue because you could over-extend a CV axle joint on a truck that has excessive compression, but limited droop.
Solution:
Spring and shock technology has come a long way in recent years. Reservoir shocks and coilover shocks once reserved for high-end race trucks are now within reach of many truck builders. These damping units are easily tuned, adjustable for ride height (coilovers), and are readily available from many high-end shock suppliers, such as Bilstein, Fox, King, and Sway-A-Way. Custom leaf springs, tuned to your vehicle and your needs, can easily be purchased from Atlas, Deaver, or National, just to name a few quality companies. Traction bars that locate the axle to the frame to reduce unwanted movement and axle hop are another way to tame the wildness in your suspension.
Speedometer
Problem:
After a lift, many people forget to take into account the speedometer error that has been introduced to the truck because of a change in tire size. Bigger tires cause the speedometer and odometer to read slower than the vehicle's actual speed, altering transmission shift points, traction control, and ABS functionality. While some manufacturers have a built-in buffer to compensate for some change in the tire's overall diameter, it only covers changes within 1 or 2 inches of stock.
Solution:
On older trucks, change the speedo gear at the end of the speedometer cable. Located either in the transmission or transfer case, this gear is simple for any mechanically inclined truck lover to replace. Newer vehicles sporting the latest in electronics often have a Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) which uses electronic sensors to tell the truck's computer how fast the truck is moving. Thanks to companies such as JET and Superlift, speedometer calibration on a vehicle equipped with a VSS is as easy as programming a new plug-in, or splice-in module.
Tires
Problem:
The whole purpose of lifting a truck is to increase the size of tire that can be installed, especially since increasing tire size is the only true way of gaining ground clearance at the axle. But, even lifting might require some fender trimming if you go with a monster tire. When choosing tire size, you must take into account the suspension settling after the initial installation. Remember, a tire that fit on the day of the lift may end up rubbing down the line. Bigger tires mean lower manufacturing tolerances and will be harder to balance. Also, the higher up in size you go, it may be harder to find a radial tire in the size you need.
Solution:
Large tires - let's say, more than 38 inches - should be closely checked and rebalanced after 500 miles, because the rotating mass has a tendency to actually rotate on the wheel, altering the balance and causing vibration. A large all-terrain will have better street manners than an aggressive mud-terrain, and a radial tire will be superior to a bias-ply tire. It is also important that the tire you are installing on your truck be DOT-approved for the street, and load-rated for the weight of your vehicle, fully loaded.
Visibility
Problem:
The higher up you are, the greater the view of the road ahead, right? Well, yes, but to a point. There is a point of diminishing returns where the higher you go, the less visibility you have. Monster street truck drivers are at the distinct disadvantage in close quarters when maneuvering, such as in stop-and-go driving, city traffic, and even parking. It is nearly impossible for a driver of a towering tow vehicle to see the tiny cars in front of him, measly pedestrians, or even unpredictable bike riders. Factory mirrors are inadequate at such high heights, and lane changes are usually accomplished with the help of small miracles.
Solution:
There is no perfect solution to visibility issues, but we advocate the use of factory or aftermarket reverse-sensing systems, and convex mirrors as a minimum. We have started seeing innovative truck owners use camera systems, not only for reverse procedures, but mounted on the front bumper and in the front wheelwells to cover blind spots on all sides, and the images appear on a monitor in the cab. The best tool for driving a too-tall truck is caution.
Wheels
Problem:
Not just any wheels can be used with big tires - no matter how cool they look. Just like with tires, wheels are also rated to carry a load, and most ratings max out at a specific tire size. Porous cast wheels, and even some steel wheels weigh more, and carry less of a rating than those high-end forged wheels.
Solution:
Rated forged wheels are lightweight and precision-built very strong. Forged rims balance easily, and run truer than cast wheels or steel wheels. These wheels are also more durable when holding big-time rubber, and less likely to crack or have a structural failure.
We have tried to cover the entire gamut of extreme lifting problems and solutions in a general way that will be useful to the largest number of readers. While we may not have included every situation you may encounter in lifting your throne on wheels, hopefully this article has helped you to answer questions and give you direction in how high to go in your quest to have the ultimate daily driver. As you can see, the general theme of this article is the bigger you go, the more things need to be addressed. Only you can determine how comfortable you are living with the eccentricities of having a super-cool, super-clean big rig.