Lifts

Hello, I am VERY new to offroading and I've never owned a truck. I am going to buy a 4x4 soon, and I need to get educated on, well, everything about them. I was hoping I could get a few questions answered to help start me out. I do work on my own vehicles, and Im mechanically inclined, but sadly I know nothing about trucks.

What is the difference between a body and a suspension lift? Why do one over the other?

What is the difference between part time and full time 4wheel drive (besides the fact that you can disengage part-time 4wheel)? Are they the same thing, as in, do they operate the same way?  

Hello, First most 4x4 sold from the dealer are NOT true 4x4's...will need some kind of lockers/ limited slip units or diff's locks...

Full time will eat more gas...and is always in 4x4 wheeling...safer condition's in all weather places...when part-time is put in 4x4 in high same as full-tme-see each brand mannuels (many do not operate the same here?)

Beaware of low range(better for off roading and high range (for street driving mostly)  Automatics is usually easy to drive on sand and off roading...reseach this more...


As far as for lifts....check prices for each brand...Chevy's are very costly for suspension lifts....body lifts only lifts the body..sometimes in some brands this is the only way to go? ..

Suspension lift will give you more ground clearance under neat...even one inch sometimes can make a BIG difference when off roading....

NO matter which way you lift?  ...should be base on the tires sizes....SEE any off road shop for the recommendations!!!  Visit the Professiols before buying WHAT you want to do with the truck....With todays gas prices?  ....you will want something that is the correct use and height

We off road on sand and lava road in Hawaii...to go shoreline fishing for Ulua's..

Aloha, Just my opinion here...always research and ask the Right guys...4x4 shops-the professiols..  

Hello, One more thing....We had a 4 inch lift install with 32 inch tires...

Bigger tires means you may have to increase gear size too...another cost factor?
See your tire guys or 4x4 shops first before you buy a truck..?

ANY LIFT'S...mean higher step UP TO GET INTO THE TRUCK...sometimes a "humbug" my wife complains about this everytime she "tries" to climb up and into the truck...!

What are you going to do with your truck?  ....does it need to be lifted and bigger tires install?   What size tires can you go up to?  ..without changing gears..
Toyota',Fords,Dodge, and Chevy's have the most choice of lifts and heights and after market parts...

Remember if you use a lifted truck as a daily driver?  ....more gas..and climbing in and out can become a burden....WE KNOW THIS ..very well...Aloha