Today, we will discuss “Should you lift your Jeep?” You probably know by now that the fun about owning an off-road vehicle, specifically a Jeep Wrangler, is the freedom to customize it. And one of the first things that people do when they get a Jeep is to lift it and get big tires. So, what does lifting do and should you do it, too? Read on to find out!
Good reasons to lift a Jeep
To get bigger tires
People get big tires for mainly two reasons. One is that big tires upgrade a vehicle’s performance, especially in poor road conditions. Another one is that although Wranglers already look cool straight from the factory, bigger tires give Wranglers a cooler, more handsome look
To get bigger tires, the vehicle must be lifted to allow some clearance between the tires and the wheel, otherwise, the big tires would not fit and they would just grate against the fenders especially when turning.
To look cooler
Lifted Jeeps look cooler. Do you agree? If you do, then no more explanation is needed here. Most people lift their Jeeps just because they turn heads, and everybody is free to do that if they want to.
To increase articulation
The use of suspension lift kits usually is usually accompanied by the installation of larger springs and shock. This increases suspension travel. As a result, the wheels can articulate more and take on larger obstacles. If you are a fan of rock crawling, you’ll love this benefit!
Better ground clearance
If you plan on doing lots of rock crawling, lifting is your best bud especially in making sure that you do not get stuck or smash your skid plates against boulders and other obstacles. Higher ground clearance is necessary when taking on trails with huge obstacles.
Bad things that come with lifting
Bad fuel economy
Bigger tires mean a heavier load and more resistance, both of which requires more gas! One of the things that will suffer big time when lifting your Jeep is the money you spend on fuel. Jeep owners claim they experience somewhere between a 1 and 3 mpg difference in fuel economy after switching to bigger tires.
Jeep is more prone to tipping over
When a vehicle is lifted, its center of gravity goes higher which makes the vehicle prone to tipping over. This is especially the case when turning at high speeds, something you won’t exactly experience a lot when offroading. Bigger and heavier tires may compensate for the high center of gravity and so will the use of heavier front and rear bumpers.
Warranty issues
Another problem is warranty issues. Using suspension lift kits entails the replacement of most factory components which will definitely affect your warranty.
Final thoughts
The answer to whether you should lift your Jeep or not will boil down to your preference. If you want a showstopper Jeep that will have everybody looking and if you are going to do some serious rock crawling, go for it. If fuel economy is important to you and a stock Wrangler is enough for your needs, you know the answer.
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