Suspension Lift Car DIY vs Professional Install: Pros and Cons
News 12/06/2024
Well now, let’s talk about liftin’ up them cars, you know, makin’ ’em sit higher. Folks call it suspension lift car, or somethin’ fancy like that. I ain’t no mechanic, but I seen a thing or two, and I can tell ya what I know.
First off, why’d ya wanna lift yer car up anyhow? Mostly, it’s ’cause ya wanna go off-roadin’, right? Ya know, drivin’ over them bumpy rocks and through the mud. A lifted car, she sits taller, so ya don’t get stuck as easy. Got more room underneath for them big tires, too.
Now, there’s two main ways to lift a car, from what I hear. One’s called a body lift, and the other’s a suspension lift. Body lift, that’s like puttin’ spacers between the car’s body and the frame. It’s cheaper, they say, but it don’t do much for yer ridin’ comfort. Just makes the car look taller, ya see?
Suspension lift, that’s the real deal. It changes the car’s suspension, ya know, the springs and shocks and all that. Gives ya more ground clearance, so ya can go over bigger stuff. But it ain’t cheap, and it can make yer car ride a little rougher on the road. And sometimes, it can make yer car kinda wobbly, ya gotta be careful.
- Body Lift: Cheaper, easier to install, mostly for looks.
- Suspension Lift: More expensive, better for off-roading, can affect ride quality.
Thinkin’ about doin’ it yerself? Well, if you’re handy with tools, maybe ya can. But if you ain’t never done nothin’ like that before, best to let a professional handle it. Messin’ with the suspension, that’s serious business. Ya don’t want yer wheels fallin’ off while yer drivin’ down the road, do ya?
And listen here, liftin’ yer car ain’t all sunshine and roses. It’s got its downsides too. Yer car might not handle as good on the road. It might be harder to turn, and it might feel kinda tippy on hills. And it’ll use more gas, ’cause it’s pushin’ more air. Plus, in some places, it ain’t even legal to have a car that’s too high up.
So, before ya go and lift yer car, ya gotta think long and hard about it. What ya gonna use it for? How much money ya wanna spend? And are ya willin’ to put up with the downsides? It ain’t a decision to take lightly, that’s for sure.
I remember seein’ young Billy Joe lift his pickup truck way up high. Looked mighty impressive, I tell ya. But he had nothin’ but trouble with it. Broke down all the time, and he couldn’t even park it in his garage no more. Finally, he had to sell it for a song. So, ya see, it ain’t always worth it.
But if you’re careful, and ya do yer research, and ya get it done right, a suspension lift can be a good thing. Just don’t go overboard, and don’t try to do somethin’ you ain’t capable of. And always remember, safety first! Ya don’t wanna end up in a ditch somewhere.
Now, if you’re still set on liftin’ yer car, make sure ya buy good quality parts. Don’t go cheap, ’cause ya get what ya pay for. And take yer time, don’t rush it. Read the instructions, and if ya get stuck, ask for help. There’s plenty of folks out there who know more about this stuff than I do.
So that’s the long and short of it. Suspension lift cars, they look cool and they can be useful, but they ain’t for everybody. Ya gotta weigh the pros and cons, and make sure it’s the right thing for ya. And if you’re not sure, best to leave it alone.
Final word of advice: If it sounds too complicated or too good to be true, it probably is. Just use your common sense, and you’ll be alright.
Tags: suspension lift, car lift, off-roading, body lift, ride height, lift kit, DIY, truck lift, car modification