Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
I have to wonder about that, though. If you look underneath most of these, you'll see that they have solid rear axles, which means that any increased ground clearance is purely a function of the larger tires. Jacking up the body just gives the illusion of more ground clearance while raising the center of gravity.
This is especially true of aftermarket lift kits, which elevate the body (often to absurd heights) while leaving the lowest point unchanged.
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As an owner of off road vehicles for some 35 years, I have to disagree with the statement I highlighted in
red.
Raising the body with suspension and/or body lift modifications serve several purposes.
- Increased suspension travel to keep tires in contact with rough terrain.
- Tire clearance. (Just try to stuff a pair of 38" mudders in the wheelwells of an unmodified truck)
- Attack angle (to keep from implanting your bumper into the bottom of the hill you want to climb)
- Ground clearance. It takes a lot less power to push just the tires and axles through deep mud than trying to force a path for the whole truck when traveling through 2 feet of gooey muck.
Please note that
none of the above applies to the average yahoo that wants to jack up his truck because it looks KEWL.
