Why A Lift Kit Is One of the Best Modifications for Your Jeep

So you’ve got a Jeep. Naturally, your next train of thought is going to involve a stop at aftermarket station and modification central. It’s part of the culture. Join us on our Rock Solid Trail Rides, and you’ll see hundreds of Jeeps with what may seem like not a single stock part amongst them. But before you Google “Jeep service near me” to get started, you’ve got to decide what modifications will make your Jeep uniquely yours. There are tons of options to choose from and ways to get creative, but one of the best mods you can go for is a lift. It’s a catchall. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but if you’re willing to drop some cash, you can really transform your ride. Whether you prioritize aesthetics or performance, there’s a lift that can elevate your Jeep to a higher plane.

What Does It Mean to Get a Lift?

Before making the (smart) decision to lift your Jeep, it’s important to familiarize yourself with what exactly that means. We’ve all been awestruck at least once by a lifted pickup or SUV that cruised past us on the road. We’ve wondered, how? And why? And how do they get inside the car when the exhaust is at eye level? At least one of the answers to these questions is ample upper body strength. As far as the how and the why, there’s usually a skilled mechanic involved, and there are a lot of different reasons why people decide to lift their vehicles, Jeeps or otherwise. Your motivation for lifting your vehicle will dictate which kind of lift you choose. There are two main kinds:

• Body lifts – A body lift involves lifting the body of the vehicle a few inches by adding spacers between the body and the chassis. While this creates more room for bigger tires, the frame stays put, so a body lift won’t beneficially affect handling or performance. However, it does grant the driver a higher ride and at a cheaper cost than the more extensive suspension lift.
• Suspension lifts – A suspension lift requires swapping out parts to accommodate more height and movement. Think shocks, springs, control arms, etc. The number of components that need switched or altered will depend on how big of a lift you’re going for, and a suspension lift can be more extreme than a body lift. It creates room for bigger tires and makes any ride look more impressive, but with a lifted suspension, there are loads of performance perks too. Increased ground clearance means a more capable off-roading vehicle that’s less prone to damage and bottoming out than its factory predecessor.

A suspension lift is typically more expensive than a body lift due to the more complicated installation and the addition of new parts. However, here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep, we typically recommend suspension lifts to our customers. The Mopar 2″ lift kit is one of our particular favorites since it was designed by Jeep and will not affect the warranty of your Wrangler. The certified technicians at our service center can also install the kit properly in a matter of hours, getting you ready for the trail.

Reasons for Lifting Your Jeep

Before diving into reasons why people elect to add a lift to their Jeeps, there are some downsides to consider. One of the big ones is that a lift can lead to worsened fuel economy due to the vehicle being less aerodynamic. Ditto for bigger tires because they’re heavier and require more energy to get them rolling. Safety can be a concern too, especially for inexperienced drivers. A higher center of gravity means a higher likelihood of rolling over, especially when sharp turns are involved. That being said, there are plenty of good reasons for getting a lift on your Jeep that can outweigh the cons. Most importantly, once you’re used to the new handling and feel of a lifted vehicle, safety no longer has to be a compromise.

People Like How It Looks

Jeeps have an effortlessly cool aesthetic that people really drool over. Even though stock Jeeps are handsome as all get out, there’s a huge market for modifying Jeeps to give them a unique look. If angry headlamps and aftermarket grilles aren’t your thing, or even if they are, adding a lift is a good way to elevate your Jeep’s good looks. A lifted Jeep is more stylish than an unlifted Jeep, plain and simple. From the Renegade to the Grand Cherokee to the Wrangler, there isn’t a Jeep out there that doesn’t look better with a higher profile.

People also enjoy the feeling of sitting higher up in their vehicle. The change in view, no matter how subtle, can be all it takes to completely transform your driving experience. Apart from being fun, sitting higher up in your vehicle can increase visibility. Think of it like a watchtower; you can spot things sooner and farther out when in a lifted Jeep. If a mall crawler that’s got a little extra fun built-in or strictly looking fresh is your goal, a body lift may be an acceptable choice. It’ll give you the look and feel of a lifted vehicle at a lower price.

People Like How It Performs

Lifted Jeeps don’t just look good; they’re talented as well. Off-roading is one of the most common applications of a lifted vehicle due to the performance perks gained by the modification. For its part, Jeep’s origins lie in utility – the Jeep was originally designed as a reconnaissance vehicle during World War II. As such, Jeeps have a reputation for being rugged and capable vehicles that aren’t afraid of a bump in the road. Their suitability for off-roading makes them excellent candidates for a lift kit.

A vehicle with a suspension lift will have greater ground clearance. The more ground clearance, the bigger the boulder your vehicle’s going to be capable of crawling over. A low profile isn’t ideal for driving over less-than-flat surfaces. There’s a risk of bottoming out on big bumps and causing damage to the belly of the vehicle. Lifted vehicles also have extra room for larger tires, which come with their own set of benefits. For starters, bigger tires also increase ground clearance. They also tend to have deeper tread, which means more grip in soft, shifting surfaces like sand or mud.

All of this adds up to a vehicle that can go further and do more. If mountain-climbing, rock-riding, creek-crawling performance is your endgame, a suspension lift is definitely the way to go. It’ll transform your Jeep from a commuter to a true off-roader in a snap.

A Case for the Lift Kit

In fairness, it’s an easy case to make. Unlike the angry headlamps (We’re still waiting to be convinced that those are a good idea–sorry angry Jeeps, don’t be mad. Oh wait, you’ve literally got permanent madness plastered on your face), there are precious few downsides to lifting your Jeep, and the varied flexibility of this one modification makes it applicable to all sorts of lifestyles. The look of a lifted Jeep is timeless, and the boosted performance of a suspension-lifted Jeep is hard to argue with. If you’re a new Jeep owner and you’re looking for ways to make your vehicle stand out, do yourself a favor and start by getting it to stand up a little higher. The view is better up there, after all.