Now that I have a truck, I'm more aware of other trucks on the road (in terms of how they are configured).

I notice that some trucks, the body are lifted considerably over stock height. But the differentials are still wheel level.

I can see why one would lift the body and all parts underneath for more clearance. But why would one lift just the body but keep things like the differential at stock height?

Is there some benefit of raising the body but not really needing more clearance? There is a reason why raising the body but keeping the diff low is good?

Not important. Just curious.

Steeper driveshaft angle = broken u-joints.
Most lifts are for looks.

I'd imagine, that without an independent rear end, there would be no way to relocate the diff, since it's fixed in line with the rear axle.

And, with an IRS, you'd need longer axle shafts to accommodate.

I have seen a few lift kits, that basically mount a new 'cradle' (front end) that effectively lowers the front diff, to avoid extreme front axle angles. A bit of assumption there, that that is the goal. My truck will likely stay at stock height.

Ah, ok. So I'm not really missing anything.... It's mostly a non-functional mod (except for maybe water usages where it's mostly about body clearance and not really component clearance).

So, other than good for crossing deeper rivers or looks / ego, not really helpful for off road.

If that's the case, got it. It was curious for me.

The purpose of lifting a truck is so you can fit larger tires for real additional clearance. If you don't, it's just an interesting exercise with no real benefits. There's a limit to how much you can lift without affecting the geometry and requiring a much more expensive truck mod.

It's the first step in getting bigger tires on the vehicle, which will raise the differential. That is the only way to raise the differential. While a suspension lift, which is better, as it lifts the frame and drive-train, to get the axles up you have to get larger tires. Or change suspension to something like the Humvee.
Many that do this in my area, do it in stages as they can afford it. Some buy one tire at a time. Nothing in reserve when a break down happens because they are off 4-wheeling and break it. Then they have nothing to drive to work. Dosen't make a lot of sense.

I was wondering about trucks like this (random pic off the interwebz)

http://images.mautofied.com/ad...6_20079241255151.JPG

The practicality of lifting is to be able to fit larger tires underneath the vehicle. With a straight axle the only way to gain additional ground clearance is to fit a larger tire. Even with an independent front suspension, most lift kits include brackets to lower the front axle to maintain angles on the the halfshafts.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
I was wondering about trucks like this (random pic off the interwebz)

http://images.mautofied.com/ad...6_20079241255151.JPG

If you look you'll see a straight front axle. Like I said in the post before, the only way to gain ground clearance under a straight axle is to run larger tires.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
The practicality of lifting is to be able to fit larger tires underneath the vehicle. With a straight axle the only way to gain additional ground clearance is to fit a larger tire. Even with an independent front suspension, most lift kits include brackets to lower the front axle to maintain angles on the the halfshafts.

I get this in concept. But why lift the body so high like in the pic link I posted? Seems like off road clearance is limited by parts but now I need a ladder to get into the car.

quote:

Originally posted by SkyOtter:
The purpose of lifting a truck is so you can fit larger tires for real additional clearance. If you don't, it's just an interesting exercise with no real benefits. There's a limit to how much you can lift without affecting the geometry and requiring a much more expensive truck mod.

What he said. Can't put a 38" tire under most stock bodies, they'll rub when turning lock to lock. There are times when folks try and take it to an extreme and you'll see something with 44"+ tires "for mudding" likely to never see any dirt at all. The one that gets me is the huge body/suspension lifts and relatively normal sized tires. My brother had a truck like this and it looked ridiculous.

The only lift I normally like is the leveling kits required of most trucks now. Effectively, it brings the nose level with the rear but can potentially change the on road handling.

The one in the pic that you posted is most likely done for looks. Like I said lifting the truck provides for fitting larger tires to gain ground clearance. Depending on how it is done, i.e.: fitting a straight axle in place of an independent front suspension it may provide for more articulation. Meaning additional wheel travel making body clearance even more of an issue.

Just to add, larger tires raise the diff's. The lift allows for larger tires and will also allow for the suspension to "flex" over larger obstacles such as ditches, rocks, logs and so forth.

My 80 Series Land Cruiser has a 3" lift with 35" tires under it. Anymore than that and I would be getting into new drive shafts and other issues before long. On your 200 Series, you could be into replacing or upgrading the CV joints before long if you go with a lift.

Got it. Thanks. I get the general benefit of larger tires and lift the boat (so to speak).

I should have been more clear in the OP with the pic I posted later. Sorry about that. I was curious about the more extreme body lifting like in the pic.

If that's mostly about looks, got it. I just couldn't figure out a benefit in terms of function (other than the incremental benefit of the larger diameter tires).

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

I get this in concept. But why lift the body so high like in the pic link I posted? Seems like off road clearance is limited by parts but now I need a ladder to get into the car.

Compensating for something perhaps? Honestly, I never really got it either, and my entire family drives something similar....When I drive my stock 98 Tacoma with mud tires, they'll try and follow me around the farm my dad manages. Funny watching those guys get stuck or into a section of trail their trucks are too tall or wide for

the one in the pic you posted is basically a 'mudder', though i doubt that one sees much mud. these are trucks that can go through huge holes filled with mud/water, stream crossing etc.
the would be dangerous on off camber stuff, like roll right on over.

how about the guys who switch to 35 inch bfg mud terrains and then find out , ( four months later) that if they air down 12 pounds their traction gets much better.

so now they are close to their o.e.m. tire height

Yeah people only do it to “compensate” no one ever runs into issues where they are on sand in a rutted up path and hear their truck scraping and dragging on the sand and decide a body lift and bigger tires would be beneficial. Nah it’s just people compensating for something.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
...But why would one lift just the body but keep things like the differential at stock height?

I know this isn't what you intended, but I got this funny image in my head of lifting the body, then lifting the axle. Only Warner Brothers could make it work!

Yep. A body lift for bigger tires, bigger tires equals higher ground clearance. It's also likely cheaper than a "real" lift.
Body lift also improves the max approach angle.

Not a fan of body lifts myself, but what I really dislike is all the lifted trucks you see that are higher in the front than the rear, that just looks dumb to me.