g969414e554d47142d982df0ed1d97ab99cf6103f7aaa8a1ec877fb28d5c2ec0432769c2f39190f6e8cae5830d397ac5e
Introduction
Lifting a truck 6 inches typically requires special equipment, such as jack stands, ratchet straps, and air suspension kits. It also requires a degree of expertise to accurately complete the job without causing any damage to the vehicle. Most often, these jobs are carried out by professional automotive technicians or automotive fitment centers who specialize in aftermarket modifications. Depending on the size of the lift being applied and the current condition of the truck, extra costs may be incurred for replacement parts such as shock absorbers, tires and mounting hardware if they do not meet safety standards.
Showcase the 6-inch Lift
Having your truck lifted 6 inches is a great improvement, and you want to show off the transformation. Below are some examples of what a 6-inch lift looks like on common trucks.
Photo 1: This photo shows a Ford F-150 with a 6-inch lift. Notice the larger tires, the increased suspension platform, and the fact that the truck is no longer even with the ground, but slightly elevated.
Photo 2: This image shows a Chevy Silverado with a 6-inch lift. Again, observe how large the tires are compared to regular sized tires and how much extra space there is between them and the body of the truck.
Video: Watch this video for a look at an example of a 6-inch lift being installed on an Sierra 3500HD pickup. You can see just how much bigger it is than before and also watch as mechanics install new shocks and springs to ensure optimal performance and stability once they’re back on the road.
Pros of 6-inch Lifting
In India, a truck lifting kit of 6 inches greatly improved the ground clearance of a pickup truck, allowing it to traverse bumpier roads on the outskirts of towns more safely. The driver no longer had to worry about hitting large stones or stony surfaces while driving and being thrown up in the air. This not only improved his driving experience, but also saved him from costly repairs related to shocks or axles that can often result from such impacts.
In Australia, a customer was able to get their lifted truck through a very muddy area with tall grass growing around it that stopped other conventional vehicles attempting to pass by without getting stuck halfway through. The additional ride height allowed their vehicle room to maneuver over taller grasses comfortably while providing additional approach and departure angles necessary when navigating the terrain.
Elsewhere in South Africa, another customer described how he didn’t have to worry about going over sharp rocks on off-road tracks anymore as shifting from his previous stock wheels to ones with a 6-inch lift gave him much needed clearance for comfort and safety. Without this suspension lift his car would have been constantly bottomed out over any bumps or ridges which would eventually lead to increased axle wear and tear.
Disadvantages of 6-inch Lifting
Spare Parts- Lifting a truck 6 inches requires additional parts. The most common parts are extended brake lines, increased shock and strut length, transfer case drop kit, lower control arms to adjust rear pinion angle, exhaust extensions (for diesel trucks), driveshaft lengths etc. The cost of buying these components typically ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the type and quality of the brands used.
Alignment Issues – As a result of 6 inch lift, the alignment of your truck will be affected as suspension components replace stock pieces. If your truck is 4WD then you may need to get a caster/camber adjusting kit installed to fix any negative side effects. Aligning a vehicle after it’s been lifted can cost anywhere from $60-200.
Tire Wear – Generally speaking, lifting the truck results in incorrect gearing ratio which affects acceleration and gas mileage rate by reducing them significantly. It also causes tire wear which has an extra cost associated with it. Replacing tires due to uneven wear that goes beyond normal usage could amount to an additional expense ranging from several hundred dollars up depending on size and quality of tires purchased.
Stepping Stones to 6-inch Lifting
1. First Impressions – In order to successfully lift your truck six inches, it is critical to first assess the condition and function of all suspension parts. This includes checking for bent, cracked, or missing components such as shocks, coil springs and caster blocks. If any of these components are found to be defective they should be replaced before proceeding.
2. Shock Adjustment – Your shocks should also be adjusted in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions as this will ensure a safe ride during the six-inch lift process. Make sure that the shocks are adjusted up front and loosen any pre-load adjustments and set shock rebound setting at maximum.
3. Caster Block Extension – To achieve a full six inch lift it may be necessary to extend your factory caster blocks by two to three inches. This can be done using heavy duty lifting brackets or additional suspension components from manufacturers like Rough Country or Skyjacker.
4. Strut Lift Kit – Using a strut Lift Kit is an effective way of achieving a clean but pronounced look of about four inches when fully installed on your truck. Many kits come equipped with adjustable coil spring spacers which can help you dial in your lifted height perfectly while also providing improved ground clearance at higher levels where rocks and other trail features might otherwise prove challenges if not addressed correctly upfront during installation
5.Go Up An Additional Two Inches – You’ll need additional suspension components such as shackles, add-a-leafs, struts/shocks, etc., if you’re looking for an even larger lift beyond four inches up to six inches total! For optimal results, use adjustable height coil spring mount brackets combined with body extension blocks designed specifically for 6 inch lifts. Doing so will allow you to increase the height between the frame and sheet metal without compromising the overall stability of your vehicle’s ride quality or safety limits .
Aftermarket Add-Ons
Brands/Models:
1. ReadyLIFT Suspension SST Lift Kit (6-inch lift): $1,036.95
2. Pro Comp 6-inch Lift Stage 2 Suspension System: $1,224.99
3. Skyjacker BlackMAX 8-inch Suspension System: $856.75
4. Rough Country N2.0 Shocks (8-inch lift): $205.95
5. Superlift 4-inch Suspension Kit: $1,023.95
6. Fabtech 6-inch Basic System Lift Kit: $1,080.33
Recommendations:
We recommend any of the above listed items if you are looking to lift your truck six inches or more off the ground for extra clearance and road presence such as mud terrain tyres and larger rims. The ReadyLift Suspension SST kit is preferred for overall affordability, however the Skyjacker BlackMax and Fabtech systems offer stronger components and higher quality respectively while ProComp’s Stage 2 system focuses more on convenience features such as Comfort Ride Technology Adjustable Shocks & Assembled Coilovers with most configurations also including front brake lines and front shafts due to the additional weight from larger tires that comes along with adding a suspension lift kit to your vehicle
Conclusion
If you’re looking to add a more robust and custom look to your vehicle, then the 6-inch lift is definitely an option worth considering. You’ll benefit from improved ground clearance and an impressive off-road driving experience. If you decide this is the route for you, be sure to educate yourself about what parts are necessary for installation and consider seeking professional assistance. You can use resources like experts in 4×4 communities or local automotive service centers to ensure that installation goes smoothly and safely.
