Is a lift worth all the trouble.

I am new to this 4x4 thing but i have spent hours reading posts on how a lift causes other problems like vibrations,bad handling etc. I am really thinking a lift is more trouble then it is worth. My truck stock sits up pretty high now good enough that my big butt can crawl under it.
All I want to do is be able to do is take off down some dirt road in the desert and go shoot guns. Im thinking about maybe putting my money into traction devices like lockers and leave it stock in heigth. This my truck is my daily driver so it can not be down for the count because off problems caused by a lift. Yea they do look cool but I want function.
Reading these posts and horror storys has me rethinking the whole lift thing.
What do you guys think about lifts? I figure just some lockers would make a already good 4x4 better.Maybe some off road lites to see in the desert at night.

 

A lift is not necessary at all unless you have tires that are too tall to fit in the wheel wells and do not want to do a bunch of cutting to get them to fit.

If you are not going to be using larger tires than 265/75R16s then there is no reason for you to lift your truck at all. Most people, from what I've seen, seem to do it for the looks rather than function. You will be much better off getting lockers and some armor, and also some good tires. Tread makes a big difference too depending on what you've got now.


As a side note, the suspension on these trucks is a weak point for a lot of people. You can always just get new shocks and leave your truck at stock ride height. Just make sure you get the right ones if the stock shocks become an issue for you.

Don't lift unless your tires don't fit and you don't want to do the cutting to make them.

 

It's completely personal preference. They don't have to be problematic. I like mine.

 

I was thinking the same as you, but after a lift, I love it much much more. If you don't want too much trouble just level it out up front with 5100's. Now my truck clears a whole bunch of stuff I used to hit underneath when off road.

My driveline vibrations went AWAY after a lift... Must have hit the right angle so that's just by my own chance. YMMV.

 

I'm kinda in the same boat and am interested to hear the responses.

My thought is it can't be that horrible or else you wouldn't see as many raised trucks/Tacomas that you see on the road today...

 

A little preventative maintenance and you wont have any problems with a lift

 

No problems with my lift, a little vibe due to the needle bearing. Fixed it with minimal knowledge tho. I do take my truck off road quite hard tho. I definitely needed the added clearance. Good tires, and a locker will get you anywhere you want to go, added height just helps 10% of the time.

 

A lift gives no added clearance. Only taller tires bring your diffs up.

 

Approach angles are mildly improved,and undercarraige is brought up.

Nothing was said about diffs. But a good point!