For vehicles with independent suspensions systems, the answer is more or less physics. The lift amount and the spacer thickness will NOT be the same, in order to lift your vehicle the advertised height, it is necessary that the spacer is less than the lift amount. The suspension (lower control arm) compounds the amount of lift due to both its length and angle and that is the reason why the spacer needs to be smaller than the lift amount.
Independent suspension designs typically consist of at least one control arm, the inside of which is secured to the frame while the outside is attached to the wheel. It is supported by a spring or strut mounted someplace between the wheel and the frame. Suspension travel is accomplished by the control arm pivoting at the point where it is mounted to the frame. Since the wheel is mounted farther from the control arm pivot than the strut is, it experiences a longer travel than the strut does. For example, installing a 1.5” thick strut spacer on independently suspended vehicles can act as 3” lift kits.
*If you order a spacer and it's not the thickness you thought it would be, don't fret, rest assured, you will receive the advertised lift height once the kit is installed.
Now you know.
Every time you go off-roading, there is probably a tinge of worry in the back of your head that gives all sorts of “what-ifs.” Most of them may pertain to not bringing enough food or water, but there will always be one or two that pertain to the car's working condition. The fact of the matter is that this worry is something that all off-roading enthusiasts worry about. After all, it does not make much sense to invest a whole lot of money into your rig, only to crush it or tip it over. In fact, this type of behavior is exactly what holds back most amateur off-roaders from the truly unique technical courses. So, to help give you some confidence in the matter, here are tips on how to avoid damaging your vehicle while off-roading.
While it may seem one of the most basic things that the car partner should know, a lot of newer drivers in the off-roading world have no idea how traction works off-road. Often, not knowing how much traction you can expect to get from certain environments can singlehandedly destroy your vehicle. Getting good at identifying potential hazards and finding ways to get through them is a hallmark skill of off-roading. Ensuring that you have full mastery of every situation and knowing how to fix any traction problems using recovery kits should be one of the first things you learn how to do when it comes to off-roading.
Knowing how the traction works in a vehicle is also essential to having a successful off-roading trip. At the very least, every new off-roading enthusiast should ensure that their vehicle has traction control in the first place. Beyond that, the driver should understand its use and how to use the car in traction control.
Knowing your ground clearance and how to approach angles is another essential part of avoiding damage to your off-road vehicle. As you might imagine, with off-roading there will be some extreme moments where you will have to come through a canyon at a sideways angle or get up a sand hill with a large crater in the middle. In these extreme cases, knowing your ground clearance and approach angles available to you is essential in making sure that you don't flip your car or rub it across the side of a boulder.
In addition, ground clearance angles are necessary for understanding the physical limitations of the body of your car. If you do not understand your ground clearance and approach angles, you may very well tip your car or cause it to teeter-totter. Avoiding this at all costs should be standard on any trip, and once you know your angles and clearance, you will have an easier time evaluating terrain.
Investing in such things as aftermarket heavy-duty truck bumpers is an extremely good idea if you are concerned about protecting the body of your car while off-roading. These bumpers provide an extra layer of protection. This is because they sit over the car's body, much like the cattle catchers that police vehicles and trucks have. Having this armor ensures that if you do make a mistake and get into an angle that puts your car nose first, you will have some leeway. Many of these companies have other styles of bumpers that are for various other parts of the truck. These can range from winch bumpers to back bumpers. These types of bumpers have their own specific purpose, although rest assured, if you go off-roading or plan to go off-roading, you will definitely want some truck armor.
This one might seem obvious, and yet many people get stranded off-roading every year. The cardinal rule with doing anything in the wilderness is to bring a buddy along. Especially in the case of off-roading, one thing that nobody should do is go out alone. With a buddy, you have someone who can spot for you, someone who can help you with recovery, and someone who will give you a ride out in case you really do get stranded. However, if you prefer to do these adventures alone, you should always leave your location and the time you expect to get back with a trusted friend. This will ensure that you will have some window for being reported missing if you do get stranded.
The rules posted on any given off-roading are there for your safety and the safety of the environment. Many may go out of their way to break the rules, going down a now-defunct road or camping in certain prohibited areas. Whatever the case may be, it is always important to realize that following the rules of the trail is essential for your safety and the safety of others. Even if a rule does not make sense to you, be sure to follow it!
Many people will develop a plan for how they want their off-roading trip to play out. However, they soon realize that things are not going to plan. In fact, when you are out in the wilderness, the only certain thing is uncertainty itself. Getting stuck on your own plans is a huge mistake when it comes to off-roading. Off-roading is an activity that naturally presents itself to parts breaking, changing weather conditions, routes that unexpectedly are closed, among a myriad of other ventures. The key to off-roading is accepting that these things are supposed to happen. Treat every problem as if it is part of the reason why you off-road.
Off-roading is an activity that inherently presents itself to the problems of the open road. The only way to combat this is to know your car beyond all other metrics. By understanding how to address any problem that is thrown at you, you are allowing yourself to experience the idea of off-roading fully. We hope that this guide on how to avoid damaging your vehicle while off-roading has helped with this. If you have any other questions relating to off-road suspensions or lift kits, contact Supreme Suspensions® for more information!
]]>Lifting your truck can give it a unique look while improving its performance. So, it makes sense why you want to use a lift kit. Before taking the plunge for the kit, ensure you have the essential tools you’ll need for lift kit installation.
Without having the proper tools to lift your vehicle, it’ll be next to impossible to get the job done. Five tools are absolutes, while others can make the process easier. The five you cannot live without are three wrenches (lug, socket, and torque), a screwdriver, and a vehicle jack with jack stands.
You’ll also want to keep a pry bar and a hammer on standby if you come across outdated pieces that are tough to remove from your vehicle. Having WD-40 or perhaps another penetrating oil on hand to release stubborn joints can also aid your efforts. Lastly, a few nuts and bolts can come in handy. Remember, this is merely the minimum requirement for raising your vehicle.
Before we educate you on lifting your truck, it’s necessary to know there is no universal process for installing a lift kit. The truck suspension lift you purchase may have unique instructions, so always abide by what the kit’s manual says. The following steps can give you a general idea of what you’ll need to do.
Even if you have access to the essential tools for a lift kit installation, you might be better off leaving it to the professionals. While it’s enticing to do things yourself to avoid the additional costs, lifting your truck may be a challenging undertaking. If you must purchase the tools to do the job, the final cost of everything may be higher than paying an expert to complete the installation.
Supreme Suspensions® is a one-stop shop for truck and SUV lift and leveling systems and suspension components. We take pride in producing suspension lift kits and excellent aftermarket components, like shocks, control arms, wheel spacers, and more. We have the package you need to elevate your vehicle and give it a distinctive look!
]]>Your truck relies on a network of parts to function optimally. One of these parts is control arms, and while control arms may not be as flashy as other components, they can be paramount to how your truck drives. However, when should you replace your control arms with adjustable ones? Read on to learn when a truck needs adjustable control arms.
Your truck needs control arms for a lifted truck to ensure optimal performance. Control arms rectify the negative or positive camber—vertical alignment of the wheels—associated with them. The negative camber indicates that the wheel is turning towards the vehicle’s center, whereas the positive camber suggests that the wheels are turning away from the center. Camber adjustment is crucial when it comes to speed, positioning, and lowering or lifting a car. Without this feature, the tires could lose grip and deteriorate unevenly and abruptly.
There are plenty of reasons to upgrade or replace a control arms assembly with an adjustable one. Simply put, however, adjustable control arms are more durable. The bushing or ball joints could be on their last legs and need to be replaced with something more effective and less prone to damage.
Moreover, adjustable control arms are more compatible with various ball joints and coilovers. And because they are adjustable, you can add more height to your truck without losing out on performance.
When you notice the following signs, you may want to replace your control arms with adjustable ones for improved performance:
You now know how adjustable control arms can benefit your truck and how to tell when a truck needs adjustable control arms. If you suspect your truck needs the upgrade, Supreme Suspensions® has numerous upper control arms for lifted trucks to guarantee you have the best ride every time you put your foot on the gas.
]]>Most people that get into their car, fire up the ignition, and put it in drive may not understand all the moving parts required to get you moving—one of those vital components in your vehicle’s control arms. Two types of control arms share similarities, but what are the differences between upper and lower control arms?
Heavy-duty vehicles like SUVs and trucks benefit from factory-installed upper control arms. However, manufacturers have cost-cutting at the forefront of their minds, considering they use inexpensive sheet metal for mass production. Hence, aftermarket upper control arms (UCA) are the best option for those wanting a suspension lift. While the lift’s primary purpose is for better wheel travel, it includes other benefits.
Numerous excellent suspension systems for off-road vehicles contain a control arm that increases the component’s durability, provides a larger selection of ball joint alternatives, and is more compatible with aftermarket coilovers. Additionally, you’ll have superior wheel alignment compared to other cars that employ spacers. You should notice how your vehicle operates better with a newly added upper control arm because virtually any addition surpasses the manufactured one.
A lower control arm is an essential component of the vehicle’s suspension system, as It offers a sturdy link between the suspension system and the wheel. The wheel alignment and suspension system will be off-kilter without a lower control arm.
The lower control arm helps your vehicle absorb the impact of bumps in the roads like potholes. But if that pothole is large enough or another massive object in the road breaks the control arm, you’ll notice that your alignment is out of whack, and you’ll have trouble steering.
Generally, the upper and lower control arm seems synonymous with each other. They serve similar purposes of providing stability and control but are not interchangeable. Each of these arms has a size difference, so it’s not like you can mix and match or put two of the same components on the vehicle. Also, every manufactured vehicle has a lower control arm regardless of size. You’ll only find upper control arms on heavy-duty vehicles like SUVs and trucks.
The differences between upper and lower control arms may be minimal, but each has a distinct purpose. Whether you want upper or lower truck control arms, Supreme Suspensions® is the stop for you. With a wide array of control arms for your lifted truck, you’ll be able to drive and go off-roading like never before.
]]>If you aren't a car mechanic or someone who often deals in the mechanisms of cars themselves, you likely have no idea what control arms are even for. In many cases, they are a component that often goes ignored when it comes to vehicle maintenance. If you find that you are in this situation, read on. Below we have a guide to the different kinds of control arms.
Before we get into the different kinds of control lines that are available for your car, we must define control arms themselves, as they are parts that people are most often not familiar with. A control arm is a part of the car that forms a link between the suspension and the chassis. While control arms may come in many different shapes and be made from many different materials, they can all be found in the same place on a car, making them relatively easy to identify.
In most situations, control arms can be found on the axle, where they attach to the steering knuckle. In cases where the vehicle is designed to pull larger loads, the control arms will also be placed on the rear axle. The number of control arms per wheel may also change depending on the type of wheel, as well as what the vehicle is designed to do. When a suspension system utilizes two arms, the wheel suspension system is often referred to as a wishbone suspension system.
It may be surprising, but the control arm serves many different functions while driving. Because it connects the wheels to the frame, the control arms ensure the wheels’ overall stability, as well as the synchronous movements of the wheels to the frame. Control arms help also dampen vibrations from the road as they help soften the wheels’ movements up and down.
Besides this, control arms are responsible for enabling you to steer your vehicle effectively while moving in a forward direction, as it would be extremely hard for the wheel to travel while rolling in such a way under normal circumstances. The last and perhaps most important function that control arms serve is that they help dampen any large movements in the vehicle’s wheels. If you've ever noticed that you feel as much as from a bump or pothole, you can be sure that your control arms are working.
While there are many different kinds of control arms on the market, you can find three main types in most modern vehicles today. The first and most popular is the strut type of control arm. These control arms have fewer parts in their construction. Besides this, they weigh and cost less to manufacture, making them the superior of the two. Because of the different factors relating to the ease of manufacturing and maintenance, it is easy to see why many manufacturers often choose this type of control arm.
Another type of control arm that you can expect to see in any modern car is a wishbone suspension system. This double control arm format was an earlier iteration of the control arm design, having more moving parts, as well as more weight. However, you can still find these types of suspension systems in vehicles designed to go through rough terrain, such as modern off-road vehicles. This is because the double wishbone design often sports higher capabilities when it comes to rougher movements, while providing more cushioning for the car itself.
You can also find this type of suspension on high-end cars for this reason. In many cases, the owners of these higher-end cars do not mind having the higher repair costs associated with these types of control arms due the fact that they provide many benefits for their vehicle.
The last kind of control that you can commonly see on the road is adjustable control arms. These control arms are adjustable in that they allow you to change the wheel camber as well as vertical alignment. This can be especially useful in some off-roading conditions where you may be facing various landscapes that you must traverse.
In general, you can expect your control arm to be made out of three different materials. The first type of material that is commonly seen is steel. Steel sports high material resistance as well as wearability, while being a relatively affordable material to produce. One factor that makes steel a lot more successful and ubiquitous is its ability to flex in a wheel control arm situation. Flexing is an absolute must, as the wheel must be able to adjust with the road at a moment’s notice.
However, a big disadvantage of steel control arms is their susceptibility to rust. If not treated or coated with a chemical that enables them to be rust-resistant, the control arm may lose its durability over time and need to be replaced.
The other main control arm material that is commonly used is aluminum. Aluminum is a lightweight yet strong material that does not rust under any circumstances. The aluminum’s lightweight property also helps the vehicle’s handling, which may result in easier steering and tighter turns.
However, unlike steel control arms, aluminum control arms do not have the ability to flex under stress. This could mean that if you suffer extreme stress or impact while driving, your control arms may snap in half. However, this is not to say that aluminum control arms are bad, as the type of load that could cause the breakage would be the result of an extreme situation in the first place.
We hope you have enjoyed our guide to the different kinds of control arms. Purchasing control arms is as easy as shopping for your car’s brand. In many cases, different control arms may link up with different brands or models of cars differently, which is why it's so important for you to understand.
The brand of your car matters when choosing control arms, and if you are looking for access to control arms for lifted trucks, we suggest reaching out to Supreme Suspensions. We have a wide variety of different high-quality control arms from various car manufacturers in stock to ensure we are the one-stop shop for all your suspension needs.
]]>Pickup trucks were meant to be low-cost work vehicles for the general population, but people love to lift them. Wondering if your truck needs a new look? Here are five of the most commonly lifted pickup truck models.
One of the most popular trucks that looks like a beast lifted is the Ford F-150. While many may opt to lift the newer F-150s, there’s something about doing it with a classic 1978 F-150. In the 1970s, car manufacturers were adventurous when building their vehicles, so this truck offers a bit of nostalgia along with its style. You can enjoy an easy-to-access undercarriage and improved towing capacity, and the larger tires give it a distinctive look that’s easy on the eyes.
The F-150 is sentimental, but there’s another Ford that might pique your interest. The most-touted Ford truck is the F-150 Raptor, making it a premium option for lifting. A lifted Raptor looks and feels like a lean, mean trucking machine, thanks to its gorgeous interior design, trailer backup assists, and smart technology that ensures a safe ride.
The Chevrolet Colorado has been out for a while. It garnered appeal when huge vehicles were losing their luster among buyers. To combat the Toyota Tacoma gaining momentum in the US marketplace, Chevrolet opted to respond with an upgraded, powerful mid-size truck. The newest Colorado did not disappoint, especially lifted.
The Silverado has been Chevrolet’s staple in the pickup truck industry since 1975. But it wasn’t until 2000 that Chevy decided to build a heavy-duty model of their Silverado truck with 1500HD, 2500HD, and 3500HD models. These trucks were “like a rock,” allowing you to do anything you desired behind the wheel.
The Dodge Ram is one of the most iconic trucks ever produced in the United States. With its ever-improving appearance and power, the Ram has some glorious days ahead of it. Pickup enthusiasts love the Dodge Ram because you can make numerous modifications to personalize it. A lifted Ram provides better handling for your off-roading experiences.
If you want a vehicle capable of so much more, you can opt for one of these five most commonly lifted pickup truck models. Supreme Suspensions® are experts at lifting trucks and can customize your truck with an offroad bumper that allows you to tackle rough terrain.
]]>There are some things about vehicles that an average person wouldn’t know, and the motion ratio is one of those things that could be puzzling. Getting to the nuts and bolts of how a vehicle runs helps you comprehend if everything is hunky dory. One way to find out is to determine the motion ratio and how it affects your suspension systems.
The motion ratio of a vehicle expresses how much leverage a wheel has on the damper and spring. This figure varies depending on the vehicle and may also change from the front to the rear.
Where the suspension attaches itself to the wheel can alter the motion ratio. The standard for most cars with independent suspensions is a suspension mounted to the spring near the wheel. Such a mounting will result in minimal leverage, whereas mounting the suspension farther from the wheel increases leverage.
The purpose of finding a vehicle’s motion ratio is to have more of an understanding of how your spring is operating. You can find the motion ratio of any vehicle yourself by answering two simple questions and plugging those answers into an equation.
The first question you need to answer is: how far is the inner pivot point of the control arm from the center of the spring? The second question you need to answer is: how far is the same control arm’s pivot point from the outer ball joint? To solve for the motion ratio, take the numerical answer to the first question and divide it by the numerical answer to the second question.
You can find the wheel rate of the vehicle by taking the spring rate and multiplying it by the square root of your motion ratio. This number will tell the true story of how well your wheels are moving.
The motion ratio explains how the suspension gradually stiffens as the car descends. Because stiffness is less important while lifting the car, the degree of relevance of the target at that precise moment lowers to zero. This will emphasize the compression function, which is more important than rebound. Ideally, a motion ratio that’s 1:1 is the goal for optimum comfort, although some may operate better with a different ratio.
There’s a lot of math and science behind it, but because of the physics behind motion ratio, a little suspension can go a long way. It all depends on how certain makes and models are set up, and it’s why certain lift kits will actually be thinner than the advertised lift height.
For example, the spacer for some three-inch lift kits will actually be much thinner than three inches to provide the advertised height. So, if you receive a kit and the part is thinner than expected, don’t worry. You’ll still get the desired height.
Learning how motion ratio affects suspension systems requires measuring and number crunching, but it allows you to learn more about your vehicle and how it operates. Let Supreme Suspensions® do the math for you and help you choose the best suspension kits available for your vehicle. Contact us today to get started!
]]>It can be exhilarating to explore what the world has to offer. Fortunately, you can discover much more when you can take things off-road. Whether you plan on returning home later that day or want to live like a mountain person for a week, you should know what to pack in your vehicle for off-roading fun.
There is a laundry list of items you should bring along on your off-roading adventure, and we’ll get more in-depth about them as we move along. But there is a bare-bones list you must abide by before you hit the open road. Items that help with your safety, nourishment, truck problems, and other miscellany can get you out of a tough jam if you get yourself into one.
Before you load your truck full of gear, you should go through a checklist of personal items that help you stay comfortable and, more importantly, alive. The number one item that you must bring is water. If your off-roading trip is going to be an extended visit, you won’t be able to make it without some high-quality H2O.
Ideally, you should have a gallon of water each day for every person on your adventure. Dehydration can sneak up on you quickly, and the last place you want dehydration to strike is far from civilization.
You’ll need food to pair with your water for proper nourishment. If this is your first rodeo, you may be unsure how much food you should bring. You don’t want to skimp on your food supply, or else you’ll be rationing off a can of beans during day three’s dinner. Therefore, bring more food than you anticipated, especially if it’s nonperishable.
Once you cover those bases, you can sift through your closet and pack your clothes. The smart idea is to plan something for each day and add extra items in case of an emergency. Toilet paper is the last essential to keep in your truck. While you may want a realistic experience in the wild, you’ll regret not having some the second you must take care of yourself with leaves.
Other highly recommended items include rain jackets, sunblock, trash bags, and water purification tablets.
With everything in tow to keep you well nourished and hydrated, it’s time to consider additional survival tools in case your joyous trip turns into the plot of a horror movie. Since everything looks the same in the woods, it can be easy to lose your way quickly. Hence, a compass and map can come in handy if you travel down an unbeaten trail. Additional communication devices other than your cell phones, like a CB radio or GMRS radio, are exceptionally helpful if things go awry.
Even if your off-road excursion is a day trip, you’re better off preparing for the worst-case scenario. Because if that were to happen, and you weren’t fully prepared for it, it could be bad news for everyone involved.
Any off-roading trip is safer when you have a recovery strap kit. It’s not so much “if” you’ll get stuck in the mud but rather “when.” You may get trapped and need some help getting your vehicle out. Prepare for the inevitable by installing a 4x4 recovery kit on your vehicle. Give the pulling vehicle something strong and rounded to latch onto. These kits include D-ring shackles, hitch receivers, and other essential vehicle recovery components.
In general, recovery kits will assist you in dealing with unforeseen incidents on the road. When you’re on the road, you’re basically on your own. As a result, you should carry your recovery kit to prepare for unforeseen events.
In addition to the recovery kit, it wouldn’t hurt to include Maxtrax. These useful nylon boards are multipurpose. Their intended use is for giving your tires a way to gain traction, but you could also use them at your campsite to construct a fireplace or a latrine. Even if you aren’t an off-roadster, these come helpful in the winter when snow is wreaking havoc on your tires.
A winch or snatch strap requires a substantial force, and failure might be fatal. The easiest approach for driving out of a stalled situation could require no additional vehicle entirely because of Maxtrax.
An often-overlooked item is a spare tire. Assuming you’ve altered your truck by lifting it, the factory-issued spare tire isn’t going to cut the mustard. When a tire repair kit cannot fix it, going to a spare may be your only option. And if you dig it out and see the spare is old and useless, you could be in a world of hurt. So always ensure you have a decent tire that suits your current vehicle and the equipment required to replace it if appropriate.
A fast deflator is a tool you don’t realize you need till you need it. It may save you a significant amount of time and valve stems. Several backups for air are popular. One example is a tiny air compressor. This choice is acceptable. Even though it takes longer, it will complete the task.
Power tanks are the alternative option and the preferred method for inflating tires while off-roading. They are an excellent choice if you need to inflate quickly and easily. These CO2 systems are incredibly transportable and simple to use, can quickly inflate tires, and provide sufficient pressure to operate air tools.
Along with your nifty recovery kit, it also doesn’t hurt to have some basic tools. You’ll need a wide range of wrenches, drivers, pliers, and other tools. Even if you don’t anticipate working on your vehicle while traveling, the vibrations and roughness may easily jar things loose. Having a toolset on hand will allow you to deal with issues as they occur.
Now that you know what to pack in your vehicle for off-roading fun, you can confidently hit the muddy terrain. Supreme Suspensions© is here to help you with a recovery kit you can count on. We want to improve your off-roading experience, so swing by or give us a call, and we’ll do whatever we can to improve your ride.
]]>Almost every truck manufactured since the part’s inception features at least one sway bar. But cost-cutting and driver concerns meant that these trucks left some concerned about body roll and handling.
Fortunately, during the past few years, alternative sway bar technology has advanced tremendously, with hollow tube design paving the way. Sway bars no longer use exceptionally strong solid bar material; computer technology can form them for drastically more precise measurement.
Learning the importance of sway bars for your lifted truck is vital because having them improves your elevated truck’s safety and how you can operate it. Without sway bars, you put yourself in a vulnerable position whenever you go off-roading or take sharp turns. Let us explain what sway bars are, the manufacturing process, and the testing they go through. Additionally, we will explain exactly how integral they are for the handling of the truck.
Sway bars, in essence, eliminate roll and greatly enhance handling. They join one half of the suspension to the other through attachment points on the chassis and lower A-arms, and they rotate to reduce rolling while turning. Gravitational forces provide a body roll force when the vehicle approaches a turn, so the twisting motions of the sway bar minimize this impact.
The stiffer the sway bar, the better defense for counteracting these rolls. However, excessive sway bar rigidity causes enormous strain on the outer loaded tire, reducing traction. To find the best sway bar for your truck, you’ll want to find the measurement of the lb./in. rate of force needed to twist one end versus the other.
Numerous trucks come with the standard front sway bar because the tires were thin and had softer sidewalls decades ago. Nowadays, drivers want sophisticated super-sticky tires that have traction and outperform tires from the past. When you give your truck balance, your vehicle will be the fastest and safest on scenic bending roads. With the front and rear tires working in unison, you should notice how balanced your truck feels. Ultimately, well-configured sway packages provide smooth handling and are customizable, allowing drives to fine-tune things to meet their needs.
There have been different approaches to manufacturing a sway bar throughout the years. Yet, the typical way to make a bar is to take basic bar materials and bend them into the desired form using press and bend molds. This approach is often an inexpensive way to create them, but it has some downsides.
By individually doing each process, it increases the potential for manufacturer error. The area around the sway bar compresses as vehicles get more intricate. There is less space for mistakes; therefore, the item must be flawless to fit in the vehicle. Another downside of press bends is that they might leave multiple severe markings on the product. Scuffs like this on a solid bar make the component less visually appealing.
Many companies use specifically designed machinery to correct the inconsistencies and complete the bars in one fluid procedure. Machines loaded with raw materials go through a sequence of operations to create the beautifully bent bar. A computer records how each curve compares to the others, guaranteeing exact results every time.
Sway bar testing techniques, like other aftermarket components, might differ from one vendor to the next. Some lower-end goods are essentially larger copies of original components with higher rates that do not go through testing. Meanwhile, other suppliers thoroughly evaluate how they perform on the track, off-roading, and on the street to find that perfect blend for optimal performance. Combining rigorous testing and feedback from other drivers allows a manufacturer to make the best sway bars possible for your truck.
As a precautionary measure, almost all trucks, regardless if they are old or new, have factory-installed understeer, otherwise known as “push.” Understeer allows you to turn sharply at high speeds, causing your front tires to screech as your truck remains steady and straight. This implies that the rear tires do all the work to maintain a straight line because they have the most control.
The inverse of understeer is oversteer. This drift happens when the front tires stay on the road as the rear tires lose their grip, and your truck naturally tries to pirouette when you turn. This maneuver isn’t for the faint of heart—it takes time and confidence to pull off.
By distributing weight to various areas of the suspension as the vehicle enters a turn, sway bars may offer better handling for oversteer and understeer. Truck owners may install a rear sway bar in many circumstances because the manufacturer didn’t install it originally. Even if a rear sway bar is already present, it’s always wise to upgrade to a more robust rear sway bar that dramatically helps your oversteer.
Another factor regarding handling is the body roll of the truck. Most performance suspension configurations attempt to keep the vehicle’s structure as parallel to the terrain as feasible to improve its handling. However, eliminating body roll may result in a very harsh ride; thus, the trick is to find a compromise that maintains the suspension design while providing a pleasant riding experience.
While the ordinary driver might not realize the importance of sway bars, a truck aficionado expects more from their vehicle than the average person. You want something with better handling, stability, and traction to ensure the best performance when you’re behind the wheel. Don’t settle for the factory design that plays it safe.
Finally, the strongest handling advantage you can strap onto your lifted truck is a well-designed, lightweight sway bar set. It’s evident how important sway bars are for your lifted truck. If you’re looking to install the best sway bars made by quality technicians, Supreme Suspensions® is your answer. Supreme Suspensions® is an elite truck suspension shop that can modify your truck with lift kits, wheel spaces, and other truck accessories that make others fawn over your vehicle.
]]>Improving your truck’s abilities is crucial to enjoying it to its fullest capacity. One way to do that is to install a lift kit to boost it to handle various terrains. Knowing how a lift kit can affect your driving experience highlights its benefits.
Individuals who wish to tackle the most challenging off-road adventures, such as navigating through waterways or scaling steep slopes or dunes, will benefit from a taller vehicle. A lift kit provides more space and stability for a more practical riding experience. All these features enable you to do more with your vehicle and push it past its limitations.
Because of the added space underneath your truck, you have room to balance the weight and provide improved comfort even while driving in treacherous terrain. It also gives you a clear view of what’s ahead since you’re elevated. That is extremely important for any off-roading excursions.
Oversized tires are not only more visually appealing, but they often increase performance overall. Stock suspension forces you to choose small tires, which won’t help if you get bogged in the muck or snow. A lift kit allows you to employ off-road tires and pull yourself out of any complex situation.
Deep snow and rutted trails are no longer an issue with an elevated vehicle. Even if you prefer off-road tires, it’s a wise idea to possess a pair of street tires on hand to replace your off-road tires since the latter have higher traction and are more prone to wear on ordinary streets.
One of the greatest things on the planet is a boosted truck with monster tires. There are many lovers of customized trucks all around the globe, and if you want to enhance your vehicle to stand out from the crowd and cause a stir when off-roading or stuck in traffic, lift kits are a must.
However, each time you modify your car and alter the factory-supplied setup, you must be mindful of the possible aftereffects. Because of the elevated center of gravity, lift kits may reduce some operating angles, so it could take a little time to get a grasp behind the wheel.
Learning how a lift kit affects the driving experience alerts you when handling varied terrain. For an avid off-roader, a lift kit is essential for optimal performance. You can get your truck wheel spacers at Supreme Suspensions to give your truck the lift it needs!
]]>For many, lifting a truck is a dream they can only wish to have. However, for others, it is a solid reality. There are many benefits that come with lifting a truck, but many don’t understand them, which may prevent them from lifting their vehicles in the first place. Others still perform a lift kit transformation but regret the process altogether. To help you avoid both situations, we’ve detailed below what you need to know before lifting your truck.
Your mind may be in a haze while thinking about how awesome your lifted truck will look once it’s complete. But you could forget one critical component: how will you get in and out of it?
The standard bar on your truck will no longer work because the driver’s seat is now out of reach. Thus, adding a nerf step bar is vital to make your life easier. If you want something wider, running boards are the way to go, and you can even hide some of them until the door opens.
One positive thing you need to know before lifting your truck is that it will allow you to drive in many places more easily. Because lifting your truck will increase the clearance of its body, it will allow you to go in rockier terrain without risking scraping the bottom of your vehicle on any debris. Because of this, many off-roaders choose to lift their trucks to ensure that they can traverse any hostile terrain they may encounter while out in the wild.
One of the least remembered benefits of lifting your truck is that maintenance will certainly be easier to accomplish. When you put a lift kit on your truck, the clearance of your truck rises, which will allow you to access the underside of your truck easily. No longer will you have to struggle with a skateboard at your back and a spotter to pull you out when you are done. Now, you can easily and quickly do any sort of maintenance that your truck may require without needing to use a vehicle lift.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of some of the most important things you need to know before lifting your truck. If you are looking for a lift kit company to purchase a quality lift kit or leveling kit from, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions® today!
]]>It may seem like common knowledge, but fitting bigger wheels on your truck can present a lot of opportunities for where you can go with your vehicle, as well as which upgrades you can easily put on your car. Beyond this, fitting your vehicle with bigger wheels may allow you access to other improvements that will vastly increase the usability of your truck overall. However, before you do this, you need to find out how you can fit bigger wheels on your truck in the first place. Luckily, this guide details exactly how you can fit bigger wheels on your truck.
One of the easiest ways to install bigger wheels on your trucker is to install wheel spacers. While wheel spacers do not necessarily increase the wheel’s size, they do push the wheels out further from the truck’s body. This can make the wheels appear bigger. Wheel spacers also have the other benefit of providing a more stable base for your vehicle. This is because wheel spacers enable your truck to cover a wider surface area and spread its weight more evenly across the road, resulting in a more stable ride during turns.
Another great way to fit bigger wheels on your truck is to install a suspension lift system. Though you may not realize it, installing a lifted suspension system will increase the size of tires that will fit under your truck. If you do not choose to use a lift suspension system, you may find that the wheels you ordered are too big or are rubbing against the undercarriage of the vehicle when you turn. To avoid this, you need to install a suspension lift system that will ensure the body of your truck does not hinder the movement of the wheels themselves. Keep in mind that a suspension lift kit will also help increase the usability of your truck, making it easier for you to drive over large obstacles or rough terrain.
The last and perhaps easiest way to fit bigger wheels on your truck is to buy larger ones outright. When shopping for wheels, it is important that you understand the max wheel size that your vehicle’s body can take. In many cases, the wheels you choose may be too big, especially in cases where you have a regular-sized truck. In any case, we suggest basing your purchase on wheel quality rather than price, as your truck’s wheels are vital to ensuring you have a safe ride no matter what terrain you go over.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of how you can fit bigger wheels on your truck. Getting your hands on these upgrades doesn’t have to be hard if you find the right retailer. Be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions today if you are looking to get your hands on quality aftermarket suspension parts or upgrades to your lift kit setup!
]]>When it comes to lift kits, many people are in the dark regarding the various tips and tricks that can make installing and maintaining these kits easier. Unfortunately, it doesn't help that most manufacturers do not give the end consumer much advice on how they can maintain their lift kits, which leaves many people wondering whether they will require additional maintenance. If you find yourself in this position, read on. This guide answers some of the more common questions regarding whether lifted trucks require additional maintenance.
Lifted trucks do not require additional maintenance just because they are lifted; however, it’s still a good idea to have the car inspected during the lift kit installation to ensure your lift kit is installed correctly. Furthermore, conducting this check at the beginning of your automotive lift kit experience will ensure that any subsequent problems you experience are not due to the lift kit itself. For this task, we suggest going to a different mechanic than the one who installed your lift kit to ensure you have a fresh set of eyes looking at the areas in question.
One of the biggest things to understand when it comes to maintenance on lifted trucks is that much of the maintenance depends on your treatment of the car. As you may expect, many people with lift kits installed on their trucks utilize them to go off-roading. Off-roading puts the vehicle through a lot of stress, as it must traverse extremely bumpy terrain that can easily knock bolts loose. As such, if you intend to utilize your lift kit in rock crawling or similar off-roading activities, you can expect to require additional maintenance on the lift kit. However, under normal circumstances, you should not have to bring the car in for frequent maintenance, as the lift kit is designed to withstand regular use.
In general, you’ll only need to perform additional maintenance on your lifted trucks after a particularly rough ride. After all, anything can happen on the open road, especially when you are driving on a road that’s littered with debris or paved with loose materials. As such, we recommend taking your vehicle to a mechanic any time you notice something is out of place. If you are not currently experiencing issues, you can get by with scheduling a check-up once every three to four months.
We hope we have answered your questions regarding whether lifted trucks require additional maintenance. In general, lifted trucks do not need more maintenance than the average car unless they are being put through their paces in frequent off-roading adventures. Be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions today for quality products at a great price.
]]>As much as you'd like to take a few quick photographs to show off your truck, it's not that simple. However, learning these five pro tips for taking better photos of your truck will help you showcase your vehicle’s allure and charm. Grab your garb and get ready to become the amateur photographer that you always wanted to be.
Each update to our phones’ operating systems comes with incremental changes for taking photographs. While these changes are helpful for taking a selfie or an adorable family picture, they don’t provide the best options for taking a professional photo. A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera features a bigger sensor to capture a picture, providing sophisticated processing capabilities that improve each picture's sharpness, resolution, and purity. Having a DSLR camera handy doesn't necessitate a phone upgrade because it will continue to take beautiful photos throughout the years.
Professional photographers will carry tinfoil-like posterboard or use illuminating lights for their photoshoots because good lighting is critical for high-quality photographs. You should experiment with various lighting setups and carefully analyze your photographs after taking them. Diligently assessing the pictures will confirm what lighting works best when photographing your truck.
To ensure you explore all your options, snap images at different times of the day. You might learn that dusk makes your truck look better or that the early sunrise enhances its features.
A stunning backdrop gives your picture the ultimate decorative touch, whereas the opposite may completely tarnish the photograph. The best backgrounds are ones that accentuate your truck's stylish features. Choose something that complements the vehicle rather than diverts the viewer's eyes elsewhere.
You don't want someone's first impression to be confusion as to why your photoshoot took place at your chosen location. Double-check that there are no trash cans, hanging electrical wires, run-down buildings, or other vehicles in your frame.
Taking a driving shot requires help from others and a keen eye, but they are unquestionably the coolest photos you can take. This image suggests a natural sense of motion, giving the viewer a realistic look at how the car looks behind the wheel.
When taking a moving shot, remember to secure yourself in the vehicle, keep your camera attached to your hip, and put the camera in continuous shooting mode. Find a majestic, low-traffic roadway to do some test runs to perfect the timing. Once everyone feels comfortable, it's showtime. You’ll likely take several unusable pictures throughout the course of the shoot; however, using burst mode should snag a few winners from the tens or hundreds of pictures you take.
This final tip is the cherry on top of the hypothetical sundae. Many people have the same ideas when they take pictures of their trucks, which is why highlighting the details that make your ride unique will help you stand out from the crowd. Taking highly detailed shots of a customized interior or showing off your vehicle’s heavy-duty rear bumper lets you put the exclamation point on your truck's portfolio.
Following these five pro tips for taking better photos of your truck will have your truck looking magazine ready. Let Supreme Suspensions supply you with the best products to improve the look of your truck, and receive 10 percent off your next purchase when you subscribe to our mailing list.
]]>Trucks are often designed to be hardy and resourceful tools for anyone to use while driving on or off the road. However, trucks can still break down due to stress and overuse. This may be especially common if you are utilizing your truck in a construction or industrial setting. It is in these situations that knowing how to fix these common problems is essential to ensuring you can get back to work in a timely fashion.
Trucks are often used on work sites and in scenarios where time is of the essence, which is why it can be helpful to have at least some knowledge on how to fix the most common problems that may occur. If you find that you are in this boat and in need of some knowledge on how to fix the most common problems you may encounter when operating a truck, read on. We have compiled some of the best solutions to the most common truck problems.
One of the most common problems that you can expect to encounter is a flat tire. In most situations, flat tires occur when a sharp foreign object enters the rubber of your tire deep enough to puncture it and release air. While tools such as tire plugs do exist, they may not be the best solution for fixing a tire on an industrial site or while off-roading. When you are in these types of areas, you are more likely to encounter sharp objects that may puncture your tires.
As such, when faced with a flat tire, the best option may be to replace the tire completely. When you do this, you are ensuring that no further damage will come to the flat tire, allowing you to take it to a tire shop and have them repair it at a later date. Doing this can help ensure you will not sustain any more flat tires, and it will help you salvage the popped tire, thus saving you a little money.
Due to the risk of puncturing, it’s advisable to have a spare tire or two on hand wherever you go. Having a tire carrier in your truck bed is ideal, as it can safely, securely, and conveniently house your vehicle’s spare tires.
Another common problem that many people encounter while driving a truck is a cracked windshield. In most cases, a cracked windshield will result from traveling at fast speeds behind another car on a rocky road. When the car in front of you hits a loose piece of gravel, it can throw that piece of gravel toward your vehicle at a high velocity. In some cases, this may crack your windshield or leave the pebble embedded within the windshield. While this may seem like an unfixable form of damage, it is actually not that big of a deal.
You can simply hire a windshield repair team to fill in the crack. In most cases, they will come out to your house and fill in the crack for you. They use a special type of resin that hardens in the sun and is just as resilient as glass, making it a perfect substitute for the chipped glass. Furthermore, this resin is clear, meaning it will look just like any other part of your windshield after it finishes curing.
The only downside of getting a team to fill in the crack on your windshield is that it may leave a bigger mark than you had anticipated. If you are concerned more about the aesthetics of your car than the cost of replacing the windshield, it may be worth it to have the entire windshield professionally replaced. In most cases, this can be done by a mobile technician who will show up at your door and complete the process within a few hours.
Another common truck problem involves a steering system that pulls or jerks while driving at high speeds. Unfortunately, this problem can have many different causes, some of which include worn bushings and ball joints within the front tires or an unevenly worn tire. This issue makes it necessary to be aware of the signs that your ball joints need replacing. In either case, these problems stem from unnoticed wear that may develop in the steering area of the car, namely the ball joints that connect the front suspension to the tires.
With enough wear and tear over time and without any steering alignment adjustments, this problem will continue to get worse and may even cause an accident. The only way to rectify this problem is to go to your local mechanic and have a new set of bushings and ball joints installed in the truck.
Yet another common problem that truck owners may experience is their truck vibrating unnecessarily. In most cases, this has something to do with the truck’s suspension system and the quality of the road. Together, these two things can cause unnecessary vibrating within the cabin of the truck. This unnecessary vibrating may cause other problems, such as loosening bolts and tearing apart different components within the car. In most cases, the only way to rectify this problem is to seek out an automobile mechanic who can diagnose the issue and solve it.
This may seem like the problem of all problems, but don’t worry. In most cases, when a truck is not able to start, it simply means there is a problem with the car battery. The car battery is responsible for operating the starter engine, which is an electrically fueled engine. When your vehicle’s battery has run out of power, it will no longer be able to start the starter engine, which will prohibit your vehicle from starting. If you experience this problem, you can go to your local auto store to pick up a replacement battery or call an auto service to change it for you.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of solutions to the most common truck problems you can expect to face while on the road or on a work site. If you are looking to purchase upgraded truck equipment such as truck leveling kits, truck armor, or even new sets of bushings and ball joints, be sure to check out Supreme Suspensions today. We have a wide array of automobile parts from many different brands to ensure we are your one-stop shop for everything related to suspensions.
]]>The SEMA Show is one of the biggest automotive aftermarket-part industry shows that takes place in the United States. This trade-only event draws more than 80,000 buyers each year, meaning that it is the world's leading automotive trade event that takes place on a yearly basis. This event brings together manufacturers, marketers, and suppliers to form a cohesive exposition where different groups can take advantage of the opportunity to work on new projects together. If this process sounds exciting to you, you need to read on. Below, we've detailed a look ahead at what to expect at 2022’s SEMA Show.
Attendees at the 2022 SEMA Show are lucky to get a first glance at a host of new models of cars on display. The convention is a great place for automotive manufacturers to show off any new or unusual design or manufacturing techniques that they've employed in their current model cars. Besides this, it's a great place for them to show off any innovative driving technology that may be in the cards as well, such as self-parking and autopilot functions. Of course, our descriptions of new technology do not do it justice, so in-person attendance guarantees up-close and personal views of novel tech and cutting-edge design.
Another thing you can expect to see at the 2022 SEMA Show is a presentation of upgraded car parts on the market for the first time, such as upgraded lift bars and other truck lift kit components. As you may expect, technology is constantly improving to ensure that the cars outfitted with these parts deliver the maximum performance possible. One of the only times these companies are able to showcase their products is in a trade show, so you can definitely expect many uniquely enhanced car parts to be on full display.
Look to attend a multitude of educational seminars at the 2022 SEMA Show. While there are certainly a lot of products showcased at this convention, attendees will also find the activities, seminars, and demonstrations particularly illuminating. These activities demonstrate where the manufacturers are headed and what they hope to achieve.
We will have a couple of our Supreme Tacoma and Raptor on display geared up with some existing and new Supreme Suspensions® items.
Get a hands on preview of our new Roof Rack coming soon to the general public. Check out our line of Truck Armor with Premium Utility Front Bumpers and now we will have Rear Bumpers as well. Our Universal Multi-Function Hitch Skid Plate with a solid 1/4" steel construction with reinforcement gustes and 1" thick shackle anchor points for supreme strength, it's a great addition to have for added bumper protection.
Be prepared and have peace of mind with any offroad adventure with our line of Recovery Gear. Be ready for any situation with our D-Ring Shackles, Recovery Tow Straps, Ratchet Tie-Down Straps, and more! Plus our line of Premium Quality Lift and Leveling Kits and Supreme Suspensions® Uni-Ball Control Arms will be on display so you can see first hand the quality and craftsmanship we put into our parts.
Whether you are there for business or there for pleasure, make sure to stop by the Supreme Suspensions® booth #59221.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of some of the most important things you need to know before lifting your truck. If you are looking for a lift kit company to purchase a quality lift kit or leveling kit from, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions® today!
]]>While it may seem odd, getting stuck is part of the off-roading experience. Without this obstacle there would be no risk, no pleasure, and no fun to be had with this hobby. As such, you have to accept the fact that you will get stuck at some point and take it upon yourself to prepare for anything that may happen while out on the open road.
Newcomers to this hobby may not be fully aware of the danger they could be getting themselves into when adventuring in particularly rugged terrain. To help you avoid getting into any uncomfortable situations while in the backcountry, read on. We have compiled some of the best ways to get yourself unstuck while off-roading.
One of the best ways to ensure you can get yourself unstuck from any position is to carry traction boards on your rig. Traction boards are a type of recovery tool that you wedge under your wheel between soft ground and your tires to improve traction. These work by redistributing the weight of the tire across the entire area of the traction board, making it much easier to gain traction on any type of loose or wet ground. The best part is that these tools are extremely portable; you can basically place them anywhere on your truck and have them ready for whenever you get stuck.
Another great way to get yourself unstuck while off-roading is to bring a winch along for the ride. Winches are great in that they do not require any other object to use besides a sturdy tree or rock for you to grab hold of. They are great in situations when you are on the open road alone with no other support of any kind. As such, this is one of the more self-sufficient ways of getting yourself unstuck and should be only used as a last resort. Be aware that this method can also be somewhat dangerous.
Perhaps the best tip is to travel with a friend. Of all the recovery options available to you, hitching your car to someone else’s and having them drag you free is probably the easiest and fastest way to get out of any sticky situation. Of course, there are limiting factors with this type of recovery method, such as the road width and angle of the road in relation to your car. But in most situations, this will be the easiest and safest way of freeing a stuck car.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of the top ways to get yourself unstuck while off-roading. If you are looking to purchase an off-road recovery kit, reach out to Supreme Suspensions today.
]]>It's no secret that lifting your truck is difficult. Even with explicit directions, many people still seem to make the same rookie mistakes when lifting their vehicle. While this may be good as far as learning experience is concerned, it definitely isn't good for the overall cost, patience, or performance. To help you avoid these frustrations, read on for some of the most common rookie mistakes when lifting your vehicle.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is confusing a body lift kit with a suspension kit. While this may seem ridiculous to confuse, many people are still in the dark about the differences between the two. To help clear up any misconceptions right here and now, the difference between a body lift kit and a suspension lift kit is that a body lift kit lifts the vehicle’s body off the frame. A suspension lift kit lifts the suspension and wheels off the ground higher than normal. Make sure that when you order your suspension lift kit, you order the right one to save time, costs, and headaches.
Another common rookie mistake many people make when lifting their vehicles is buying the wrong size tires. When figuring out which type of lift kit to install, knowing the tire size you want beforehand is absolutely important. Tires with excessive height in relation to your lift kit level may rub against the frame and cause damage. To avoid this, you need to purchase the right tire height to ensure you have full clearance in all parts of your tire in relation to your frame to prevent any rubbing.
The last common mistake many people make when lifting their vehicle is buying a component that isn't actually compatible with their lift kit. While this may seem like a small problem, if you do it enough times, it can seriously impede the progress of your lift kit build time. This can be frustrating if you want to get out there and test your lift kit as soon as possible to find any manufactured defects that may have been unresolved. As such, always check to ensure every part of your lift kit is compatible before buying. Doing so will help you put together a full list of what you need and effectively budget your money to ensure you are getting the best parts possible.
Save yourself a lot of time and a headache; you don't want to receive the kit and find out it's the wrong fitment with your truck already deconstructed and ready for installation. Take a few extra minutes to ensure the kit fits your vehicle’s year, make, model, and drivetrain.
We hope you have enjoyed our recap of some of the most common rookie mistakes that many people make when lifting their vehicles. If you are looking to purchase your very own lift kit parts, such as shocks and struts for lifted trucks, control arms, or even leveling kits, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions today.
]]>There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion surrounding wheel spacers. From their conception, people have seen wheel spacers as an unnecessary upgrade to your truck’s suspension and wheel system. However, many people like the look of more pronounced wheels and a wider wheelbase. Here are some of the biggest misconceptions about wheel spacers to clear up some of the misinformation and convince you that wheel spacers are great to have.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about wheel spacers. To answer the statement, no! Wheel spacers are safe when properly installed and used for their intended purposes. The most typical reason for spacer failure is the wrong hub bore, the wrong amount of torque on wheel bolts or nuts, and other installation difficulties. Running spacers should be no problem if the wheel, hub, and spacer are all correct for the application and you torque the lug nuts to the proper specifications.
Not correct. Through friction and clamping force, the wheel-laden load relocates to the axle and hub. You can’t bend a wheel stud by tightening a piece of thin and soft metal between the stud and the nut. This will happen only if you tighten the lug nuts incorrectly and place the vehicle’s complete weight on the weak wheel stud.
Wheel spacers can’t cause early failure of your wheel bearings. You should have no problems as long as you use the right kind for your vehicle. Make sure that your vehicle’s hub bore fits the spacer’s hub bore.
Nothing about the clamping force, coefficient of friction, or any other physics involved in the installation of a wheel spacer changes when you insert a wheel spacer.
Wheel spacers can add a lot of look and functionality to your rig while still allowing you the freedom of movement that you have come to expect from your vehicle. If you want to purchase wheel spacers for trucks, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions. Our long-lived expertise has made us experts at helping you get quality wheel spacers for your truck!
]]>Over the course of their usage in the public realm, lift kits have garnered a plethora of erroneous and haphazard myths. Unfortunately, these myths have had a huge impact on the public perception of lift kits, leading to their overall unpopularity in most markets. Here are some of the most prolific myths about lift kits and other off-roading upgrades.
In reality, a truck lift kit does not void your warranty in any way, assuming that the lift kit does not damage any components that are not covered by the operation. However, if you are still unsure or worried about this prospect, it is probably best to ask your mechanic if the type of lift kit that you have will instantly devoid any warranties on your truck. Just know that in most cases, the answer will be no.
In reality, lift kits do not affect towing in any negative manner. In fact, if we are counting leveling kits as a type of lift kit, the kits may actually assist you in towing a larger load. Many load-bearing vehicles purposefully install leveling and lift kits to give their suspension enough room under load to function in bumpy areas. Funnily enough, this myth actually comes from the misconception that you should use tow hooks to connect a load to your bumper for towing, which is completely false and unsafe.
Most lift kits and leveling kits are similar in their function, but the way in which they interact with the car suspension is completely different. A lift kit raises the front and rear of your truck suspension, allowing you to have larger tires and more options when installing different types of hub-centric wheel spacers. A leveling kit only lifts the front of the truck suspension to match the rear height.
Brake line length does not affect your ability to install a lift kit in any way. In most cases, brake lines are allowed to have extra amounts of line to help facilitate lift kit installation. This not only ensures that your vehicle is compatible with most lift kits, but also that you will not have to do more work to install your lift kit in the first place. If you are concerned about brake lines having too much slack, brake line relocator kits are an option that will help you easily and firmly secure your brake lines. These relocator kits come with the added benefit of helping you avoid stress and damage to your brake lie system, helping extend the overall life of your brakes.
This is not as much a myth as it is a generality. In most cases, any metal will break under repeated stress. This is because metal degrades with movement, rather than degrading due to compression or temperature. However, it is false to claim that body mount bolts will bend due to a lift kit. Instead, this idea is rooted in the fact that hard use off the road will stress and break metal eventually.
Another common myth that we often see circling around is that lift kits can cause ball joint blowouts. Luckily, with newer models of trucks, this does not happen as frequently. On the other hand, older trucks with larger wheels and tires may have this problem due to the increased load bearing. Even in older trucks, the tire size is the most common cause of ball joint replacements. Lifting an older vehicle will necessitate additional maintenance, but don’t let that stop you from getting yours lifted!
Depending on the buyer's particular preferences, any alterations to a vehicle's exterior make it either more or less appealing. Cosmetics are subjective, and it's difficult to predict how others would react to a lifted truck. On the other hand, the fallacy that upgrading your truck's suspension will depreciate its value is based on two facts. The sort of suspension modification and the quality of the kit's installation are two of these criteria. When you install a lift kit that requires new replacement parts, the suspension is usually permanently altered. It's expensive to remove the gear from a potential buyer's home, which could lower the ultimate sale price. There are no long-term effects from leveling kits. As a result, customers won't have to worry about spending a lot of money to remove changes.
It's nearly impossible for a raise kit to split from the body in an accident if it's built correctly and with high-quality materials. The high-tensile bolts would only snap if the force of the hit was so great that the entire vehicle is destroyed. A kit normally has 12 to 16 mounts to guarantee that everything stays securely attached.
Hard off-roading has the potential to rip holes in the floor. However, this only happens if you use low-quality lift blocks with the wrong diameter.
To avoid damage to the vehicle's body, uniform solid lift blocks must be the same size or larger than factory body mounts. Cracked flooring is common with kits that have a smaller diameter than factory mounting.
A normal four-wheel-drive vehicle's weight distribution is roughly 25% body and 75% wheels, tires, axles, powertrain, and other components.
Lifts always change the handling of a vehicle to some extent. A body lift lifts the vehicle's lightest portion and reduces handling fluctuations. Although handling is still influenced, it is significantly less than with similar height suspension lifts.
We hope you have enjoyed our article covering the most prolific myths about lift kits and off-road upgrades. While there are a lot of myths surrounding lift kits, in the end, only you decide what to believe. As such, consider trying out a car with a lift kit or talking to an owner of one today to find out the ins and outs of lift kit ownership. Once you’re done and ready to get your lift kit installed, be sure to reach up to Supreme Suspensions today.
]]>Your truck’s off-road recovery kit is one of the most important and essential pieces of equipment that you will ever have on board. After all, it is responsible for getting you out of any difficult situation you may encounter while out on the open road. These kits don’t only include recovery options; they may also include medical tools and communication devices to help facilitate a variety of rescue efforts. Because of this offer, recovery kits often serve other roles in addition to rescue and recovery missions. In many cases, people will also use them as first aid kits, which is why these types of kits are so beneficial in any situation. Read on to learn more about how to use your truck’s off-road recovery kit.
Before we look at the equipment itself, we must make it clear that practice makes perfect in every situation, including off-roading. You must understand how to fully utilize the tools in your kit before you try and use them out on the road. If you try to use them before you understand how to do so safely, you risk personal injury or breaking the tool itself. We recommend learning how to use these tools in a controlled environment, as doing so will teach you how to use each item in the most effective and appropriate way.
The best place to practice using these tools and skills is an empty yard with a lot of soft dirt or sand. These conditions will be the most realistic and will minimize the risk of personal injury or damage to your vehicle. Even though this is a controlled environment, you shouldn’t embark on this learning exercise alone. Whenever you’re practicing with your recovery equipment, be sure to have a friend close by to help you carry out your tasks and oversee your safety while you work.
When off-roading, communication is necessary to ensure the safety of you and your passengers. Adequate communication devices will help you effectively communicate with your fellow drivers and passengers about hazardous objects that may be on the ground ahead. This type of communication is usually done with the help of a spotter, someone who will get out of the car and walk in front or behind it to maintain full vision of any obstacles that may be nearby.
Walkie-talkies are still necessary for scenarios when you do not have a spotter. In some cases, you may get separated from your party; walkie-talkies will enable you to maintain contact with them for an extended period of time. Additionally, if you're ever in convoy, you can maintain contact with the other drivers even if they choose to go off-roading in a different area.
Having communication equipment on hand is also beneficial because it can provide you with weather updates. While cell phones are useful, they aren’t always a reliable form of communication or information while off-roading. Having a radio system that can communicate with local weather services will be invaluable in determining whether it is safe to go off-roading during certain seasons. Having a radio that’s tuned into a local weather station will provide you peace of mind in knowing that you will not be swept away in a mudslide or flash flood while off-roading.
When all else fails, and you must go alone on the road, we suggest bringing along a GPS navigation or satellite communication device. In most cases, this will ensure you won't have any trouble maintaining communication with the outside world, enabling you to call for help in the event that you get stuck beyond your capabilities. While such devices may be expensive, consider them a lifesaving cost; when you do need to use these devices, they will literally save your life.
Another essential off-roading recovery item is a winch. Winches allow you to free your vehicle from a variety of obstacles quickly and easily. In most cases, winches use a winch line and a hook that secure around a stable post, pole, tree, or rock and use that stable area to pull the car free of obstacles. However, even though winches are extremely powerful, they do have their limitations.
One of the biggest limitations of winches is that there must be a stable point nearby for them to be useful. As such, if you are off-roading on the plains or in a muddy area, there may not be enough objects for you to secure the winch to. Because of this, it is always a good idea to have 4x4 recovery kits that back up the winch and complement its weaknesses. A well-stocked recovery kit that features a variety of tools will help you get out of any situation easily.
One item that many off-roaders do not consider putting in their off-road recovery kits is a jack. Jacks are key to maintaining mobility because they allow you to easily change a spare tire or gain access to your vehicle’s undercarriage. While these tasks may not be common while driving on paved roads, they certainly are when off-roading, as obstacles tend to scratch and nick the underside of the car in rougher terrain.
There are two types of jacks to choose from that are adequate for all applications. The first is a hi-lift jack. As the name may suggest, hi-lift jacks are specialized jacks that allow the lifting arm to reach higher than normal. This allows you to reach suspension parts that may be lifted off the ground, which is common in an off-road vehicle. However, hi-lift jacks come with the disadvantage of not being as sturdy as the other jack you should consider: the bottle jack.
Bottle jacks are stout and sturdy and can lift a ton of weight without ever showing signs of breakage. These hydraulic jacks are specially designed to sit in the undercarriages of vehicles and lift them with ease. No matter the environment, you can be sure that a bottle jack is the perfect instrument to help you inspect the underside of your car and change tires.
While it can be difficult to understand how to use your truck’s recovery kit, practice makes perfect. Create a safe, controlled environment in which you can practice using the full extent of your recovery system. This type of training will give you the experience you need to safely handle any off-roading situation.
]]>There are several variables to consider regarding lift kits, including length, links, shocks, and the size of tires you can accommodate. Before you get started, you'll need to figure out whether you need a long or short arm lift kit. What's the difference, and is there any advantage to one over the other? Look here for a comparison of long arm versus short arm suspension!
The stock control arm mount is attached to a short arm lift. The angle formed by the arm and the downward force of gravity decrease as the length of the short arm lift increases. This is the limiting issue for short arm lifts: if the arm angle is too extreme, the force applied to and from the vehicle becomes too vertical.
A greater vertical than horizontal force in a suspension has a number of drawbacks. For example, vertical forces stress the suspension by repeatedly pushing up on it and slamming it upward with each bump. Additionally, the engine must work harder to propel the car forward or backward since it attempts to dig into the ground rather than push it along.
As long as the short arm lift kit is properly installed, it will not result in any noticeable changes to the driving or handling of the vehicle. It is worth noting that if you would like a higher lift with a short arm lift kit, you can always install drop brackets to lower the point where the arm attaches to the axle. Keep in mind that drop brackets will reduce your ground clearance, which will reduce your effectiveness on unstable, rocky ground.
Long arm lifts come in various styles, so it's vital to understand the distinctions before purchasing one. Long arm lifts have the disadvantage of "hanging up" when crawling over huge obstructions, in addition to the price tag. A long arm lift must attach farther back on the vehicle to make the arm angle smoother, using more room than a short arm lift. This can be a major issue for rock crawlers.
Another disadvantage of long arm lifts is that they are difficult to remove once installed. Installation requires cutting off the stock brackets and welding on new brackets further back along the vehicle's frame. After that, returning to a short arm lift is nearly impossible. However, long arms provide a smoother ride and are the way to go for any type of "go fast" off-roading.
While it can be difficult to choose between long arm and short arm suspension, we hope these pros and cons have been helpful to you! If you are looking to purchase any type of aftermarket upper control arms for lifted trucks, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions® today!
]]>As far as automotive mechanics go, wheel alignment is one of the least known areas to many average car owners. While this is understandable, it can also lead to many different problems when trying to align your wheels by yourself. If you find that you are inexperienced in this area, read on. Below, we highlight some of the most important things you need to understand about the basics of lifted truck wheel alignment.
In its simplest terms, camber is defined as the inclination of the wheel in relation to the body of the car. In most cases, this inclination is expressed as degrees in relation to the auto body. Camber is a good way to tell whether your wheels are aligned properly and whether they are straight enough to avoid causing uneven tire wear. When the camber is not where it should be, its value will be expressed as a positive degree, which means that the top of the tire is pointing away from the center of the vehicle. On the flip side, if the wheel bottom is tilting away from the middle of the suspension, the camber will be expressed as a negative value and the inside area of the tire will experience uneven wear.
It may help to think of caster measurements as the opposite of camber measurements. While camber measurements measure the wheels vertically in relation to the frame, caster measurements refer to the amount the wheels are off-center when they are in a straight position. If your caster is off by even a degree, it can lead to your vehicle wandering and pulling to one side, which may cause an accident. This is why it is so important to have your caster measurements taken during a suspension leveling kit installation.
Unlike camber and caster measurements, toe-in is a phrase used to describe the difference in the positioning of the front wheels in relation to the back wheels, namely how wide these wheels are placed apart. These measurements are usually taken in fractions of an inch, with lower numbers being better for your vehicle. It's worth noting that if your vehicle’s measurements are off by even a little, it will cause your suspension to experience a lot of wear in a short amount of time.
We hope our guide on understanding the basics of lifted truck wheel alignment has helped you gain a better understanding of the whole process of wheel alignment. If you are in the need of premium automotive and off-roading accessories, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions today!
]]>It’s typically a smart idea to go off-road with someone else. It’s beneficial to have a companion in case you encounter any challenges. There are occasions, though, when you can’t find somebody to go off-roading with, leaving you with no choice but to go it alone. While driving on the open road is perilous, there are several precautions you may take to reduce the risk. Read on to discover some of the most important safety tips for your next solo off-roading adventure!
One way you can stay safe is to grasp the fundamentals of your vehicle’s engine, transmission, and other components. You may take an online course to learn the fundamentals of how your motor and gearbox function, as well as how to troubleshoot common issues. Understanding the basic mechanics of your vehicle, if you become stuck on an off-road journey due to a mechanical problem, allows you to swiftly fix it and return to civilization.
You are undoubtedly a risk-taker if you are willing to go on an off-roading trip by yourself. However, this does not imply that you must take any greater risks on your journey. You may have a fun time while also not taking chances that could put you in danger. For example, if you’re thinking of going down a slope but aren’t sure if you’ll be able to accomplish it safely, forgo it. Risks like these aren’t worth it unless you have a 4x4 recovery kit and know how to use it by yourself. When you’re alone, be more cautious.
Taking extra gas isn’t something you’ll see in every list, but it’s a fantastic suggestion. What would you do if you were alone on an off-road journey and ran out of gas? You should bring additional gas in a canister so that you may top off your tank if you run out.
Similarly, we urge that you fill up your petrol tank before leaving on your journey. Going to the service station to fill up your gas tank may be inconvenient, but it is worthwhile. You never know when you’ll need that extra gas.
Off-roading can be a dangerous activity, which is why you should take our safety tips for your next solo off-roading adventure to heart! After all, the last thing you need is to deal with a damaged vehicle, a lonely night in the wilderness, and a lot of expensive repairs!
]]>Whether you just bought a new pickup truck or have had one for a long time, routine vehicle maintenance is critical to keeping it in top shape. Regular maintenance will allow you to spot problems early before they turn into major issues that drain your bank account.
We at Supreme Suspensions recognize that many pickup truck drivers rely on their vehicles not just for transportation but also for work and recreation. For that reason, here are some of the most essential tips for maintaining your lifted truck!
Clean oil lubricates and protects your truck’s engine. Dust, dirt, and debris from the engine and environment can steadily contaminate the engine oil. When this happens, the engine cannot perform its duties correctly.
Always consult your owner's manual to determine how often you should change your oil. For example, for 2008 and newer vehicles, Ford advises changing the oil every 7,500 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Ford recommends changing the oil of 2007 and older truck models every 5,000 miles or six months, again, whichever comes first.
If you routinely tow or carry large loads, drive at low speeds for long periods, drive in dusty conditions, drive off-road frequently, or use E85 fuel more than 50 percent of the time, Ford suggests changing the oil more frequently.
Your truck, like its oil, needs clean air to run properly. Replace the oil filter regularly to eliminate any dust or debris that could cause the engine to lose efficiency. The most important aspects of a proper truck maintenance routine are oil and filter changes.
You should also check the engine coolant, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, engine oil, and brake fluid on a regular basis.
Engine coolant keeps a constant boiling and freezing point for engine fluids. Maintaining an ideal temperature for the engine is critical for its performance and for avoiding difficulties caused by high temperatures.
Steering fluid enables the power steering system. This means it manipulates your steering system's numerous components. Changing the power steering fluid can help extend the life of more expensive power-steering components like the power-steering pump and rack.
Changing the windshield washer fluid is a crucial aspect of routine truck maintenance, even if it may not seem like a huge problem. Dust and stains on your windshield can quickly accumulate, making visibility difficult. Changing the windshield washer fluid regularly is not only a good idea, but it also preserves your windshield. A clean windshield is less likely to get scratched.
Your truck's brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid, just like the power steering fluid. Brake fluid collects moisture from the air over time, leading it to malfunction. This is why your brake fluid should be replenished with new fluid.
It's critical to rotate your tires to ensure that all four of your truck's tires have the same amount of treadwear. Rotating your tires will help them last longer. Decreasing vibrations can help improve gas mileage and extend the life of your vehicle's suspension components.
When you get your tires rotated, the technician will inspect all the other components of your vehicle's undercarriage. This will help them detect any more issues before they become serious and costly. Besides this, if your lift kit or wheel spacers were installed incorrectly, tire wear would be evident when rotating your tires. Make sure you do a visual inspection every time you rotate your tires to ensure they are wearing evenly!
Alignment is also one of those things that you must do to maintain your truck’s condition. When you go off-roading, you will most likely experience a lot of pothole traversal. Over time, these drastic bumps and knocks can misalign your wheels, which may force your vehicle to pull to the left or right. It may also cause uneven tire wear and noisy steering. If you leave your wheels misaligned, the problem will only get worse and may lead to costly damage to your wheels or body. As such, it is essential that you get your wheels aligned as part of your yearly or semi-yearly checkup.
Cleaning the outside of your truck will do more than make it look good. It also protects your truck's paint by removing abrasive debris or dust.
In regions where it snows, cleaning the exterior of your truck is especially vital during the winter months. Sand and salt from the roadways can quickly accumulate on your truck's paint, causing it to deteriorate.
Don't forget to clean your truck's undercarriage. It's equally as crucial as the rest of your truck's components and deserves just as much attention as the rest of the vehicle!
A truck inspection is like an annual physical examination for your vehicle. An expert examines your truck for flaws. It's critical to identify any mechanical or safety issues as soon as possible. Getting your truck inspected can be inconvenient, but it's an important component of maintaining your vehicle.
If your wipers aren't performing as well as they used to, don't ignore the issue. During heavy rain or a snowstorm, damaged or worn-out blades might impair visibility. One method to help keep your automobile safe is to know how to inspect and change your wiper blades on a regular basis.
Mechanics should also regularly inspect brake pads. Listen for any braking noises while driving, as well as any trembling or vibrating from the brake pedal. If you have any issues, contact a service center right away.
It's a good idea to assess your insurance coverage, just like you would with your car. This can assist you in ensuring that your policy's coverages, limitations, and deductibles are current and appropriate for your present position.
"You get out what you put in," as the phrase goes. This is also true when it comes to truck maintenance. You will get many more years out of your truck if you take the time to care for it. If you have enjoyed our recap of some of the most essential tips for maintaining your lifted truck, be sure to check out supreme suspension today! We offer a wide range of lift kits and 4x4 recovery kits to ensure you are never left on the side of the road!
]]>You've undoubtedly heard of traction bars if you're new to the truck scene, but you might not know exactly what they are or what they do. Read on to learn more about traction bars and lifted trucks.
The lengthy driveshaft running below lifted trucks is likely something you have seen before. On other trucks, however, a bar runs down either side of the driveshaft and travels in the direction of the rear of the vehicle. These bars provide traction. They attach to the truck's back axle and connect to the truck's frame via bolts or welding. Traction bars not only provide a practical job but also look great on off-road setups.
Traction bars are intended to restrict your truck's rear end from bending when you accelerate quickly or travel over uneven terrain, which prevents damage to the main suspension components. For instance, when you speed up quickly, your leaf springs stretch and end up bending into an S shape rather than the expected U shape. Additionally, you'll see that as the wheels travel forward and jump a lot, the axle will do the same. This can seriously harm your truck if it happens frequently, but traction bars can help reduce part of the possible risk associated with this issue.
In reality, upgraded traction bars are a benefit to anyone and everyone who seeks to get improved performance out of their vehicle. The best part is that finding a quality traction bar to put in your vehicle is not as hard as you might think. After all, when it comes to suspension lift kits, Supreme Suspensions has got your back!
We hope you have found our article covering what to know about traction bars and lifted trucks to be helpful! Reach out to Supreme Suspensions today to get access to quality OEM and upgraded suspension parts for your truck or SUV.
]]>Skid plates are some of the most useful aftermarket parts you can put on an off-roading vehicle. Not only do these parts provide protection for your car, but they also help improve handling in all of the toughest conditions. In case this was news to you, read on. We have covered everything else you need to know about upgrading skid plates!
Simply put, a heavy-duty skid plate protects the underside of the car from any wood, pebbles, and other debris from the front of the car to the rear bumper. Injury to any of these system components may not only disrupt your day on the trails, but it may also leave you with a large bill at the end, meaning that in most cases where you can expect hardy conditions, a skid plate is a must.
Heavy-duty undercarriage shielding offers a seamless, uninterrupted subframe that helps the vehicle to slide over obstructions with much less opposition and handle deep, snowy situations that seem to trip up even the best of suspension systems. Although they will undoubtedly add a bit of bulk to your car, they will also decrease its center of mass, increasing handling both on and off the trail. Furthermore, because air moves beneath the car at freeway speeds, causing modest drag, skid plates can minimize wind resistance, boosting fuel efficiency.
Many producers provide a number of alternatives, with the main considerations being durability, mass, and pricing. They typically range in thickness from 1/4" aluminum and moderate-withstanding 1/8′′ steel to heavy-duty 3/16" steel, with the steel being the best option because it can withstand just about anything.
Although it is less expensive than aluminum, it is crucial to keep in mind that the trade-off is added weight. However, its 1/8" equivalent, which is less costly and weighs much less than 3/16" steel, is an excellent option. While they don't offer as much coverage as regular skid panels, they are still a significant improvement over any OEM plates from the manufacturer.
We hope that our short guide has helped you understand what you need to upgrade your skid plates! If you are looking for top-quality truck armor, including skid plates and aftermarket heavy-duty truck bumpers, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions today for an excellent product at competitive prices.
]]>Isn’t the ability to go off-road part of the point of purchasing a Jeep? The terrain you choose to conquer will influence your technique and equipment choices. Similarly, you’ll need to learn different tactics for diverse types of terrain; navigating boulders is not the same as navigating marshes. We’ll go over which equipment is similar, how types differ, and whether the items are ultimately compatible. Use this in-depth checklist to prepare for your first rock crawling drive!
A winch is an extremely useful tool. If you’re trapped in the mud or wedged between two vertical boulders, you’ll be thankful you have a winch to lift you out.
Recovery straps are useful if you are off-roading with a party and find yourself stuck in a situation where your winch cannot perform. As such, recovery straps use another vehicle’s power to pull you out of whatever muck and mud you are stuck in. If you are looking to purchase a recovery strap kit, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions® today!
You’ll feel secure knowing that, like with a winch, you have help to get you through any hurdle you’re up against. While not a piece of equipment, a skilled spotter will assist you in seeing traps in the road and forecasting your course with greater accuracy. Their help can prevent problems such as ending up high-centered or requiring the use of a winch in the first place.
Stock lights are helpful, but extra lights added above the windscreen or on the bumper will be most beneficial while off-roading in inclement weather or the dark of night.
Both mudding and crawling require you to upgrade each of these features. Lift kits provide additional clearance under the Jeep as well as a wider turn radius to accommodate larger tires. When crawling, an improved suspension can handle the majority of the labor while allowing for greater flexibility when mudding. Shocks absorb the impact of trail obstructions, especially when pebbles hide beneath the murky surface. You’ll need to prepare ahead of time if you intend to elevate your truck.
Lockers regulate the engine’s output and maximize low gears by transmitting power to the working tires or the tires that are in contact with the ground, resulting in enhanced traction.
You’ll want to clean the dust or mud off your equipment carefully after a thrilling day on the trails. Keeping cleaning supplies on hand can help you avoid corrosion of metals and contamination of fluids, which could lead to worse problems.
Tire repair kits and spares are something that owners frequently ignore. Most of the time, especially on trucks, customers rely on their factory-installed spare tire, which has been there since you purchased the vehicle. The problem is that people usually don’t realize the tire is defective until they need it. As a result, always ensure that you have a tire in good condition that matches the size of the other four on the car, as well as the tools necessary to change it. Our universal tire carriers allow you to keep your spare secure and in great condition on even the roughest drives.
A fast deflator is another tool you don’t realize you need until you need it. It can help you save time and money by preventing the misplacement of valve stems. There are a few options commonly seen in an off-roader’s toolkit when it comes to re-airing. A tiny air compressor is one of them. This choice is acceptable because it will get the job done, even if it takes a long time to do so.
If you want to air up quickly and painlessly, Power Tanks are an excellent solution. These CO2 systems are incredibly portable and simple to operate, and they can quickly air tires as well as give enough pressure to run air tools.
Several changes are necessary to get the most out of using your Jeep off-road in muddy conditions.
While the tires are under stress and strain, beadlock wheels prevent liquids from seeping into the tires. They also hold the tires on the rims during bumps and scrapes beneath the muddy surface, which can cause difficulties later.
You’ll need a jack, tow straps, and a shovel, at the very least. Tow hooks on the front and/or rear bumpers are especially useful, as is a snorkel for keeping the engine dry while traveling into deep water, marshes, or mud holes. You’ll also need an exhaust fording kit or a smog pump to keep liquids out of the exhaust system.
The rules of rock crawling vary based on the model of Jeep you drive, but you’ll need to know how to deflate your tires (which is not necessarily for mudding). Deflating the tires to a pressure between 10 and 20 PSI will increase traction by spreading the surface area of the tread. Bigger tires aren’t always better for crawling, but they’re your best choice for mudding. Note that larger tires will necessitate the installation of a raise kit to guarantee that your clearance for both height and turn radius is optimal.
Anyone interested in rock crawling should keep spare tires, an axle shaft, wiring replacements, hubs, and U-joints on hand at all times. You’ll probably need one or all these pieces if you play hard enough. It may seem like a lot to carry, but you’ll only regret it if you need something and don’t have it.
Disconnecting the sway bar has never been easier than with the electric disconnect dash button found on the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The ability to separate will improve tire articulation, which will improve rock climbing flexibility and stability.
Keep this list of the top things to bring to prepare you for your first rock crawling drive in mind as you pack your gear for the next trip out. If you are looking to purchase anything related to upgrading and refining your vehicle’s suspension and performance, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions today!
]]>Many may not know it, but there are many differences between hub-centric and lug-centric wheels, including their purposes. We’re here to clarify the distinctions between the two types of wheel fittings and how they attach to a vehicle. Read on to learn more about the differences between hub-centric and lug-centric wheels.
Factory-built cars typically use hub-centric wheels. Original manufacturer wheels from automakers specifically fit a particular car or group of vehicles utilizing a certain wheel bore size. This wheel bore precisely fits onto a certain vehicle’s axle, forming a hub-centric connection. When a wheel is hub-centric, the hub of the axle directly connects to the center of the wheel rather than at certain points around the wheel. Here, the wheel fastens to the surface bracket using lug nuts. The wheel-to-axle connection supports the weight of the automobile and withstands forces pushing up and down on the wheel.
To accommodate a variety of automobiles, several aftermarket wheel manufacturers create wheels with wider hub diameters and larger center holes. The specified vehicle will not fit a hub diameter that is too small for a bigger axle. As a result, aftermarket manufacturers frequently design wheels with big hub diameters to enable you to use the car for more activities. There is vacant space between the axle and the hub because the wheel’s hub diameter is larger than average. This makes the fitting lug-centric since the lugs now center the wheel.
When it comes to the debate between lug-centric and hub-centric wheels, there is no real correct answer. Even so, the general consensus is that it depends on the quality of the hubs you buy rather than their layout. Obviously, in these situations, you should strive to find the best-quality wheel spacers for your truck to ensure that you get the most out of your vehicle, no matter the terrain.
We hope our article has helped you understand the differences between hub-centric and lug-centric wheels! If you are looking to purchase wheel spacers, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions for quality products at a competitive price.
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