Do I Need New Shocks with A 3-Inch Lift?

If you are planning on doing a lift on your vehicle it is important to understand the basic components of a vehicle and how each one relates to another. One of these components is the shocks or struts.

Ever wonder how they relate to one another and what happens when you put bigger tires or wheels on your car? By understanding this relationship, you can make an educated decision about what suspension components may need changing with a lift.

Do you want new shocks with a 3-inch lift? If yes then this article is going to help you out with this. We will not only explain how the lift affects the shock but also tell you the advantages of the lift so that you can make a good decision.

How can I tell if I need new shocks with a 3-inch lift?

Before you decide to do any work on your vehicle, it is important to make sure that you are prepared.

You will almost always need a shock absorber if your truck is lifted more than 3 inches to account for the difference between the top and bottom mounting positions of the shocks.

One of the things that you will need to check is the shocks and struts in your vehicle. If you have ever had a bad shock, you will know that they are very hard to replace.

The problem is that you can’t just replace them with another part. You have to have the proper tools and know what you are doing. This is why it is important to know if you need new shocks before you decide to do any work on your vehicle.

How does a lift affect the shock absorber?

The answer to this question is simple. If you put a lift on your vehicle, it will change the overall length of your vehicle and the distance between the wheels.

By having a lift, you are changing the wheel travel. This means that the tires are no longer on the ground but instead are at a height of 3 inches or more. The tires are still touching the ground, but are at a higher position than before. When this happens, the shock must work harder to keep the tires from moving up and down.

Besides the change in the wheel travel, the lift will also change the center of gravity. This means that the vehicle is no longer as balanced as before and is at a different center of gravity. All of these changes will affect the shocks and struts in your vehicle.

How does a lift affect struts?

It is critical to grasp the basic components of a car and how they interact with one another if you intend to elevate your vehicle. The struts are one of these components.

The struts are used to keep the vehicle on the ground. When you lift the vehicle, the struts will be at a higher position than before and will be under a higher load. The change in the load will cause the struts to move up and down.

This means that the struts will have to work harder to keep the vehicle on the ground.

What are the advantages of a lift?

Following are the advantages of a lift:

Increased clearance:

The first and most obvious benefit is that an elevated vehicle has more space between its undercarriage and the road surface. When combined with suspension and shock modifications, this ensures that you remain safe while driving on damaged or uneven roads.

Saves time:

One of the advantages of a lift is that it allows you to change the tires without having to remove the wheels from the vehicle. You can simply lift the vehicle and put the new tires on. This will save you a lot of time and money.

Driving through tougher terrain:

If you want to drive through rivers, cross dunes, or steep slopes a higher vehicle will provide more stability.

Most lifts provide increased traction, a more stable ride, and the ability to use larger wheels. You can make the most out of your truck by doing all of these things.

Provides a smoother ride:

Lifts provide the necessary room to evenly distribute the load and provide improved comfort, even when driving through difficult terrain with goods.

Improved visibility:

Being able to see more of the road is immensely beneficial, both in congested urban areas and off-road locations, for a variety of reasons, from spotting potential hazards earlier to have a better perspective of other places of interest, such as scenery.

Easy access to your vehicle’s underbody:

Better access to your undercarriage is always useful, whether you want to check or repair it. When you have a lift inspecting the underbody of your car is no longer an unpleasant and challenging task, especially if you are uncomfortable in small areas.

Helps with towing:

Lifts make towing easier and allow you to move your vehicle more easily from one location to another. The vehicle will be able to “squat” down without its bottom touching the road.

Safe Everyday driving:

Because a higher car provides a better perspective of the road and any obstructions that may surface, a lift kit gives you a safety advantage over lower-profile automobiles. Even a few seconds of forewarning can mean the difference between avoiding or becoming a part of a risky situation.

When do I need to replace my shocks or struts if I am doing a 3-inch lift?

There are a few things that will tell you when it is time to replace your shocks and struts.

• The first is if you are noticing any issues with your shocks or struts.
• The next thing to check is if you are noticing any unevenness in your ride. If your ride is starting to feel like it is too soft or hard, it is time to replace your shocks or struts.

Conclusion:

The best way to improve the performance and efficiency of your vehicle is with a lift kit.

A lift kit will allow you to achieve your goals, whether you want to drive in rugged terrain or tow more.

In suspension lift kits that raise your truck over 3 inches, a new shock absorber is required to compensate for the distance between the shock’s top and bottom mounting positions. One of the things you should inspect on your vehicle is the shocks and struts.

As we discussed in this article, the lift has a number of advantages and also explains how it affects shock. Hopefully, you have gained a better understanding of lift and shocks from this article. If you have any questions or would like to discuss them further, please comment below.