Tricked Out Truck: Four Serious Upgrades

If you’re considering tricking out your truck, you’ve probably considered a new paintjob and decals, but you may not know where to start your modifying and accessorizing. Tricking out your truck can enhance its performance and show your distinct style. Here are four upgrades that can take your truck to the next level.

1. Suspension

Improved suspension is one of the most essential truck upgrades, and it can be one of the most extreme. If, for example, you intend to upgrade to large, heavy-duty tires, you will need to lift your truck to allow for the bigger tires. Suspension also allows for great ground clearance, allowing you to drive your truck in harsher areas where unraised vehicles would be in danger of damaging their undercarriages.

There are three main lift options:

• Leveling: According to Diesel Power Mag, leveling kits can be used to raise the front of the truck to match the stock level of the back. This is the simplest of the three options, as it involves less hardware. Leveling typically provides about 2” of lift.
• Lift Kits: Lift systems and lift kits can lift your truck anywhere from 2”-10”. Custom lift kits can go even higher. Lift kits achieve this using blocks or springs.
• Body Lift: According to Tonda 4-Wheel Drive Ltd., body lifts are inexpensive and can add height even after your suspension is maxed out. Body lifts were used before trucks came with the integrated ability to add suspension. You may need to modify your bumpers and wheel wells to hide the space between the body and the wheels if you have a body lift.

2. Lights

Adding new lights or upgrading the lights your truck already has can help you navigate back roads, or just make a statement. With alternative mounting systems to add floodlights to the roof of your truck or other enhancements for your headlights, the possibilities are nearly endless.

3. Hitches

Likely, your truck came with a hitch. However, a great way to customize and best utilize your truck is to add a fifth wheel hitch or enhance the original hitch. This will enable you to haul loads more efficiently. Just be sure to check your towing capacity—that information can be found in your owner’s manual.

4. Tires

One of the great things about trucks is the ability to install nearly any size and intensity of tires. If you decide to go with bigger wheels, whether for the tough, tricked out look, or for better performance while off-roading, you will need to raise the truck to accommodate them.

This upgrade can get you a lot of bang for your buck: look for tires that suit the way you use your truck, whether that is as a personal vehicle or for recreation. You can also choose custom rims to complete the statement.

Whether you’re tricking out your truck to increase its capacity and performance, or to make it the baddest on the block, you can’t go wrong starting with these four upgrades. From there you can get as crazy as you have money and ambition for.

About the author: A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here. This article uses information from Tonka 4-Wheel Drive Ltd.