Purchasing or building a lifted Jeep isn’t an inexpensive decision, but it’s often the only decision for real enthusiasts. For some such individuals, that means that their lifted Jeep isn’t just going to be a machine they pull out when they want to be a weekend warrior, but rather it’s going to be their daily driver. If this sounds like you, and you’re considering installing a 6-inch lift kit in your custom Jeep build, you’re likely already wondering what it’s going to be like driving with it under more mundane circumstances.
While lifted Jeeps offer unmatched off-road capabilities, they’re not exactly the most practical options when it comes to daily driving. But that doesn’t mean they can’t work! As long as your Jeep is well built, and you’re comfortable with some certain circumstances that we’re about to discuss, then it should work just fine for you. But before you make a decision, it’s important that you realize the truth about what daily driving a 6-inch lifted Jeep is like.
Visibility & Road Presence
A commanding view of the road and all your surroundings is one undeniable advantage of driving a lifted Jeep. The extra height that comes from lifting your Jeep by a half foot will undoubtedly improve your visibility, helping you see farther in traffic and anticipate any obstacles much sooner than you might otherwise. However, there is definitely a learning curve that accompanies that improved visibility.
For example, what about lower objects that you’re used to being able to see? Curbs, parked cars, small animals, et cetera are all things that are now going to require extra awareness. It shouldn’t take you long to properly adjust to your new ride height, but it’s definitely worth mentioning, as making the transition from a more traditional vehicle will bring with it these types of growing pains.
Handling & Ride Quality
When you replace or augment things like your suspension components, shock absorbers and tires, it’s also going to completely change the driving experience. If, for example, you don’t upgrade your shocks and control arms after installing such a high lift kit, you’re going to feel every bump and imperfection in the road much more noticeably than in your stock vehicle. Making those upgrades should smooth out the ride, but now you’ll likely notice a much firmer feel in the handling than in an unmodified Jeep.
Similarly, you’re going to want to install a steering stabilizer to combat things like bump steer, death wobble and similar issues — especially if you’ve coupled your 6” lift height with oversized tires. Making sudden movements at high speeds can cause delayed steering response or something called wandering, so it’s crucial that you properly align your vehicle. Likewise, the distance at which you brake is going to change, so you might consider upgrading your brakes as well if your daily driving includes frequent stop-and-go traffic.
Fuel Economy Considerations
Adding weight to your vehicle will naturally reduce its fuel economy, so that’s going to be a big area of consideration before deciding whether or not you want to drive a 6” lifted Jeep every day. Increased wind resistance and drivetrain strain will also hamper efficiency, but you can try to minimize your fuel loss by ensuring proper gear ratios, regularly checking your alignment and choosing lightweight wheels.
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One final thing to keep in mind is just how massive your vehicle is going to be. You and any passengers are going to have to get in and out of this monstrosity, and you’ll also have to find someplace to park that can accommodate your much larger vehicle. Will it fit in your garage? In your workplace’s parking garage?
If you’re willing to make the adjustments, a 6-inch lifted Jeep will work just fine for you, it’s just important to keep everything in mind before making the decision. If you’re ready to get started on your custom build or have found a lifted Jeep that you like in our online inventory, don’t hesitate to give us a call right here at the sales desk. We look forward to hearing from you!