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The Ford Bronco was one of the most exciting releases of the 2021 model year. After the model was discontinued in the 90s, many enthusiasts couldn’t wait for its return. Better yet, Ford seriously delivered with a capable off-roader. Unsurprisingly, a lot of owners want to modify their Broncos. As with any other off-road SUV, the Bronco has been paired with a variety of lift kits. However, this may leave you wondering if you should lift your Bronco. What are the pros and cons?
There are a lot of good reasons to consider lifting your Bronco. Of course, some people simply like the aesthetics of a taller vehicle. However, there are some more practical reasons too.
Perhaps the most significant reason for lifting any vehicle is to get greater ground clearance. Not only does a lift kit increase the flat clearance (making it easier to take on rocks, bumps and other obstacles), but it also increases the maximum approach and departure angles. As anyone who has been off-roading knows, these two numbers have a big impact on the type of terrain you can take on.
Of course, approach and departure angles are important on paved roads too. For example, they can help with a steep driveway or parking garage entrance. However, the factory Bronco has solid angles already, so you will likely only need this benefit off-road.
It is important to note, however, that this benefit is only applicable to suspension lifts. There are also body lift kits that only raise the body above the frame. These will not increase ground clearance. Nonetheless, they can provide some useful benefits too such as accommodating larger wheels.
Another big benefit of lifting your Ford Bronco is that you can get better visibility. When you are on the trail, it can be helpful to be high up and able to see over obstacles easily. Additionally, even on the road, it is often beneficial to have a higher position for greater visibility. This can be useful both from a safety perspective and from a navigational perspective.
Many drivers also simply prefer being high up. This is part of the reason why SUVs and crossovers have enjoyed such a significant boost in popularity over the last decade. The factory Ford Bronco offers a fairly typical driving position for a mid-size SUV. But, if you want to get even more height, you should consider a lift kit.
It probably comes as no surprise that lift kits are not without drawbacks. While they look amazing and can offer some genuine functional benefits, especially off-road, they can also change how your vehicle drives. Plus, they represent a fairly significant modification to the vehicle. So, a poorly installed lift kit could hurt your vehicle value, not to mention causing substantial risk.
Typically, people pair lift kits with larger tires. Whether you opt for a suspension lift or a body lift, having a taller vehicle means installing larger wheels and tires. However, these can actually reduce ride comfort.
It may come as a surprise because increasingly large wheels have become in vogue over the past few decades. Nonetheless, larger wheels and tires tend to be less comfortable than smaller ones. This is especially true for thick, deep-treaded off-road tires.
You probably won’t notice a difference on a bumpy trail, but on the road, a lifted Bronco will be much less comfortable. If you don’t need the functional benefits of a lift kit, you should seriously consider whether the comfort sacrifices are worth it.
Additionally, you should at least be aware that the lift kit will impact your ride experience. Ford put in a lot of work to achieve an ideal driving experience for the Bronco. If you really like that ride quality, you should think carefully about whether you want to change it with a lift kit.
Many lift kits advertise that they can match the factory specifications for ride quality. A lot of these claims are of dubious veracity. Some high-quality lift kit manufacturers can genuinely get close, especially with smaller lifts, but almost none of them perfectly match the factory spec.
Some drivers want to modify the driving experience with a lift kit. Whether it is better or worse than the factory setup is purely subjective. Nonetheless, you should be prepared for the ride to feel different.
Check out some great parts and accessories for your Ford Bronco at XT. Whether you decide that you want a lift kit or not, there are lots of ways to customize your Bronco. Take a look at our catalog and find the right parts for your needs.
