Pickups are a significant category of off-road vehicles. They perform well in both off-road crossings and overlanding expeditions. They dominate in the USA and are gaining more fans in Europe. Here, you'll learn why and find the best modifications and accessories.
If we were in the USA, we would never ask this question. There, pickup trucks are used every day and are a natural part of the landscape. In Europe, however, pickups are not as widely seen or chosen, either for off-road use or by regular drivers. Is that fair? Learn why it might be worth buying a pickup and whether you should choose a model with coil springs or leaf springs.
When you become the proud owner of an off-road vehicle, one thing is certain: it won’t be long before you start making modifications. After all, there’s a reason you chose this type of car. If you’re not already a passionate fan of off-roading, perhaps you’re planning a trip. However, 4×4 travel is not easy, especially for vehicles. It involves a lot of extra weight that the factory suspension isn’t designed to handle. The springs supports this the most, so it’s important to learn how to choose the right springs for your vehicle’s weight.
If you own a pickup truck, it’s likely for one of three reasons: you enjoy large vehicles, you engage in a lot of outdoor activities, or you simply need a lot of space for transportation. Even if your truck bed is filled with random items, you probably don’t want them to get wet or end up in the wrong hands. That’s why you need a suitable cover. But do you know the exact length of your truck bed? If not, avoid costly mistakes by learning how to measure the cargo space in your pickup truck.
Pickup trucks make up a significant portion of the off-road vehicle segment. They are valued for their work capabilities and also for their off-road performance. Their biggest advantage is the large cargo space, which allows for additional customization and vehicle equipment. However, the variety of pickup truck sizes can sometimes cause confusion, particularly due to the ambiguity of model designations and the resulting difficulty in classifying your own vehicle. Therefore, we will explain how various manufacturers classify their pickup trucks.
In modern vehicles, leaf springs are becoming rare. Still, they remain an integral part of the suspension system in many classic off-road vehicles, especially pickup trucks. The most famous example of a car that still uses leaf springs is the immortal Corvette. Popular models like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Volkswagen Amarok, Ford F150, Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Tundra, and Toyota Tacoma still rely on leaf springs. So, what role do leaf springs play in pickups, and how can you enhance a typical work vehicle for better off-road performance? Here’s how to lift a leaf spring suspension.
The topic of lift types and ways to install them is as wide as a six-lane highway or your horizons before turning 40…years old. Ok, the second example might be confusing. It just means very wide. Therefore, we present the most popular types of lifts. First, we start with the simplest one, the leveling kit. Why is it installed and does it affect how an off-road vehicle works? We explain further.
We’ll take a risk saying that the suspension is the heart of an off-road car. It is what determines the vehicle’s character and its off-road capabilities. However, there are several types of suspension constructions. Which one performs the best off-road? There’s no clear answer. Understanding the features of suspension systems is essential for getting closer to the answer. Knowing which vehicle uses what type of suspensions system will also be helpful. But more on that later.
