lift options for better ride off road?

[kojack]

I am looking at options for the maverick. I will be using the truck on unimproved fire roads with potholes etc. I looked the the GR series, but damn, they are pricey. But maybe it's worth it.

I am looking at GR40s and the RC struct.

On a scale of 1 to 5. 1 being stock 5 being GR40 where does the RC come into the off road comfort equation?

thanks.

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[Redline]

People who lift their Mavs seem to have a lot of trouble with the CV joints and axles. They will not be covered under warranty. Proceed at your own risk. Just a friendly warning.

 

[Dmthomp32]

The safest bet if you plan to do off-roading is the Tremor. I passed on my order because I had already purchased an FX4 that I really liked thinking I could add a 1” or 2” lift. Unfortunately the issues presented thus far have given me pause. Best of luck in your decision.

 

[Master Blaster]

You want to take a vehicle that is designed for normal roads on to badly damaged offroad trails? You definitely bought the wrong vehicle. Swap it for the full-sized Bronco with a lot beefier parts and negligible bed space, or maybe the Tremor model to get an extra inch, and take the pretty hefty fuel mileage hit that you get from it. Maybe put taller tires on and reprogram the turns/mile to correct the speedo. Don't put in any lift kit unless it comes with better halfshafts that can survive the increased angles. (Hint: none exist currently)

 

[TrippMe]

You want to take a vehicle that is designed for normal roads on to badly damaged offroad trails? You definitely bought the wrong vehicle. Swap it for the full-sized Bronco with a lot beefier parts and negligible bed space, or maybe the Tremor model to get an extra inch, and take the pretty hefty fuel mileage hit that you get from it. Maybe put taller tires on and reprogram the turns/mile to correct the speedo. Don't put in any lift kit unless it comes with better halfshafts that can survive the increased angles. (Hint: none exist currently)

I don't agree, for fire roads as long as they are still semi-maintained should not be an issue for the Mav. I have been on a few that aren't maintained and like any road I would have to jockey around sometimes and some places weren't passable but I also know that I didn't buy a rock crawler.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

There's not a lot of information about the suspension travel and all that - the tremor suspension is quite different, and perhaps allows more suspension travel at the expense of max payload. It also has a more refined 4WD system, more sophisticated. As for lift, I don't think it's much higher. Part of its height advantage is due to the 235/65 R 17 in place of the 225/65 tires we have on most Mavericks (the Lariat has 225/60 R18, unless you get the FX4, then it's back to 225/65 R17.

All that said, a lift will get you more ground clearance, and allow possibly larger tires yet, but there are concerns for wear and tear on the CV joints.

 

[fossil]

longer travel, softer suspension, capable rubber you need a Tremor
tougher than a go pro

 

[Joe Strummer]

Larger tires is the safest option (shouldn't invalidate your warranty) since they won't affect the CV angle. But they will probably reduce your suspension travel since they are higher up your wheel well.

But I'm an accountant so what do I know?

 

[Montana]

I'll be the 2nd vote for just tires and tires only. The Wildpeak Trails are perfect for most folks in the Mavericks. Not too heavy, not too much meat. Personally, I'd also stick with the stock size 235's. Going up in tire size offers zero real benefits in these things. I personally have 245's and I'll be going with 235's next time if the Maverick lasts me that long

Rough country and any puck related kit is pure looks. I'd rate them on the negative scale not related to suspension lifts for off road applications at all. As for their 2.5" kit, it's overkill on driveline angles. These Mavericks struggle beyond the stock Tremor height and we already know about the CV issues... it's just not worth it. My personal take is that it doesn't matter what your intention is - it should never involve strut pucks. Personally I think the GR kits are way too much "flex" for the Maverick for the cost but they really are the only ones to offer actual strut kits. Honestly though, I'd rather just trade in for a Tremor if that was the goal.

 

[kojack]

I know all about cv angles etc. I have lifted or lowered every vehicle I have ever owned. The Mav will be fine with 2 inches of increased height. No, we are not rawk krawlers, or hammerheads. We want to be able to get out into the backcountry using logging roads, trails and the like to get away for weeks at a time.

Again, I want to hear from people who have used either the GR system, or the RC strut system. OR we can toss in tremor shots with upgraded springs too!

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

The Mav will be fine with 2 inches of increased height.

These forums are loaded with folks who report 'unfine' with that amount of lift.

I differ a bit from Montana... I'm going 245\60 R18 on mine just for the marginal increase ride comfort with topes and potholes in Mexico. It will give me a tiny bit of lift as well.

I do have a 1" front / .75" rear lift kit, but have not had the courage to install it. If I could find someone who replaced their FX4 shocks right away.. I'd retrofit those on mine as their is greater comfort without payload/tow penalty.

 

[Phimosis]

There's not a lot of information about the suspension travel and all that - the tremor suspension is quite different, and perhaps allows more suspension travel at the expense of max payload. It also has a more refined 4WD system, more sophisticated. As for lift, I don't think it's much higher. Part of its height advantage is due to the 235/65 R 17 in place of the 225/65 tires we have on most Mavericks (the Lariat has 225/60 R18, unless you get the FX4, then it's back to 225/65 R17.

All that said, a lift will get you more ground clearance, and allow possibly larger tires yet, but there are concerns for wear and tear on the CV joints.

The tremor tires are 29.1”. The fx4 tires are 28.5”. So only 0.3” of the increased ground clearance comes from the larger tire size. The tremor is sporting about 0.7” of suspension life.

 

[TJ2023]

I know all about cv angles etc. I have lifted or lowered every vehicle I have ever owned. The Mav will be fine with 2 inches of increased height. No, we are not rawk krawlers, or hammerheads. We want to be able to get out into the backcountry using logging roads, trails and the like to get away for weeks at a time.

Again, I want to hear from people who have used either the GR system, or the RC strut system. OR we can toss in tremor shots with upgraded springs too!

I had the RC 2 inch strut lift on my 23 XLT FX4. I thought it would be fine as well. It was not. If someone would come out with some better aftermarket CVs that would be great. Until then I would steer clear of lifts. Not everyone who lifts has had problems, but most do. Lift at own risk. I traded in and got a 24 Tremor and am much happier now.

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