Also to be seriously considered is the installation process itself. It is not as simple as just ordering the parts and deciding that you will install it yourself on a Saturday afternoon. If you have the proper experience, and the right equipment, it certainly is possible, though many people might feel that it is simply a bolt on installation, which to a large degree it is, but it can be very tricky and is not an installation for an amateur mechanic.
Aside from the style statement, the significant changes that lift kits provide concerning the road handling performance of vehicles must be taken into account, if only for safety reasons.
What will be the main use of your vehicle? Will you be mainly slow rockclimbing, weekend off-roading or 99% blacktop? If this use is mainly off-road, specifically if you’re going to do a significant amount of hard-core riding over rocks, then a very elaborate, high lift would make more sense. If a lift kit is desired mainly for so-called styling, then one providing noticeable, but lesser height might be more appropriate.
You see, when a lift kit installed, regardless of whether it is a 2-inch lift kit or 10 inches of lift, all of the original suspension components are significantly affected, consequently significantly changing the vehicles ride; most importantly, its stability.
So as you are browsing through the off-road magazines, or going from site to site researching lift kits on the Internet, keep in mind that styling is fine, but safety is first. It is possible to purchase a lift kit that will give you the styling you want with the safety that you need. This is a purchase for which it is particularly important to do your homework.