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Many people like the high profile and cool look of lifted trucks. And there are those who prefer a serious off-road vehicle for off-the-beaten-track adventures. Whatever your reason is for getting a secondhand lifted truck, it may not always come with the upgrades or accessories you want to fulfill your purpose. Learn about some of the aftermarket essentials to consider when your truck doesn’t have them bundled.

1. Running Boards

These can be absolute essentials, especially if you find that the increased height of your lifted truck makes it difficult to hop into the cabin. Depending on the material and design, expect to spend $170 and up for this accessory. These days, you can also get intelligent running boards that deploy or retract automatically when you open the doors but expect to pay a pretty penny for them.

2. Bed Liner

This is important when you use your truck to haul heavy loads, dirt bikes, jet skis or Fido. Bed liners are great for protecting your truck bed from abrasion or paint chipping, or for waterproofing to prevent rust. Bed liners range from spray-on polyurethane, rubber mats, polypropylene castings, or bolt-on aluminum pieces. Some of these liners enhance your lifted truck’s load capabilities by having a skid-proof surface to secure your cargo or secure points to attach straps. Consider your needs and your budget to pick the appropriate bed liner.

3. Tailgate Protector

The inner side of your tailgate gets a lot of abuse. If the bed liner doesn’t extend to protecting the inside-facing portion of your tailgate, get a separate protector for it. This can be made of polyurethane, polypropylene or aluminum. A good tailgate protector should shield the tailgate’s load surface from scratches, dings, and rust. Make sure that the tailgate protector covers the load surface and the top of the tailgate.

4. Bull Bar

If the pre-loved lifted truck you got doesn’t have a bull bar, you should add one. A bull bar, a.k.a. push bumper, is designed to protect your truck from accidental collisions with large animals or obstructions. Bull bars are usually made of welded steel or aluminum tubing, but there are innovative designs composed of high-impact polycarbonate and polyethylene. Bull bars also guard against dings and dents, and can protect your headlights, grille and engine from head-on collisions.

5. Tires

Though the vehicle you purchased from a lifted truck dealership in Arizona has large performance tires, have the tires checked for significant wear. Should you feel that the safety and ride performance are affected by the current tires, replace them.

6. Winch

Consider this upgrade only if you plan to do some serious off-roading with your lifted truck. A winch should be powerful enough to pull your truck—passengers, cargo and all—with relative ease.

The aftermarket upgrades we recommend here are a small sample of what’s available to you. Notice that the upgrades are mostly for making your lifted truck easier to get into, enhance the safety levels, and increase the durability of your investment. You can put on as many aftermarket essentials as you see fit, but prioritize those which make your driving experience safer and are appropriate for what you intend to use the lifted truck for, and your budget.

Here at Canyon State Trucks and SUVs, we can give you the best deals on second-hand lifted trucks. With over 30 years of experience in trucks and SUVs, our expert inspectors can assure you that you are buying a truck that conforms to established safety standards.

Find your ideal off-road companion and contact us today.