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The Rough Draft: In the Spotlight Archive

In the Spotlight

Prep your truck or Jeep for a lift kit install the right way. Learn how to inspect suspension, measure ride height, check tire fitment, and avoid common install mistakes.

Installing a lift kit on your truck or Jeep is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make. Increased ground clearance. Larger tires. Improved off-road performance. A stronger stance.
But a successful lift kit installation does not start on install day. It starts with preparation.
If you want your suspension lift kit to perform correctly, protect factory components, and avoid post-install issues, follow these proven prep steps used by experienced installers.

How to Prep for a Lift Kit Install

Find the right fender flares for your truck or Jeep. Compare OE, pocket style, SF1, WF1, and Sport flares for proper tire coverage and fitment

You upgraded to bigger tires. Maybe added a lift. Now your tread sticks out past the body and throws mud down the side of your truck like you meant to do it. Aggressive? Yes. Practical? Not so much.
The right Rough Country fender flares fix that. They add proper tire coverage, protect your paint, and finish your build so it looks intentional.
Let’s break down how to choose the right set.

How to Choose the Right Fender Flares 

Cold air intake horsepower gains explained. See real 5–15 HP increases, what affects performance, and what your truck, Jeep, or SUV can expect.

If you’re asking how much horsepower a cold air intake adds, you want real numbers. Not hype. Not inflated claims.
Most trucks and SUVs gain 5 to 15 horsepower from a quality cold air intake.
That’s it. That’s the honest range.
On some engines you’ll see closer to 5 HP. On others, especially V8s, you might see 12 to 15 HP. The difference depends on your engine size, how restrictive your factory intake is, and what other mods you’re running.
For most owners, the bigger difference isn’t just peak horsepower. It’s throttle response. Your truck feels quicker. It revs easier. It pulls harder in the mid-range. To understand the numbers, you need to understand how airflow, engine size, and intake design all work together.

How Much Horsepower Does a Cold Air Intake Add?

Fix tire rubbing after installing larger tires with proven solutions for lift kits, wheel offset, backspacing, and clearance. Learn how to stop rubbing when turning or hitting bumps on your truck or Jeep and dial in the right suspension setup for 33s, 35s, and beyond.

You upgraded to larger tires for a reason. Better stance. More ground clearance. More grip on the trail. Then you turn the wheel and hear rubbing.
It’s frustrating, especially after investing in new tires, wheels, or a lift kit. The good news is this is one of the most common issues in the truck and Jeep world. And it’s almost always fixable.
If your larger tires are rubbing when turning or hitting bumps, let’s break down what’s happening and how to correct it the right way.

How to Fix Rubbing After Installing Larger Tires

Upgrade off-road lighting with Rough Country for safer night off-road driving. LED light bars and ditch lights improve visibility and reduce fatigue.

Ever roll into a trail at dusk thinking headlights will handle the job? Five minutes later, shadows stretch longer, obstacles blend together, and every sound feels closer than planned. Night driving exposes weak lighting fast. Strong off-road LED lights remove the guesswork and bring control back to your hands.
Solid lighting upgrades improve safety, reduce fatigue, and help drivers read terrain before tires meet trouble.

Off-Road LED Lighting Upgrades for Safer Night Driving and Trail Use

Learn how to improve your towing setup with proper weight distribution, suspension upgrades, air spring kits, sway control, and brake setup for safer, more confident towing.

If towing feels tense, something in your setup needs attention. A solid towing setup feels steady, predictable, and controlled. You pull out, merge, brake, and turn without fighting the truck. When things feel off, your hands tighten on the wheel and every bump gets your attention.
Improving your towing setup brings confidence back into the driver’s seat. Let’s walk through the areas where small changes make a real difference.

How to Improve Towing Setup

Protect your gear and upgrade your truck with the right bed cover. From soft roll-ups to powered retractables, explore Rough Country’s top tonneau covers for work, travel, and everyday use.

Your truck bed is built to haul it all—tools, camping gear, weekend project supplies—but without a good bed cover, it’s also wide open to weather, dirt, and sticky-fingered strangers. A solid cover keeps your gear safe, dry, and locked down, whether you’re tearing down backroads, parked at the trailhead, or just making a grocery run.
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">At Rough Country, we build covers that match how you actually use your truck. From quick-access soft roll-ups to heavy-duty powered retractables, we’ve got a lineup that’s tough, good-looking, and ready for anything

Rough Country’s Best Bed Covers – From Soft Roll-Ups to Powered Retractables

From the Bronco to the Tacoma, we break down the best off-road rigs by state. Find out which vehicle is built for your local terrain!

Off-roading isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B—it’s about finding the most challenging way to get there and loving every second of it. But the best off-road vehicle isn’t the same everywhere. What tackles Montana’s rocky climbs might not handle Florida’s sugar sand. So, we put together a list of the best off-road rigs by state. Let’s see which one rules your terrain.

Rough Country’s Guide to the Top Off-Road Vehicles in Every State

Discover essential winter maintenance tips for lifted trucks, Jeeps, and UTVs. Learn how to protect your suspension, prevent rust, and fight road salt to keep your lifted vehicle in top shape all season long.

Winter brings its challenges, especially for off-roaders. Snow, ice, and road salt can be tough on any vehicle—but lifted trucks, Jeeps, and UTVs require extra care to keep them running smoothly and looking sharp. Taking a proactive approach to maintenance can save you a lot of trouble (and money) when spring rolls around.
Here’s our guide to maintaining your lifted rig through the harsh winter months.

Winter Care for Lifted Vehicles: Suspension, Tires, and More

Rough Country joins Ducks Unlimited for Snow Goose Camp in Arkansas, showcasing trucks, UTVs, and gear built for hunting, off-road access, and conservation.

When the chance comes to spend time in the field with partners who share a passion for hunting, conservation, and the outdoor lifestyle, Rough Country is proud to be part of it.
Recently, Rough Country joined several industry brands in Arkansas for the Ducks Unlimited Partnership Snow Goose Camp. The multi-day event brought together outdoor companies, conservation leaders, and hunters with a shared goal: supporting the future of waterfowl hunting and protecting the habitats that sustain it.
The camp provided a strong opportunity to showcase Rough Country products in real hunting conditions, strengthen relationships across the outdoor industry, and work alongside Ducks Unlimited to support the hunting community.

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