Americans bought the cheapest truck in the world from China for $2,000 then put a lift kit on it to see how it’d perform

  • Two Americans bought the cheapest truck from China 
  • It couldn’t handle off-road conditions and struggled with hills
  • After a lift kit was installed, it slightly improved, but needs work

Published on Jan 09, 2025 at 9:49 PM (UTC+4)
by Editorial Guest

Last updated on Jan 09, 2025 at 9:49 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

Two American YouTubers modified the cheapest Chang Li mini pickup EV truck CLZKC-010 from China with a lift kit to boost its performance.

It was the cheapest pick-up style vehicle they could buy online, costing them only $2000. 

Although it heavily resembled a classic off-road type vehicle, the costs were cut in the suspension and small wheels, resembling that of a normal road car. 

In order to maximise the performance of the vehicle, the YouTubers modified the truck with a lift kit and tested it with classic off-road driving conditions. 

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The original truck couldn’t handle it

YouTubers Zach Jobe and Jeremiah Burton from Donut Media tested their budget truck in classic off-roading situations. 

The truck in its original form could not handle any basic off-road conditions, including enough power when driving up hills, clanking and grinding noises when going over bumpy surfaces and the small wheels meant that it lacked traction. 

The two YouTubers realised that the truck could be upgraded so that it was better value for money.

The EV, environmental-forward pick-up truck is reminiscent of Toyota’s hydrogen powered pickup.

The New and improved ‘Cheapest truck from China’

The improvements from the YouTubers included modifying the suspension from a ‘divorced setup’ where the shock and spring are separated to an ‘independent set up’ where the brand new premium shocks and springs are combined. 

These changes did not only improve suspension, they also increased ground clearance, making it a much smoother ride. 

The small tires were swapped out for mud-terrain ones, with modifications to the vehicle body being necessary to fit the new, larger tires. 

While this is the cheapest truck currently available, the title of cheapest car ever goes to Chang Li, but for a different electric vehicle.

Was the truck with the lift kit truly new and improved?

The vehicle was put back through its paces by the two Americans. 

The driving experience was hugely improved by the increase in traction and ground clearance, making it a less bumpy ride. 

Surprisingly, reverse driving was improved by the upgrades. 

The car still did not have enough power to climb hills and the two YouTubers acknowledged that it requires further modifications, with the installation of a more powerful motor. 

It seems that for these two American YouTubers, the road to full satisfaction with this vehicle is still a bumpy one.

Despite all the challenges they faced with this vehicle, they still seem positive about improving on the pick-up, unlike the unhappy owners of the cheapest supercar in America.

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