Off Roading Who has installed a body lift?

[TFlory]

I am considering a 3" PA body lift.

Anyone install one? How difficult was install, and were there any problems?

TIM

 

[Bob4x4]

I do not think body lifts are the way to go... ... ... In accidents I have seen the body separate from the frame. All the body lifts I have seen eliminate too much of the factory parts and replace them with shakey hardware. The labor to install can take more time than a well executed suspension lift. The Carli starter system will give you the height you want,a better handling truck,and none of the mickey mouse fit you will have to live with in going with a body lift. Ck it out here... ... .....



http://www.thecarlisuspension.com/



Bob

 

[y-knot]

I don't like body lifts either, I always think of them as a poor and cheap way to raise your vehicle (usually just to run a larger tire). The fan doesn't fit in the shroud any more, the steering is compromised, often with the body hacked away to allow for the additional length and angle. They supply drop down brackets for the various hose, bumpers and so forth, but they are never up to the original quality of the trucks manufacture. The body mounts are compromised with additional leverage, the transmission and transfer case levers are barely poking through the floor, the radiator and heater hoses are strained to down reach. Many of the electrical harnesses that had built-in slack, for engine and body movement now are strained and just waiting for the right moment to break or short out. I could go on and on, but I think any reasonable person gets the point. For those that don't, well go ahead..... you'll figure it out sooner or latter.

 

[telliott]

i put one on a chevy a few years back. it was a really simple install, did it in an afternoon. Ended up rolling that pickup and the body lift held up just fine, but the rest of the body was pretty torn up. As for linkeages on the transmission and transfer case, everything worked just fine. This was all on an older chevy however, i dont know how it would go for a dodge.

 

[TFlory]

The PA 3" kit is quite involved. It includes brackets for relocating the trans cooler, ac condenser, intercooler, longer hoses for fuel and coolant, a block for engine intake extension, etc. It looks like a pretty complete kit and a HUGE PITA.

 

[Pavemen]

i've had a 3" body lift from Performance Accessories on my 97 1500 for 4 years now (that along with 10" of custom long arm suspension). No issues at all other than a slight increase in body vs frame flex when really working the suspension. Nothing major at all.

The steering extension is fine. Its splined, has a keeper bolt and has about the same change of coming off as the stock setup as that is what is replicates. If its that big of a worry, get a Borgensen shaft and loose the extension. That is what I did and its great.

The bumper drop brackets work fine. They do increase the leverage and reduce ability to take an impact, but realize that our bumpers are orginally rated as 5 MPH bumpers, so its not going to make much difference. My rear Reunel bumper has been modded for my BL though.

There is still enough slack, at least in my case, on the lines and wires by simply moving a ground strap or sliding brake lines down in their keepers on the fender.

I'd rather not have one, but at the time I need it . I do plan on removing it as its making other mods more difficult to deal with. That is the only reason, not because I feel it is unsafe.

 

[Bodie]

T, why not throw a spacer on top of the exsisting coils? Topguncustomz.com and about $80 and you will have it done. That is WAY, CHEAPER, EASIER, and MORE DEPENDABLE than a body lift.



Just a thought

 

[Simplysmn]

I put a body lift on my truck and have never had any ill affects with it. They give you extra clearence without putting alot of money out . Simple and easy to install also .

 

[TFlory]

Bodie: The truck is level now w the fabtech lift. Can I get spacers/blocks for all 4 corners that will work w fabtech components?

 

[Bodie]

Yes sir, but how was the rear lifted with the Fabtech kit? If you replaced the rear spring, and have no blocks, a 2" block would work perfect, just don't stack blocks, and I don't recommend going over 4" blocks, without traction arms. A add-a-leaf is a good alternative also, if you don't have them already.

 

[TFlory]

Rear is raised w blocks (~2").

 

[DerekW]

I do not think body lifts are the way to go... ... ... In accidents I have seen the body separate from the frame. All the body lifts I have seen eliminate too much of the factory parts and replace them with shakey hardware. The labor to install can take more time than a well executed suspension lift. The Carli starter system will give you the height you want,a better handling truck,and none of the mickey mouse fit you will have to live with in going with a body lift. Ck it out here... ... .....



Carli Suspension - Engineered to Perform - A true system for your Dodge!



Bob

Hey you are exactly right. MY DAD PUT OUR WHOLE FAMILY AT RISK WHEN HE INSTALLED A BODY LIFT ON HIS TRUCK. when you drive the truck to this day everytime you go around a corner the cab shifts and you can hear it and feel it. THE BODY LIFT INCREASED STRESS ON THE LAYERED SHEET METAL ON THE CAB AND MANY ON THE MOUNTS ARE BROKEN FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAB. my dad stopped using the truck but held onto it then my mom got into some car trouble and ended up using that truck for 5 months and I was scared to death for her, my brother, my sister, and the horse they would take 20 miles to practice every week and up to 110 miles one way for a house show every weekend. that was part of the reason I had moved back home (i just wanted to be there for them and help mom out) was so they could use my truck which was plenty capable of pulling the horse trailer and take my where ever she had to go safely.



I myself had to install a 1" body lift to fit my 1" motor lift in my jeep wrangler to accomedate rear drive line angle. my first trip out on the trails in uwharrie national forest earned me bent up frame mounts where the body mounts to the frame.











one other experience i would like to tell you about was a friday and saturday at the 4wd shop I was working for. we installed a 3" body lift on a nissan xterra. the entire job parts and labor costed him about as much as a complete suspension lift and we are THE CHEAPEST AROUND. but it took 2 days, 3 techs (at times a 4th), lots of aggravation, and end result something that couldnt be reversed. the kit was made by PA and I like them cuz they address all the issues when installing a body lift to do it right. but the for money that rich kids father had spent he coulda had a nice 4 inch suspension and been alot more capable on the trail or whereever.





I DONT ENDORSE BODY LIFTS UNTIL NECCESSARY. IF i WAS TO DO THE JOB RIGHT i WOULD CUT THE FRAME MOUNTS AND RAISE AT GUSSET OR MAKE NEW STRONGER ONES.



I have installed a 2" (i believe) body lift on a dodge with cummins. I wasnt too thrilled with the end result and I didnt know much about diesels back the but If I recall we moved the intercooler and mean you probably wont be able to purchase aftermarket intercooler that is ready to bolt in. sry for texting so long but I wanted to address some of the concerns with a body lift.

 

[Bodie]

Rear is raised w blocks (~2").

With 2" blocks or stacked blocks? 4" total block lift is OK.

 

[Pavemen]

Like I said above, I've yet to have any problems with my 3" BL in my 1500 and I wheel it pretty hard and love to flex it up whenever possible. This type of stuff is fairly regular for me. No body mount issues at all.

 

[Pavemen]

here is another. i run this trail whenever i can. its all about the articulation.

 

[Moab4x4]

Flexy! I love it. I love full size "jeeping"