3" Body Lift help
03-19-2014, 10:52 PM
#1
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3" Body Lift help
I think I decided on getting a 3" BL. I have an 06 F150 4x4. Its leveled 2.5, 35s on stock FX 18s. I was going back and forth about this and a 4" suspension. I want more gap between fender and tire, but not to much and I want my stock rims on, don't want aftermarket.
Few questions I have about putting it on myself (I have help and a weekend to do it)
1) Why is it so "hard" or "bad to put one on yourself?
2) I read you need to take the seats out to do so...?? Is that true or what?
3) How about would I go to relocating the fan shoud?
4) Front tow hooks? I have the plastic piece off.
5) What all needs extensions such as gas line, brake line, steering ect...?
6) Is there a low weight limit to the blocks? I like to load my 4wheeler in the bed some times on short trips, it an 07 Honda 400ex... Would that be good in the back?
6) Trailers, I have the hitch on the frame.
Anything else I need to know about, look into or read about??
I've been reading threads and I want answers on these questions thats been on my mind about it. Any help is appreciate.
Also thinking of getting new shocks for front and rear, any good brands? I see alot like Bilstein and rancho. What are good series? I like a soft ride, not so stiff.
Few questions I have about putting it on myself (I have help and a weekend to do it)
1) Why is it so "hard" or "bad to put one on yourself?
2) I read you need to take the seats out to do so...?? Is that true or what?
3) How about would I go to relocating the fan shoud?
4) Front tow hooks? I have the plastic piece off.
5) What all needs extensions such as gas line, brake line, steering ect...?
6) Is there a low weight limit to the blocks? I like to load my 4wheeler in the bed some times on short trips, it an 07 Honda 400ex... Would that be good in the back?
6) Trailers, I have the hitch on the frame.
Anything else I need to know about, look into or read about??
I've been reading threads and I want answers on these questions thats been on my mind about it. Any help is appreciate.
Also thinking of getting new shocks for front and rear, any good brands? I see alot like Bilstein and rancho. What are good series? I like a soft ride, not so stiff.
03-20-2014, 11:29 AM
#2
Senior Member
You can run stock wheels with a suspension lift. They tell you that because they do tend to rub a little bit no matter what (the tires you're going to put on are far wider then stock) but I have 35's on stock wheels. No problem at all.
A suspension lift is much safer then a body lift. I'm not trying to start a debate here but a body lift raises the body with spacers which are often the weakest link in the truck. Not only that but they render your bumpers useless, leave visable gap and make it harder to work in your engine bay.
If you have the money to do it right, do it right. The reason people say to take it to a shop is because they have air tools, certified mechanics who have done it before and if they break anything, they pay for it not you. Get a suspension lift from someone like BDS (the best, most expensive) or Rough Country (or someone else good), take it to a shop and do it right. If you care about your truck, it's really the "only" way to go.
If you're a mechanic or someone who is realistic about their mechanical skills (that is, if you have some) and you have the proper tools, a body lift isn't that bad. Consider though that if you screw it up a major safety hazard sits directly under you and could fail at anytime. A true suspension lift with some bilstein's on your stock wheels will be fine. They might rub a tiny bit but you'll be okay.
They told me a level wouldn't take 35's on stock wheels that I would have to change the wheels out but I'm not a fan of aftermarket wheels so I did it anyways. No problems. They do rub a bit but only because the tires are so wide. Aftermarket wheels bring the tire out a bit but then you need fender flares and lose your "stock" look, the look that I like so much.
A suspension lift is much safer then a body lift. I'm not trying to start a debate here but a body lift raises the body with spacers which are often the weakest link in the truck. Not only that but they render your bumpers useless, leave visable gap and make it harder to work in your engine bay.
If you have the money to do it right, do it right. The reason people say to take it to a shop is because they have air tools, certified mechanics who have done it before and if they break anything, they pay for it not you. Get a suspension lift from someone like BDS (the best, most expensive) or Rough Country (or someone else good), take it to a shop and do it right. If you care about your truck, it's really the "only" way to go.
If you're a mechanic or someone who is realistic about their mechanical skills (that is, if you have some) and you have the proper tools, a body lift isn't that bad. Consider though that if you screw it up a major safety hazard sits directly under you and could fail at anytime. A true suspension lift with some bilstein's on your stock wheels will be fine. They might rub a tiny bit but you'll be okay.
They told me a level wouldn't take 35's on stock wheels that I would have to change the wheels out but I'm not a fan of aftermarket wheels so I did it anyways. No problems. They do rub a bit but only because the tires are so wide. Aftermarket wheels bring the tire out a bit but then you need fender flares and lose your "stock" look, the look that I like so much.
03-21-2014, 07:10 AM
#3
Body lifts are not too bad. I worked at a 4X4 shop for almost 10yrs. They are a cheap way of getting 3" of lift. As far as seats and fan shroud, it depends on the application. Look at Performance Accessories, I think you can view their instructions online. They also make a lot of kits for other companies that re-box them!!
A lot of people knock on body lifts due to the gap between the bed and frame. In the front the engine is there and not as bad. As far as the bumpers the front gets lifted up and the rear is your choice. You can put rear brackets on that move it up, which leaves a gap between receiver and bumper or leave it, then you have a gap between the tailgate and bumper, your choice. Also you will more than likely loose your tow hooks, they mount to the frame and come through the bumper, bumper gets raised! They are ways to remount them most of the time involves welding and some thick plate steel.
As far as safety. There is a reason why the companies only make 2" and 3" lifts and not any higher!! Payload in the bed does change again call the company and ask what the payload is reduced to. I "Think" 500lbs but don't hold me to that.
Only reason people say to take it to a shop is because it will take more than one person and tools like a port-a-power, impact gun, etc. make life easier when putting one of these on. Only things that get extended now-a-days is steering shaft, used to be lever for 4X4, manual shifter, etc. you welded in a 3" piece of steel. Fuel and Brakes lines are mounted to frame and are not affected.
A lot of people knock on body lifts due to the gap between the bed and frame. In the front the engine is there and not as bad. As far as the bumpers the front gets lifted up and the rear is your choice. You can put rear brackets on that move it up, which leaves a gap between receiver and bumper or leave it, then you have a gap between the tailgate and bumper, your choice. Also you will more than likely loose your tow hooks, they mount to the frame and come through the bumper, bumper gets raised! They are ways to remount them most of the time involves welding and some thick plate steel.
As far as safety. There is a reason why the companies only make 2" and 3" lifts and not any higher!! Payload in the bed does change again call the company and ask what the payload is reduced to. I "Think" 500lbs but don't hold me to that.
Only reason people say to take it to a shop is because it will take more than one person and tools like a port-a-power, impact gun, etc. make life easier when putting one of these on. Only things that get extended now-a-days is steering shaft, used to be lever for 4X4, manual shifter, etc. you welded in a 3" piece of steel. Fuel and Brakes lines are mounted to frame and are not affected.
03-22-2014, 09:34 AM
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Actually, I got to lookin ynder my truck and there already spacers under there. They measure up to 2". You can even notice anything was lifted by the body. It rides really smooth too, unoticably and answered my own question about the four wheeler in the bed... So I think I'll leave it as it is for now, Ill post some pics of it in a bit. And thanks for the input guys, atleast yall didn't go off about just use the search tool.
