Ok i went to a offroad shop today, interested in my body lift. They said they didnt even INSTALL THEM because they were such *hit. Basically bringing the body off the frame one two or even three inches is asking for trouble down the line. Everything from collisions and the body moving, the body lift blocks snapping the mount surface, and even after time ( he said 2-3+ years ) they can wear right through the body. I commented well they must have been doing some harsh offroading or something, he said no its just the way they are designed and that cars arent made to have body lifts.
This is pretty much sterring my plans to get a 2 or 3 inch body lift in another direction. I know alot of you have body lifts, did anyone know about these hazards? Or do you just not care? Or was the offroad guy blowing steam, I dunno y he would be because its not like he gains anything from saying that. NEED HELP!!!!!!!
never heard of any of these problems and all the local off road shops in my area seem quite fine with them. The body is only mounted and touching the frame inthe places that the blocks are anyway, so I don't know how the other problems you descrive might be happening. When you go through all the off road magazines...a heck of alot of the trucks have body lifts, along with suspension lifts so either everyone else in this whole world is wrong, or the guy just isn't sure of what he's talking about.
Here's my only opinion. I have a body lift. I've been in a serious accident in the truck. Yep, it loosened my lift- know what i did? tightened it back, very simple, a couple bolts. Wow! Now, if i had had a suspension it wouldve been all messed up cause the wreck ended up messin up; my axle and leafsprings and blocks. Not to mention the fact that my front a-arms were messed up to. So, in conclusion to that, i have to say that a suspension lift would have been just as vulnerable in an accident to breakage...secondly, mount surfaces breaking...uh, from what? You better be doing some dang serious offroading or dune jumping or something because the bolts used are as strong as stock or stronger (depending on whether you use aftermarket or the stock ones) and the blocks are made to handle some 10,000lbs/sq inch, so they dont just break. You arent increasing weight to the cab so the mount surface is still getting the same weight. Now you worry about the body shifting on top of the frame...again, tightening the bolts will fix it- but it wont happen often if ever. And if they wear through the body than THEY did it wrong cause they have rubber bushings on each end...now yes, the bushings can rot, but not any faster than the stock ones would, so...my opinion is that this guy doesnt know what he's talking about...everyone has these things it seems...and i've never seen a shop that won't put one on or recommend it...unless of course, he thinks you'll drop the extra $1200 on the suspension lift
Hope this helps...
------------------
-Brandon Warford
97 F150 4x4 Sport Brt. Red SuperCab
4.6l Triton V8
3.55LS Rear-end MECHANICAL MODS:
3" Performance Acc. Body Lift & lift lips
1-1.5" torsion bar adjust. so it sits level
Clear Corner Lenses
315/75R16 Yoko. Geolander MTs
American Racing Atlas 16x10
True Dual Exhaust
--(2) 3 Chamber Flowmasters (Exits like the Lightning) FUN MODS:
Pioneer 8000 3D series
Boston Acoustic 5x7s
Sony Xplode 4ch Amp
(2) 8" RF XLC Subs
Custom 4x4 Sticker
Viper Alarm FUTURE MODS:
4.56 gears
Repaint around Headlights where clearcoat is coming off >=(
Fix ding in tailgate
Skidplate
New pinstripe
Heckethorn or Rancho Steering Stabilizer
Rancho RS9000 Shocks & Control System
Thats about it for now!
Check out my NEW WEBSITE: ****BigBadRed's Website**** Killintime4fun@aol.com "F-150: The other woman!" "...the road curves to the right and there are a lot of signs that say you cannot turn left...TURN LEFT."
I have been reading about trucks since i was 16 im now 18 and 19 in may. The body lift blocks are on the body mounts, who cares if there is rubber or not above or below it, its now three inches longer right, wouldnt that be easier to snap since thats the only thing inbetween the body and the frame? NOt the acutall BODY LIFt snapping but it snapping other components since its now on hypothetically speaking, stilts? Im leasing my truck, but i am going to buy it in 2 1/2 years, I DONT WANT TO SCREW UP, like i did with my lifted 91 explorer. Of course i lifted it with superlift, which sucked for that application, but thats a whole nother story. I CANT *UCK UP, you dont understand, if everyone thinks its okay, and they have had NO problems with the body lift, *UCK ill do it, but after hearing my mechanic who has worked on my truck (the 01 f150) and has been working on cars for over 10 years say all this stuff, it worried me to say the least.
I dont know what to do, I can buy a suspension lift, or put in a body lift. ONes cheaper and I know I can always upgrade to a suspension lift later, but body lifts are a bitch to put in therefore if i ever for some reason wanted it out, thatd be a pain in the @$$. I dont know what to do, I know what i want and that is to run 35's probably since i dont think ill be able to go much bigger with only 6 inchs or so on my truck.
Im distrought, confused, and wee bit worried, and need professional guidence so i dont mess up.
Man, i'm didn't mean to insult ya, so don't get me wrong...but i've had my body lift for 2 years now and there are no signs of wear at all, i did have to tighten it up but thats because i was in a major accident. But it was no big deal once i figured out it was the body lift. Also, a suspension lift can be dangerous. I mean, in a body lift you don't change driveline angles and stuff. But i'd go back and get a suspension if i could, only because i offroad and i like the extra clearance and flex the suspension offers, but i really think the body is a good way to go for onstreet. The only way you'll mess it up is if you wreck it so bad that the bolts snap, in which case you'd have to order new bolts (which are cheap)...of course then you'd have a messed up truck from the accident, so it wouldn't matter a whole bunch...but i mean, man, do what you feel is best. They are both adequate lifts...the only way to lift it that i don't recommend is to mess with the torsion bars too much...although i think a little is alright...anyways, its my .02 cents...
-Brandon
[This message has been edited by BigBadRedLiftedFordMan (edited 04-19-2001).]
I've had my body lift 2 years and nothing has gone wrong, if i had the money to start i would have done a suspension lift...but I didnt and Im still damned happy with this body lift. I havent seen or heard of anyone breaking theres. Although I might question doing the install with the guy that told you all that crap.
The performance acessories Body lift blocks are rated to 50,000 psi! They WILL NOT snap, they are technically stronger than steel! I don not have one, but would like to get one for my 150 eventually. I don't think a body lift actually does much to a truck's integrity, because you are putting in stronger mounts than stock. If you are worried about the rubber wearing, it won't happen any quicker than it happening due to regular wear without a lift. A person could actaully use the chace of putting on a body lift to also change the bushings to polyurethane instead of rubber, I believe Energy Suspensions makes them.
I don't think a body lift does much for the C of G, because you are not lifting the main weight of the truck, namely the frame, drivetrain, and engine. The cab and box of the truck are relatively very light.
I actually think a body lift may be safer in an accident. You are sitting up a bit higher, less chance of getting run over. Where I'm from, wildlife on the road are a big concern, as well, and if I hit a Moose, I want to be as high as I can! I have seen firsthand the ugly results of a Moose-car collision, and it usually results in a dead Person, because the Moose comes over the hood and right through the windshield.
This isn't a flame on you, just my personal opinion of lifts. I believe they are for more use than just clearing bigger tires.
One thing I forgot to mention. Always get a 2nd or third opinion on everyting you hear, especially from mechanics. I have had to "educate" supposed Ford experts on things they said that were just plain wrong! I have gone to tire shops where the "tire experts" have said stuff to me that was totally inaccurate, and plain ignorant. I have even been to a 4x4 shop myself recently, where he was wrong on his info regarding 97+ F-150's.
This again isn't to flame you or a mechanic friend, but I am saying to figure it out on your own, most mechanics don't know as much as they may think, expecially regarding your own vehicle. This forum is awesome for that reason, thousands of guys can pool their collective knowledge.
I can see where Kial is coming from. I thnk in his thoery that the taller body mounts would create more leverage and break the actual body ( not the mounts). I have actually heard of people riipping bodies right off of the mounts but that was only in accidents and major off-roading. I think for occasional off-road and highway use you would not see any problems. In fact where can I find a ggod body lift at a good price. I and others are interested in getting one. It's gotta be better than messing with the torsion bars.
Okay i just read your stuff its like 12 at night and im a little high, but eh im a kid.
All i care about is if the 3 inch body lift would ever come through the body. Everything else isnt of concern. I cant wait to lift it more, as soon as i get some my cash.
Kial,
I have had body lifts on all sorts of trucks for about 20 years. Never had any failures of bolts or to body of truck. Done serious off raoding, racing, car crushing, and the vibration of 44" tires that can never be fully balanced! You should be fine! I would think it would be almost impossible to hit something stationary with only the frame causing the body of the truck to seperate from the frame. I am involved in my state's fatal crash investigation team since I am a Traffic Engineer and was a F/F / IParamedic for about 10 years, and never saw an accident of that sort!
Not to say it won't happen, but your chances are good that it won't.
In the following picture you will see a hinged bed with a body lift fly up after hitting the cars, but my cab stayed put!
Same truck:
I abused this truck even more jumping and bouncing and notice the amount of body lift on it:
It's even a Chevy and no problems!
Harleyrider
------------------
2000 Lariat 4x4 Supercab ORP
Black Clearcoat
Flowmaster 50 series SUV using original tailpipe
K&N Filter
CamLocker Aluminum Toolbox
Tinted Windows
Vent Visors
A.R.E. 'Z' series bed cap
1999 HD Softail Custom
Cobalt Blue
Lowered and Chromed
1995 Long Haired Chihuahua (Best security system on the market)
Just to add .02...saw a lifted Dodge with a 11 inch suspension/body lift at the local lift shop....They guy picked it up and went home..as he was turning into his subdivision a mini van failed to stop at the light...The van hit the truck at just the right angle ( right or wrong, depends on where you are sitting, lol) but anyway the truck flipped nose first over the van and landed on its roof......It took a big hit, body lift still intacked...........
Kial........JUST DO IT
No problems with mine........Dave
------------------
1998 F-150,4x2,4.6 AUTOMATIC, XLT
FABTECH LIFT 6.5
BODY LIFT 3IN (6"11 1/2")
LIFT LIPS
315 GEOLANDERS
EAGLE 143 16X10s
SUPERLIFT TRACTION BARS
NERF BARS
F&R LUMI LOGOS
SUPERCHIPPED
FLOWMASTER 40
CB (TX CHAPTER MUST)
CLEAR CORNERS
IMAGE COVERS BACK LIGHTS
COVERKING DASH COVER
SNUG LID
BEDLINER AND MAT
EGR FENDER FLARES
CLASS III HITCH
STROBES
PAINTED MOTOR
AIRAID KIT W/PREFILTER
BUG SHIELD AND RAIN GUARDS
6 DISC CD CHANGER
BLUE LIGHTS UNDER TRUCK
MUTH MIRRORS
had a body lift on my last truck and my new one, and have had no problems. if they were that bad, don't you think they would have stoped makeing them like 30 years ago? Body lifts have been around forever. I think if there were serious problems, we would have heard about them by now. Just my thoughts.
------------------
NEW TRUCK!
00 f150 ext. cab 4x4 ORP w/5.4/auto, black! Tan buckets, expy center console, tinted windows, westin nerf bars, flowmaster 40 series, remote start/alarm/keyless entry, headlight/taillight covers, Lund wiper cowl, vent visors, tono cover
5" RCD lift, 3" body lift, 35" pro comp ats on eagle 589s
old truck
99 black f150 4x2 ext. cab sport w/4.6 V8. external mods. include:
3" body lift, 3.5" fabtech lift, airaid FIPK, JBA headers, Superchip headlight/taillight covers, wiper schroud, shadeblade, ventshade, bug deflector, bed liner, tonno cover, and custom duel exhaust out the sides with 3.5" chrome tips and NO muffler. Tires: Mickey Thompson Baja HP 35 12.50 17 internal mods. include:
Pioneer indash cdplayer, 2 12" subs, 400 watt amp, remote start, and aftermarket alarm http://www.4tssinc.com/truck
[This message has been edited by christrucker (edited 04-19-2001).]
Ok im gonna do it, three inch body and a once inch coil, and 35's. I dunno when and its funny cause i gotta sorta hide it because my parents are leasing my truck or half of it right now and they dont want it lifted (I told them the 33's were just a leveler) but ill get it on and get the pics developed today and try to somehow get the pics sacnned of the 33's on it. thanks for the help ill let u know of the updates. Thanks, late
I installed my first body lift in 1980 on a new Chevrolet Luv 4x4 I had just purchased. O.k., so I am dating myself here but the point is if body lifts are that unsafe they would not have been around for so long.
------------------
Ordered 2-20-01 TPW of 3-12-01 assigned on 2-26-01 DELIVERED 3-21-01! '01 F150 SCab XLT 4x4 SWB
507A Pkg.
Oxford white
Dark Graphite Interior
Captains Chairs
5.4 Triton
Auto Tranny
Off Road Package
Towing Package
Power Moonroof
3.55 Limited Slip
Heated Seats
AM-FM Cassette/6 disc CD
Power Drivers Seat
Sliding Rear Window
Adjustable Pedals
Electronic 4x4 Shift
This forum is owned and operated by Internet Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It is not authorized or endorsed by the Ford Motor Company and is not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or its related companies in any way. FordŽ is a registered trademark of the Ford Motor Company
!Body Lift Users! look forward to failure..
Linear Mode
