Body vs. Suspension lift...why body?
#1
Body vs. Suspension lift...why body?
Sorry if this is a dumb question guys
I am about to start a project on an 06 or 07 FX4 SCREW and plan on doing a 6" suspension lift and running 35x12.5 x 20" tires among other things. The question is... since I have been looking around here I see A LOT of body lifts. Why would one want a body lift over a suspension lift (my only thought is cost?) or why would someone do a combo of body and suspension? Dont flame me too hard...just want to be educated so I can make sound decisions on this truck. I will utilize this as a daily driver for a while and money isnt a huge issue with it, I plan on doing it right. Any suggestions would be great!
Lastly...will I have to change gears or extend drivetrain with a 6" lift and running 35's? And will the 5.4 V8 pull me down the road pretty well tuned and with CAI?
Thanks,
Jake
I am about to start a project on an 06 or 07 FX4 SCREW and plan on doing a 6" suspension lift and running 35x12.5 x 20" tires among other things. The question is... since I have been looking around here I see A LOT of body lifts. Why would one want a body lift over a suspension lift (my only thought is cost?) or why would someone do a combo of body and suspension? Dont flame me too hard...just want to be educated so I can make sound decisions on this truck. I will utilize this as a daily driver for a while and money isnt a huge issue with it, I plan on doing it right. Any suggestions would be great!
Lastly...will I have to change gears or extend drivetrain with a 6" lift and running 35's? And will the 5.4 V8 pull me down the road pretty well tuned and with CAI?
Thanks,
Jake
#2
Sorry if this is a dumb question guys
I am about to start a project on an 06 or 07 FX4 SCREW and plan on doing a 6" suspension lift and running 35x12.5 x 20" tires among other things. The question is... since I have been looking around here I see A LOT of body lifts. Why would one want a body lift over a suspension lift (my only thought is cost?) or why would someone do a combo of body and suspension? Dont flame me too hard...just want to be educated so I can make sound decisions on this truck. I will utilize this as a daily driver for a while and money isnt a huge issue with it, I plan on doing it right. Any suggestions would be great!
Lastly...will I have to change gears or extend drivetrain with a 6" lift and running 35's? And will the 5.4 V8 pull me down the road pretty well tuned and with CAI?
Thanks,
Jake
I am about to start a project on an 06 or 07 FX4 SCREW and plan on doing a 6" suspension lift and running 35x12.5 x 20" tires among other things. The question is... since I have been looking around here I see A LOT of body lifts. Why would one want a body lift over a suspension lift (my only thought is cost?) or why would someone do a combo of body and suspension? Dont flame me too hard...just want to be educated so I can make sound decisions on this truck. I will utilize this as a daily driver for a while and money isnt a huge issue with it, I plan on doing it right. Any suggestions would be great!
Lastly...will I have to change gears or extend drivetrain with a 6" lift and running 35's? And will the 5.4 V8 pull me down the road pretty well tuned and with CAI?
Thanks,
Jake
#3
#4
Sorry if this is a dumb question guys
I am about to start a project on an 06 or 07 FX4 SCREW and plan on doing a 6" suspension lift and running 35x12.5 x 20" tires among other things. The question is... since I have been looking around here I see A LOT of body lifts. Why would one want a body lift over a suspension lift (my only thought is cost?) or why would someone do a combo of body and suspension? Dont flame me too hard...just want to be educated so I can make sound decisions on this truck. I will utilize this as a daily driver for a while and money isnt a huge issue with it, I plan on doing it right. Any suggestions would be great!
Lastly...will I have to change gears or extend drivetrain with a 6" lift and running 35's? And will the 5.4 V8 pull me down the road pretty well tuned and with CAI?
Thanks,
Jake
I am about to start a project on an 06 or 07 FX4 SCREW and plan on doing a 6" suspension lift and running 35x12.5 x 20" tires among other things. The question is... since I have been looking around here I see A LOT of body lifts. Why would one want a body lift over a suspension lift (my only thought is cost?) or why would someone do a combo of body and suspension? Dont flame me too hard...just want to be educated so I can make sound decisions on this truck. I will utilize this as a daily driver for a while and money isnt a huge issue with it, I plan on doing it right. Any suggestions would be great!
Lastly...will I have to change gears or extend drivetrain with a 6" lift and running 35's? And will the 5.4 V8 pull me down the road pretty well tuned and with CAI?
Thanks,
Jake
Anyway us 97-03 F150 guys are very limited with quality lifts (besides doing a solid axle swap) theres only one way to get up there and thats suspension+body lifts.
Now with you having more options in the range of Rize 8" and 12" id deffinitely go with one of those over a combo lift.
If you dont plan on doing the install then get a suspension lift they are actually cheaper to install, (if you can even find someone to install a body lift on a 04+)
Second most kits come with everything you need, if not then it will be specifically stated in the directions. Some lifts need extended drive shafts some dont. Some kits only come with the front lift some come complete.
Third with the 5.4 you wont "have to" regear but you might want to. If you plan on going to any tires larger than 35 then you will want to regear to 4.56 or 4.88. This will save your transmission and provide more power to the rear tires. (and a few more mpg over the stock gears and big tires)
The gears will also give you a better acceleration but will put you at a higher RMP at highway speeds (thus possibly loosing .5-1.5 mpg) but thats worth it to not kill the trans.
sorry for the long post just had to set some stuff straight!
#5
#6
I opted for a body lift for these reasons over a suspension lift (in no particular order):
1. It was cheaper
2. I wanted to run at most a 35" tire, so I could keep a 35" tire under the bed as a spare as opposed to keeping a larger tire like a 37 if I had a 6" suspension lift in the bed and defeating the purpose of having a truck.
3. My wife is only 5'2" and was really intimidated when she use to drive my old Dodge Ram with a 6" suspension +3" body lift and 37s. Let alone trying to get into it.
4. If they are installed correctly and you use gap guards, nerf bars and relocate your trailer light assembly, they can look just as good as suspension lifts. I get asked a lot, "What kind of suspension lift do you have?"
5. Body lifts are fairly easy to install on the 97-03s...
6. I can still clear all parking garages when I go down to the city.
I also off road my truck pretty hard and have had no issues whatsoever with the body lift. For me anyway, all things considered, it was just more practical and cheaper.
1. It was cheaper
2. I wanted to run at most a 35" tire, so I could keep a 35" tire under the bed as a spare as opposed to keeping a larger tire like a 37 if I had a 6" suspension lift in the bed and defeating the purpose of having a truck.
3. My wife is only 5'2" and was really intimidated when she use to drive my old Dodge Ram with a 6" suspension +3" body lift and 37s. Let alone trying to get into it.
4. If they are installed correctly and you use gap guards, nerf bars and relocate your trailer light assembly, they can look just as good as suspension lifts. I get asked a lot, "What kind of suspension lift do you have?"
5. Body lifts are fairly easy to install on the 97-03s...
6. I can still clear all parking garages when I go down to the city.
I also off road my truck pretty hard and have had no issues whatsoever with the body lift. For me anyway, all things considered, it was just more practical and cheaper.
Last edited by jk007; 07-31-2008 at 08:56 AM.
#7
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#8
4.2trimble pretty much nailed it.
The only thing I will add is I would do a re-gear and run 4.56's for 35's and anything bigger I would go with 4.88's. It seems like your truck is underpowered other wise. Plus when you go to get the big heavy tires rolling again your drive train will thank you for doing the extra and getting gears. Not necessary but definitely helps. Here is a link read through and it will help you decide whether or not to re-gear.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ot...p-rev-1-a.html
The only thing I will add is I would do a re-gear and run 4.56's for 35's and anything bigger I would go with 4.88's. It seems like your truck is underpowered other wise. Plus when you go to get the big heavy tires rolling again your drive train will thank you for doing the extra and getting gears. Not necessary but definitely helps. Here is a link read through and it will help you decide whether or not to re-gear.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ot...p-rev-1-a.html
#9
#12
im leaving mine down just so when i get my 6" i dont have to find a 9" drop hitch i just have to find a 6" drop hitch which is MUCH easier to find.
#13
#14