BODY LIFT
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 216
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From: Gonzales, TX USA
BODY LIFT
Okay, just picked up my F-150 4X4 SC last week, and now I'am itchin to raise that puppy. First off I have a few questions that I hope you guys/gals can help me on:
#1. What is the highest body lift available? 4' 6'?
#2. What are the adverse effects if any with installing a body lift.
#3. How does a body lift basically function?
#4. I'am pretty familiar with most other vehicle components, but obviously suspension tweaks are my "bag baby". What recommended tools would I need in order to install one?
#5. Will it affect my alignment? Will my front end need to be realigned afterwards?
#6. Would you recommend doing a Tim Allen and do-it-yourselfer, or take it in to a proshop and get ripped a new one?
#7. Got any horror stories with a body lift?
Any input would be appreciated...
Blake
#1. What is the highest body lift available? 4' 6'?
#2. What are the adverse effects if any with installing a body lift.
#3. How does a body lift basically function?
#4. I'am pretty familiar with most other vehicle components, but obviously suspension tweaks are my "bag baby". What recommended tools would I need in order to install one?
#5. Will it affect my alignment? Will my front end need to be realigned afterwards?
#6. Would you recommend doing a Tim Allen and do-it-yourselfer, or take it in to a proshop and get ripped a new one?
#7. Got any horror stories with a body lift?
Any input would be appreciated...
Blake
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee, Florida, United States
Blake,
I'll try and answer what I can, and the others will do the rest.
#1, Not sure, but a 6in. body lift is awful high. I think 3in. is the norm.
#2, A) You will have to lengthen the steering collum where the shaft attaches to the steering box. B) Shift linkage, if an automatic, needs to be lengthend. If it's a manual, the hydraulic clutch line will need to be replaced. C) Wire harness comming from the body the the frame will need to be re-routed. As well as anything else that runs from the body to the frame.
#3, If you look under your truck, you will see some rubber "biscuts" between the frame and the cab/bed. What happens is, you un-bolt the cab/bed, jack them up and replace these "biscuts" with taller ones which are generally made of solid plastic. All this does is increase the clearance between the ground and the body. It has nothing to do with suspension clearance.
#4, Basic tools and a tall floor jack.
#5, No, will not affect alignment.
#6, Do it yourself.
#7, I've never done it myself, but it sounds like a lot of trouble and $$$ for so little gain.
My question is, How old is your turck? If it's brand new, any thing you have to alter in order to do this may no longer be covered under warrenty. Same thing goes for the suspension changes.
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'97 F-250 L/D Lariat S/C, 4x4, 5.4, E4OD automatic, 3.73 gears, 4 wh. ABS and 4 wh. disk brakes, gray leather interior,keyless entry w/alarm, outside: white w/gray rocker section, sliding rear window, tow package. Mods- Ford running boards, Ford ventsahdes, Color-matched bug deflector, AVS tail light covers, Tuff Liner bed liner, unknown brand of cat-back exhaust system (previous owner installed).
I'll try and answer what I can, and the others will do the rest.
#1, Not sure, but a 6in. body lift is awful high. I think 3in. is the norm.
#2, A) You will have to lengthen the steering collum where the shaft attaches to the steering box. B) Shift linkage, if an automatic, needs to be lengthend. If it's a manual, the hydraulic clutch line will need to be replaced. C) Wire harness comming from the body the the frame will need to be re-routed. As well as anything else that runs from the body to the frame.
#3, If you look under your truck, you will see some rubber "biscuts" between the frame and the cab/bed. What happens is, you un-bolt the cab/bed, jack them up and replace these "biscuts" with taller ones which are generally made of solid plastic. All this does is increase the clearance between the ground and the body. It has nothing to do with suspension clearance.
#4, Basic tools and a tall floor jack.
#5, No, will not affect alignment.
#6, Do it yourself.
#7, I've never done it myself, but it sounds like a lot of trouble and $$$ for so little gain.
My question is, How old is your turck? If it's brand new, any thing you have to alter in order to do this may no longer be covered under warrenty. Same thing goes for the suspension changes.
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'97 F-250 L/D Lariat S/C, 4x4, 5.4, E4OD automatic, 3.73 gears, 4 wh. ABS and 4 wh. disk brakes, gray leather interior,keyless entry w/alarm, outside: white w/gray rocker section, sliding rear window, tow package. Mods- Ford running boards, Ford ventsahdes, Color-matched bug deflector, AVS tail light covers, Tuff Liner bed liner, unknown brand of cat-back exhaust system (previous owner installed).
Thanks again!
Member
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: gainesville, FL
Blake
I have a 3" body lift on my 97 4x4. Iggy has already answered most of your questions. Here is my input. If you want to be able to run taller tires and do not want to spend the $1500 on a suspension lift then go ahead with the body lift. Mine only cost $130. The installation is not that hard to do. I put mine in myself and you will need two jacks so you can lift the body and cab at the same time. This has been discussed previously and I think you will find a lot of info on body lift's on the message board if you go through the old posts. Hope this helps.
I have a 3" body lift on my 97 4x4. Iggy has already answered most of your questions. Here is my input. If you want to be able to run taller tires and do not want to spend the $1500 on a suspension lift then go ahead with the body lift. Mine only cost $130. The installation is not that hard to do. I put mine in myself and you will need two jacks so you can lift the body and cab at the same time. This has been discussed previously and I think you will find a lot of info on body lift's on the message board if you go through the old posts. Hope this helps.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach, CA
I too have a 3" body lift on my 97 F150. I have had no problems at all. Don't forget to weld the square modular brackets under the bed. I have seen people overlook these and were sorry they did when they loaded down their bed. Perhaps they can be bolted on?? Mine are welded.
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97 White F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP, 4.6, SuperChip, Stillen Air Intake, Gibson Exhaust, Hellwig Sway Bar, Weld Wheels, 33" Bridgestone A/T Duelers, 3" Body Lift, Rancho 9000's, Billet Grill, SmittyBilt Nerf Bars (Stainless), SnugTop Shell (Expo), Sony CDX780 Head Unit W/CD, 10 Disk Changer, MTX ThunderForm, MTX 4X50W AMP, Kenwood 300W AMP for Sub., Infinity Kappa components in front, Infinity Kappa 5X7 rear. On Order: White face gauge? Still looking.......
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97 White F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP, 4.6, SuperChip, Stillen Air Intake, Gibson Exhaust, Hellwig Sway Bar, Weld Wheels, 33" Bridgestone A/T Duelers, 3" Body Lift, Rancho 9000's, Billet Grill, SmittyBilt Nerf Bars (Stainless), SnugTop Shell (Expo), Sony CDX780 Head Unit W/CD, 10 Disk Changer, MTX ThunderForm, MTX 4X50W AMP, Kenwood 300W AMP for Sub., Infinity Kappa components in front, Infinity Kappa 5X7 rear. On Order: White face gauge? Still looking.......
Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Smill,
When you said you had to trim the front valence, was that due to the width of your tires when turning? Did your neighbor with the 36x12.5's have to trim his as well? Just wondering.
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98 XLT SC Flareside 4.6, 3.55LS, loaded (no leather), ORP, chrome Smittybilt Outland, 2 KC lites, chrome diff cover, Ventshades, catback duals, Alpine CDw/Alpine 6-disc changer, Body Lift has arrived "The never ending project truck"
When you said you had to trim the front valence, was that due to the width of your tires when turning? Did your neighbor with the 36x12.5's have to trim his as well? Just wondering.
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98 XLT SC Flareside 4.6, 3.55LS, loaded (no leather), ORP, chrome Smittybilt Outland, 2 KC lites, chrome diff cover, Ventshades, catback duals, Alpine CDw/Alpine 6-disc changer, Body Lift has arrived "The never ending project truck"
Member
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: gainesville, FL
Outplaying
Yes, I had to trim the bumper valance because of the width of the tires. My neighbor had to do the same thing. You only have to trim about 1" off of the valance. YOu can see pics of my truck at http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Mesa/9131
Yes, I had to trim the bumper valance because of the width of the tires. My neighbor had to do the same thing. You only have to trim about 1" off of the valance. YOu can see pics of my truck at http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Mesa/9131
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, La
Okay, who makes the body lifts? Will they work on a 2wd? How hard to install? Time involved? Any manufacturers web sites ?
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98 F150 2WD,Bright Red, Regular Cab, 4.2, 3.55, Superchip, 3 Inch Bullseye Lift Spindles, Manik Grill Guard,Nerf Bars, Vent Visors, Fog lights, Kc Lights, Alpine CD Player, 2 Kenwood Amps, Tinted Windows. And Coming Soon: 3&1/2 Inch Fabtech Lift Kit, 16x8 American Racing Baja Wheels Wrapped With 33's
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98 F150 2WD,Bright Red, Regular Cab, 4.2, 3.55, Superchip, 3 Inch Bullseye Lift Spindles, Manik Grill Guard,Nerf Bars, Vent Visors, Fog lights, Kc Lights, Alpine CD Player, 2 Kenwood Amps, Tinted Windows. And Coming Soon: 3&1/2 Inch Fabtech Lift Kit, 16x8 American Racing Baja Wheels Wrapped With 33's
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3
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Okay, who makes the body lifts? Will they work on a 2wd? How hard to install? Time involved? Any manufacturers web sites ?
Howdy there! Theres only two companies that i know of who make body lifts for 97+ F-150's: Trailmaster and Performance Accessories. I went with the Trailmaster 3" kit. I shouldnt think there would be any problems with your truck being 2WD. Install problems were almost non existant...the only real problem was with the freakin instructions. It took two friends of mine and I two days(working from 12-8 and 10-8), but the first day we jacked around alot. I actually just finished it today, and it looks great. I dont think trailmaster or performance accessories has a web sight.
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1997 F-150 Regular Cab, Flareside, 4x4 w/ 4.6liter V8, K&N Air filter, 285/75 BFG Mud's, 16x8 Weld Racing Typhoons, No Muffler(For hella horsepower and hella noise), 2 12" Orion XRT3's, a Punch 60, replacement Rockford 5x7's, Kenwood 5007 Deck, and spray on bed liner.
Howdy there! Theres only two companies that i know of who make body lifts for 97+ F-150's: Trailmaster and Performance Accessories. I went with the Trailmaster 3" kit. I shouldnt think there would be any problems with your truck being 2WD. Install problems were almost non existant...the only real problem was with the freakin instructions. It took two friends of mine and I two days(working from 12-8 and 10-8), but the first day we jacked around alot. I actually just finished it today, and it looks great. I dont think trailmaster or performance accessories has a web sight.
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1997 F-150 Regular Cab, Flareside, 4x4 w/ 4.6liter V8, K&N Air filter, 285/75 BFG Mud's, 16x8 Weld Racing Typhoons, No Muffler(For hella horsepower and hella noise), 2 12" Orion XRT3's, a Punch 60, replacement Rockford 5x7's, Kenwood 5007 Deck, and spray on bed liner.