Alright, I'd like fab up my own body lift. I'm looking at 1 to 1 1/2 inches. I know someone is going to suggest a 2 inch body lift and that's my fall back plan. I like the idea of creating something from nothing as cheap as possible. I'd like suggestions on what to use as the spacer between the body and frame. I really don't even have any beginning ideas on what to use. Also, the 2 inch body lift and less doesn't require steering extension and transmission extenions does it. Basically, is my plan feasible? Any input is appreciated.

Richard

 

I don't think it is a good idea to make a body lift. The Performance Accessories kit is very complete and includes detailed instructions. The instructions alone are probably worth the price of the kit. My 3 inch PA lift did not require the bracket for my tranny, but if I had a different trans it looked very easy to install. I wouldn't worry about the steering extension as it was probably the easiest part of the kit to install. The 3 inch kit contains front and rear bumper relocation brackets. I understand the 2 inch kit only contains the front bumper brackets, however you could easily fabricate some. I have seen people make body lifts from pipe but this is very dangerous. Think about it, what is in the middlle of a large diameter pipe to help support the bolt? Nothing, it would be very easy for the pipe to shift. Some morons, I mean people, have actually used hockey pucks. I seriously doubt they are manufactured to support the weight of a F-150's body. Also the PA kit contains the proper grade nuts an bolts (grade 5 I beleive) which have a heigher shear strength than the typical hardware store cheapies. Don't get me wrong, I beleive a person could build a properly designed body lift themselves. But why would they when you can buy one for basically the same money and save yourself a lot of time and headache? I think you would be ahead of the game to buy a 2 or 3 inch PA kit, afterall your time is valuable too.

 

Trust me im the king of trying to get out cheap. But just spend the $100 and be done with it. just my opinion

 

I receantly put a three inch body lift on my 99 ext 4x4, and had it done by a local offroad shop. They thought that they would have it done in 8 hours, yeah right. I finally picked it up after 14 hours of work performed by people with all of the right tools. You have to consider many things when it comes to a body lift, like your gas tank fill tube will not reach, your bumpers, a but load of wires run from your engine, to what ever. and there are safety straps that attach your bed to the frame. Personally if you want to tackle all of that on your own you have more patients than I do. Like the previous post said it is dangerous to not use good products. I paid around 400 to get it installed, but they welded steel spacers wherever they could to reinforce the lift kit. It is your truck to do what ever you would like to do to it, but make sure safety is in the back of your head. good luck, and if you have any questions e-mail me. I have a cheap fix for covering up front frame ends which will be exposed after your lift. good luck, don't hesitate to ask questions. chris

 

If you only want 1-1.5", then just adjust up your front torsion bars and put blocks on the back.


The PA body lifts are only around $100. I can't see spending countless hours under your truck fabbing your own body lift kit just to save $100. The PA body lift does require a steering extension. It has everything you will need to lift up the truck including detailed instructions. Only thing the 2" PA kit doesn't have are the brackets to lift the rear bumper (the 3" kit has them).

kev

 

I agree with everyone here. It's not that you couldn't build one yourself and make it as strong, but you'll spend so much time trying to get everything right that 1/2 way through you'll think $100 isn't bad at all. The lift is very simple to install and the steering extensions are a piece of cake. $120 after tax is zip to pay for lifting your truck 3". Hell, I'm a student without a penny to spare, and I'm also pretty handy with tools. But I can tell you this right now. There ain't no way in HELL I'd build my own body lift. Safety, strength, time, effort, and then you still have to spend money on the parts you do yourself. You have to consider all of that. And plus, like someone already mentioned, the instructions are so perfect that a 2nd grader would understand. Get the PA lift...it's worth it.