I'm finally installing a 3" body lift on my 02F1504x4 this Saturday. If anyone has any last minute advice, tips, do's or don't's or other info that would help me throught the process I would greatly appreciate it. Oh, also, I've gone over the instructions and have all the tools neccessary, but if there are any tools that you thought you wouldn't need but ended up using to make things easier I would love to here what they are. I'll post some pics as soon as I'm done! Thanks again!! BLUEBIRD

 

First of all good luck on your project. I did one last winter about this time and my buddies garage wasn't tall enought so we had the cab sitting out side with a tarp nailed over the garage door. It sucked! Anyhow, just take your time and don't get in a hurry. You will want to make sure to do this right. Also, if you havent already get under the truck and soak all the cab and bed mount bolts with some lubricant. I did this and still had to use a torch to get the bed bolts out! So you may want to use a torch if you have access to one. Thats all I got. Have fun with your project.

 

Thanks for the post, I haven't heard of anyone having to use a torch to break free their bolts, whats the most common product to soak the bolts with? Will it be THAT difficult if I go at them dry? Thanks again!

 

The problem is Ford uses tons of Loctite on the body mounts. I soaked mine with penetrating oil. You can use a pipe wrench or large set of channel locks to hold the round bushing/nuts while someone else unbolts them.

 

We tried the whole channel lock trick and that did't work at all, neither did the pipe wrench. For my truck the cab bolts came out with almost no problems. It was the bed bolts that were the pain. It took me 3 hours just to get out 6 bolts. You will need a torq bit and i believe it is the T-47 size. We broke three of these bits when working on my truck.

 

Thanks for the advice! Day one of the install went better than expected. The cab bolts were the worst part of the whole deal and the fact that PA shorted me 1 bolt!!!! if you can belive that!! I will definately be complaining about that. I'll be finishing it up tomorrow. Wandell, i'll be trying to mount my bumpers without drilling, the way you did it, we'll see what happens, i'll post pics later this week! thanks again!

 

Two words : Air Tools

 

I installed a body lift on my truck (99 f150) and I had no problems with bolts. Using air tools really helps.

 

I used that one. Performance Accessories 3" is a great body lift. Definitely get the gap gaurds and install them when you do the body lift. Also, as previously mentioned, the bed bolts were a real problem. I ended up torching on my bed bolts to get them off.

If you plan on putting anything in the bed after that lift, use the overload spacers and I think you should consider welding them on as well.

Jack