I am going to buy a 3" PA body lift, but dont know whether i should install it myself or have someone more knowledgeable install it. I don't know a lot about this sort of thing, but im really starting to learn more and know some other guys who have done it them selves successfully...is it that hard to put on? Thanks!

 

I feel for you. I just finished putting mine on myself. 5 years ago, I would not have tried it. But given that the quotes I was getting around here were $500 or more, I decided that if it was going to happen at all, I was going to do it.

A couple of things make it easier. First, air tools do help. Second, somewhere along the line you have to decide "I win the war, the truck determines the length of the battle only." What I mean is, it take some perseverance. Third, if you can do it over a period of days, that helps a lot. Not having a deadline of getting it back on the road on Monday helped me a great deal.

I worked to get the bolts in the bed loose off and on for a week. Once I removed the 6 factory bolts (short bed, long bed has 8), I replaced them with hex head bolts (12MM and long). Then I parked the truck in the garage on a Monday and worked on disassembly the rest of the week after work. I never worked more than two hours and Thursday evening I was just picking up tools. On Friday evening a friend come over to help with the actual lifting. This part is much better with two. There seems to be several things to do and watch at one time. Friday evening took about 6 hours. I don't go at a rapid pace. In short, I'm slow. But I make few mistakes that way. On Saturday I spent the entire day, about 13 hours putting things back together: radiator and fan shroud, bumpers, etc.

I would not say that it is difficult. The instructions are excellent. I have them in PDF form if you would like them. They would help you a great deal. I spent two-three weeks off and on perusing and studying the instructions. Every time I read over them it got easier.

I would encourage you to do it yourself, but after you read the instructions. I was fortunate that I have a good friend who is a retired diesel mechanic of 30 years. I knew that if I ran into trouble, I could call him.

The instructions are nearly 4 meg in size, but here they are.

Hunt4Fun

 

I agree. I would buy the kit, read the instructions and then decide if you want to do it yourself.

 

thanks a lot guys...i think ill put it in myself and try to find a ride to work or something!

 

Yea i was qouted $500 everywhere! so me and some of my friends decided to do it and it took me 7 days! i started on a saturday and finished that next friday.i had work from 7:30 to 5 everyday so i only got to work on it maybe 4 3 hours during the week. i did it all with your regular garage tools my dad had around the garage! the only thing i had to buy was the socket to fit the blots in the back of the bed and you have to buy all the fluid you had to drain from the truck! in all i maybe spent $100 doin it myself! it was the best thing ive done i learned so much about my truck! the hardest thing to me was getting the radiator hoses off and putting them back on! and the next was installing the front bumper brackets because i have a STX and the bumper is alot bigger so the instructions were all off so after messing with i called up 4 wheel parts and they said they would install it for me for $20 since i bought the kit from them! I love my truck and i would do it all over again if i had the chance. there is nothing like have your 5 best friends with you working on your truck and sharing a couple ice cold beers while your at it! if anyone needs any pointers or help let me know! oh and if you live in Houston, Texas i will install the lift for $250!!!

thanks, David

 

Im in the process of installing my kit now. I was humming along yesterday, got everything on the front end disconnected and then OOF! The six bed
bolts were NOT coming off. we kept stripping threads from a TORX bolt. By the way, a 47 is not the correct size needed like the manual says. It requires a 50. I understand Ford not wanting their truck beds flying off with heavy loads in them, but OMG this is ridiculous. You should at least be able to get it off if needed. I guess im going to have to torch them off. I tried drilling them out but that just gets the heads off and then they are still attached by the blasted "brackets" underneath.

what a pain in the @#. Any beneficial tips would be appreciated, thanks

 

*update*
Well i finally got the heads drilled out of the six bed bolts. I then had to cut off the brackets underneath with a dremel. Then I simply pulled the bolts out of the bottom. If I had torches it wouldve been much quicker, but it took me about an hour each bolt. I admit I'm no genius when it comes to automotive
work, but still got er done. I'll post before/after pics soon.

 

Mine experience was similar. I ended up buying some extra bolts that were hex head and the nuts to fit and putting them on until I was ready to install the lift. A cutting torch was needed on two of mine. The local muffler shop did it for me. It sounds like you are well on your way.

Persevere!

 

I can't wait to see some pics!