ok... after much reading and studying pics of other members' trucks (Wandell and JK007 mostly), i finally took the plunge and ordered the 3'' PA body lift for my 03 F150. I will also be ordering step bars and gap guards to hide the frame. My selected tire size will be a 35x 12.50X R17. I have already cranked my torsion bars up. Are there any certain things to bear in mind during this install that stick out in your guys' minds? BTW, I also have a manual 4x4 lever, is it true that I will need to extend it upward? Does the PA kit include such hardware? Will I need an alignment when I am done?

 

The kit should come with everything you need. I have only installed them on automatics, no manuals, but I think it'll have what you need as long as you bought the correct kit.

Some prep work for you:

1. Read the directions once or twice before you begin to make sure you understand all steps that will be taken, also verify that you have all the parts.

2. Spray down all the bolts with PB blast daily, you'll want to do this a week or so prior to install, it will help the bolts break loose.

3. You'll need a t-47 Torx bit. Most people don't have these laying around. I would recommend picking up 2 / t-47s and 2 of whatever the next size up is. Only open what you need. These have tendency to snap when trying to remove the bed bolts and it sucks having to run out just to get another one while your truck is all apart. They are about $3-$5 a piece. Return what is not used.

4. You won't need to pull the raditator, you can use tin snips to cut the tabs off of the fan shroud. You'll see what I mean when you get to that step.

5. An alignment is recommended, especially if you crank your trosion bars to squeeze the 35's underneath.

6. You're going to need a buddy to help you out with at least the bedbolts, so have some handy...

7. You can either flip the trailer assembly lights upside down like Wandell did or drill a hole through the top of the tow package and mount them up top. This isn't in the directions but it cleans up the rear pretty good.

If you have access to an air compressor w/ an impact wrench and a welder, it will make life a little easier. The bed bolts were a pain on both of my installs. Heating the nuts underneath and hitting them with the impact wrench on top seemed to be the best way to pull them out. The first time we installed I didn't have access to these, so if you don't have access to them and the bolts are giving you trouble, just cut them off with a grinder...

That's about it. Post any issues you're having on here and someone should get back to you fairly quickly. It's not too bad, just time consuming. Be sure to post pics when you're done.

 

i have already cranked the torsion bars up like a year ago, and had the truck realigned. will the truck still need an alignment w/ me putting on a body lift? i don't have a problem spending the cash, but would rather not spend it on something unnecessary.

 

I agree with jk007. And no, you don't need an alignment because of the body lift.

 

Sounds good man! the install is not that hard but there is a lot of little steps to follow, just take your time and it will turn out swell..

good thing you orderd gap guards, the other day I saw a truck without them and it makes a HUGE difference in the way it looks, I think that is why most people say they dont like body lifts because they have only seen the trucks without gap guards and they dont look as good..

like JK said if you need any help during the install just ask us and we`ll try to help the best we can, and PLEASE post pics when your done!!!!!

 

Gotcha. Didn't know when you cranked them. No, another one won't be needed but if you have to crank them higher for whatever reason to put the 35s on, then it is recommended... Otherwise, if you don't touch them, a body lift isn't going to have any effect on your current suspension or drivability... If it's installed correctly, the truck should ride the same as it does now.

 

I have been considering a body lift for a long time, but keep hanging up on a couple of things. First, I have a stick shift, with a stick 4x4 lever. Will they be "down in the floor" once done, or will the kit have something for that? I will have to modify/get a different hitch, as I dont like the exposed look you get with a body lift, is there a different hitch that will "hide" like the factory one? I will have to get my exhaust tips repositioned as they are already setting right under the bumper.

 

guys, my kit arrived today!
sorry 'bout the excitement, lol. to shakin, the kit comes with an extension for the manual 4x4 lever. i have one too, and looked into it. it is a metal extension to the lever, for which you have to cut the lever, and weld the extension in. it will look completely "normal," per se. to everyone else, pics will be posted. i will post pics of the truck right now, at stock suspension with t-bars cranked, and 265-70-17's, some install pics in a gallery i will create, and after pics w/ the lift, gap guards, step bars, 315-70-17 BFG tires, the whole shebang. to f150rider, my truck is also a scab flareside (black fx4) so i have a pretty good idea of what i am hoping for mine to look like.

however, b/c i am a full time student holding a full time job, free time is extremely sparse, so i will be installing the BL sometime between march 3-7 (spring break) for which i also took time off of work to get the lift done.

 

Sounds like it should turn out good. Keep us updated

 

I have a manual transsmission and i did not do any thing to my shifters. I think it looks fine, I can get a pic if you would like. They make a shift extension kit, it is a piece that you weld in.

 

I would also check the rubber hose that came with it. Mine was way to big in diameter. I had to run to advance and get a 15/32 hose about 16in long for the fuel vent line. Everything else was pretty straight forward except I had to cut a couple bolts and grind one of the bed bolts off. The torq bit I used was a T50 fits better than T47
I had a couple of them so I didn't have to buy any but the head of the bed bolts will strip out very easy. The other 2 I had problems with was the 2 in the very front of the cab. I cut those off with my Saw Saw I never removed the radiator And I ripped out the fan and shrow since I'm replacing them with electric fans.

 

Yeah, Lets see those pics if you could please. Thanks

 

Here you go

 

Thanks a ton!