Is it difficult to install a 6 inch lift on my truck and also can I continue to use my 16 inch rims until the tires wear out

 

depends on your definition of difficulty. in order to raise the suspension of an IFS truck, you need to totally tear down the front end, bolt on a two piece subframe, drop the front pumpkin down into the lift subframe, and rebuild the front end by bolting the lower control arms into the the lift subframe. reassembly is based upon this. mine took me a good 12 hours to install using hand tools and jack stands. you'll need an alignment afterwards.

your wheel specs should be specified by the lift company as to whether your current ones will work. 16'' rims will work, but you need the correct width/backspacing.

 

as far as difficulty goes I would say compare it to removing a transmission and a body lift(which I think are the two most difficult things I have done and they were not all that difficult to me in the beginning

 

I would think you could use the OEM wheels. The OEM wheels have 4.5 inches of backspacing just like almost every aftermarket wheel for the 97-03's.

 

well, the suspension bolts were definitely easier to remove than the body bolts. i did both the suspension lift and body lift install on my truck.

overall, i feel the suspension lift was more difficult to install due to the vast number of components that had to be pulled and reinstalled on the independent front end. the torsion bars are a bit of a PITA to line back up upon reassembly, as well as the crossmember, torsion keys, and adjuster nuts/bolts.

i think you can do it. the biggest socket you need is a 35mm six point for the cv axle nut, but a 12 point 36mm will work if you can't find the 35mm.

if you are planning to run wider than a 12.50 tire in the future, you definitely need a 9-10'' wide rim, the stocker 7.5'' wide ones won't work. i ran 35x12.50's on the stock rims w/ the suspension lift for awhile, and it worked fine.

 

I think I am going to do it my self seeing as it will save me about $1100 but should I get the compression struts, and also what are compression struts for

 

Yes, on a 6" lift you need compression struts to take out some of the leverage that the lift puts on the frame.

Also, pay attention to the instructions with regard to the front driveshaft. I've not read the BDS instructions, but every other kit that I've seen either calls for driveline modification or replacement. Most of them say "may need". You "may need" do do it if you want it done right.

 

you do nothing to the front driveshaft, it doesn't even come off w/ the lift install. you need the impact struts, they spread the increased stress of bumps, etc throughout the frame, and not in one localized spot.

the rear driveshaft, however, will need to be either extended about 1 1/4'', or you can get a 1'' spacer for it.

 

Where can I get a 1" spacer(I would rather do that seeing as my drive shaft is fairly new.)

 

I didn't need any rear spacer with my BDS lift on my 2009. I would suggest taking a few minutes and clicking on the install instructions provided on their site, that's what I did to understand just what would be changing on my truck.

Here is a link provided you are installing on a 1997 as listed in your info.http://www.bds-suspension.com/pdfs/023600-1-2-3.pdf

 

just because you didn't get one didn't mean you don't need one. look at the driveshaft slip yoke. it should only be sticking out of the transfer case extension housing 1 1/4'', this is the factory spec. after a lift, it is pushed out further. whether or not you feel the need to do something about it is up to you.

fwiw, fabtech sells a 1'' driveshaft spacer.

 

I did read the directions that was the first thing I did, but I just wanted to hear from someone that has done it before to see how hard they thought it was. just because I am not sure what a difficulty level 4 project that bds says this is as opposed to something else and also in addition to that it does not really mention anything about either drive shafts so I just wanted to know if someone else felt differently(ie chilton says there are only 2 bolts on my starter but then I found out there are in fact 3)

and to minimonster thanks on the fabtech tip

 

the one extremely critical thing is this: do not remove the factory frame crossmember that also acts as a mount for the front pumpkin UNTIL the lift crossmembers are installed. otherwise, the frame will spring open, and will be a major PITA to line up correctly. other than that, just make sure to loctite every bolt w/ blue loctite.

 

Thank God you told me that because I was prbably going to remove the whole front piece and do it all at once ut now I will do it piece by piece

 

how does the BDS feel? Is it a better ride then stock?Ordered a BDS system 6" for my 09 FX4 should get here in a few days