Body lift install??
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 310
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Body lift install??
Ok today i ordered a performance accessories 3" body lift kit. Soon after that i started worrying if i did a bad thing. How hard is this to install are there going to be any problems that i may have to face and not be able to deal with. Is there an online source where i could look at the directions?? Just a little worried now. BTW my truck is a 1979 F250. thanks
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5
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From: Richlands Nc
Body lift install??
The bed is the easy part. You will need some sort of over head lift or 4 strong backs will work. The feul lines might be a little tight or not long enough. The wiring on the cab will need to be closely watched as you lift it up. It could be too short at spots. The biggest difference you might notice is a slight tightness in steering due to changing the angle of the steering column. There is not much you can do, that I know of, to change that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,297
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From: Indiana
Body lift install??
Your fan shroud will have to be altered ( the fan blade will be into the bottom of it ) , your t-case shifter may not go through its full range, ( may hit the edges of the cutout in the floor, as the travel of the lever increases as it moves away from its pivot point ). Steering shaft may have to be lengthened. Transmission shifter may need to be altered also, if its an automatic.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 499
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From: Michigan
Body lift install??
I have this lift on my truck, I have had no problems with it. I lowered my radiator instead of cutting the fan shroud. You will need to modify the floor panel so you can put the t-case in low range. You will need to loosen the steering column and push it into the dash to make up the difference. I also used a porta power between the cab and box to give more room for when the truck frame flexs when going off road so the box will not hit the cab.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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Body lift install??
hey jalampi beautiful truck. You dont drive it on the street? Any way what other lift do you have to fit those big tires? thanks in advance. Also so you think I would be able to do this lift without a problem? I'm only 19 but have worked on cars and engines since as far as i can remember. the biggest project so far is putting a set a longtube headers on a 2001 trans am (not fun) but kinda proved my mechanical skill i think?? thanks for the info though.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 499
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From: Michigan
Body lift install??
The hardest part about the body lift is removing the old bolts.
I also have a 4 inch suspension lift.
yes, I do drive my truck on the street and off road.
I also have a 4 inch suspension lift.
yes, I do drive my truck on the street and off road.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 368
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From: del city,oklahoma
Body lift install??
i agree that the hardest part of a body lift is removing the old bolts. just do it slow and watch for wires and other things that may not be long enough. also i had to trim the hump cover in my truck for the transfer case shifter lever. and you will either need to relocate the fan shroud or radiator. basicly everything to know about a body lift has already been said. my best advice is just take your time. also remember to check the torque on the new bolts quite often after you install the lift. for some reason they tend to loosen up some for a short time.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 7
From: Gretna ,LA.
Body lift install??
I had a 79 F250 that i put a 3" body lift on.I am thinking i cut the old bolts with a torch,put boards under the bed and put the spacers in that way.lowered the radiater,had to extend my automatic shift linkage- 3", it came with the kit.never had any problems with transfer case shifter though.Cant quite remember if i had to loosen steering column or not. But i do remember later on i had steering shaft problems, not sure if it caused it or not, but i would go to an aftermarket steering shaft like a FLAMING RIVER brand,since large tires stress everything.I had a 6" lift w/3" body lift running 38.5 monster mudders.I sure do miss that truck, i feel that was the toughest truck ever built.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 492
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From: Spokane WA, USA
Body lift install??
I have this lift also- along with moving radiator down 3"-s and trimming the floor board for the t-case lever- I also had to add 3 inches of length to my clutch rod that goes through the floor board. I loosend the stering column, but it didn't mive much. as far as the bed goes, I lossened far side, removed bolts on near side and use a floor jack and a log to jack the side of the bed up (same with the cab) Also, I didn't have a torch, but a high speed air cutoff wheel works wonders to remove the old bolts. I've done several body lifts and seems like they always take ten hours.