Lifting my '86
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Lifting my '86
I have an '86 and have been thinking of lifting her just a little. Would it be better to do a body lift or a suspension lift? I don't want to get bigger tires and only want it and inch or so.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You can get a "leveling kit" that just lifts the front about a inch or so, and then you will need to get it aligned and they will probably make you buy special eccentric bushings for the frontend to get in alignment. Can run around $150 for the whole alignment.
You can put a body lift on it, but they only usually come in 2 inch or 3 inch. It messes up your radiator fan shroud, you tranny linkage if it's on the column, and sometimes you need to modify the transfer case shifter area if it hits the body when it's moved to it's extremes. You also need to do something with the bumpers to make the body lift look right.
You can put a body lift on it, but they only usually come in 2 inch or 3 inch. It messes up your radiator fan shroud, you tranny linkage if it's on the column, and sometimes you need to modify the transfer case shifter area if it hits the body when it's moved to it's extremes. You also need to do something with the bumpers to make the body lift look right.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 78
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
The previous owner of my truck put some Bushwacker cut-out fender flares on it as a way to fix the rust issues around the edges of the fenders. It allows me to run a 315/75/16 (35") tire without changing the suspension, and keeps the factory ride and handling. The flares combined with the larger tires give the truck a lifted look, but without the cost and time spent to lift it.
It may be something you would want to look into, since most lift kits would give you more lift than you are looking for.
I have seen a few trucks of this vintage running add-a-leafs front and rear to give a little bit of lift for minimal cost, but the ride seems to suffer a bit when going that route.
Body lifts can be ok, depending on what your truck gets used for, and how much you lift it. As mentioned above, it will mess with the core support, radiator, bumpers, and can affect the linkages for the tranny and transfer case as well. They are usually cheaper than a suspension lift, but I personally wouldn't think the labor to install one would be worth it for only an inch or two.........and if I was goin more than a couple inches, I would go for a suspension lift.
It may be something you would want to look into, since most lift kits would give you more lift than you are looking for.
I have seen a few trucks of this vintage running add-a-leafs front and rear to give a little bit of lift for minimal cost, but the ride seems to suffer a bit when going that route.
Body lifts can be ok, depending on what your truck gets used for, and how much you lift it. As mentioned above, it will mess with the core support, radiator, bumpers, and can affect the linkages for the tranny and transfer case as well. They are usually cheaper than a suspension lift, but I personally wouldn't think the labor to install one would be worth it for only an inch or two.........and if I was goin more than a couple inches, I would go for a suspension lift.
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rjdxjpp
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Nov 8, 2006 11:23 PM
