body lift
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 164
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From: ontario
body lift
I want to put a 3 inch body lift on my 83 bronco it is an I-6 and I know I have to alter the clutch link, I have 3inch square 1/4 inch thick steel tubing,cut into 3inch cubes, I will bolt up into the body with a short bolt and use existing bolts to go down trough the bottom of the tubing into the fame mounts. what i was wondering was if any body can tell me how they did thier body lifts and what problems they ran into. I hate running back and forth to the store, so i would like to be prepared
thanks
ps any pics of the alterations needed espesially the clutch rod would be grrrreat
thanks
ps any pics of the alterations needed espesially the clutch rod would be grrrreat
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 887
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From: MN
body lift
You will probably need to lengthen your lower radiator hose with your I-6. As with the rest, buy a kit! Performance Acessories Instructions are great and not having to fab anything will save you some headaches and problems down the road. I wouldn't trust some old steel tubing with my life or anybody elses. I did my 1993 f150 with the kit and installing it was hard enough. With your '83 you are gonna need to have an angle die grinder at the ready to deal with lots of rusty bolts. My truck is 10 years newer and I needed to cut or grind 3 out of 4 bolts. A nice impact wrench will be helpful because the bushings act like lock washers on the bolts. Set a good bit of yime aside for the install by myself with an occasional extra hand from my 13 yearold brother it took about 30-35 hours. A second skilled person could probably cut your install time by 30-40%
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 164
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From: ontario
body lift
Hi There thanks for the info. ya the rad hose does look like it will crowd the fan. the reason I want to go with the tubing is for strength. I did the same lift 3inch square tubing 1/4 in thick on a blazer before and it was later rolled end over end (drunk ex girlfriend, what she gets for taking the truck). I got to look at it and all of the body mounts were fine, I would like to see that with the threaded rod 3inch kits. It is just my experiance that by using shorter and harder bolts and alternating the direction of the tubing it provides the strongest option. and ya I am prepared for the cursing and gringing(on the blazer I was 50/50 on the mount 4 wrenching 4 cutting)its a lot funnier now. 
This time I have thought ahead. when I rebuilt the floor I made new access panels over each mount and have soaked them 3 or 4 times with penetrating oil so will see
thanks again
This time I have thought ahead. when I rebuilt the floor I made new access panels over each mount and have soaked them 3 or 4 times with penetrating oil so will see
thanks again
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
body lift
Monster,
Do you use just the metal blocks or are you using poly or rubber insulators on top of the metal square tubing? Just wondering since I want to build my own too.
I remember a while back someone use to offer solid aluminum body blocks and people use to swear they were the best things going.
Do you use just the metal blocks or are you using poly or rubber insulators on top of the metal square tubing? Just wondering since I want to build my own too.
I remember a while back someone use to offer solid aluminum body blocks and people use to swear they were the best things going.
Beer Fridge Finder
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 14,988
Likes: 1,151
From: Savannah, GA
body lift
I HIGHLY suggest buying new bolts - that using two bolts thing scares me to death. If you through bolt it, the blocks cannot move or tilt, where with two bolts you have two more places for flex.
Also, you have to move your bumpers. Trucks with body lifts with bumpers in the stock position look DUMB in my humble opinion.
As mentioned earlier, pay attention to clutch linkage, hoses, wires, BRAKE LINES. Starter cable comes to mind, too.
Honestly, it would be worth the $60 to just get the kit - it comes with all new hardware and everything you need.
Also, you have to move your bumpers. Trucks with body lifts with bumpers in the stock position look DUMB in my humble opinion.
As mentioned earlier, pay attention to clutch linkage, hoses, wires, BRAKE LINES. Starter cable comes to mind, too.
Honestly, it would be worth the $60 to just get the kit - it comes with all new hardware and everything you need.
