Lift kits (again)
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29
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Lift kits (again)
I've ben considering lifting up my 1984 f-150 (2X4) to a few inches. I know it's pretty weird to lift a 2X4 but whatever...
I was wondering what the difference was between a chassis lift kit and a suspension lift kit. I just want the truck to look meaner, doesn't have to be extremely heavy duty stuff.
Can someone advise me on what the best thing to do is?
thanks a lot.
I was wondering what the difference was between a chassis lift kit and a suspension lift kit. I just want the truck to look meaner, doesn't have to be extremely heavy duty stuff.
Can someone advise me on what the best thing to do is?
thanks a lot.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
I think they may be two ways of saying the same thing. Body lift is different from suspension lift,body = spacing body up off of the frame. suspension/chassis = lifting frame away from axles. Nothing weird about lifting a 2wd. Good luck.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 506
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
Depending on how high you decide to go, there are a few things to keep in mind.
If doing a body lift, you will change the grill to radiator height so air flow will be affected. Also your bed won't sit on all the supports the same way so don't plan on hauling heavy items without risking the bed floor warping. You will also open gaps between the wheel wells, bumper/body etc. An inch and you won't notice too much, a few inches and it starts looking tacky to many people. It will look higher but won't change your clearance unless you are putting larger tires on.
Suspension lift will require alignment redone and may throw off your castor/camber to a point where extrme fixes can be required such as rebending TTB arms or over angled shims.
Wind resistance will shoot up quickly so count on losing a few MPG. I am still depressed on how bad my milage got when I converted then lifted my truck. I had a 2WD that was stock. I added headers and put a highflow cat converter, muffler and increased piping to 3". I went from about 12 MPG to 15. I then converted my truck to 4x4 and lifted it 4" and of course threw on some 33" tires. Last fill up I was only getting about 10-11 MPG though that was with a 180 degree thermostat leftover from summer. I just went back to a 195 thermostat and put electric fans on it but haven't had a chance to burn through a tank of gas yet but I am hoping I will get some MPG back again since I have noticed my power has improved drastically.
Good Luck on what ever you decide to do.
Lee
If doing a body lift, you will change the grill to radiator height so air flow will be affected. Also your bed won't sit on all the supports the same way so don't plan on hauling heavy items without risking the bed floor warping. You will also open gaps between the wheel wells, bumper/body etc. An inch and you won't notice too much, a few inches and it starts looking tacky to many people. It will look higher but won't change your clearance unless you are putting larger tires on.
Suspension lift will require alignment redone and may throw off your castor/camber to a point where extrme fixes can be required such as rebending TTB arms or over angled shims.
Wind resistance will shoot up quickly so count on losing a few MPG. I am still depressed on how bad my milage got when I converted then lifted my truck. I had a 2WD that was stock. I added headers and put a highflow cat converter, muffler and increased piping to 3". I went from about 12 MPG to 15. I then converted my truck to 4x4 and lifted it 4" and of course threw on some 33" tires. Last fill up I was only getting about 10-11 MPG though that was with a 180 degree thermostat leftover from summer. I just went back to a 195 thermostat and put electric fans on it but haven't had a chance to burn through a tank of gas yet but I am hoping I will get some MPG back again since I have noticed my power has improved drastically.
Good Luck on what ever you decide to do.
Lee
