Someone was telling me there are two types of lift BL and SL. I would love to lift the body a few inches but is there drawback by just lifting the body and not the suspension? I'm still confused I thought a lift kit worked with the suspension as well.

 

A "lift kit" generally refers to a suspension lift kit. A suspension lift will lift your entire truck, providing additional clearance below the frame. Suspension lifts can be accomplished through a number of ways, such as via taller springs or lift blocks (lift blocks are for the rear only, and are a spacer between the spring pack and the spring perch on the axle). A suspension lift "can" improve ride, travel, and articulation, depending on how it's designed. Some larger suspension lifts will require other components depending on the application and the height; most engineered kits come with these components.

A "body lift" uses spacers at the body mounts to space the body away from the frame, and has nothing to do with a suspension lift. This gives the look of a taller truck, but your frame and everything attached to it is still at the original height. It doesn't do anything for ride, travel, or articulation, but it does allow you to install larger tires. A body lift will require (and usually comes with) riser brackets for your bumpers (to eliminate the gap between the top of the bumper and the newly-raised body) and lowering brackets for your radiator (because your engine-mounted fan does not rise with the body!). Body lifts are usually 2-3" (you really don't want to go taller than 3"). Because you are moving the body away from the frame, everything attached to the body has to be tweaked or lengthened, such as brake hardlines, clutch hardlines, wiring harnesses, etc. Sometimes your shifter will need modifications as well, as your tranny is now 2 or 3" lower, and of course the top of the shifter will be 2 or 3" lower. Body lifts are much less expensive than suspension lifts.

 

well said Flatdeck.
I wouldn't use a body lift personally.

 

Also, if you do a body lift on a PSD you need to modify the intercooler tubes.


I would only do a suspension lift.

 

I feel obligated to let everyonr i meet about the dangers of body lifts. A good friend of mine was killed in an accident about two years ago. His truck had a body lift on it and he was hit from the side (pass) and the truck rolled over but the the body seperated from the frame and it crumbled up like a little ball. the police report said that was directly linked to the body lift installed on his truck. (only 2 inch body lift)
Now everyone knows my personal feelings on body lifts and if it was up to me i would make them illegal!

 

body lifts are trash they leave ugly gaps dont bother if your gona lift your truck save your money and do it right do a suspension lift




2002 7.3l td
4x4 8 inch lift
37 inch tires
duel steering stableizers
all resivour shocks duels up front
multi mount 12000 warn winch
edge attitude
4 inch exhaust
on and on and on

 

Suspension lifts are the only way to go. if you need an inexpensive lift look at the DR minipak leveling kit. it will give you 2.5 inches in the front, and if your truck was not so equipped it provides the 4" rear blocks. your shocks can stay the same and you don't have to lengthen any lines. all for about 350-400, and a saturday in the driveway.


If you can't afford the suspension lift, then don't do anything and save your money, until you can. Body lifts are for posers.

 

What about a leveling kit. Can I get 4" ? I was reading someone installed leaf springs to get a lift any thoughts. Just didn't want to make the ride stiff and bumby.

 

You can do a 2" or 2.5" level kit. Do some research first though and go with a kit rated for the weight of our trucks. Donahue Racing makes a good one.

 

This argument again...
I have a body lift, and suspension lift. My truck is a little over 8 feet tall. My IC tubes do NOT look modified, i will try to find someone around here willing to take off there so i can compare but i notice NO difference. My truck also rides nice.