Body lift
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 37
From: Northern Virginia.
my truck has a 3 inch body lift. I think even though it is torqued down really good it seems to me that it must slip slide around a little. I know maybe i am crazy but the lifting pucks and the regular body mounts are not evenly centered on the stock mounts.
i would rather do a suspension lift.
38's with 4 inch lift and 3 inch body lift.
i would rather do a suspension lift.
38's with 4 inch lift and 3 inch body lift.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 791
Likes: 62
From: Backwoods of western Pa
Makes sense. The car is an '82 GT, so it was probably factory. It is dark green, so my buddy built it into a Bullitt clone with a mean 347. Pretty cool car (and stinkin' fast...).
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 3
From: Across from the neighbors
IMO: suspension lifts are the the most dangerous. body lifts might not look as good, but the allow you to stuff bigger meats in the fender wells, and they keep your frame and engine lower to the ground, lowering your center of gravity, thus making your dent less liable to roll. besides that, no matter how much you jack your truck up, your ground clearance will always be determined by what size tire you are running; its how far off the ground you differentials are that counts. that, and with suspension lifts, you have to modify your steering linkages and driveshafts, and make sure your pinion angles are all good. so ill stick with my body lifts.
i can flex out my stockers pretty darn good. but personally (note, this is my OPINION, as stated before) i would never go over a two inch suspension lift, and that would be to gain MORE flexibility. when i get a chance, probably over christmas, ill get some pics of me flexin out my 76.
Now for the suspension part. Any simple lift kit for these truck wont get you much "flex". These trucks are old and rigid. 75f350 runs springs made for a 99-04 Superduty to get flexy lift. I garentee youstick of 2" lift truck wont flex anywhere near as good as a properly setup suspension. As far as steering goes with a add a leaf like i mentioned and up to a 4" lift wont need much. A drop pitman arm at 4" and thats included in most kits.
Driveshafts wont need to be extended with an off the shelf kit up to 4". Pinion angle wont be affected much either. So all in all for a capable offroader you need to do your homework. Leave the bodylifts to rich kids runnin 20s on a silverado with a death wish.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Holden
Thanks everybody, i would also like to know how much a 4 inch suspension lift would cost. And how do you tell if a 79 is a highboy, Also my truck sits high in the back and low in the front, if i took my front springs to a spring shop and raise them two inches or so could i get 35s on it.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 3
From: Waterloo IL
Bronco Graveyard has 4" suspension lifts from $245 and up. Solid axles are way easy to lift.
1967-79 Full Size Truck/bronco - Lift Kits - 4" Lift Kits
1967-79 Full Size Truck/bronco - Lift Kits - 4" Lift Kits
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Thanks everybody, i would also like to know how much a 4 inch suspension lift would cost. And how do you tell if a 79 is a highboy, Also my truck sits high in the back and low in the front, if i took my front springs to a spring shop and raise them two inches or so could i get 35s on it.
Junior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Red Deer, Alberta
Re: Body lift
I should have stated before on my previous post, that my 3/4 ton has a 4" suspension lift, and I agree about the body lift's being not a great idea. Actually some provinces up here , if you go to get your vehicle inspected to license it, will not pass it if it has a body lift. One of my friends bought a fairly new 6.0L F350 from the states and when he brought it to the Canada/ U.S.A. border, because it had a body and suspension lift, they wouldn't allow it across. He had to get it put back to stock to get it across and licensed.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
ok. maybe im not making myself clear. first: i said 2" lift, not 3". second: this is my OPINION. third: im not on the trails to impress anybody or go where other people cant. im out there to fill my tags or get a coyote, or go screw around in the mud. i can go dang near any place i want to with my truck the way it is. fourth: yeah, a body kit might not look good on the average guys trail rig or pickup. but when you spend the time doing a frame-off resto that i have in store, and your entire underbody and running gear is either powder coated or rhinolined, it looks just fine. that said, just to reiterate, cause apparently i havent been clear enough before, THIS IS MY $.02! so please, stop jumping down my throat. 
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
ok. maybe im not making myself clear. first: i said 2" lift, not 3". second: this is my OPINION. third: im not on the trails to impress anybody or go where other people cant. im out there to fill my tags or get a coyote, or go screw around in the mud. i can go dang near any place i want to with my truck the way it is. fourth: yeah, a body kit might not look good on the average guys trail rig or pickup. but when you spend the time doing a frame-off resto that i have in store, and your entire underbody and running gear is either powder coated or rhinolined, it looks just fine. that said, just to reiterate, cause apparently i havent been clear enough before, THIS IS MY $.02! so please, stop jumping down my throat.
you put on it what you like, you're the one drivin it anyways. I got a body lift on mine and i'm happy with it.
