Body Lift vs Suspension Lift

[Sully4x4]

Well when I did some looking around I found the suspension lift to be...well...a hell of a lot more expensive. But does it give you more total ground clearance as opposed to the body lift giving you room for bigger wheels and more flex? I am just wondering because I want a lift..badly..but I don't want to spend money on something I am not going to be happy with. And if I go with the body lift, anyone interested in helping me install it? I really don't want to pay a grand to have someone install it. Also, I know the suspension lifts range from $700+..how much would that cost to install? And are the SL's easier to install or what?

Pardon my ignorance, just tryin to get more educated so I don't make a mistake.

[Packman5280]

the SL is really just an adjustment, you aren't gaining much. if you put on a 3" SL and bigger tires, then you hit a bump, your suspension will still compress to the same point, and your bigger tires will hit. with a BL, you can actually run larger tires, increasing ground clearance. in reality, the best thing to do is a combination of a mild poor man's lift and a BL. cheapest to do, easiest on stock components, and probably the most functional.

[McClurgM]

If you shop around and go cheap you can have a SL for less than $250. Get some JGC front coils for your rear ($50-$60 or less), and ToughCountry (i will double check the brand) UCAs (under $200.)

I will post a link to an all pathfinder site with all the info.

then do what packman says and do a combo of both.... I will help install if we pick a time!

[tbecktold]

Rough Country UCAs Matt means. Or you could look around and piece stuff together. Plenty of people SAS'ing and selling their old IFS stuff, I ended up giving all of mine away, the lift parts for help with removing the IFS and the IFS to a coworker going to lower gears in his truck.

I agree on the PML+BL being the best idea though, that's what I'd do if I had to do it again. Crank torsion bars a little, add coils and a body lift, throw some 33s on with a little trimming, add a locker, and wheel the piss out of it!

[Sully4x4]

Lol, well it's a DD. I'd prefer not to crank the torsion bars just cuz I like the way it rides now. As for some UCA's..I need new ones in general. The driver side one is shot from a loose bolt. What is a poor man's lift? Is that with the torsion bars? I would like to do a combo, but I am strapped for cash and wondering if this loan is even gonna go through to get money. So that's why I was asking about a BL installation help. Cuz I know at outdoor unlimited off of Colfax they told me about a grand for install. If I get that loan I can pay whoever helps. Or give you money for beer/liquor since I can't buy any yet(19)

[earth1]

Hey I have some coils that will give you 2-3" lift- you can have. They're on my truck now, I have another (taller) pair I want to use. You can have my old (current) ones; just help me too. Swap springs/crank tbars; no biggie. Best part: free lift. You could run stock UCAs for a while, but be warned they may destroy your cv's. One of those pay to play deals- wheeling isn't a cheap hobbie. A new centerlink should be a serious consideration, maybe more than UCAs. We should hook up and do a swap soon.

I'm willing to help with the BL too if you can get another guy or two together. I't wouldn't be too hard to throw together a homemade BL if you can find some lift blocks. Fairly simple to BL our old Pathys. The kits are around 100 if you go that route.

[Packman5280]

a 1-2" crank on the t-bars won't affect the ride that much, maybe just a little stiffer. and yes that is a poor mans lift. no UCA's and a mild crank. won't hurt the CV's any more than you would with UCA's, but the upper ball joints will wear faster. that's all the UCA's do is help the ball joint survive.

hey josh did those coils use to be in my truck? just curious, always wonder what happens to stuff i get rid of.

[ChefTyler]

Just my $0.02, don't get a loan to mod your truck (if that's the only thing the loan is for), wheel it stock. I wheeled mine stock for a while and then did the PML followed by a BL about a year later.

[Sully4x4]

Lol no, the loan wasn't for wheeling mods. It was for some school stuff.

I would take those springs off your hands for ya, I mean if it'll help you out ;) :roflmao:

I was just gonna buy the 100$ body lift and use what that got me. I just really didn't/still don't want to spend tons of money on a BL when I can get some help and all that stuff associated with it:bannana:

[earth1]

Righto. I actually meant ball joints.The new springs are courtesy of Packman. I'll FINALLY put his to good use. Thought I'd pass the karma on.

So, when do you want to do it? I have a garage we can work in if you don't. Start soaking all the body bolts and steering shaft with PB Blaster a couple days B4 you plan to do the BL, maybe hit all your shock bolts/panhard too. Oh yeah and run it though a good underbody carwash too, trust me.

[McClurgM]

So, when do you want to do it? I have a garage we can work in if you don't. Start soaking all the body bolts and steering shaft with PB Blaster a couple days B4 you plan to do the BL, maybe hit all your shock bolts/panhard too. Oh yeah and run it though a good underbody carwash too, trust me.


x2 to that...... :crazy:

[Sully4x4]

Well this won't be for awhile cuz I gotta 150$ phone to pay for..and I have like 200$ still in school books to pay off. But when I get stuff sorted out with the truck I will post something on it.

[Ditchfinder]

I will give you a hand if you need it let me know, I may have some UCAs for you to.

[Sully4x4]

I just need a driver side UCA. My bolt connecting to the sway bar egged out the hole cuz it was loose. So I am tired of hitting the gas and feeling/hearing a thumping. So if SOMEONE has a stock UCA or w/e would work, please let me know.

[theking]

Sully. I have 8 3" BL pucks. Your's for $30 shipped.

[Packman5280]

sway bar attaches to the LCA, and i just happen to have two of each, but still a full garage.

[Sully4x4]

All I really need is a cleared off driveway. That's where I have done every single piece of work on that truck. You know what I am talkin about though right Packman? It's the kinda A lookin thing that is attached to the inside of the wheel?

King, what do the pucks do? Is that all that is needed for a BL?

[theking]

Pucks = the black nylon blocks that go between the body and frame. You need 10. I sold two to Neight, who pieced his together:

http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1010&page=3

[earth1]

There you go, You can get the other two and bolts in town. That's about all there is to the BL.

[Ditchfinder]

Hey King,if Sully does not want them I will take them off your hands. Sully I have both upper uca's if you want them they are yours I have some other stuff to.(free) but you need to come get them or pay for the shipping.

[Sully4x4]

Sounds good...but now I dunno if I need an LCA or a UCA lol.

[earth1]

shocks mount to the lower, and pass through the uppers

[Sully4x4]

The grade 7 bolt goes through the bottom of the CA through to the top of the front sway bar.

[Ditchfinder]

this is the upper control arm (UCA)
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/jamesrd1978/IMG_0735.jpg
pay no attention to the massive amount of spacers stuck behind the arm,or the open CV joint yes I know Im a Technician,blah, blah blah, time is money. LOL..

[Sully4x4]

Hate to say it...but that definately looks different than mine. I will take a pic tomorrow on my phone and post it.

[Sully4x4]

Here are the pix:
Notice how the bolt is diagonal. Look at the bottom, you can see how it egged into the arm/
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/tRauMa-2k3/217366767_724552541_0.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/tRauMa-2k3/217367055_724553596_0.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/tRauMa-2k3/217367567_724555423_0.jpg

If you guys know if that is a UCA, LCA, or w/e else lemme know. And if those pix aren't clear enough for you to know, I will take some more.

[Packman5280]

that is the LCA, and like i said i have two of them, lemme know and you can have them.

[Sully4x4]

Well I will take one off of your hands for ya =P. I have most of Saturday off, can I stop by and get it or w/e? We don't need to swap it out tomorrow, just need to get the piece.

[earth1]

That piece with the 3 bushings is your front sway bar, take that SOB off. I haven't rolled with front or back for a long time now. You probably won't even notice it's gone on the road. It's there to control body lean, but that's not much of an issue with I.F.Suckspension as far as I've seen. It will help your articulation a wee bit.

[Sully4x4]

Lol what do you mean articulation? I was also informed by someone that I put the rubber bushings on wrong lol. The washer's under them need to be back to back. Not like above. I need to take a look at the whole thing again tomorrow and possible replace the bolt...maybe still the LCA.

[Packman5280]

the sway bar keeps both tires on aboput the same plane. if one tire gets pushed all the way up, the sway bar will try to push the other tire up too. when yer off road that is usually a bad thing, as you will lift a tire and lose traction much sooner.

i'm around all day, i'll pm you my number. i'm in SE aurora fyi...

[Sully4x4]

I know, I came over to your house awhile ago. You live by that Elementary school..forgot what it was called, I think Eagle?

[Packman5280]

oh yeah that's right. arrowhead is up the road, eaglecrest is a little further away, up iliff a bit.

[Sully4x4]

Yea. You are like 2-3 miles away about. I just take Tower to Amherst. Then left at Arrowhead. As for streets after that I forgot =P. I am about to give you a call anyways so ttys.