Body Lift Questions

[GarrettE]

Hey Guys,

I just purchased a 2" Body Lift from AC (www.4x4parts.com), which is in the mail right now and had a few questions. The mod day I speak of will be in several months, I am going to be piecing together the lift over a couple of months, so its not that big of a hit (mainly the tires).

I am planning to lift my X this winter (PML, BL, shocks, steering stabilizer, 33" tires), and was wondering if there are any problems I should watch out for when I finally go to install it.

I will probably just be installing the shocks, and steering stabilizer on my own. I might be able to do the PML as well, assuming I can find a good write-up on how to install the torsion bars.

I know that in the past, people have done BL's at mod days, would there be people here who have done BL's before be willing to help out with mine (with beer and pizza on me) or is this something that I should try to get a shop to do, or do with a few friends (assuming I can find some who are mechanically inclined).

Also, anyone done or seen a BL on a manual? I have found a site that sells shifter extensions for 2" lifts that just screws in between the shift knob and the shaft. Are these really needed, or even necessary to extend the shifters (by just welding in a piece)? Or do they just sit down in the truck a little more?

I'm pretty sure those are my main questions for now, but I am just trying to start getting things figured out for when the big day comes.

[JeffW]

I can't speak for the X, but I've seen other manual vehicles with BLs. The way the shifter sits after a BL is an annoying position, especially in 2nd and 4th. If there is an extender to alleviate it, I highly recommend it.

[GarrettE]

The shifter extension can be found here at http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/BodyLiftKit.shtml#Kits (4crawler.com)
its about 2/3 the way down the page.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Docs/Images/ShiftLeverExt01t.jpg


Also, does anyone think I will have problems with 33x12.5x15 BFG AT/KO's? I have heard incredibly things about them, and don't want to get a MTR. There is a guy I have found who has 2 as spares (10% tread left) and I was thinking of picking them up for spares.

What does everyone think?

[Eric P]

Garrett;

I have put on 5 body lifts now. The only thing I can't do is modify the transfer case level since I have no welding skills.

If you are lucky, like on mine, I didn't have to extend the lever. You would only find out after the BL is on. Not extending will only keep you out of 4 lo. so you truck would be good to go until you can find someone who can weld.

The BL is easy to install and can take as little as 2 hours to install Everything you want to do can be done in one day.

The torsion bar swap is also fairly easy. You will need to have it alligned after the swap. Allen does 4wheel parts do this?

I will even volunteer my garage.

[GarrettE]

Cool, Thanks Eric.

Like I said, everything is still a little ways off from needing to start planning a mod day (but who knows, the bug might bite harder and faster than planned), but I will keep everyone informed as details arrive.

I can say this right now though, anyone who is willing to help will get plenty of beer and pizza (or any other snack/food) to keep going during the day.

[Eric P]

forgot to add, those extenders will not work. You will have to cut the lever near the base and weld in an extender. This is because the lever hits the console. Adding the extension near the base changes the geometer so that it won't.
Out of all the ones we did, it is 50/50 on whether or not it needs to be extended. And it is not consistant with model year or tranny type.

[GarrettE]

Thats interesting, but thanks for the heads up. I guess I will just have to wait until the install to see if its needed, if it is, I'll just take it to a shop and have them do it (probably take less time, and I doubt it'd be a ton of money).

Hopefully I wont need it though, cause thatd be awesome.

[Packman5280]

I know there are a few people on this board that can weld. I would offer, but last time I welded a shifter extension it was a little crooked. in my defense, the truck wasn't there, but you probably don't want me doing it all the same.

[zonianbrat]

Would you care if I came to lend a hand? I have never done a BL nor can I weld, I just want beer and pizza... Just kidding, I would really like to help out for the simple fact of learning a few things. I know a little about engine work etc but almost nothing about the suspension and so on so thiswould purely be a learning experience.

[GarrettE]

Wow, already have people offering to help out. Zonianbrat, your help would be greatly appreciated, even if you just sit around, watching the install (taking pictures even) and drinking beer. This is a social club and we should al get together to help out on mod days, even if we can't contribute much.

The more that are there, the more people will have experience with a body lift, which is helpful for everyone.

This entire lift will be in December/January (what I am thinking at least). I have to wait until I get everything for the lift, but also the tires (which is a big hit financially).

So far, the BL has been ordered, and I just picked up 2 33's bfg at/ko's for use as spares (not much tread left). Picking them up on Saturday.

[Packman5280]

here you go, get yourself a welder and learn to weld by the time you need to do the lift, only $40
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/225040730.html

[Packman5280]

damn, now that I look closer, that's a great deal, I want it, but I already have one. jump on it fast!

[GarrettE]

Not sure if I need to buy a welder, but $40 is pretty cheap imo.

Is that a quality welder that will last and work well?

Also, how does one "learn" to weld on their own? Any suggestions? Any warnings I should know about before I start (like things to not kill myself)? Safety precautions? etc...

[Packman5280]

lincoln makes great welders, unless it is all beat to hell I'm sure it's fine.

as for learning, do what I did. go to the scrap steel yard, but a stick of square tube for $10, cut it all apart and then weld it back together. it takes practice to get good, but it's worth it.

get a helmet so you don't go blind, some good leather gloves so you don't burn yourself, then go to town. not much safety to worry about, just common sense.

[GarrettE]

I just read somewhere that for welding, what I will need outside of the welder is a tank of gas? What is this about?

I understand I need a helmet/mask and some gloves, but what makes a welder (specifically this welder) work? What parts do I need to make sure it comes with? Will I need to buy extra wire or hoses or anything like that?

[Packman5280]

there are two types of MIG (GMAW, gas metal arc welding is the process name) welding, flux and gas. flux welding uses a wire that has a flux core and does not require any shielding gas, ie no tanks or hoses. gas welding uses a solid wire and sends inert gas down the handle and that shields the arc instead of the burning flux.

the sp125 can do both, so all you need to weld with it is a spool of wire.

read here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_inert_gas_welding

[zonianbrat]

I'm hoping to be able to do more than just sit around and drink beer!! while that does sound good I am all about learning how to do things so that one day when I can afford it I will be able to put a lift on my truck. Hopefully Tylers 4.5" lift but again, I need money for the lift then money for bigger tires which like you said is a big hit. I need to replace my diff fluid, tranny fluid and t-case fluid also so who know's maybe if i get there early enough we could do it all in a Day!!

[GarrettE]

I just ran across a guy that has 4 of the 33x12.5x15 bfg at ko's. This is the tire I was planning on buying from Discount Tire. He bought them in July and they have roughly 75% or more of the tread he says. They look very good in the pictures I have seen of them. He wants $300 for all 4. Discount wants $800 (tires, mounting, free replacement coupons, etc).

Should I buy them from this guy since I am unsure if I will even like the AT's? Even if something happens to them (tear a sidewall, or whatever) I will have only paid $75 each and it would be worth justifying having to buy a new one.

They are mounted on jeep steelies 15x10's, and taken off a 1979 CJ5. They look kind of dirty in the pictures, so I would assume they have been wheeled. I am going to get them without the wheels (he is offering to take them off free).

What do you guys think?

[Packman5280]

remember you'll still have to pay to get them mounted and balanced on your rims, but it sounds like a good deal.

[GarrettE]

How much does it cost to mount and balance normally? Cause as long as it is less than $800-300=$500 preferrably less than $100, it would be a great deal.

[Packman5280]

probably 20-40 per tire

[JayRyan]

Don't take it to Big O for balancing ($11/ea.) I had them all mounted for $5/ea. I did and they didn't get it right and wouldn't look at it to make it right so I'm gonna take it down to 4 Wheel Parts and see what they can do.

[GarrettE]

I was quoted by Discount Tire here in Boulder for $50 for all 4. That includes lifetime free balancing. It sounds like a pretty good deal to me, but I still haven't heard back about the tires yet. Hopefully he still has them.

[GarrettE]

It has officially started. I just received the Body Lift this evening from UPS. I am picking up 2 tires tomorrow. Then I plan on ordering the Steering System and the Calmini Shackles on Monday.

I can't believe its all finally coming together!

[Alpine Spirit]

I agree about Big O Tires, they cant balance for shit. Go to discount.

[Mike Maxwell]

Great to see your rig is growing up! That is a great deal on the tires if they have 75% tread left.

[Allen Cox]

Hey Garrett! I can help with whatever, whenever you need. If you want, I can mount and balance those tires for you. No problem. We can put something together for a Saturday after your lift is on, or I can run down to the shop when we're putting the lift on and do the mounting and balancing while the BL is getting put on as well.

Either way, I can help with either or both of your projects. And yeah, we have a welder at the shop as well. I can weld up some extensions for you. The t-case shifter extension should probably have come with the kit. As far as the trans shifter extension, I haven't run into that issue yet. You might get the extension that you showed earlier, and if need be, I can weld it in place, then heat and bend it to fit correctly. No problem.

[GarrettE]

Thanks Allen! I still haven't decided what I am going to do about the tires yet, but I will probably end up ordering them brand new. Then they will be going on some Cragar 342's (look like AR-767's, only $36 a piece).

Sad thing about the tires is that the guy with the 4 at 75% tread left never responded to my emails (I emailed him the same day the listing went up). I finally got a response Thursday night and he had already gotten rid of them.

Oh well. However, I am heading down to lakewood this morning to pick up 2 tires that will work as spares.

I am also deciding that since I can install the shocks myself, that they can wait until after the lift is put on so that my wallet has time to be in recovery for a while.

[GarrettE]

I just got back from getting the 2 tires. They have about 25% of the tread left.

Which only means that my spares will still have some traction if/when I need them.

I also just placed my order for the wheels, and the Sway-A-Way (Nismo) Torsion Bars from SLR. All thats left for now before it all can be put on is Calmini Shackles, and Tires.

I guess once the bug hits, it hits HARD!