Body lift... Who has done it? Whats involved?

[volksrod]

I know some people hate it, but just asking what's involved when lifting a body maybe 3 or 4 inches?

If anyone has detailed pics to help show any extensions to linkages etc that would be great.

My truck is running a 350 small block with 3 speed automatic.

I know the radiator cowl will need trimming, is there any 'major' work that needs to be done or is it all pretty straight forward?

Thanks.

[74CustomK20]

I had a 3" BL and 4 speed. All I had to do was lengthen my clutch rod. All else stayed the same.

[volksrod]

Thanks, how long did it take you to do it?

I know I'll have to lengthen the selector rod on the dash and the 4wd/2wd stick on the transmission tunnel, but that shouldn't be too much of a job should it?

Originally Posted by 74CustomK20

I had a 3" BL and 4 speed. All I had to do was lengthen my clutch rod. All else stayed the same.

[andrewmp6]

See how much a local spring shop would charge for a set of lift springs for you.

[1968vetL-71]

i'd try too stay away from a body lift also. You also have too address your steering column to box length, and make sure the rigid brake lines don't get stressed. Its all attached to the cab. It will all move when you raise it up.

I did body lifts when i was young, they were cheap and i used them with 12" springs to get more lift. The other part i hate is all the gaps between the body and frame and how much of the frame is visible then.

Just something to consider.

[volksrod]

Thanks for the input. I had my sights on 37" tires and a 6" lift initially.

I have a friend staying in USA for another week and have bought a 6" lift , had it delivered to him, and he's bringing it back to the UK in a container with various vehicles.
But now I've been offered some 44" tires locally and they've got me thinking...

Money is tight at the moment and can't really afford to buy an off-the-shelf 12" lift in time for my friend to bring it back with him. I was hoping a 3" lift would help get the tires under, as I don't want to chop the arches as the truck is so solid.

Over here in the UK, parts aren't readily available for these trucks.

I've seen a truck locally that has had the original shackles replaced the longer custom items, and the original rigid leaf spring mounts moved down about 6" by using a custom L -shaped bracket with a brace. I was thinking that would be a better option as it would keep some ride quality. Would be more work, but cheaper.

[82GMC3500]

Not a fan of body lifts ,,, go the spring route, much easier and end result you will be much happier with the appearance. Also you will gain in ground clearance,,, body lift the clearance will be the same.

[nonstop]

A screaming deal on large tires doesn't always turn into a good deal. Not sure if you have a half ton of larger, but you start stressing axles with tires that size and run into various other issues. In the long run, might be cheaper/better to stay with the 6 inch lift and some 35 inch tires.

[74CustomK20]

Even with a 6" and a 3" body lift, you won't clear 44's. I had 11" of lift and cleared 40"s. A 6" with 37's will look good and fill the wheel well gaps good. Plus after 6" lots more things come into factor like driveshafts. I have just an 8" now but had 15 and trust me, it was a headache and totally not worth it. It looks cool but that's it. Driving is a pain you have horrible vision. Also the tires for 44's aren't really forgiving for comfort. My next truck will be a crew cab 6" with 37's, and I thinks that's a good look honestly.

[volksrod]

Originally Posted by 74CustomK20

Even with a 6" and a 3" body lift, you won't clear 44's. I had 11" of lift and cleared 40"s. A 6" with 37's will look good and fill the wheel well gaps good. Plus after 6" lots more things come into factor like driveshafts. I have just an 8" now but had 15 and trust me, it was a headache and totally not worth it. It looks cool but that's it. Driving is a pain you have horrible vision. Also the tires for 44's aren't really forgiving for comfort. My next truck will be a crew cab 6" with 37's, and I thinks that's a good look honestly.

My truck is a very late crewcab, ex Air Force, totally rust free, well looked after but has had several poor paint jobs in places. But the main thing is zero rust, and low mileage of genuine 64K.

[andrewmp6]

44s are the max i would run on 1 ton axles and you will have to re gear them or it will be slower then a honda civic.If you want to daily drive it i would stick to 37s max.

[trixter99]

I had 6" springs and 3" body lift on my truck and it would still hit the tires while turning. Your transfer case linkage should still work fine there is enough adjustment on it. The lower fan shroud will need to be removed and remounted somehow if you still want to use it, l didn't and never had any issues with engine temps. Brake lines and steering shaft will need to be adressed as well. The swearing shaft is easily lenghted buy heating the centre of the shaft and sweating out the plastic just like a factory u-joint then pulling it to length, I left mine alone after doing this but I have seen people tack the two halves. I DO NOT recommend you do that as it is meant to slide together in the event of an front end collision.