Body lift questions


mp3deviant721

mp3deviant721

15+ Year Member

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
2,315
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3,101
City
Eau Claire, WI
Vehicle Year
1995
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Manual
I don't know where to put this so, here goes:

I am set on getting a body lift and 2in leveling lift. I like the idea of getting 5 in of lift for less than $300. LOL. But I have a few questions on said body lift. I am planning on getting the Performance Accesories kit. Can I get rear bumper brackets for a newer truck and use them or will I be better off getting some made? And what about the exhuast? Can I lift the stock exhaust with the body lift? And should I replace the radiator support before I do a body lift? Or can I do it after?
 
i'm sorry, i'm going to have to limit you to 2 questions per thread



i would love to know where you are getting your body lift AND leveling kit for less than 300$... that's damn cheap... the PA kit comes WITH bumper brackets, and in my opinion, they seem stronger than the stock brackets... (however they are not rated or DOT approved to tow from the bumper) exhaust stays with the frame, it will dangle low, mine is about 5" below my bed... a lot of people will cut the exhaust at the driveshaft area, so you can't see the end of it, it's something i am planning on doing this week, along with building my snorkel and changing tranny and diff fluid...

as for the rad support, doesn't really make a difference, other than you are going to be working at upper chest height, rather than lower chest height, my truck is almost too tall to comfortably work on the engine... i've got 7 1/2" on the front end between tortion crank, tires and BL (and i'm 6'2")
 
The body lift is $200 and I can get a leveling kit for $70 from Fat Bob's Garage. I'm looking at stuff for a 93. The body lift kit from PA does not include rear bumper brackets for my year. Thats why I asked the bracket question. Also suspension parts tend to be cheaper for my year. And my rad support is rusty. Thats why I asked if I should get a new one. Sorry for not being clear.
 
rust is not a good thing ever, so i'd replace the radiator support for sure. if you don't like the gap at the rear, iirc, you'll have to fab up some brackets for the bumper there. mine is only a 2 inch bl and not an issue for me. i'd do the bl and the leveling kit first, then decide about your exhaust. you'll have plenty of room to work on things like that after the lift.
on mine, i also replaced the old body and bed mounts as they were pretty shot. sure glad i did as it really improved the ride. good luck with your build.
 
If you lift your body 3", then your radiator is going to lift with it. Unless you eliminate your shroud, I would make drop brackets for it. When I did the PA 3" on my '03, it came with drop brackets. If your kit doesn't come with them, then keep in mind it will be super easy to fab them yourself. Don't pay anyone money to make them. If you have a drill, and a steel distributor anywhere in your area, they will probably give you the material for free. 1/8x1x4" aluminum,steel or what ever they have in their scrap barrels.
 
Ok. Sounds good. I do have a predicament that I would like advice on too. See, I would like to replace the rad support, do a body lift, and leveling kit. And also re-gear the truck and get new tires as winter is coming. Any specific order I should do these things in?
 
I would do the lift/fab radiator brackets at the same time, and first. Once that's done, then you can decide which size tires to run, which will give you a better idea as to what gear ratio to run.
 
check my build, i did some little pieces of steel to lower the fan shroud, the rad is sitting in stock position on mine.
 
Viva*the*Ranger said:
I would do the lift/fab radiator brackets at the same time, and first. Once that's done, then you can decide which size tires to run, which will give you a better idea as to what gear ratio to run.
Click to expand...

I already know what tires I want. I am looking at 31's and 4.10 gears. I was thinking buy the leveling kit and install and align. Then buy the gears and tires. While the gears are being installed by me and tires are put on, I buy the body lift and rad support. Then have the rad support installed. Then the body lift goes in last.
 
WHAT!? the pa kits for certain years don't come with rad drop brackets!? that's f-ed i've got the one for an... 03? came with everything, front and rear bumper brackets, steering extension, rad drop brackets... which is needed, because your fan is belt driven and will stay with your block, and your shroud has to match, and your shroud is built to fit the radiator...
 
as yours will be a dd (?) according to your info, i wouldn't go with really big tires. 31-32 inch would be fine and an all terrain tread for better traction during the winter. check your door tag axle number in the tech library here and see what gears you already have. 3.73 and i'd drive with those for a while to decide if you want lower gears and how low. i would think that 4.10's would suit your needs unless you haul or tow heavy loads often, then 4.56 gears would get the nod.
and you may decide you want a locker whether you re-gear or not. just a thought.
 
the kit should come with the bumper brackets which someone stated before. just to let you know, those fat bobs garage spacers collapse after a couple months... i would just get steel washers, save $70. and i didnt need the extensions when i put mine in when that is all i had. my exhaust looked retarded, so i cut it off before the rear axle and put a down pipe on it. also, plan on paying $80-$100 on an alignment, and about $60 for the alignment bushings.
 
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