Body lift advice

ocelotl · Jun 23, 2011

hey guys, first off let me say that although this topic was previously covered on this site, none of my questions were, so i'm in need of some advice from the experts here!

basically, all i want to do is a simple body lift on my 86 ranger 4wd (not looking to break the bank). i was thinking of doing a 2" or 3" lift. i saw one on JC WHITNEY for 95.99. here is the link if anyone is interested:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/body-lift-kit/p2005819.jcwx?filterid=j2

so my 1st question is: can this kit be installed at home with regular tools or are special tools/skills required to install this? (me and my buddy have decent mechanical know-how)

also, i've been hearing that installing a body lift will require new shocks (regular ones will no longer work). given that i just replaced the shocks, i'm not too crazy about spending more cash to replace them again so...

my 2nd question is: if a lift does in fact hamper their use, would a 2" lift better allow me to use my regular shocks?

and lastly, i read that since i do in fact have a manual mazda tranny, either lift will require a PN[3700] Shift Extension.

so my 3rd and final questions are: is this extension really necessary and if it is, can it be installed at home with regular tools or are special tools/skills required to install it?

thank you so much for any and all responses. i've had nothing but great results from the members of this club :icon_thumby:

you all rock!

DRanger024 · Jun 23, 2011

Answer 1: YES! regular hand tools and a floor jack are all you need. I would recommend soaking the body bolts with PB Blaster or the like at least a week in advance. No special skill needed, you just need to be able to look at pictures and follow a few directions.

Answer 2: YOU DO NOT NEED NEW SHOCKS WITH A BODY LIFT! Although its not a bad idea to replace them since your center of gravity will be higher and good shocks help reduce bump steer and body roll.

Answer 3: The shift extensions isnt required but I doubt you would like it very much without it unless you are shorter. You do not need any special skills or tools to install it and there is nothing hard about installing it. Also your shifter boot will fit like crap if you have the one that goes all the way up to the knob if you were to leave the extension out.

Hope that helps!

bbbb51 · Jun 23, 2011

He beat me to the answers. It will be some work but you and a buddy should be able to knock it out over a weeknd. Be sure to get some of that spray oil to loosen up bolts and apply it the day before u start. Good luck! Oh ya without the shift extension the shifter will hit the floor pan in second and 4th.

GoodOld85BlueBalls · Jun 23, 2011

Just make sure you use some good quality grade 8 fasteners. Also make sure the washer on the top side is a large fender type washer, so it wont pull through the body in an accident or twisting up off road.

ocelotl · Jun 23, 2011

DANG GUYS! THATS AWESOME! thanks for all your help and confidence building!

one last question that i forgot to mention! will the body lift undo of the dreaded factory "front end dip"?? will it actually even out the truck when its all installed? I HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR ME!

also, now that i have the answers to my questions, would any one you guys recommend the 2" or 3" lift? is one better than or more troublesome than the other or is it more of a preference thing?

THANKS BROS for making the responses so straight to the point and clear! i appreciate it!

2813josh · Jun 23, 2011

The front will still sit lower. The difference in height from front to rear is in the suspension. I think they made it that way so when you load the bed the truck is still level. Body lift won't change this...coil spacers will

straycat · Jun 23, 2011

Just check to make sure you do or do not need a steering shaft extender. Every bl kit I have done (Performance Accessories is all I have ever used) has included the extender in the kit. It works best with a buddy to help out. So it will be easier with two. I do know some people who have done it on their own and they said it was no really that hard. I just like to be more safe when I do something.

Good luck, and post some photos before and after for us!!!

Bennybooster · Jun 23, 2011

I would recomend a 2in body lift and 2in coil spacers so it will sit level
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/WasherCoilSpacers.htm
http://therangerstation.com/Magazine/Summer2003/LiftingOnABudget.htm

ocelotl · Jun 23, 2011

Bennybooster said:
I would recomend a 2in body lift and 2in coil spacers so it will sit level
http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/WasherCoilSpacers.htm
http://therangerstation.com/Magazine/Summer2003/LiftingOnABudget.htm

hey bro, is there any specific reason for the 2" lift?

BLOODBANE · Jun 23, 2011

One other thing to be prepared for is the 2 front body mounts on the cab. They have a dished spacer(if I remember correctly) and don't usually want to come out(regardless of how much PB Blaster you use). I ended up just cutting mine(the bolts) with a sawsall, adding a spacer in place of the stock one(an old hockey puck that used to be my BL), and added the new hardware and lift block.

All they want to do is spin(on the stock spacer, so no way of getting a hold of it to hold it). The smaller black is the hockey puck. This is on my Explorer, but my 84 Ranger is the same way.

ocelotl · Jun 23, 2011

Another question

straycat said:
Just check to make sure you do or do not need a steering shaft extender. Every bl kit I have done (Performance Accessories is all I have ever used) has included the extender in the kit. It works best with a buddy to help out. So it will be easier with two. I do know some people who have done it on their own and they said it was no really that hard. I just like to be more safe when I do something.

Good luck, and post some photos before and after for us!!!

thanks for the heads up. i didn't know that a steering shaft extender was also needed. so the extender is most likely included in the kit and is something that can be done at home with regular tools and a little mechanical know how right?

ONE LAST IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR ALL!! since my truck is a 4wd, do i need two separate shift extensions or is the one PN[3700] Shift Extension good for both? I HADN'T EVEN CONSIDERED this until i was reading over all your responses. i want to be as prepared as i can before i undertake this mission!

and i'll definitely post up before and after pics bro. :icon_thumby:

ocelotl · Jun 23, 2011

BLOODBANE said:
One other thing to be prepared for is the 2 front body mounts on the cab. They have a dished spacer(if I remember correctly) and don't usually want to come out(regardless of how much PB Blaster you use). I ended up just cutting mine(the bolts) with a sawsall, adding a spacer in place of the stock one(an old hockey puck that used to be my BL), and added the new hardware and lift block.

thanks bro! pics HELP SO MUCH! its this and all the other tidbits of wisdom from everyone here that will make this lift a much more productive and enjoyable experience

chrwilkins30 · Jun 23, 2011

i just bought PA body lift from jcwhitney and the papers inside show that the 2in and 3in comews with a steering extension.

ocelotl · Jun 24, 2011

chrwilkins30 said:
i just bought PA body lift from jcwhitney and the papers inside show that the 2in and 3in comews with a steering extension.

dude, you rock! thanks for that info. by the way, i noticed that you have a 4x4. is your truck manual? if so, is that shift extension good for the tranny shifter and the transfer case shifter or do you need one for each?

appreciate the help bro. thanks

straycat · Jun 24, 2011

bbbb51, Dude, I would like to see some photos or your truck. What year of brush guard are you using. It looks like the older style and I really like the way it looks on the truck. I had one of those about a year ago and I thought it might not look correct since our Gen trucks have a different style head light area. I got rid of it to a buddy who wanted it and now that I see yours I see it looks really great!!!

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