'99 XLT Lifting Options

[Hypnotic Toast]

My '99 has the offroad package which means that it has 2 front tow hooks poking out the front. I was planning on getting a simple 3" body lift, but I'm afraid these these tow hooks are going to a pain. Is there any way to get around this?

Second, besides a T-Bar crank, is there any other "cheaper" way to gain a little bit of lift? I don't have the money or time for a suspension lift, so that's out of the question. I'm not looking to raise the truck by a lot, just enough to get rid of the stock look and beef it up a bit.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Your tow hooks are bolted to the frame; you're just lifting your cab higher up on the frame, the bumper doesn't get affected unless you use the lift brackets that come with the kit. The tow hooks are the last of your worries here.

Also, there is no other cheap lift besides cranking the torsion bars. After about 2", you'll need a suspension kit to drop everything down to maintain steering and drivetrain geometry and to prevent all your joints from committing seppuku.

Hope that helps.

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

Well I was planning on lifting both the front and back bumpers so the truck still looked halfway decent. I didn't realize that the tow hooks were bolted to my frame, I just assumed they were welded there. So I could just un-bolt them and install the lift along with both bumpers?

And thank you for the additional information, I realize that lifting a truck can and usually is an expensive process. I'd say after a body lift and T-Bar crank that's as high as I'd go.

 

[ozziemo27]

The way my summit racing 3inch Body lift went on my 99 XLT, the front bumper lift bracket was in the way of the tow hooks. I just took them off. Bolted the bumper on, and put the tow hooks right back on. piece of cake, just had to soak the bastards with PB and a breaker bar helped too!

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

Is there any way I could see a picture of your front end, Ozzie? Does it still look stock?

I guess I'm asking do the tow hooks lift up along with everything else? If so, then there's no problem at all, I just assumed they didn't.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

I'm sure you could always fab up something to raise them up, if you're inclined of course.

 

[JohnnyO]

I was planning on getting a simple 3" body lift, but I'm afraid these these tow hooks are going to a pain. Is there any way to get around this?

1. Cut notches in the valance. It looks FUBAR but it's free.
2. Remove the tow hooks and install either a winch or the Dixon Bros front bumper. Not free.

Second, besides a T-Bar crank, is there any other "cheaper" way to gain a little bit of lift? I don't have the money or time for a suspension lift, so that's out of the question. I'm not looking to raise the truck by a lot, just enough to get rid of the stock look and beef it up a bit.

No. For what you want to do,a t-bar crank should be enough. Just don't max it out, do just enough to level it.