Are BodyLifts Worth it?

[Mechanickid]

I have a 91 Exploder sport and was wondering is a body lift a good first bolt on? I'm running 31's now and they rub just a shmigin. Should I just go for lockers or a body lift? I want to get some flex out of my Dana 35 and 8.8 as well. I'm on a small budget so I need some simple mods. Also can I just unbolt my sway bars for better flex? I run my truck on the road alot so It has to be safe as I deliver pizza's in it too lol. Just imagine what the customers think . I'll try to get some pix for you guys so you can have some ideas.

 

[reginald fairfield]

Either go suspension lift or nothing. But make sure you get the right kind. You don't want a stiff one with no flex. Body lifts are pretty useless.

 

[james99]

i love my body lift they are a great way to lift you truck for cheap and you keep the same ride as factory. body lifts are great for bugets

 

[Dishtowel]

Meh, Body lifts = cheap tire space.
Some people believe that tire size is where it's at, because it give you diff AND frame clearance. These people are not wrong.

 

[Mechanickid]

Yeah. My dad thinks its against our religion to lift a truck or something. lol, He finds no reason to lift my DD. I want something flexy and fun for medium trails and mud. But I also have to use it on the street. Idk what to do lol I was thinking the other day (Oh God!) about just getting some nasty tires and lockers and just wheel and drive it hard lol. You don't see to many explorer sports with big tires and lifts let alone manual in my area

 

[reginald fairfield]

Yes, but I would rather keep my low center of gravity and have huge tires then have a body lift. Suspension gives you frame clearance too remember. Depends on what kind of wheeling you are into I guess. I would rather cut the fenders then jack it up though.

 

[Mechanickid]

True! I Agree, But I can't CAN'T bring my self to hack into my minty body! If it was rusty or a beat up 1st gen ranger/ bronco ii I would hack away, but not on the ol explorer. lol I need a reliable way to lift it cheap, I was wondering about the washer stack under the springs and a shackle lift but can't go too high because of the TTB. decisions decisions....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have one, I feel it was very worthwhile. Aside from getting more space for tires it gives you much more room to work on things, sadly probably the feature I use it for the most.

Taking the swaybars off wil help the flex, but keep in mind that it will be more likely to flip than it was with them. A body lift will help with opposed to a suspension lift as it keeps ALOT of the weight were it was from the factory. The frame, transmission, engine... all stay at the same exact height to keep it more street friendly than a suspension lift.

Not to mention people that hack up a mint truck really irk me.

 

[Mechanickid]

Agreed. I understand about the wrenching more than driving problem. I guess its a 2.8 ranger thing.

 

[Dishtowel]

Either go suspension lift or nothing.

+

Yes, but I would rather keep my low center of gravity...

= Those two statements dont add up to me.... 3" body lift will have a lower center of gravity than a 3" suspension lift...


I know suspension lift gives you frame clearance, I have 6 inches of it, lol. I use it alot, mainly crawling over logs and such. I am a fan of suspension lifts, but I dont think it's right for him. (and his pizza delivery budget, perhaps down the line he'll graduate to suspension lits)

 

[ak96]

i have a 2" BL on my DD explorer. and i have to say it was one of the best mods i've done.

 

[Ranger_Boi]

i love my body lift they are a great way to lift you truck for cheap and you keep the same ride as factory. body lifts are great for bugets

yah i agree i think there ppl that get just BL dont go wheeling very much not like serous mudding and stuff i mean with a Bl u can get 33's under there but idk about the flex u get more then stock but not much.


k heres an new Explorer but it has a 3in BL with 31 so u kinda get an idea

 

[koda6966]

Body lifts can be pretty cheap too. Just weld up some pipe with some washers and BAM you have spacers.

 

[bobbywalter]

yeah...body lifts definatly have a place. mine was worth the effort.


but if i am gonna be making it....new brackets would be the way it gets done.

 

[koda6966]

I would do one if they wouldn't make my tires look even more insignificant.

We all know I can't afford another set. I still need studded ones for winter!