Body Lift vs Suspension Lift?

[jkufen]

I am wanting to lift my 86 B2 about 4 inches and what to do it in a way where I can keep a decent ride and not break the bank. I have seen some suspension lifts around $400 and really dont know enough about them to know if body lift or suspension lift is better. I also heard that if you lift your truck you will have to extend the drive shaft and not sure if they sell an extension for them or if you have to get a new shaft made. Any help is appreciated

 

[4.0B2]

suspension lift is better.
look for used stuff on here, might get lucky.

for the money, the rough coungry lift kit is a good kit. the coils are a bit stiff and when/if you decide to do a d35 front axle, you'll have to replace a drop bracket...but for now...its a good kit. i've been using one for like 5 years w/ NO issues. Rough country has top notch customer service to. call rough country in dyersburg, TN and see if you can order it straight from them. Ryan is my go to guy for RC stuff. TOP NOTCH customer service. not the best lift, but for the money, its great.

driveshaft, which one do you have? the U-joint one or the cv joint one? if you don't have real u-joints you'll be wanting to change it out anyways. it will break... trust me. i took an explorer driveshaft and got it shortened down, used two front flanges..and it bolted up fine and got a slide and real u-joints.

 

[4.0B2]

although..depending on your rig and your purpose, body lifts ain't all bad... i just don't like 3" body lifts... i like the jeep 1.25 or 1.5 inch ones.

but many people use 3" ones and love them

 

[chrwilkins30]

id just get a rough country if all you want is a lift.

A bodylift will run you about 220 with new bushing which should be replaced anyways. So if you have some time to install a lift kit than that would be the better way to go.

but for the little amount of money it takes to get an easy 3in lift with a BL, the price is hard to beat.

 

[70roadrunner]

front coil spacers, explorer leafs and coils, and hockey pucks for a body lift. gives about 3 1/2 inches total lift

 

[4.0B2]

Or go look in the classifieds and find that 3 inch body lift for $80. How much are they new? $99? $119? Idk. I've never bought one.

For a full 4" lift. RC gets my vote.

 

[Brownie Mobile]

I dont have any experience with it, but ive heard you can use a suspension from a f series truck ( not sure what years ) and it will give you a good ammount of lift.

 

[chrwilkins30]

I dont have any experience with it, but ive heard you can use a suspension from a f series truck ( not sure what years ) and it will give you a good ammount of lift.

Yeah. F150 coils. just get the rough country!

 

[jkufen]

Yeah I'm not sure which drive shaft I have its probably whatever came factory in them... but I will probably never do any serious wheeling in it anytime soon I'm just trying to get a good looking truck where I might hit a small mud hole occasionally it won't be nothing serious. How about steering stabilizers? Anyone know the pros and cons to those? Thanks again for all the help!

 

[4.0B2]

IMO a steering stabilizer is a bandaid... if you're steering is right, you won't really need one.

that's a thing about lifting a TTB, you have to get the steering right. sometimes the drop pitman arm in the kit is not enough drop and you'll still have bump steer. when my TRE's were good, my bump steer was minimal. now that i have some slack in stuff, its worse. i've ran that RC lift w/out a stabilizer with very minimal issues.

if you have issues, there are some options. something like a superrunner steering kit (expensive) or there's the fa6000 extreme drop pitman arm. mine being a daily driver also, i chose to find a superruner kit.. i just don't have it on yet...lol


look under your b2, if your driveshaft looks like

beware.... they get old and dry, and break... i broke 2. one just normal driving w/ a 2.9... and the other i was playing around w/ the power of the 4.0 lol

 

[adsm08]

I just did a soft rebuild on my CV prop shaft. That has got to be the stupidest design I've ever seen.

Freakin rzeppa joints. Dumbest thing ever.

 

[jkufen]

Well I found a rough country 4inch suspension lift on eBay for $440 plus $60 shipping anyone know if this is about right on the price or William find a better deal elsewhere... thanks again for all the help I'm a noob to 4x4's

 

[4.0B2]

call rough country directly, see what they can do for you.
1-800-222-7023
extension 123 is Ryan. tell him Ben from MSJ/TRS sent ya (might help me out some! lol, really its up to you..) but call RC directly and see what they can do for ya.

ALSO, ASK HIM TO SEE IF THEY HAVE THE "NEW" KITS W/ THE SOFTER SPRINGS YET...

its $440 on their website to
http://roughcountry.com/suspension/4wd-ford/ranger_83-97_4.html

and IMO, don't buy the upgraded shocks


i just like to deal direct when i can... and RC is one of those places you can. just shipping might be a little high for you. if i order something from RC i get it next day...but its only 2 hours north of me also.

 

[mattc113]

im considering 3" coils, explorer leafs w/add-a-leaf and a 1" block, it will clear my 31's easily, and with some minor fender trimming, i should have no issue flexing.

if you just want the look of a lift, room for some bigger tires, but dont plan on doing any serious wheeling, body lift would be my choice.

if you plan on any trails or crawling, suspension is the ONLY way to go. start flexing too much with an boly lift can cause some issues.

 

[jkufen]

well with my 4 inch lift I will need a good set of 33 inch all terrains to complete the look... any suggestions? I really liked the BFG ATs but they are just too expensive! Like I said earlier this is all new to me so Im not familiar with the different tires. I need a good highway tire because 90% of my driving is city but when it comes to that 10% I want a decent tire. Thanks again for all the help the last forum I tried i never got this much feedback