[Portman]

I have heard that there is some risk with body lifts on your truck. I have notcied that a lot of you guys out there are running body lifts and it seems to not be a problem. I guess I have a couple of questions . . . the first being: Does the risk of damage to your truck depend on what size body lift you put on (1" vs. 3")? And the other is how does a body lift effect everything else on the truck (gear shifter, bumpers, anything?) Am new to the scene so any kind of precuation or advice would be great. Thanks to all in advance

 

[TuRD03]

I dont have a BL but from what i have read: body lift pucks are sometimes smaller than the stock mounting point creating great stress because of the smaller surface area. This is one reason they say not to put BL on things like prerunners or other trucks you may jump. The size of the body lift has more to do with the number of things you may need to modify to make it work. A three inch isnt more damaging than a 1inch but you will need to do more to the truck with a 3 inch, such as lenghtening the shifter, extending the fuel filler tube etc. Like I said I dont have one but this is what I have read, hope it helps. (BTW I think Roger brown has larger diameter pucks)

 

[hytenor]

I have heard that there is some risk with body lifts on your truck. I have notcied that a lot of you guys out there are running body lifts and it seems to not be a problem. I guess I have a couple of questions . . . the first being: Does the risk of damage to your truck depend on what size body lift you put on (1" vs. 3")? And the other is how does a body lift effect everything else on the truck (gear shifter, bumpers, anything?) Am new to the scene so any kind of precuation or advice would be great. Thanks to all in advance

A lot depends on how you drive, what kind of wheeling you do, how crazy you get, etc.

One of the biggest drawbacks is the higher Center of gravity with the taller BLs.

the cheaper kits use inferior pucks that can actually rip out of the cab...not good. The taller you go the more leverage is placed on the mounts. there is more 'give' to the cab mounts and after a while and a lot of crazy wheeling the pucks can rip out.

other than that it's a cheap way to gain lift...if you do the install yourself.

 

[not2XS]

I'm no expert on body lifts, but one argument goes like this. Failures of body lifts suggest that because longer bolts go through the pucks, they can apply more leverage to flex the mounts. Hence, shorter body lifts apply less stress, larger diameter pucks are better, and reinforcement of the sheetmetal may be helpful.

Having siad that, I know of a number of people that have run body lifts on their Tacomas, and not heard of problems. And as said above, a 3" body lift will be more work than a smaller one, because of additional items like needing to extend AC hoses.

 

[not2XS]

...One of the biggest drawbacks is the higher Center of gravity with the taller BLs...

Actually, I believe that for the amount of lift, a BL will raise the CofG less than other kinds of lift. It leaves more heavy stuff unlifted.

 

[renzo626]

I agree with not2XS about the Center of gravity thing. I think it is an issue with looks and modification. True there is potential damage that can happen. i just put in one last weekend (2") and I have to modify the shifter, the gas tank, and the rear bumper. The RB body lift didn't come with them but it's not to hard to make some.

 

[atwinda]

I agree with not2XS about the Center of gravity thing. I think it is an issue with looks and modification. True there is potential damage that can happen. i just put in one last weekend (2") and I have to modify the shifter, the gas tank, and the rear bumper. The RB body lift didn't come with them but it's not to hard to make some.

You should not have had to extend the gas fillter tube. It can strech if you undo the clamp on the frame.

 

[Heatstroke]

Some of what has been stated is correct, some is not. First things first. Regardless of 1"-3", NOTHING has to be "cut and extended". If you have a 5 speed, you will probably want a longer shifter, but it isn't required if you can live with it being lower. Center of gravity is higher. The larger the bl, the greater the stress to the cab and the mounts. Unlike many who posted, I have one...it's "the devil". When my SAS occurs the bl will be thrown in the trash. I have experienced the pucks tearing my cab apart. It required several hours of handiwork and 1/4" steel plating patch it up. I won't have another, and won't encourage someone else to either. Many have the same issues I've experienced but won't come clean for fear of the ridicule from the nay sayers. I know others have had issues, cause I got emails from them when I spoke of my dilema. Check other forums/other boards, all of them. The majority will tell you to steer clear of the bl if you plan on wheeling your rig much.

 

[SAStoy]

I bought an 86 yoter quite a while ago which had a body lift installed and about a year later one of the mounts busted through the cab. Having no mechanical experience I took it to a shop to have cracks in the cab re-welded (because of the stress). $1500 later the truck is back on the road but since then I never cared for them. Now I know it was done incorrectly I just choose not to take the risk

 

[Bryanccfshr]

I have heard that there is some risk with body lifts on your truck. I have notcied that a lot of you guys out there are running body lifts and it seems to not be a problem. I guess I have a couple of questions . . . the first being: Does the risk of damage to your truck depend on what size body lift you put on (1" vs. 3")? And the other is how does a body lift effect everything else on the truck (gear shifter, bumpers, anything?)
Am new to the scene so any kind of precuation or advice would be great. Thanks to all in advance

1. Yes the risk is directly proportiante to the height of the bl. Think of it as a lever.

2. As long as the bumpers(well aftermarket ones) are attached to the frame it's just as strong. The biggest threat is to the steering. I hate the spline type steering extensions.

If you don't jump the rig or drop it off of huge ledges on a regular basis it will hold up fine but be advised that the increased leverage on the sheetmetal and the bodymounts will help accrue metal fatigue. Some of the problems people have had with BL's include cracked cabs. And failed A/C systemns due to overstretched condensor lines. (Not good in the southern U.S.)


Personally I run a 3" Roger brown BL. I inspect it often and it rides fine.
If I had to get the clearance today I wouldn't do it again however. The bushwacker cut out flares will do you as much good as a 3" bl clearance wise and won't increase leverage at the bodymount points, your center of gravity will be lower and you won't get as tired getting in and out of the truck.

Personally if I am going to keep my truck much longer the Bodylift will be coming off and the Saws all will be put to use. Lower is better.

Of course my Bl will be for sale when all of this happens

 

[renzo626]

You should not have had to extend the gas fillter tube. It can strech if you undo the clamp on the frame.

Atwinda, I made a simple bracket (similar to the BPV one) to "stretch" the filler tube and keep it in place. The shifter boot rubs and makes putting into second pretty bad. I could trim around the sheet metal and/or cut out some aluminum to drop the shifter boot and metal bracket to mount it from below equal to the size of the BL. I'll probably do the latter. The bumper can be raised to eliminate the gap by fabing up some brackets without having to drill on the mounts. So there is some modifying involved. Hearing all these stories really makes me think though. I'm broke and want 33's so what can I do.

 

[My68ur8trd]

reuse the stock washers when you do it. the ones that come with the PA kit are crap.

heres and exampl

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/474000-474999/474354_26_full.jpg

there were perfect hex holes in teh rear mount washers where the bolts pulled through. the cab shifted 8 inches to the left. the stock ones are alot thicker.
in the pic you can see the mount on the outside of the bed with the block and bolt still intact.



Justin

 

[hytenor]

1. Yes the risk is directly proportiante to the height of the bl. Think of it as a lever.

2. As long as the bumpers(well aftermarket ones) are attached to the frame it's just as strong. The biggest threat is to the steering. I hate the spline type steering extensions.

If you don't jump the rig or drop it off of huge ledges on a regular basis it will hold up fine but be advised that the increased leverage on the sheetmetal and the bodymounts will help accrue metal fatigue. Some of the problems people have had with BL's include cracked cabs. And failed A/C systemns due to overstretched condensor lines. (Not good in the southern U.S.)


Personally I run a 3" Roger brown BL. I inspect it often and it rides fine.
If I had to get the clearance today I wouldn't do it again however. The bushwacker cut out flares will do you as much good as a 3" bl clearance wise and won't increase leverage at the bodymount points, your center of gravity will be lower and you won't get as tired getting in and out of the truck.

Personally if I am going to keep my truck much longer the Bodylift will be coming off and the Saws all will be put to use. Lower is better.

Of course my Bl will be for sale when all of this happens

what? so now you're gonna keep it??