AH64ID

So I know there are two stong views on the subject of body lift, yay and nay...I was wondering how many are on either side, and who is in the middle.... so with hopes of not outdoing the drinking on the trail thread here we go..


My view. I am anti-body lift. I had one, 3", on a previous rig (99 Ford Ranger), I very much disliked it. Yes I had room for larger meats, and it was really easy to install, but other than that I didnt like it. The main reason I didnt like it was that it increased my body roll to some silly amount, with front and rear swaybars. In terms of handeling a body lift is like putting a cheater bar on a breaker bar, a small one but still a cheater bar. This moves the movement arm up making for a more unstable rig. Not unstable at super slow speeds on the trail, but 10-15mph and up it was noticible.

As far as BL being hard on body mounts, thats false.. unless you have a poorly made kit. The name brand kits are very high quality.

I have (edit: some, see post #3) experiance with a BL on a toyota, the effects of physics are the same. I also dont have any experiance with a 1" BL, which seem to be very popular.

If I had to do a BL, for whatever reason, I would consider one not any taller than 1". I think thats a fair comprimse. But I will never again do a 3", or even a 2".

Whats your opinion....

drguitarum2005

Having not had experience with any lift besides 3" that came on my truck, i can't say how the smaller ones feel but i know i probably wouldnt go any bigger. maybe my truck has excessive body roll, but if it does, i cant feel it as i've never driven my truck any other way. ive taken my truck up to 100 mph on the highway and have experienced 0 stability issues. my stock 4runner felt the samea s my truck does. the blocks dont make my ride any worse, dont make me flip over any time i turn the wheel, and i can clear bigger tires. sure i wish all 6-7" of my lift was suspension but hey, ill take what i can get

AH64ID

I stated I had increased body roll about 10-15, but it was only noticible around town and one gravel/dirt road speeds. On the fwy it was never worse, just the slow speed where you turn harder/sharper.

Looking at your sig/truck reminded me, i do have some experiance with a toyota body lift. A friend of mine had a 97 with a 3" BL, it had much more roll than my ranger ever did, his was very noticible in the same speed bracket around town, back roads.. sharper/harder turns.

drguitarum2005

i would assume i have more roll than if i didnt have the blocks, but i never took turns like a drifter anyway being in a suv/truck. i guess the slower maneuvering comes with the territory of having a lift

AH64ID

Yeah, I am not talking fast and the furious hard, just where there is a higher lateral G than on the fwy....

SteveO

I have a 1" on my 3rd Gen 4Runner. I think, IMHO that 1.5" for me, would really be the max. The larger the body lift, the more stress that is placed on the bolts that are hold the body to the frame. When a rig gets into a side hill with a load in the rig, there is a tremendous amount of stress on those bolts. Add in age, rust and possible loose bolts, and you have a recipe for disaster.

With my 1" BL, my 4Runner, loaded with trail stuff has been able to handle 40* of angle. Check my Rocker Knocker video.

4x4spaz

iTrader: (2)

I have a 3" body lift on my truck with 35"s. I wouldn't take any turn over 15 mph for fear of rolling... and that's pushing it...

rollem

Who makes a good 1" bl?

Buck01

I had a 3inch BL on a jeep and know what you mean about body roll.

I put a 3inch BL on my toy truck this summer and I can tell you without a doubt they don't even compare. My truck still handles very nice. Now granted I dont do any serious off roading but for DD duty it is great. I am sure there is more roll than before the lift but it is not noticable to me.

2cents worth.

Ric

try www.4crawler.com good guy, very very fast shipping, i got mine in less than a week its been on for about 2 years, not a single problem.

d0ubledown

wheres the option for us 1.5-ers? i wouldnt go more than that. 1 seems ok, 1.5 is perfect, 2+ seems too much (issues to deal with)IMO.

and if youre gonna get one, get a 4crawler one and spring for the HD bolts..better safe than sorry...

Ric

dont quote me on this, but i believe the 1.5" is the same price as the 2" you will have to contact him to be sure.

SteveO

I second that. I'm using his right now.

rngrchad

I'm really confused as to the seriously negative experiences of 3" body lifts. I have a 3" bodylift on my tacoma, with a 2" suspension. I have no problems with body roll whatsoever. I however have aquired slight squeeks and rattles due to the body lift which drive me INSANE! I hate the damn constent squeaking. I can't stop it, and I know it's directly related the my bodylift.
Anyhow, if I could do it over again, I would go all suspension rather than body, but my body lift is not bad in any way, other than the squeaks.
ps....I also used my truck in construction hauling, filling the bed full of ÅÅÅÅ for years with my 3' bl. My bed slightly concaved in the center under severe work loads.

ToyoRunner94

im seriously considering a 2" from RB. is a 1.5" and 2" seriously that much different as far as safety or body roll go?

Twisty

I used to run a 3" bodylift, but it's illegal in my state of Oz, so dropped it back to 2" when I did the V8 conversion......I think up to 3" is ok but over that your asking for trouble.

rollem

What are the stock body bushings sizes?

Elvota

My suggestion... make sure you really need a BL before you put one in. Since they are a relatively easy install, and you might be anticipating needing the clearance for bigger meats.... put the tires on first, then see if you rub.

Might be surprised with what "stock" trucks can fit and will keep your COG lower, which is almost always better.

And for a vote, I'd say anything over 2" would be excessive, and 1" would be best.

Just my .04 cents.

AH64ID

Rememberd another CON, I am not sure if its still an issue but a few years back Les Schwab wouldnt do an alignment on a vehicle with a body lift. I know it doesnt affect the suspenion... but they got sued by someone... forget the reason but their insurance wouldnt allow it. Then for some reason the other alignment shop in town wouldnt align body lifted rigs either.....

crackerjack

I just ordered a 2" BL from Performance, with the bumper brackets.
I have 33's on now and they rub. I'm thinking with the BL now I can get more flex ie. getting those swaybar disconnect deals. And loosening up the tbars a little maybe?