97 4Runner in front passenger crash that sheared the front wheel with the wheel/hub/spindle still attached.

Flopped over like this to make it easier to scavenge parts and in doing so noticed the body lift mounts. ALL of them except the front two mounts on the core support had pulled completely through the floor pans of the 4Runner.

























And no this was not from flopping the truck over as you can see the rust already formed where the truck was knocked off its mounts from the wreck.

:wabbit2:

 

And before someone says it, most of those mounts don't even look like they were rusted to the point of weakening the body.

Any chance of maybe overtightened bolts would cause more of an issue as well?

 

I've always disliked body lifts myself, as they just look unsafe to me. Here's proof! Thanks for sharing this, Wabbit!

 

So you think that came from the accident or neglect?

 

I've always felt that a 3" body lift is akin to sleeping with your sister. Sure, at first it might feel good, but in the end, it's just wrong.

 

id say leverage was the cause....when the frame took a hit (or the cab, either one) it had 3" more leverage to rip it off...if that made sense?

but thats a thing you wouldnt think to be a con of body lifts, and thats one more thing to add to "the pro's and cons of body lifts"

 

exactly why i don't like body lifts... besides that, the gap they leave between... well everything, is just horrible looking.

 

how much for the lift kit with shipping to 93611??

 

97 may not work for my 1st gen. not sure.

 

Is this a joke?

 

if it was the delivery needs work

 

it better be, ive got first dibs!!

shipping to 08062??

 

I actually onlly want a 2" lift but figured I would ask, The bolts are half way out already!!

 

Eventually I will get around to removing the 3 inch body lift on my new 89 4runner. Then i will probably just get rid of those for shipping costs (or else they would run the risk of sitting in the garage for years on end). I will probably do that sometime in mid to late july. i wanna see what I can do about a leaky steering gear box first, as the lift makes it easier to access it and pull it out; but once thats taken care of, off it will come.

 

I thought it was funny!

Anyhoo...everyone needs to take these pictures for what they are. Yes, it had a 3" BL and yes this occurred, seeing is believeing. However, this is not empirical evidence that your rig will meet a imilar or certain fate.

It is anecdotal evidence that your rig with a similar BL and rust condition faces to some extent, a similar risk if an accident or breakage occurs. By adding the 3" BL you increased your chances of this occurring, you have not assured the chance of this occurring.

Folks should consider images like these and the possible risk when modifying their vehicles in similar manners. Like wise, is a 4, 5 or 6" suspension lift any safer than a 3" BL? You assume increased risk likewise.


It's certainly worth seeing these images and discussing the pros and cons of any type of vehicle modifications!

 

 

I don't get the 'Body lifts are scary' point here. If I understand correctly, and maybe I don't, this vehicle was in a wreck that sheared a wheel off and would've totaled the truck regardless. In this case I don't really care that it also pulled off the body mounts. Are you any safer rolling around in a body and frame than in just a body? The energy attenuated in pulling the body mounts might have reduced stress on the occupants in a wreck like that. Now if you show me body lifts that sheared in a fender bender, 4 wheeling, or taking a corner real fast.....then I'll be scared.

 

The truck has been scavenged, had rocks thrown at it, and the while drivetraim removed. It was far from totaled per se. Perhaps totaled by an insurance company but it would have been a prime SAS candidate and easily fixable. The wheel took the brunt of the damage as did the one fender cosmetically. The engine bay was still in tact.

Did the PO install the body lift correctly? Who knows?

I seriously doubt a truck with no body lift would have had this issue and 3" only compounded it.

There is no "doom and gloom" message or "ooh you're going to die" with a body lift. Just a simple pictorial showing what happens with one on a good impact. The body mounts pans would be the expensive fix from the body lift, lots of time compared to a new wheel.

:wabbit2:

 

let me know when you want to get rid of the lift evileye, i just might take that off your hands.

 

I think this could of happened even without a body lift maybe not but to me it just seems strange that it would change so much unless their was improper hardware used? or it was overtorqued I think their was something else going on. and I dont see this being typical.