Body lift

[sam2002]

Hello

I have a 95 XLT just put the 33x12.50 tires on

Just wondering what anyone thought of the 2 " body lift as opposed to a suspension lift

are there any plus'es or minus'es to using a body lift?

all that Ive read so far leads me to believe the body lift would be a less expensive and less labor intensive way to go for the small amount of lift that I am looking for

also have been told that suspension lifts can be a bitch because of some rivets that have to be removed before installing a suspension lift?

anywho thanks in advance for any help you can be

 

[Justshootme84]

The body lift will often be cheaper (under $100) than a 4" suspension lift kit (~$500), but will still take some work. The bumpers will be lower unless you install brackets to raise them with the body. The radiator shroud will need to be modified, steering and shift linkage will also need to be lengthened. Longer body mount bolts will need to be installed, and these can often be tough to remove.

IT's possible on your 95 that all you need to do to make 33's fit is to shim out the front bumper or trim the edges if the tire hits there. Just my opinion, but I much prefer a suspension lift for better flex and travel, and feel that a body lift is not safe in the event of a serious accident.

 

[Mike @ Tracy]

JSM84.........When I first got my Bronco I asked a custom 4x4 shop ( to remain nameless ) about a body lift. They told me that on a bronco, having the removable top, it was to weak structurally and over time would bend around the door latch area causing the doors to no longer fit right. Is this true??? Have you or anyone else heard of or experianced this? Personally I think they were trying to sell me an overpriced susp. lift...

 

[EvlFaust]

My belief is that anytime you want to lift your truck you should go for the suspension lift over the body lift. Really the only reason to go for a body lift is if it was your only option. However on a 96 you should not have too much trouble fitting 33s under your rig, all that may be needed is some slight trimming like JSM84 said.

Body lifts overall can be a dangerous addition to your truck. When in accidents the extra length of bolts can easily sheer and cause parts of the body to detach from the frame, and what the shop told you was partially true. In extreme cases, when you wheel without your shell, the body can actually twist. This will cause your doors and hood to not sit correctly, but this is in extreme cases when the bolts aren't torqued on a regular basis.

If possible I would definitly go with a suspension lift.

 

[Justshootme84]

I think the Bronco body will flex and twist, even with the hardtop on, with the stock suspension. Look at how many you see with B-pillar cracks behind the rain gutters. I had the cracks welded on my 84 Bronco before the paint job, and have been ******* for about 4 years now. I also installed new, poly body bushings to help limit the body flex. Only issue I've had is with the front core supports, and the Shaker hood moving around, but I need new hardware for the core support bushings.

It seems to me that a body lift is more affordable on newer trucks, where lifting the IFS suspension can cost a few grand, vs $500-$600 for the Bronco TTB. I would only do a body lift on my Bronco to make room for a motor, tranny or t-case swap if it needed more clearance. It's really close at the moment, but I'm trying different mounts and crossmembers to keep the drivetrain from hitting the floor. Same would apply for ,say, a custom exhaust where you needed more room. But just to fit 33" tires, I would try other options before doing a body lift. The 33's fit on my 86 with no lift, but 97-up Broncos seem to have more problem with tire contact on the ends of the bumper. That's where trimming/shimming is a better option than a lift for a daily driver that only sees pavement. IF you nee more suspension/wheel travel for offroad, then I would certainly suggest a good 4" or 6" susp' lift kit. JSM84

 

[Justshootme84]

Edit: It sohuld read "87-up Broncos". JSM84

 

[Billings Lee]

i think it depends on how often u hit the trails or boggs. if its not that often and you wanna save money go with a BL but if ur into it deffinetly go supsention. and down the road if you want you can keep the body lift and still do a suspention lift.

 

[sam2002]

Thanks for all the opinions

The 33's fit under the fenders fine they always did ,,,,what I was looking for was a more aggressive look for my truck

sounds like a suspension lift is the way to go ,Ill start by doing my homework on it

looks like there is just the one rivet on each drop bracket? ....are these easier to chisel off or grind off?.....bracket gets replaced it seems like a grinder would do the job?

I dont have an air hammer and have never used one but the compressor I have would run one

Just thinking out loud here but wondering if there are other things that are likely to need to be replaced throughout this process?

126,000 miles on this rig and Ive only owned it for a few weeks so Im thinking right off the top of my head ,,,,u joints on the axles come to mind as well as ball joints?,,,,after reading some of the posts from other topics on this forum Im also looking and wondering about those pesky little brake lines that seem to have some surface corrosion and wondering if they also will need to be replaced and if so this would be a good time to do those also?,,,,maybe there should be a little extra money in the kitty for some of these possible unforseen annoyances that may arise???????any opinions and what are your experiences ?,,,,anything you can share will be greatly appreciated

thanks again for the fine forum

Sam

 

[Yardape]

The brake lines would not have to be changed, unless of course yours are ready to break. I would recommend you to consider a 6 inch lift. Everyone I know that has installed a 4 inch regrets it within a year, wishes they went with the 6. All that I know went with the 6 from the beginning love it. In my opinion a Bronco with a 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires is the perfect look. A couple Broncs in our group have a 6 inch lift and 36 inch SuperSwampers. That looks cool.

 

[shuagriz]

Definently go with a 6 inch suspensiopn lift. Not sure if you need to but make sure your driveline doesn't need to be longer for your lift. There is nothing funnier then some one flexed out and there drive shaft has slipped out the tranny, unless of course you are that guy.

 

[MrTits]

Definently go with a 6 inch suspensiopn lift. Not sure if you need to but make sure your driveline doesn't need to be longer for your lift. There is nothing funnier then some one flexed out and there drive shaft has slipped out the tranny, unless of course you are that guy.

i have been told that for 6in lift, you do not need to change your drive shafts

 

[Yardape]

i have been told that for 6in lift, you do not need to change your drive shafts

That is correct, they do not have to be lengthened. Some people just guess by way of common sense, but some of us actually know first hand. So believe who you will.

 

[bluesman17]

33s-4" inches of lift 35s-6" of lift. I dont have a lift at all and Im running 32s with the bumper shimmed out, the only contact i get is from the radius arms at nearly full lock. You may just want to save up if everythings working out alright for the time being and fix actual problem areas (maybe have the motor rebuilt just for good measure) just my .02