I plan on doing my body lift this weekend. I have some questions before I do it.

1. Would it be easier to drain the radiator and take it out before I lift, that way I don't have to worry about it?

2. I have a MAP gas torch, that will be hot enough right?

3. What happens to the place where you lower the spare tire? Is it behind the license plate after you lift it?

4. How long am I expecting with me and my dad doing it? We have a good amount of experience working on vehicles. We have almost one of every tool in the world.

Just asking, I have a really good impact wrench and a impact t-55 socket. Will the bed bolts come out ok?

 

1. No, well actually it might be, but I didn't lower my radiator so I don't know.

2. I don't know, I didn't use a torch.

3. Yes

4.It took my dad and I 8 hrs. to lift mine, then I put the front bumper on the next morning.

I had no problems at all with my bed bolts, they came out easier than the cab bolts, be sure to put penetrating oil on the bolts a few days before you try to take them out.

 

1. Would it be easier to drain the radiator and take it out before I lift, that way I don't have to worry about it?
Its easy just to move out of the way, no need to remove
2. I have a MAP gas torch, that will be hot enough right?
I used a propane so MAPP will defn be enough
3. What happens to the place where you lower the spare tire? Is it behind the license plate after you lift it?
Honestly I have no clue lol
4. How long am I expecting with me and my dad doing it? We have a good amount of experience working on vehicles. We have almost one of every tool in the world.
I did the bed myself minus my brother helping me move it in 4 hours and the cab in probably 6 hours almost all by myself.
Just asking, I have a really good impact wrench and a impact t-55 socket. Will the bed bolts come out ok?
They'll come out like butter, no need to heat at all.

 

What am I exactly heating up?

I will definitely take some before and after photos. I will try to take some of me doing it to.

 

The rubber bushings under the truck, you only need to do the cab bolts though. Just heat them up until the bushings start to smoke, they will catch on fire though lol so just watch out.

 

Ok, got ya. We will see how it goes if I can get home.

 

1. You do not need to drain the rad fluid. It's actually pretty light.

2. MAPP gas burns like 300*F hotter than propane...and I used it for my two body lifts and worked beautifully. You are only putting heat directly at the cab bolts.....the rubber bushings will start to smoke, when that happens, time for the impact!! If no success, more heat more smoke. lol.

3. Bumpers move up, Bed moved up. The hole in your bed that 'guides' you into the crank device remains very usable. That hole is just a guide, then open air, then the actual cranking mechanism....and that mechanism allows for angles. So...yes, you have full functionality of the spare tire carrier. No the liscence plate does not block that hole.

4. Give yourself a weekend. I did mine almost by myself in 7hrs. Did my 1" in like 3 hrs.

5. Impact FTW! Bed bolts should come out no problem.

 

don't forget to remove the gas cap.

 

I thought I would give an update. I have almost all of the prep work done.

So far:
1. Bumpers are off
2. Bedliner is out
3. Carpet is out of the way
4. Air intake disconnected
5. Shift lever out and extension put in
6. Brake lines out of the plastic clips
7. Every bolt is covered in PB Blaster
8. For fun I put the impact gun on the bed bolts and came out like butter

So, tomorrow I just need to take the radiator off the brackets and get it ready and disconnect the filler neck. So far, it has only taken me 2 hours. Then I am ready to start pulling bolts out. I am going to try to use my press and press that dent out on my front bumper some. It can't hurt any.

Here are some pics. Pics are better than words.







For you Obama fans

 

looks good. same thing i just did the past 2 days lol... got to love body lifts glad mine is done now...


also remove those stock bumper brackets on the frame...

the radiator takes like 2 min to drop out of the way take off the top 2 bolts and lift it out of the lower mounts and put under them.. then remove the rubber from the mount and put in the drop brackets

btw those drop brackets on the bottom bang on the one side and U it in because of the body you will see when you try and put it on...

 

Which bumper brackets, the back?

"btw those drop brackets on the bottom bang on the one side and U it in because of the body you will see when you try and put it on..."

What?

 

Yeah the rear bumper brackets come off.

 

I went out there and looked. I see.

Another question, where do you weld those metal squares to under the bed and has anyone not done it?

 

Mine aren't even in lol, I haven't heard of anyone on this site welding theres in. The bed sandwiching them is enough to hold them in place.

 

Good, the less welding the better. Where do they go?

 

Between the frame rails and the bed lol, you'll see once your putting the bed back on.

 

Ok, sounds good. Gonna go to sleep now. Pumped about tomorrow.

 

Heads up on jacking the cab up...

You can do it carefully w/ a block of wood ontop of your floor jack...jacking up on the rocker. BUT....carefully and slowly. I suggst jacking directly under the floorpan. There's a member here who wasn't paying attention and bent the holy hell out of his brand new truck's rocker panels..




Those 'support squares' or whatever....they go between the bed and frame. Check the pic....you can see the old stock rubber padding between bed and frame under those bed crossmembers...that's where those pieces go. Just put 'em in and tighten your bolts. The wedge technique works well i've been told.

 

never use the rocker panels you want that PINCH weld under the body behind the rocker panels.. use a LONG wide as in like 4x4 block about 9" long that way it can span on the pinch weld more

 

Update: I have everything lifted with the blocks in. I have had a total work time of 4.5 hours. I just have to finish the radiator, fuel neck, bumpes and put the interior back together. Then I a done. Woot-Woot!

 

wheres the pics? and congrats on the lift.

 

Nice, way to go!

 

Everything is done. I will post some pics tomorrow. Total time was 8-9 hours. I did not have to heat anything up. Nothing broke. All went good. I love my truck now. For me it is perfect.

 

I like those tires though.. Oh and stepsides FTW!

 

Here is one for now, its not the best. The picture is looking down on the truck. Makes it look small. I will get some tomorrow outside. Hopefully I can wash it tomorrow to.