Finished up my body lift today. Started it last night, worked on it for 3.5 hours or so, and completed it today in about 4.5 hours. So roughly 8 hours of actual labor. Couple hours drinking beer and eating pizza.

I was lucky enough to have the help of LordOfWar (Jake), Moodib (Brian), and Chris98 (Chris). Thanks again guys! You were a lot of help.

Couple issues that still need to be taken care of:

1. Gap guards still need to be made and put on
2. Rear bumper needs a bit of adjusting to make it straight
3. Shifter bezel needs to me modified. Shifter is rubbing on it in 2nd and 4th. Plus we accidentally broke the tabs off that hold the shifter boot on. So i'll probably end up buying a new one. Recommendations for modding the shifter boot would be appreciated.
4, And the most important part...the 4 metal crash blocks that go under the bed. Not sure their function. I assume for added bed support. We tried putting some RTV on and bolting the bed down to hold them in tight, but their still loose. Maybe they will tighten up over night. If not, i'll probably have them professionally welded in.

Other then those, things went pretty damn smooth. Only issue we really had were getting the front two cab bolts by the radiator free. Finally managed to get them out by having one person clamp hard down on the bushing washer with a pair of channel locks, and the other person torquing the bolt with a socket. Had no air tools.

No fueler neck extension needed. I was surprised.

Anyway, on with the pics. Bigger tires/wheels will be put on in the next 3-4 weeks after my mini vacation.

Stock:



In progress:
Here's Jake













All finished up...for the most part. After the test drive. I liked the stock ride better, but you have to make sacrifices to look good. Steering is real tight.

Here I am

 

what size tires are those?

 

Nice did mine this weekend too sounds like you had an easier time haha

 

looks clean! wheels and tires, chopped tail pipe and spare delete and it will be sexy sexy!

 

i got to ask... how does the bodylift affect the ride quality? it has nothing to do with the suspension... and you need bigger tires asap!

 

Tires are 255x70x16's. Yes...I know they're small...but i'm going to be rolling on them for a few more weeks. I still need to decide what wheel/tire combo I want.

In the few miles i've drive it, i've noticed a rougher ride quality. You'd think it wouldn't effect it, but it definitely makes it ride rougher. Also, steering is sort of obnoxiously tight with that steering extension.

 

Changes the handling. Also with the steering extension it makes the steering stiffer. However I learned to love the stiffer steering wheel.

You will love it once the new wheels/tires are on and you will eventually get use to the ride. However if you dont have bilsteins GET THEM! My truck rode great with them.

 

Also, exhaust will be done shortly after tires and wheels. And spare tire will probably be taken off.

And I will get some new shocks too LOL

 

If you put a body lift on a Corvette would it not affect the ride quailty?

James, that **** was fun this weekend. My hands are starting to get sore from breaking those god damn bolts. Over all things went very easy.

Advice I would give to others...

1. If you dont have air tools and even if you do, you need a BIG set of channel locks to help get the front two bolts loose. The front bushing is a pain
2. Make sure you have long enough battery cables.
3. Make sure you secure the AC line that runs down by the pullies on the passenger side of the engine.
4. When reinstalling the body bolts make sure the body is aligned properly or you may have issues trying to thread the new bolts.
5. If you dont have a source of heat, get one. They made breaking the 4 cab bolts so much easier.

Over all it was alot of fun and I could see how if things didnt go right the install time could start to add up quick.

For people wanting to attempt this, do your research and make sure you have all the tools you need.

 

Looks good man. get bigger tires!

 

I never put those crush blocks in mine and never had any problems. Truck looks great man, will look even better when you get the tires.

 

I don't see how a bodylift can affect your ride quality? Nor how it can make the steering stiffer? My steering is exactly the same as it was before...

 

How could one put a body lift on a Unibody vehicle such as the corvette? I would ask the same question. Yes it lifts the COG but one would think that since the suspension isn't touched, the ride quality would be untouched.

Truck is looking good. Will look better with some rubber that fills out the wheel wells better.

 

I can't explain it. I'm sure a Physicist could haha.

However, it does effect both. My steering was noticeable right away. Ride quality isn't way worse, but its definitely effected.

 

Could have something to do with the new body mounts... if they're harder than stock the ride could feel rougher.

Looks good though... will look even better when everything is done!

 

old body mounts go on top of new lift blocks so it will feel the same. it is all in your head as far as the ride quality. steering gets stiffer because the angle on the steering shaft changes slightly

 

I could see what Kyle posted being true.

 

Didn't realize that's how it worked... I thought the kit replaced them.

 

Both my blue rangers, plus a 06 lvl2 and a 09 2wd all had slightly firmer steering once the extension was put on. It wasn't it a huge difference. About if you took 20-25% of the power steering away.

 

Mine rode like crap before and rode like crap after so no noticeable change.

Truck looks good! What size tire you thinking of getting?

 

I have had 3 rangers all have had body lifts and I didn't notice a
Difference in the rise quality untill I cranked the
T barrs.

 

Looks good!

 

Weird, my truck didn't change at all in any way really

 

I always chalk up the stiffer steering to me having 33's on the truck.

Make sure you go back and re-tighten all the body bolts after 500 miles or so... and then again after a few thousand miles. Mine loosened up a bit and started squeaking and stuff.

If you're doing it yourself... I just put a huge pair of channel locks on the body bushings.. and then put a pair of vice grips to lock them on there... then crank away at the bolt.

Looks good tho... can't wait to see what wheels/tires you get.

 

The steering will loosen up over time. Its the boot in the firewall that is now being stretched differently making it harder to steer.

As for ride, your body bolts are too tight

Looks good though!!