Body Lift or Suspension lifts
#1
Body Lift or Suspension lifts
Hey I have a 2006 ford ranger and I really want to start making some changes to it
just wondering if there is a huge difference between a body lift and suspension lift?
I dont do anything to crazy in the truck either just a few trails. Any tips are great and prices for them too thanks!
just wondering if there is a huge difference between a body lift and suspension lift?
I dont do anything to crazy in the truck either just a few trails. Any tips are great and prices for them too thanks!
#3
Basiclly
a body lift, lifts the body off the frame to make room for larger tires
a suspension lift lowers the suspension from the frame making room for larger tires, more wheel travel,more articulation most of the time stronger parts than stock
second thing to look at is cost
bodylifts are by far the cheapest way to go
suspension lifts are more expensive
im getting ready to do a body lift on mine i went with the body lift because i dont really offroad my truck other then getting to my favorite fishing and camping spots
a body lift, lifts the body off the frame to make room for larger tires
a suspension lift lowers the suspension from the frame making room for larger tires, more wheel travel,more articulation most of the time stronger parts than stock
second thing to look at is cost
bodylifts are by far the cheapest way to go
suspension lifts are more expensive
im getting ready to do a body lift on mine i went with the body lift because i dont really offroad my truck other then getting to my favorite fishing and camping spots
#4
#5
heres the kit i bought though jegs
Performance Accessories 70033 Performance Accessories Body Lift Kits
same kit though summit
Performance Accessories PA-70033 - Performance Accessories Body Lift Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
they are marked 01-05 but will fit all the way up to 09
the only problem you will bump into is the filler neck and vent tube they very in size year to year your but a quick trip to napa sould solve the issue
Performance Accessories 70033 Performance Accessories Body Lift Kits
same kit though summit
Performance Accessories PA-70033 - Performance Accessories Body Lift Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
they are marked 01-05 but will fit all the way up to 09
the only problem you will bump into is the filler neck and vent tube they very in size year to year your but a quick trip to napa sould solve the issue
#6
personally i'm not a body lift guy. i'd rather have the suspension travel. both systems raise the vehicle's center of gravity but i'd rather have that increase under the frame then above it.
there are other options if you only want a small amount of lift. your already a "preykey truck" so that helps. i forget what is available for the front but you could either get some shackles or get an AAL for the rear.
there are other options if you only want a small amount of lift. your already a "preykey truck" so that helps. i forget what is available for the front but you could either get some shackles or get an AAL for the rear.
#7
I would do a suspension lift. Body lifts dont give you ANY more ground clearance. Only bigger tires and suspension lifts will. Mostly its in the tires tho. That you need a body lift to clear... giant catch 22.
I just didn't like being able to see the frame under the truck. So I went with suspension.
I just didn't like being able to see the frame under the truck. So I went with suspension.
#8
For just doing light wheeling a body lift is defintely the way to go. The body spacers are made out of some type of plastic composite and are of pretty good quality. I have had mine on for a few months and have and no issues so far. There are a few members who have had em on for 5+ years and have had no issues.
#12
#14
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Not sure that we will ever get out of the low front diff syndrome, the BL raises the body and leaves the diff in OEM position, the Suspension lift raises the frame and leave the Diff. Both lift methods result in the differential being in the same position.
Larger tires will raise the diff but just how big can you go with tires without a Body or Suspension Lift, catch 22.
A BL will keep the center of gravity low better stability while a suspension lift will lift the mass of the vehicle and raises the center of gravity, good or bad ?!?!
A BL’s have longer bolts holding the body to the frame and the body is lifted off the frame increasing the shearing forces applied to the bolts when accelerating or sidewards movement off trail or just going around a corner. (This is probably the reason I chose the Suspension Lift).
Luck on your choice.
#16
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don't throw me in the fire for posting this...but the write up on brands and pros/cons, etc seems legit and very informative. it is from TRS, but I think it can help break down what some want. There are some good posts up in here but also kind of confusing for me. IMO
2wd rangers all years: 2WD Ford Ranger Suspension Kits
4wd rangers 83-08: Ford Ranger 4x4 Suspension Kits
2wd rangers all years: 2WD Ford Ranger Suspension Kits
4wd rangers 83-08: Ford Ranger 4x4 Suspension Kits
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first off, I would start looking on google at lifted trucks and seeing what you think about ugly.
my dad bought a "taco" toyota pickup in 94 (1992 yota pickup and was rolled by previous owner and then sold to a local junk yard) and we've had it since. It has a 3in body lift and has 3" dual tube front, rear, single side step, and dual roll bars in the bed. you could see the frame at the back end of the truck. It doesnt look BAD until you get to the viewing point of being able to see entirely through the 3" gap out the other side of the truck at whatever is past it.
if you can get 33's under a stock setup I'd say you are doing good. even with cutting out plastic fender or other crap. don't just think about if it will fit...you may still want to be able to make at most a 4 point turn...let alone probably a 12-15 point if you can't turn the wheel but 6 inches total.
my dad bought a "taco" toyota pickup in 94 (1992 yota pickup and was rolled by previous owner and then sold to a local junk yard) and we've had it since. It has a 3in body lift and has 3" dual tube front, rear, single side step, and dual roll bars in the bed. you could see the frame at the back end of the truck. It doesnt look BAD until you get to the viewing point of being able to see entirely through the 3" gap out the other side of the truck at whatever is past it.
if you can get 33's under a stock setup I'd say you are doing good. even with cutting out plastic fender or other crap. don't just think about if it will fit...you may still want to be able to make at most a 4 point turn...let alone probably a 12-15 point if you can't turn the wheel but 6 inches total.
#21
adding the bigger tires will not eliminate any frame that you see. the bigger tires will raise the entire truck not just the frame. Body lifts on rangers do not really show much at all. If you have step tubes or rock sliders on your ranger you cant even see the frame and the gaps can be easily covered up with either the $100 gap guards that can be ordered or you can make your own for like 20 dollars...
Last edited by 2007BlackFX4; 02-26-2010 at 07:16 PM.
#23
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no, plenty of guys on here have 33's with any lift. with STOCK suspension is what I thought you meant. I guess I missed the last 3" lift you had at the very end. sorry. go look at google images and type in ranger lifted and looked at ones with a 3" lift and then find ones that have like 8 or more inches of lift. you'll see how it's not ugly with 3".
#24