I am purchasing an 08 Fx4 and want to lift it and run 33s
Cost aside, i want to know the benefits and drawbacks of superlift vs a 3'' body lift. The only thing holding me back from the superlift is not knowing the ride quality. I will be doing mostly street driving with some offroading but dont want a rough street ride. I like the idea of the bodylift not effecting the ride, but dont want to have to cut and move up tow hooks, exhuast, trailer hitch.
Any input is appreciated.

 

Well it sounds clear what you want. Superlift. Now go get it. Yet, if money is a issue and you don't do much offroading.....get a BL. Welcome to RF

 

superlift sounds like it would be the way to go. doing a bunch of cut and weld and crap just doesnt cut it for me and also thinking that taking a body off of a frame just doesnt sit right with me either. honestly the only drawback with the superlift is that it drops your torsion bars down making it what many call "rock anchors" cause they sit low and catches on rocks and such when crawling or something. just my .02. hoped that helped man and God bless.

 

superlift all the way

 

If you don't mind spending the 2k go Superlift

 

ya thats the drawback, I was able to get mine from 4wheelparts last summer for 1523 with shipping

 

find a used super lift and do the coil over conversion to it. that way you dont have the torsion bars or find a used rcd lift that has coil overs. that way you will have a way better ride than stock with the coil overs

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I may buy a kit and do the conversion later on.

 

Sounds like a good plan. With the Superlift your torsion bars are is pretty much the same place as with a body lift. The ride quality with the Superlift would be the same as well, assuming you don't crank your t-bars too!

 

bam best comment of the day! lol

 

cost aside there is no way I would even consider body lift over suspension lift. If they cost the same the body lifts would only get sold to the suckers.

 

Why wouldn't you consider a body lift? They do the same thing a suspension lift for the t-bar trucks do but its cheaper.

 

^

and no they dont do the same thing. one effs up how your bumpers and hitches line up, one gives better offroad performance.

 

Oh? How so?

If you are able to install a body lift then you should be able to get the bumpers to line up correctly. Even if you have to do some modifying.

The torsion bars remain in the same position and gain no ground clearance. If you don't believe me you can ask some people I have off roaded with that had the superlift and constantly got hung up on the torsion bars. He had 35" tires and a superlift at the time. since then we have done a coil over conversion on his truck and he's still running the 35's.

 

Personally I hate bodylifts, I think they should only be used for 1" of lift or less, when doing a motorswap or dual transfer-cases.

Both have their pros and cons.

BL are cheap, keep stock ride, handling, COG and anybody can put one on. But they don't help off road one bit unless you put larger tires on and even then the increase in tire size is usually marginal versus an actual suspension lift. Screws up your tow hooks, and bumpers in relation to the rest of the body.


The Superlift kit allows the usage of a larger tire, gets your frame farther from the ground, and the actual increase in clearance is better than a BL, but the drawbacks are that its expensive, drops the T-bars, rides a little worse than stock and requires an alignment after install.

It all comes down to your budget, and what you want to do with your truck. Those are the determining factors.

 

Both lift the body up, one leaves the frame behind. Ground clearance won't increase unless you go to bigger tires, but lifting the whole frame up gives more clearance in more areas. The issue you are pointing out is an issue with either option. The OP even said ignoring cost, and ignoring cost the super lift is undoubtedly the better option.

No offense to anyone with a body lift, but I just think it's the cheap way out and that it looks bad. Obviously there are special builds where one may be necessary, but comparing one to the other is no comparison unless you consider price

No offense to anyway with a body lift, but I think it's the cheap way out, which for some people is more than sufficient, but I think they loo

 

Ok I can agree with that. I was just wondering, in your opinion, one was better than the other. My '93 has both suspension and body lift.

The thing that upsets me the most is when people bring ground clearance into the equation and forget that it's measured from the lowest point and not the frame. And the only way to gain true ground clearance is bigger tires which either lift can provide.

I've heard almost every arguement about approach, departure, and break over angles changing. And the only one that makes sense is the break over angle.

 

Well if cost isn't an issue superlift...just because it looks way better IMO

 

Tow hooks were flipped and rewelded, and the hitch was raised 3"...Boom! a properly BL'd Ranger, and just as capable as a Superlifted Ranger. Who says BL'd Rangers dont look good!!

but on the note.. it comes down to $$.. go for the Superlift if you have the coin... i didnt want to spend over 2g for the superlift plus over 400 for a new front driveshaft plus tires/wheels.. adds up quick.. if i took the so called "cheap way out" so be it!

 

Wirelessly posted (Timberwolf)

Get both! Problem solved:-P

 

Well it really comes down to what you want for your truck, and me personally I don't like body lifts.

Your truck does look damn good, butttttt I can see your frame. If that's something you're ok with thats fine but it's just a detail I don't like. My argument is that cost (and ease of install i suppose) are the only factors in favor of the body lift.

Maybe I have a prejudice against body lifts. Some people pull them off well. I don't even want to try.

 

One thing I hate about the newer Chevy trucks is that so much of the frame rail hangs beneath the body, seems like 3-5"!

 

superlift ftw.. i hate my body lift lol wish i had done pure suspension they just look sexier

 

how much of a body lift did you end up doing? Is this a 3 inch body lift? I have this exact truck and this is exactly what I want it to end up looking like lol....hopefully you still see this comment even though this thread is old af!