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Why are body lifts not a good idea?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by CNEDEER, Nov 5, 2011.

  1. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:29 PM
    #1
    CNEDEER

    CNEDEER [OP] If ya ain't first, your last!

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    Alright, so I've been back and forth on what lift kit to purchase. I don't do any offroading, aside from a gravel or dirt road here and there while hunting. I've done some looking around on the forums and everyone seems to hate on the body lifts? I'm not an expert on lifts whatsoever, so I was curious as to what their flaws are? To me, it seems like a good idea, given the price, and the fact that I don't ever go offroad, plus less wear and tear on my suspension and front end compared to a suspension lift (or am I wrong). Anyways, can someone clue me in as to the "cons" of these body lifts?:confused:
     
  2. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:33 PM
    #2
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    BBody lifts weaken the connection between the body of the truck and the frame by adding spacers, if you get into an accident, this can be a damage multiplier
    also, there's been quite a few people who have had the spacers wear holes completely through their frames.

    There's small lifts that allow for larger lifts that are well within the "safe" zone for suspension wear
     
  3. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:37 PM
    #3
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

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    i have a bl....
     
  4. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:40 PM
    #4
    rex99

    rex99 Well-Known Member

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  5. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:41 PM
    #5
    SOSHeloPilot

    SOSHeloPilot My 1st Muscle Car

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    .
    It raises you CG (center of gravity) and you roll over much easier and "accident avoidance" (especially at higher speeds) is much more difficult.
    .
     
  6. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:43 PM
    #6
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Could that not be said of all lifts though ?
     
  7. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:48 PM
    #7
    ajohnson

    ajohnson Glamour Shot

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    Things and stuff and such
    Any sort of lift is going to raise the COG.

    Most problems associated with body lifts occur because a small washer is used on the bolts inside the cab, causing the cab to rip off the bolts. A properly installed body lift with large washers inside the cab will not have problems.

    I would personally never used a body lift above 1" because they are ugly. I don't like the frame showing.
     
  8. Nov 5, 2011 at 6:48 PM
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    SOSHeloPilot

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    .
    Yes ... it is generic to all lifts ... :D
    .
     
  9. Nov 5, 2011 at 9:34 PM
    #9
    chad68

    chad68 Master Jedi Member I am...

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    I love these BL threads.

    I don't have one but it's always fun reading the same nonsense replies of people copying and pasting stuff they're heard from somebody who heard oh no this that blah blah..

    BL have their good points (if done right) and their bad points (done right or wrong), just like DB lifts do and yes Oh's no's even the 3" lifts. I could go over all the good and bad points but I have more important things to do, well actually I don't but I'm lazy and as history will show here, about 75+% will bash them. I don't like BL's or hate them.

    As far as the ugly frame hanging down, look at it as free sliders. May look ugly but so do DB's. At least the frame hanging down keeps your doors off the ground, though I doubt many would do that kind of wheeling with a BL anyway.

    With all that said I don't think I would use one. I might try one if it wasn't such a hassle to swap it back to stock. Too much BS to try as an expeirment. All the ghetto spacers, hose extension etc. Too ghetto me thinks. The basic concept seem ok but in reality egh no, probablly not.

    Plus they're gay!
     
    jq1604 likes this.
  10. Nov 5, 2011 at 9:43 PM
    #10
    oneBIGroom

    oneBIGroom SSS

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    I just ordered a 3" ProComp lift and a 3" body lift. But I just wanted height, cause I hate how short 1st gens are. I wouldn't recommend it for offroading, but im a PreRunner so I dont plan on it. Body lifts add height and dont effect ride quality, and I dont think body lifts look that bad with gap guards. I also have running boards so they'll help hide the frame. And if you use grade 8 bolts it would take a bad wreck for your cab to go anywhere. I just didnt want to spend $2000+ on a Fabtech that i'd never put to use.
    :crapstorm:
     
  11. Nov 5, 2011 at 9:58 PM
    #11
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    I just post things I've seen firsthand :thumbsup:
     
  12. Nov 5, 2011 at 11:27 PM
    #12
    chad68

    chad68 Master Jedi Member I am...

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    I think by law that makes you a one percenter LOL
     
  13. Nov 5, 2011 at 11:33 PM
    #13
    1998tacomaowner

    1998tacomaowner Well-Known Member

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    They suck don't do it and they look like shit
     
  14. Nov 5, 2011 at 11:38 PM
    #14
    99TacoDriver

    99TacoDriver Well-Known Member

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    i have a body lift and im taking it off once its time for me to get new tires and the reason is that it is cracking through the frame of the truck......ill post pics later so u can see the damage it has caused



    also the bolts that hold them on re always becoming loose and have actually fell out one time. luckily the body mount did not slide out or it could have caused major damage
     
  15. Nov 5, 2011 at 11:42 PM
    #15
    99TacoDriver

    99TacoDriver Well-Known Member

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    i wasnt the original owner so i had no choice :/
     
  16. Nov 8, 2011 at 3:08 PM
    #16
    99TacoDriver

    99TacoDriver Well-Known Member

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    ok so i know its been a while but here are the pics of the body lift and the frame cracking:

    this is what the lift looks like....its little unclear but u can see i put a plate between the frame and the puck (to stop the puck from cracking through the frame) it give the frame a little more room to rest on
    IMG_0059.jpg

    tthis is inside the truck where the bolt that goes through the puck is bolted at


    IMG_0058.jpg


    this is the cracking....you can see it under the washer where it began to be pulled through the frame and cracked the frame


    IMG_0057.jpg
     

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