1/4 or 1/2" body lift

Ok, I'm wearing my nomex undies, so I am prepared for the flaming. I am consistently getting a little rub betweem my allpro front and rear bumpers and the bodywork, and even after all my trimming, I'm getting a little rub when flexed.

I will eventually be going long travel on the truck (after it is paid off in a million years)... so I'm looking for a cheap option right now... which leads me to my question.

Any problems going with a 1/4 or 1/2" body lift? I'm not talking about the typical, plastic, chinese crap lifts for $100.

I'm envisioning switching the body mount bolts to 12.9 (think grade 10 {if it existed}) bolts, and grade 8/10.9 washers stacked. There are American companies making thick-cut high-grade metal washers.

I figure if I stack a couple of thick washers for the spacer, and use one in the cab to prevent pull-through while offroading or in an accident, I should be good to go, right?

Cheers,
Seth

 

You should be fine, it's not a big body lift. If you are looking for clearence on your tires that seems the right thing to do (to me). Instead of butchering your innner flaires. I'd go with the 1/2.

 

grade 10 bolts do exist but are way way overkill for this i would use grade 8 but grade 5 is probably overkill. if your only getting a little rub i thought that those bumpers were adjustable. if not i would look into using a stiffer body mount before trying to lift it, maybe a polyurethane body mount. this would limit body flex.

 

No, they dont. SAE J429 & ISO R898. Grade 8 is as high as it goes.

FWIIW, a large portion of grade 5 & 8 bolts (from china and elsewhere) are actually not even close to the mechanical requirements set forth by the standards.

Unfortunately, I don't have any more adjustment with my bumpers. I have aligned as best as able (and went so far as the strap the rear bumper to a tree with all the bolts loose and pull on it with the truck before tightening it down). No Joy .

As far as overkill goes... I dont' think that there is overkill for the bolts that hold my ass to the frame is concerned. Seach for body lift kit crash pictures. Not pretty.

Any specific suggestions for body mounts?

 

BTW, anyone know the size of the body bolts?

 

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/fasteners/index.asp
This is a great article about bolt strength, grade 5 vs grade 8 info.

Personally, grade 5 would be well suited for body to frame bolts, and I would feel safe with this level. The bolts holding your seat bracket in place isn't even to this level, however the seatbelt mounting bolt may be.

I've run both 1" and 2" body lifts on my Wranglers for years without issues. I beat the shit out of my Jeeps offroad, this includes a few rollovers, and never were my body lift bolts an issue. My 98 Wrangler was totalled in an accident (roll over - wet road, got sideways, hit curb, rolled), had 180,000 miles on it, and I bought it back from insurance company. I still drive it today to and from the trails, and back and forth to work (45 miles each direction).

Both body lifts were from Performance Assessories. I understand they may be an eye sore for some people, but as for safety - there is no concern with a small body lift.

If a 1-1.5" body lift was made for the Tacoma I would purchase without hessitation.

For those who want to bring up accidents and pictures - I have over 20 years in EMS as a Paramedic, and currently work in a level one trauma center (BSN, RN). People are injured because they don't wear their seatbelts, not because they had a body lift in place.

Sorry to OP - rant off.

 

we did this on my brothers jeep jk for the same reason u stated the rear offroad bumper was super tight to the boby and rubbed the tailgate when opening it. we used 2 thick washers. factory bolts were plenty long enough.

 

why not just at a trip packer on top or your coils?
I believe OME makes a 5mm and 10mm

Edit: scratch that I can't read. haha

 

Its an issue between the bumper and the body, not tire or anything suspension related

 

i googled it and ill dissagree

 

Ohh maybe I should actually read, huh? hahahahaha

 

something like this is what i was thinking.
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/Energy-Suspension-Universal-Isolators.asp
maybe not this one but you get the idea. also it may reaquire a little cutting to make it the right size but this should take out most of your problem out.

 

well, if she come with the crash...

 

I appreciate the response. This sort of puts my mind at ease and this was exactly the info I was after. I think I will order some washers soon and get a little space to clear up my rubbing issues. I will make sure to post pictures when I lift it up.

BTW, that is a good link on bolts.

ps... I always wear my belt!

 

HAAHAAHA!! Yeah gotta love google... You always get a few random pics and at least one naked fat chick..