Another body lift question

silveradodude · April 12, 2004

Will a body lift ruin the ride? Will it void any warranty work? Can the lift blocks break after time? What are the drawbacks? If I had it instaalled how much would it cost(I dont have enough room here to do it)?

wandell · April 13, 2004

The body lift will not change your ride or void your warranty. I have never seen any of the lift blocks break, but I guess it is possible. Then again, it's possible to break a frame also. The only drawback I see to a body lift is you are limited to 3 inches of lift. I've seen quotes from $100 to $700 for an installation. It's not hard to do, but it takes a lot of time.

Rookie · April 14, 2004

I would have to disagree. The lift will change the ride. It is makeing the truck higher, there fore increasing your center of gravity. it will be a bit more mushy it will not handel quite the same. as for hitting bumps it will not act differently.

Hecktorx · April 14, 2004

Can the lift blocks break after time? What are the drawbacks?

I know some pro bodylift people might not gree with this, but I have seen some bodylift failures in both OBS Chevys and the 73-87 chevys. All of these failures occurred in trucks that have had bodylifts for long periods of time.

When you install a bodylift, you're spacing the body 3 inches away from the frame by using a lift block. When the frame flexes, the new body spacer gives the frame more leaverage on the body. Over time, the added leavage could result in cracks in the floor and body mounts. I have seen this type of failure on a 80 ford Bronco, 85 chevy 3/4 ton, 91 chevy 1500 shortbed, and a 98 chevy 1500 long bed. I have seen trucks run bodylifts that have had no problems at all too. I have no experience with any long term use on the NBS.

Kenny

Chris97K1500 · April 14, 2004

Bodylifts do not change the ride at all. The increase of the body height has minimal effects on the center of gravity. The main weight of the vehicle, frame, engine, susension, gas tank, etc. all stay the same, the body weighs very little compared to these. A bodylift will not change the ride quality, from stock, as much as a suspension lift. I've had bodylifts on numerous trucks, never regretted any of them due to decreased ride quality. Main drawbacks, 3" maximum lift, increased frame shown. All driveline angles stay the same, so no issues there. I've personally never seen a bodylift "block" break. I've heard of some breaking, but they were on heavily modified OFFROAD vehicles and the increase flexing of the frame caused some to break, not the actual block, but the mounting spots. Around me, bodylifts cost about 3-4 times what they cost to buy, so a $200 kit will cost about $600-800 to put on. The first time I did a bodylift, I had no idea what I was getting into. But with help of a friend and my father, it took us about 8 hours on a Saturday, and another 6 on a Sunday to finish everything up. As far as room, I've done all of my bodylifts in the driveway, you never physically remove the body, just jack it up in certain areas as you put the blocks in place. If you have access to air tools, a strong jack (use a 2x4 laying flat to increase area you are jacking up), a couple friends, and some patience, it's not that bad, just time consuming. Performance Accessories has the most complete kit of any I've seen. That's all I've ever used and the fit of the pieces have always been perfect. Do a search on bodylifts, there are many good writeups, MountaineerTom here on the board has a very good writeup of a bodylift installation on a NBS truck. I've put one on a 99 NBS Z71 Ext. Cab. No problems with installation and a year later, no problems, he put 305's on 16x10 rims. Good luck, Chris

Soleau · April 15, 2004

I know someone who used hockey pucks instead of a real body lift... I work and it was less expensive but the problem is if you ride on Winter the pucks get frosty and broke!!

So I tell you people... use a real body lift even if it's a bit expensive!!

(just want to share this with yo guys)