Best and cheapest way to lift my 2002 1500

Sommer44 · September 8, 2004

Got a 2002 1500 LS 4x4 all stock except for the air filter I want to and it needs a lift and rubber/rims BADLY... i inquired about a 3" body lift at the local truck shop, because i just want looks but then read the forums and was disappointed with the negatives on body lifts... im indifferent about the whole thing now... can i get some guidance from the wise and almighty lifters...

DSZ71 · September 8, 2004

Phord keys

BDZ71 · September 11, 2004

What size tires are you wanting to run.

BL's are not all that bad. One these NBS's it does not show as much frame as the OBS trucks did.

Cheap way to gain some height and clear a slightly bigger tire.

Go for it if you want it. Nothing wrong with a BL IMO

Worktruck · September 11, 2004

I used Phord keys in the front and got about 3". Hellwig add-a-leaf in the rear to bring the rear up level with the front. Running 265's but am sure that 285's would fit. Total cost with the allignment was about $150.00.

Sommer44 · September 12, 2004

well tires arent a problem for me, 285s are what i want... my old man is a tire salesmen in FL and i got 245 coopers last year for 35 a piece... if i put some long running boards on my truck it would pass for an old farts truck, and its really rufflin my feathers... putting a gibson cat-back on her this week but the lift is still on the back burner...

are phord keys hard to install and will they stress the front end?

im gonna start a simpathy collection for a 6" RCD, any contributors... i will post a pic of my ride to show yall how bad stock 2002s look...

Sommer44 · September 12, 2004

if i do lift her am i going to have to get a power programer to make up for the changes to the speedometer and what not...

Frank S · September 12, 2004

The lift has nothing to do with the speedo,it's the tire change where that gets you.

You can go with a programmer,a custom written PCM such as Westers or LS1 edit or you can get a little device such as a Superlift Tru Speed calibrater if you want to run the stock program.

With a PCM/programmer you'll regain some power lost to the tire change so it's not a bad idea to go that route.

facn8me · September 12, 2004

what "problems" have you heard about on body lifts?

tmf6902 · September 12, 2004

Nothing wrong with body lifts....I got one of my blazer. The only thing I don't really like about them is that you have that gap between the fram and the bed in the rear, you can take care of that though.

Worktruck · September 12, 2004

As far as stressing the front end components with the keys, Ya anything that changes the geometry of the front end will cause more wear. I lifted mine about 40K ago and have noticed no abnormal wear in the front end. As for the difficulty of the install, I installed mine in the driveway in about an hour but the truck was only a couple of months old at the time. If the truck is older and exposed to salt etc. it will be more difficult and thus take longer. I did a friends 99 SB and that took about 2 1/2 hrs,a torch, and PB Blaster to loosen the adjusters. Good Luck whatever you decide.

Sommer44 · September 12, 2004

well i heard that with body lifts, they start to squeek after awhile and there is body sway in high winds... they the stress on the drive train package will null the warranty... not really worried about the warranty but i want to be careful on what i choose to do... as for the gaps, i know there are kits to cover them up... i think im just being paranoid...

my truck was mad at me for being at the chevy dealer and looking at a new 2500hd so i gave her a bath and detailing... shes all happy now...

those phord keys sound like a good deal, is there a web site about them and installation???

i feel like an idiot, i can build million dollar jet engines but i cant put a lift on my truck without help... dissssspicable...

facn8me · September 12, 2004

on a body kit none of the drivetrain is touched. nothing is moved so there is no added wear. one of the reasons thier so popular. No warranty problems cause nothing was changed. Any type of lift makes a vehichle more top heavy. you are raising the center of gravity after all. as far as squeeking, yeah some do, but some don't. Of course nothing beats a well designed suspension lift. Bumpers become a hassle with body lifts though. just look around at different pics you'll figure out what's right for you.

BDZ71 · September 12, 2004

Just go get a Performance Accessorie's Bodylift and you will be happy. Top of the line IMO.. I would never put another BL brand on my truck. ( have on other trucks and never will on mine IMO )

Only thing about the bumper is that you can not tow from it anymore. You will have to tow from your receiver hitch. The bumper is moved up the 3" with brackets that are made to do just that (move it up) and not made for towing.

Sommer44 · September 13, 2004

yeah the performance accessories is the brand and i have a towing reciever on it already... thanks alot for the help... ill get her up in the air in a couple months...