Combining susp. and body lifts? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DirtyBurb86 · 03-05-2005, 10:22 AM

I currently have a nice 4" susp. lift on my burb, but like cigarettes, meth, and tattoos, inches seem to be pretty addictive. Long story short - I'd like a few more inches of lift. I've seen some pretty reasonably priced 3" body lifts, but all of the manufacturers have disclaimers warning against combining body lifts with existing susp. lifts. However, at the same time, I see tons of guys cruising around with both. What's the deal??? Any input would be appreciated.

-Shawn

konajoe · 03-05-2005, 12:40 PM

3" is allot of body lift... All depends on what you plan on doing with the truck. Taller is not always better? Do you wheel the truck or is this more for looks? Do you have tire clearance issues?

I'm running 4" suspension with the 1" ORD body lift & 38”s on my 79 without any major issues.

Joe

LONGHAIR · 03-05-2005, 01:14 PM

There is no reason you can't combine them. You just have to drive with the understanding of the increase in Center Of Gravity.

Actually the body lift does not raise the COG as much as a suspension lift, since the engine, trans/transfercase and frame are not lifted with it. Three inches is what most prepared kits are made for......and that is fine for street use and some light trail-riding type of off-roading. Any kind of serious 'wheeling would be too much for it. Nothing more than 3" though. It gets dangerous above that because of the increased leverage. I have seen "home-made" bodylifts as high as 6"........Dangerous! The body will wobble/move on the rubber mounts. This causes serious problems with steering linkage, transfer case shifter clearence, and it can even make the transmission shift itself. You will have fan-radiator issues with the front to back movement too.
None of these things are a problem with 3"...You really only need to look at the cosmetic things like filling the space between the bed and frame, bumper mounting, etc.

For fitting the biggest tires, you can't beat the combination of suspension lift, bodylift, and even cut-out fender flares if you want to go that far.
For off roading, you are better-off with suspension up-grades and cut-outs alone.

I think the disclaimers are a law-suit issue. To keep you from sueing them if you roll the thing over.

*1FaastC10* · 03-05-2005, 01:37 PM

ORD Zero Rates will give you an inch of liftwhile remaining safe and maintaining your existing ride, unlike a bodylift which puts lot of extra stress on your body mounts. when they fail under stress, you're in for a hell of a ride.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 03-05-2005, 01:53 PM

My '79 Pickup I just picked up has like a 4" Suspension lift and a 3" Body lift and running 39.5"x16.5"x15" Super Swamper TSL's. Seems pretty sturdy but I don't know. If it was n't on there I would probablay gone with smaller but. I thing they got away with out rolling the axles because of the body lift because its pretty close but I don't know.
-Later

DirtyBurb86 · 03-05-2005, 03:21 PM

Even though the burb is a 4x4, I've actually never had it off the pavement - So trail rollovers aren't really a big concern. The lift is primarily for looks, but will also help in those semi-frequent times when my 35s rub the fenders (OUCH!). I checked out the ORD Zero Rates on their website and they look pretty nifty, but I would like a little more than 1" - I appreciate the help though. Hey Longhair, what's the issue with bumper mounting? (Yeah... I'm pretty new at this 4by thing - Sorry).

Mudder · 03-05-2005, 04:14 PM

When u do a body lift the bumpers stay put and the rest leaves a 3 inch gap between the body and the bumper. I raised my bumpers to get rid of it.

72 CustomCamper · 03-05-2005, 05:22 PM

I've had 2 bronco's with sup and body lifts and had no problems. Both trucks were wheeled hard too. I've also had a few friends with Chevy's with both lifts and no problems...

Chuck

BurnoutNova · 03-07-2005, 12:54 AM

ive heard good and bad about combining body and suspention lifts. never done it, but i have know people who did and never heard anyting bad about it, just that id rather not have that 3" gap between the body and frame.

also heard of using front blocks... seems a bit more dangerous than susp and body lifts combined, but again, never heard of the failure caused by it.

go for it.

03-05-2005, 10:22 AM	#1
DirtyBurb86 Narcissistic Prick Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 87	Combining susp. and body lifts? I currently have a nice 4" susp. lift on my burb, but like cigarettes, meth, and tattoos, inches seem to be pretty addictive. Long story short - I'd like a few more inches of lift. I've seen some pretty reasonably priced 3" body lifts, but all of the manufacturers have disclaimers warning against combining body lifts with existing susp. lifts. However, at the same time, I see tons of guys cruising around with both. What's the deal??? Any input would be appreciated. -Shawn

03-05-2005, 12:40 PM	#2
konajoe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 63	3" is allot of body lift... All depends on what you plan on doing with the truck. Taller is not always better? Do you wheel the truck or is this more for looks? Do you have tire clearance issues? I'm running 4" suspension with the 1" ORD body lift & 38”s on my 79 without any major issues. Joe __________________ 05 1500 Crew Cab 79 K10 Scottsdale 71 K10/Custom 85 K30 CrewCab 72 Camaro

03-05-2005, 01:14 PM	#3
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	There is no reason you can't combine them. You just have to drive with the understanding of the increase in Center Of Gravity. Actually the body lift does not raise the COG as much as a suspension lift, since the engine, trans/transfercase and frame are not lifted with it. Three inches is what most prepared kits are made for......and that is fine for street use and some light trail-riding type of off-roading. Any kind of serious 'wheeling would be too much for it. Nothing more than 3" though. It gets dangerous above that because of the increased leverage. I have seen "home-made" bodylifts as high as 6"........Dangerous! The body will wobble/move on the rubber mounts. This causes serious problems with steering linkage, transfer case shifter clearence, and it can even make the transmission shift itself. You will have fan-radiator issues with the front to back movement too. None of these things are a problem with 3"...You really only need to look at the cosmetic things like filling the space between the bed and frame, bumper mounting, etc. For fitting the biggest tires, you can't beat the combination of suspension lift, bodylift, and even cut-out fender flares if you want to go that far. For off roading, you are better-off with suspension up-grades and cut-outs alone. I think the disclaimers are a law-suit issue. To keep you from sueing them if you roll the thing over. Last edited by LONGHAIR; 03-05-2005 at 01:16 PM.

03-05-2005, 01:53 PM	#5
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	My '79 Pickup I just picked up has like a 4" Suspension lift and a 3" Body lift and running 39.5"x16.5"x15" Super Swamper TSL's. Seems pretty sturdy but I don't know. If it was n't on there I would probablay gone with smaller but. I thing they got away with out rolling the axles because of the body lift because its pretty close but I don't know. -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

03-05-2005, 05:22 PM	#8
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	I've had 2 bronco's with sup and body lifts and had no problems. Both trucks were wheeled hard too. I've also had a few friends with Chevy's with both lifts and no problems... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

03-05-2005, 01:37 PM	#4
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,400	ORD Zero Rates will give you an inch of liftwhile remaining safe and maintaining your existing ride, unlike a bodylift which puts lot of extra stress on your body mounts. when they fail under stress, you're in for a hell of a ride.

03-05-2005, 03:21 PM	#6
DirtyBurb86 Narcissistic Prick Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 87	Even though the burb is a 4x4, I've actually never had it off the pavement - So trail rollovers aren't really a big concern. The lift is primarily for looks, but will also help in those semi-frequent times when my 35s rub the fenders (OUCH!). I checked out the ORD Zero Rates on their website and they look pretty nifty, but I would like a little more than 1" - I appreciate the help though. Hey Longhair, what's the issue with bumper mounting? (Yeah... I'm pretty new at this 4by thing - Sorry).

03-05-2005, 04:14 PM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	When u do a body lift the bumpers stay put and the rest leaves a 3 inch gap between the body and the bumper. I raised my bumpers to get rid of it.

03-07-2005, 12:54 AM	#9
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	ive heard good and bad about combining body and suspention lifts. never done it, but i have know people who did and never heard anyting bad about it, just that id rather not have that 3" gap between the body and frame. also heard of using front blocks... seems a bit more dangerous than susp and body lifts combined, but again, never heard of the failure caused by it. go for it.



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