Body lift how to? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GreenMystChevy · 03-20-2003, 02:12 PM

I know this has been asked and talked about but I could not get real clear answers from anything that I found using search.

I am looking to do a body lift on my '72 GMC 4x4. I am wondering what all I will have to change and what will be affected. It is a 350 backed by a, I believe, NP205 manual tranny. Will the shifters still function right, what about my steering shaft, etc...

2" is what I want but I might not have to mess with as much stuff if I go with only 1". It would be nice to have that extra inch or two.

Is there somewhere that describes this process or anyone that would be willing to spend the time to explain step by step. Just want it to go as smoothly as possible. Thanks guys.

Jason71k10 · 03-20-2003, 02:43 PM

Why do want a body lift?(just wondering)
I've never done a body lift, but from what i've heard (and MO) you should just do a suspension lift, especially since it's only a few inches.

....or do you already have a susp. lift and just want some more clearance?

jason

GreenMystChevy · 03-20-2003, 03:23 PM

Well, it may sound funny to other guys but I want that extra clearance when playing around with under the body and engine stuff.
That, and I plan on lifting the suspension 6 inches or so anyways and an extra two is always good.

yellowgmc · 03-20-2003, 11:56 PM

2 inches shouldn't be a problem. one peice of advice when installing it. do one side at a time ans leave the body bolts loose on the other side. makes it much easier to realign everything when your done.

72 CustomCamper · 03-21-2003, 03:24 AM

Hey Jeremy, you will probably have to add 2" to your clutch rod, you might need to lower your radiator,and you will probably want to drill out the plastic rivits in your steering shaft. Installing a body lift is easy. Just do one side at a time, when you get the blocks in on the first side leave the bolts a little loose untill you get the other side installed, then tighten up all the bolts.

Chuck

GreenMystChevy · 03-21-2003, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the reply. How do you reccomend I go about adding 2" to the clutch rod and how do you lower a radiator? The other thing that bothers me is the steering shaft. How would drilling out the rivets give me 2 more inches? Thanks

72 CustomCamper · 03-21-2003, 01:04 PM

The kits usually come with a piece of rod. you have to cut the cluct rod and weld the piece into place. As for the radiator a 2" lift should not hurt just make shre that your lower radiator hose is away from the fan. The steering shaft has some adjustment built into it. If you remove the shaft and drill out the rivits you can slide the lower half of the shaft to meet the steering box.

Chuck

GreenMystChevy · 03-21-2003, 01:40 PM

Thanks f or the help, that is what I was looking for. If you don't mind answeing one more question, I can only think of one more right now, how many bolts are there on each side and do you remember off of the top of your head where they are at?

72 CustomCamper · 03-21-2003, 01:44 PM

There should be a total of 14 bolts, 6 on the cab and 8 on the bed. 1 on either side of the radiator support, 1 on either side of the front of the cab, and 1 on either side of the rear of the cab. Then 4 down either side of the bed.

Chuck

GreenMystChevy · 03-21-2003, 02:12 PM

Thanks a lot for the help.

**Yukon Jack** · 03-22-2003, 10:02 AM

Be sure to watch all your electrical, fuel and brake (includign emergency) lines as you lift the body. They should all be fine, but just be aware of them as you do it.

03-20-2003, 02:12 PM	#1
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Body lift how to? I know this has been asked and talked about but I could not get real clear answers from anything that I found using search. I am looking to do a body lift on my '72 GMC 4x4. I am wondering what all I will have to change and what will be affected. It is a 350 backed by a, I believe, NP205 manual tranny. Will the shifters still function right, what about my steering shaft, etc... 2" is what I want but I might not have to mess with as much stuff if I go with only 1". It would be nice to have that extra inch or two. Is there somewhere that describes this process or anyone that would be willing to spend the time to explain step by step. Just want it to go as smoothly as possible. Thanks guys. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-20-2003, 02:43 PM	#2
Jason71k10 ready for reassembly Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Barrie ONT, Canada Posts: 413	Why do want a body lift?(just wondering) I've never done a body lift, but from what i've heard (and MO) you should just do a suspension lift, especially since it's only a few inches. ....or do you already have a susp. lift and just want some more clearance? jason __________________ stock 71 4x4 2003 Jeep Liberty, rocky mountain edition I'm obsessed, and wouldn't have it any other way!

03-20-2003, 03:23 PM	#3
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Well, it may sound funny to other guys but I want that extra clearance when playing around with under the body and engine stuff. That, and I plan on lifting the suspension 6 inches or so anyways and an extra two is always good. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-20-2003, 11:56 PM	#4
yellowgmc Getting cabin fever?!?!?! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: chisholm, mn Posts: 1,679	2 inches shouldn't be a problem. one peice of advice when installing it. do one side at a time ans leave the body bolts loose on the other side. makes it much easier to realign everything when your done. __________________ Member of the Discs Up Front Club 1972 GMC 1500 1994 F-150 XL 4x4 Tact is for people not whitty enough to be sarcastic

03-21-2003, 03:24 AM	#5
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Hey Jeremy, you will probably have to add 2" to your clutch rod, you might need to lower your radiator,and you will probably want to drill out the plastic rivits in your steering shaft. Installing a body lift is easy. Just do one side at a time, when you get the blocks in on the first side leave the bolts a little loose untill you get the other side installed, then tighten up all the bolts. Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

03-21-2003, 12:58 PM	#6
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Thanks for the reply. How do you reccomend I go about adding 2" to the clutch rod and how do you lower a radiator? The other thing that bothers me is the steering shaft. How would drilling out the rivets give me 2 more inches? Thanks __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-21-2003, 01:04 PM	#7
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	The kits usually come with a piece of rod. you have to cut the cluct rod and weld the piece into place. As for the radiator a 2" lift should not hurt just make shre that your lower radiator hose is away from the fan. The steering shaft has some adjustment built into it. If you remove the shaft and drill out the rivits you can slide the lower half of the shaft to meet the steering box. Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

03-21-2003, 01:40 PM	#8
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Thanks f or the help, that is what I was looking for. If you don't mind answeing one more question, I can only think of one more right now, how many bolts are there on each side and do you remember off of the top of your head where they are at? __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-21-2003, 01:44 PM	#9
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	There should be a total of 14 bolts, 6 on the cab and 8 on the bed. 1 on either side of the radiator support, 1 on either side of the front of the cab, and 1 on either side of the rear of the cab. Then 4 down either side of the bed. Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

03-21-2003, 02:12 PM	#10
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Thanks a lot for the help. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

03-22-2003, 10:02 AM	#11
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Be sure to watch all your electrical, fuel and brake (includign emergency) lines as you lift the body. They should all be fine, but just be aware of them as you do it. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14



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