4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/body lift

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Expert: - 2/29/2008


Question
i just bought a 3" body lift recently and i can't figure out how to put it on. Can you tell me how to. it's a 1984 ford bronco (fullsize) 4.9L 4 speed.

Answer
Chris,

You should have received a complete set of instructions that came with the lift kit.  This is important, in that each vehicle has different requirements for the lift.  The actual installation requires that you unbolt all of the body mounts, jack up or lift the body, then replace the stock mounts with the lift kit mounts.

The problem with body lifts is that you may have to modify several components depending on the vehicle.  Radiator hoses can interfere with the fan, linkages for transmissions and transfer cases may need to be modified.  Some electrical wires/connections and vacuum lines may need to be extended also.  I have seen problems with steering columns being too short, along with brake lines.  Make sure that you measure any item that may be affected with the lift and have the right modifications ready.

Many times it is actually cheaper, safer, and easier to install a full suspension lift.  Body lifts tend to change the center of gravity more than a suspension lift, as they are using the stock suspension and raising the weight of the vehicle too high above the suspension.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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