4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/body lifts

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Expert: - 10/4/2010


Question
OK i am 18 and just got a 2 door S10 Chevy blazer 4x4 4.3 liter engine and i want to buy a 3" body lift but they don't make one for the 1996. a kit for a 1994 fit my s10 blazer  

Answer
Mike,

First of all, I don't recommend any body lifts, as they change the overall center of gravity on the stock suspension.  If you are serious about a lift, you should look into a true suspension lift.  These are designed for the higher center of gravity and are much safer.  

Also, body lifts, usually, end up being more expensive than you may think. This is due to the fact that when you raise the body, many other components are now out of line and have to be modified also.  This can range from your brake lines, shift linkage, radiator now not square with the motor, fan blade hitting the upper radiator hose, etc.

These are just some things to think about when you are considering any lift.  Make sure you investigate all the possibilities before you spend the money and make sure that you are getting what you want.

If you really want a body lift, you need to contact companies that sell or manufacture them for Chevys.  They can let you know what is available, or what you can do to make your own.

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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