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  #1  
Old 11-06-2018, 11:11 PM
Iverson.14 Iverson.14 is offline
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Default Body Lifts

So I need some honest opinions on body lifts. Yes or No? And why? I have really mixed emotions about them.

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  #2  
Old 11-08-2018, 11:14 AM
chicknhawk99 chicknhawk99 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

I think it depends on the model and what your goals are. I have a 99 with a 3in body lift and about 3/2 torsion key suspension lift. I havent had any problems with it since installing 3 years ago and 33 thousand miles on it. If you dont feel like spending $1200 for the superlift kit, or twist your torsion keys, body lift is the next best thing IMO

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  #3  
Old 11-09-2018, 06:14 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

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Originally Posted by Iverson.14 View Post
So I need some honest opinions on body lifts. Yes or No? And why? I have really mixed emotions about them.

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It really comes down to what you want to do with the truck and what your budget is. If you just like the look of a lifted truck or want to do some light trail riding, and are on a budget, then there’s nothing wrong with a body lift. If you want to get into some more difficult wheeling or don’t want the exposed frame of a body lift, then a suspension lift is for you. Superlift makes a 4” kit for $1,200 and rough country recently released a 5” kit that’s running about a grand.


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  #4  
Old 11-09-2018, 06:26 PM
Iverson.14 Iverson.14 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

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Originally Posted by Jimmyspy View Post
It really comes down to what you want to do with the truck and what your budget is. If you just like the look of a lifted truck or want to do some light trail riding, and are on a budget, then there’s nothing wrong with a body lift. If you want to get into some more difficult wheeling or don’t want the exposed frame of a body lift, then a suspension lift is for you. Superlift makes a 4” kit for $1,200 and rough country recently released a 5” kit that’s running about a grand.


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I've done some research since I posted this. And I think what my plan is. Bc of a budget is to get the 3inch PA body lift for the lifted look and bigger tires. The 3/2 torsion key lift to assure that it sits right and provide some more clearance. A set of Rancho RS5000 shocks to provide a better ride quality compared to my stock shocks. And 2inch spacers to provide a sexy stance and more clearance for tires.

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  #5  
Old 11-09-2018, 09:15 PM
chicknhawk99 chicknhawk99 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iverson.14 View Post
I've done some research since I posted this. And I think what my plan is. Bc of a budget is to get the 3inch PA body lift for the lifted look and bigger tires. The 3/2 torsion key lift to assure that it sits right and provide some more clearance. A set of Rancho RS5000 shocks to provide a better ride quality compared to my stock shocks. And 2inch spacers to provide a sexy stance and more clearance for tires.

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Watch having both spacers and torsion key lift, you'll be replacing ball joints left and right IMO

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  #6  
Old 11-09-2018, 11:16 PM
Iverson.14 Iverson.14 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

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Originally Posted by chicknhawk99 View Post
Watch having both spacers and torsion key lift, you'll be replacing ball joints left and right IMO

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Ya, most likely. But, if it looks good and drives good, I'm good with it.

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  #7  
Old 11-09-2018, 11:21 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iverson.14 View Post
I've done some research since I posted this. And I think what my plan is. Bc of a budget is to get the 3inch PA body lift for the lifted look and bigger tires. The 3/2 torsion key lift to assure that it sits right and provide some more clearance. A set of Rancho RS5000 shocks to provide a better ride quality compared to my stock shocks. And 2inch spacers to provide a sexy stance and more clearance for tires.

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Nothing wrong with ballin on a budget, but I would make a couple changes to your plan, if it were me.

1. Don’t buy aftermarket torsion keys. They are a waste of money and allow you to do more harm than good. You can get 1.5” of adjustment out of your stock keys, and that’s about all the stock suspension can handle

2. Spacers are OK, as long as you keep them torqued properly. If you don’t see your self re-torquing them a few times a year (I know I wouldn’t, I’m lazy. Lol), then skip the spacers and get new wheels with appropriate back spacing


Also, new shocks won’t hurt, but your truck is going to have a harsher ride with cranked torsion bars. That’s just the nature of the beast. It is a progressive change, meaning the more you crank the bars, the stiffer the truck will ride.



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1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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  #8  
Old 11-09-2018, 11:27 PM
Iverson.14 Iverson.14 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmyspy View Post
Nothing wrong with ballin on a budget, but I would make a couple changes to your plan, if it were me.

1. Don’t buy aftermarket torsion keys. They are a waste of money and allow you to do more harm than good. You can get 1.5” of adjustment out of your stock keys, and that’s about all the stock suspension can handle

2. Spacers are OK, as long as you keep them torqued properly. If you don’t see your self re-torquing them a few times a year (I know I wouldn’t, I’m lazy. Lol), then skip the spacers and get new wheels with appropriate back spacing


Also, new shocks won’t hurt, but your truck is going to have a harsher ride with cranked torsion bars. That’s just the nature of the beast. It is a progressive change, meaning the more you crank the bars, the stiffer the truck will ride.



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Big reason I wanna get the aftermarket torsion kit is for the fact that you get a 2" lift in the rear and up to 3" in the front. Tbh mostly all I want is height. That's why I like the body lift idea. I do understand that spacers are a big thing to manage. But, I can keep it all under control. And the shocks I'm looking at are meant to go help with the leveling kit. I do understand it'll still be a rough ride. Which is fine. As long as it's better than stock shocks.

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  #9  
Old 11-10-2018, 08:00 AM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iverson.14 View Post
Big reason I wanna get the aftermarket torsion kit is for the fact that you get a 2" lift in the rear and up to 3" in the front. Tbh mostly all I want is height. That's why I like the body lift idea. I do understand that spacers are a big thing to manage. But, I can keep it all under control. And the shocks I'm looking at are meant to go help with the leveling kit. I do understand it'll still be a rough ride. Which is fine. As long as it's better than stock shocks.

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If you have torsion bars, then you also have a factory 2.5” lift block in the rear. If the “lift” kit you’re looking at comes with lift blocks, run away. Stacked blocks are bad news. Shackles are a better option.

3” is too much adjustment for the stock suspension. You’ll be smacking the upper control arms on the frame. 1.5-2” is about all you’re gonna get. That’s just the nature of the SLA front end.

Shocks can improve ride quality, but they’re not gonna mask the fact that the front end is a brick. Haha.


I understand wanting the lifted look, but doing it wrong can cost you more money in the long run.


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1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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  #10  
Old 11-10-2018, 12:35 PM
Iverson.14 Iverson.14 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmyspy View Post
If you have torsion bars, then you also have a factory 2.5” lift block in the rear. If the “lift” kit you’re looking at comes with lift blocks, run away. Stacked blocks are bad news. Shackles are a better option.

3” is too much adjustment for the stock suspension. You’ll be smacking the upper control arms on the frame. 1.5-2” is about all you’re gonna get. That’s just the nature of the SLA front end.

Shocks can improve ride quality, but they’re not gonna mask the fact that the front end is a brick. Haha.


I understand wanting the lifted look, but doing it wrong can cost you more money in the long run.


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One of my buddies has the 3/2 torsion key/ 2" block leveling kit and he's had it for quite awhile without any issues and it rides pretty well.

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  #11  
Old 11-10-2018, 04:48 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iverson.14 View Post
One of my buddies has the 3/2 torsion key/ 2" block leveling kit and he's had it for quite awhile WITHOUT ANY ISSUES and it RIDES PRETTY WELL.

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If you say so.... haha.


It’s your truck to do with as you wish. If you feel that stacked blocks and keys are the way to go, then by all means, have at her. Those products obviously do the trick, as the companies that sell them are still in business (whether they deserve to be or not is a different story). Just wanted to make sure you had the proper information about the disadvantages of half-assing suspension mods.


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1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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  #12  
Old 11-10-2018, 04:52 PM
Iverson.14 Iverson.14 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

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Originally Posted by Jimmyspy View Post
If you say so.... haha.


It’s your truck to do with as you wish. If you feel that stacked blocks and keys are the way to go, then by all means, have at her. Those products obviously do the trick, as the companies that sell them are still in business (whether they deserve to be or not is a different story). Just wanted to make sure you had the proper information about the disadvantages of half-assing suspension mods.


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Well, I'm sorry that I'm in high school and don't have the money to buy some 1200 dollar superlift atm. Ya, eventually I will probably either get the rough country lift or SAS. But for now with a low budget, I'm gonna build it how I want and I'm gonna work the shit outta it. And if I break it, It'll be a setback. But I'll fix it.

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  #13  
Old 11-10-2018, 04:58 PM
chicknhawk99 chicknhawk99 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iverson.14 View Post
Well, I'm sorry that I'm in high school and don't have the money to buy some 1200 dollar superlift atm. Ya, eventually I will probably either get the rough country lift or SAS. But for now with a low budget, I'm gonna build it how I want and I'm gonna work the shit outta it. And if I break it, It'll be a setback. But I'll fix it.

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I have the 3/2 keys like you want but i used shackles on the rear instead of stacking blocks bc safety reasons IMO. On my 99 i have the vacumn hubs so my CV axles dont turn unless im in 4wd so i havent had any trouble with it. Since my V8 swap i also put in explorer torsion bars and that gave a little more lift bc of being a stiffer bar. But like he said, your truck, do as you please

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  #14  
Old 11-10-2018, 04:59 PM
Iverson.14 Iverson.14 is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by chicknhawk99 View Post
I have the 3/2 keys like you want but i used shackles on the rear instead of stacking blocks bc safety reasons IMO. On my 99 i have the vacumn hubs so my CV axles dont turn unless im in 4wd so i havent had any trouble with it. Since my V8 swap i also put in explorer torsion bars and that gave a little more lift bc of being a stiffer bar. But like he said, your truck, do as you please

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I've got a 99 as well.

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  #15  
Old 11-10-2018, 05:08 PM
Jimmyspy Jimmyspy is offline
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Default Re: Body Lifts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iverson.14 View Post
Well, I'm sorry that I'm in high school and don't have the money to buy some 1200 dollar superlift atm. Ya, eventually I will probably either get the rough country lift or SAS. But for now with a low budget, I'm gonna build it how I want and I'm gonna work the shit outta it. And if I break it, It'll be a setback. But I'll fix it.

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Believe me, I know how it feels to build on a budget. Most of the work that I’ve done to my current ranger has been on a college kids income. But, half assing some things (like lift kits) can cost you way more in the long run.

For example, that torsion key lift is probably $150 or so, plus an alignment, so you’re looking at $225. The 3” body lift is $275. If you wanted to crank your stock keys to level the truck out, that’s free, plus the cost of an alignment.

So for $350, $125 more than the torsion key lift, you can half a respectable 3” lift that retains the factory’s reliability and rise quality (more or less), you’ll be able to clear 33” tires, and you won’t have to worry about burning through balljoints and CVs.

To put that extra $125 into perspective, that’s the cost of replacing one CV axle.


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