Maybe this is a dumb question, but what are the specific differences between the 2? How are the components used to lift it different? What is most common? Thanks for any help.
Chip <><
diegothedodge
10-30-2002, 12:05 AM
Hi, i was just thinking the same thing. Actually i was just wanting to put a body lift kit on my 2002 Dodge. I checked out the Performance Accessories and they only have kits for the 2WD. Any thoughts?
thanks,
Helevitia
10-30-2002, 12:17 AM
Now, I am fairly new to all of this so I may be wrong, but I think the body lift is just that, some spacers that lift the body higher off of the frame. This would explain why it is much, MUCH cheaper than a suspension lift which appears to lift the body and the frame. This means you ahve to change things out like the shocks and other components.
Dave
Blue02
10-31-2002, 02:53 PM
Helevitia is basically right. The main purpose of both is to fit bigger tires:D
There is much discussion about the pros and cons of each on any given 4wd site.
Body lifts are not as simple as they sound because you have to deal with radiator movement, steering wheel shaft angle, and transmission linkage. They can easily take a full day to do with two people that know what they are doing.
Suspension lifts are more complicated for the maker because of all the R&D and engineering, at least on IFS kits. Most people will agree they are better since you get undercarriage clearance for clearing obstacles. They definitely raise you center of gravity more since your whole truck is lifted and not just the body.
There are many more things but I'm a slow typer and at least covered the basics.
DGERAM
10-31-2002, 03:16 PM
I prefer suspensions lifts/modifications for more clearance, more travel, more articulation, and better looks. I personally think body lifts are very ugly in most applications. Just MHO.
Bubba_Hemi
12-12-2002, 09:11 PM
Body lifts are the cheap mans way of getting the height you want. They can also throw the center of gravity off so that is one thing to consider when you get them. What I think makes them ugly is the fact that lots of people don't put a set of lift lips in to cover the huge gap in the rear wheel wells and to help protect the engine bay a lil more. They can also make accesories such as steps look a little odd because they're not next to the body like they're designed.If you want all the performance gains you can get from a lift, go with a suspesion lift. Yes, they can be pretty expensive depending on who makes it and just how long the kit has been out. But a plus to the body lift is after you do the suspension lift, you can lift it up just that much more. Take my '98 Ram ( www.geocities.com/bornraisedincsaram/98ram.html ) for example... the biggest lift (besides the whiplash) is a 4.5" but with the 3" body lift on, I had plenty of room for the 38's.
