Body lift write up!!!

[Expeditionary]

ok so i have searched high and low for a competent write up for a 1st gen expy or 1st gen f150 body lift write up... I know I'm going to do one I just wanted to see what I was getting Myself into. Anyhow I found this one on an f150. I figured it's gotta be pretty similar to an Expy, Its really good but i would like it if people that have done body lifts on their expy's can add helpful notes to this....
-KWT2000
-Lane24
-CanadianExpy
-Walnuts4x4
-Mudryder18
YEAH I'M CALLING YOU, OUT BY NAME lol
and any others, I think that the info from you guys and others can make this lift something that most of us can tackle that want 35s or bigger.

http://www.norcal4x4forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=909

Can I get a super moderator to maybe make this a sticky?
That is if this write up is as good as I think it is

 

[Lane24]

After reading about body lifts, and researching a lot. I was able to do my Body lift in 3 steps.....

-Drive my Expy to the 4x4 shop
- Pay the guy $700
- Drive it back home really tall 8 hours later

Haha. I pussed out but it was worth it. I have a pretty harsh spinal disease so sometimes it's easier for me to just have someone do it then to crawl under there for the big jobs. I'm pretty sure Walnuts bought his already lifted, and as for the other guys, I hope they chime in.
But if you do it.... take lots of pics.. step by step, and post them up. You'll be a hero. We've been waiting for a good write up. Dgray had one on the other site, but the pics got lost somehow.

 

[Canadian Expy]

It seems like a pretty good write up, if you go with a Performance Accessories kit the instructions are real good. I had no problems just bolts breaking when trying to get them out. I didn't tie up my steering wheel like they did. I think the front two mounts are the pain and broke make sure you paint any bare metal parts they give you for ground straps, just leave the spot where it touches the body. I can't think of any other problems ,I'm sure the others will let you know

 

[KWT2000]

dgray use to have an really good write up on the BL install on the other site but i can't find it now....

i will ad this

pull the 3rd and 2nd row seats and carpet the fronts can stay in.

you will more than likly break one or both of the body mounts to the core support,

your local scrap yard will help you out with this

ONLY TAKE THE BOLTS OUT FOR 1 SIDE AND LOOSEN THE OTHER

i watched my neighbor just about loose the body for is toyota.. and the expy is much heavier

speaking of heavy..

the rear bumper ways alot more then the front

make sure you have the clearance in you garage as it will be taller when you take it out

if you use performance accessories body lift the directions are very good just follow them and don't try to take short cuts

i may add more later but that is a good start

 

[walnuts4x4]

only advice I have.... spray with PBblaster a few times a day for a week prior... and spend some quality time with a hose and clean the undercarriage but no matter what tons of dirt will still fall all over your face.... and best advice go with Performance Accessories and follow their directions they are spot on....

 

[Expeditionary]

only advice I have.... spray with PBblaster a few times a day for a week prior... and spend some quality time with a hose and clean the undercarriage but no matter what tons of dirt will still fall all over your face.... and best advice go with Performance Accessories and follow their directions they are spot on....

bump>>> im going to use a pressure washer under the truck before the BL, hopefully that will help some with the whole process. LANE24, how long did you wait and run 31s b4 you got your 35s lol

 

[walnuts4x4]

I'd wash it 2 or 3 different times on different days but no matter what you do all the years worth of dirt is gonna fall all over you.... so wear some safety glasses to keep the dirt out of your eyes... but that and some days of soaking bolts with PBblaster and you will be good to go... and try to get some friends for help comes in handy

 

[Lane24]

bump>>> im going to use a pressure washer under the truck before the BL, hopefully that will help some with the whole process. LANE24, how long did you wait and run 31s b4 you got your 35s lol

I think it was about 3 days after. The 265's looked like the truck was on skateboard wheels. That's why I always say you should not buy tires until after you are done your lift. They were brand new. What a waste.

 

[LastExpo2000]

I think it was about 3 days after. The 265's looked like the truck was on skateboard wheels. That's why I always say you should not buy tires until after you are done your lift. They were brand new. What a waste.

DO you have any pics of it with the 265's?

 

[Lane24]

DO you have any pics of it with the 265's?

I know they are floating around here somewhere, but in the interest of time, I'll just put some here..... Kind of embarrassing how bad it looked.

 

[alaskanexpy]

i dont think it looked that bad lol


i did a BL on my explorer..it was a pain in the ass! love the lift but idk if it was worth the work. air tools and all.

 

[Lane24]

Not that bad, but when you see the same angle with the 35's it looks alot better. Plus I was right by the dates on the pics, looks like 3 days later I had the new tires on . lol.

 

[Expeditionary]

Nuts4x4: I am doing it at my friends shop with him and his cousin, and yeah im going to go through a few cans of PB and pressure washing B4 the lift!
I'm hoping for no broken body bolts (but from what I heard that may just happen)

Lane24: you mean mount the tires after the lift right... because I am buying the 35s with each paycheck, then once I get the full set Ill go in for the lift.
Then after the lift I'll mount them.

Off subject a little but what would a set of standard weight or 7700 Tbars run me? I want to do that after the BL b/c I know I can get more lift out of the front with those Bars VS. the air bag bars and coil overs.

Thanks all for the help It really ought to make this project a lil easier

 

[Expeditionary]

PA BODY LIFTS ON SALE!
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...?t_c=1&t_s=20&t_pt=3680&t_pl=3372&t_pn=PER873
WWW.4WHEELPARTS.COM
Probably going to pick mine up thursday or friday IF i get the time.
I have a 4 wheel parts about 5 miles from my house

 

[Lane24]

Lane24: you mean mount the tires after the lift right... because I am buying the 35s with each paycheck, then once I get the full set Ill go in for the lift.
Then after the lift I'll mount them.

)

Your doing it right. Go with 35's and lift your truck to fit the tires. I was dumb, and thought I'd be happy with a 2 inch lift and went and bought the 265's. I wanted it bigger, so I lifted it another 3 inches, and wished I would have just bought the 35's in the first place.

 

[Canadian Expy]

PA BODY LIFTS ON SALE!
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...?t_c=1&t_s=20&t_pt=3680&t_pl=3372&t_pn=PER873
WWW.4WHEELPARTS.COM
Probably going to pick mine up thursday or friday IF i get the time.
I have a 4 wheel parts about 5 miles from my house

Cool ..can't wait to see it done

 

[Expeditionary]

Cool ..can't wait to see it done

I have the cash for the BL...
got 1/2 the tires, just one more paycheck and i'll buy the 3rd and put the 4th on my credit card

I CANT WAIT!!! haha its gonna be awesome, and I can finally stop saving, life's hard when your saving 95% of your income lol

 

[Expeditionary]

Ordered the BL, putting it on Friday night- saturday morning... Its for real lol I cant wait!
Time to pressure wash, and PB Blast tmrw, gonna get nice and dirty
-What are the things i should focus on beside the body bolts with the pressure washing and PB blasting, IE bumper brackets, skid plate, etc.?
-Oh and one more question, do you have to modify your fan shroud and radiator to do this, because that seems like a PITA?

 

[Canadian Expy]

Ordered the BL, putting it on Friday night- saturday morning... Its for real lol I cant wait!
Time to pressure wash, and PB Blast tmrw, gonna get nice and dirty
-What are the things i should focus on beside the body bolts with the pressure washing and PB blasting, IE bumper brackets, skid plate, etc.?
-Oh and one more question, do you have to modify your fan shroud and radiator to do this, because that seems like a PITA?

It gets moved down with a bracket . a bit of a pain but not bad

 

[Expeditionary]

Hell Yea

YUP! Look at the Sig!!!!
Bumper needs to go on, trans cooler & power steering cooler