2 inch Body Lift

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LS73

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I was looking for some input with what I'm getting into (not the "don't do it" responses please I know they are not the most popular option lol) on putting a small 2 inch body lift on my truck to open up the wheel wells a bit. I am aware I may need to lengthen the shift linkage (auto), bumper relocations and als open up the steering column to telescope and the fan shroud I was planning to make a new bracket to drop it. Does anyone know if that is a guarantee on those things on a '73? Performance Accessories discontinued their #522 2" inch kit so I am kind of in the dark piecing this together. I did purchase all the longer bolts as well as body spacers so far. The other BL lifts I have seen are 3+ inches which I would never go over 2 inches on a BL so that rules those kits out. I like the ride of my truck and have already lifted 4 inches but with these 35's there isn't as much clearance as I thought it would give me and I am not buying 33s when I have brand new tires and regeared.

Hope I explained this well. Anyway if you have some knowledge to send my way it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!
 
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1982GMCC1500

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I'm considering doing a suspension raise of 2 or 3 inches on my 2wd, as the roads here in NJ are a challenge to say the least. It's worth the trouble and not that costly
 
kkgp81

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Suspension or bust. If you absolutely have to body lift ORD makes some nice pucks.
 
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ali_c20

ali_c20

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I know you have bought the pucks and bolts, but lift blocks could be an option. You only have to check brake hose lenght and drive shafts. With only 2" lift driveshafts should be good as they are. No work on steering column, shroud, bumper,.... Is the 4" lift you already have with lift springs?
 
RanchWelder

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Steering shaft also... the fun just keeps expanding!
 
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LS73 said:
I was looking for some input with what I'm getting into (not the "don't do it" responses please I know they are not the most popular option lol) on putting a small 2 inch body lift on my truck to open up the wheel wells a bit. I am aware I may need to lengthen the shift linkage (auto), bumper relocations and als open up the steering column to telescope and the fan shroud I was planning to make a new bracket to drop it. Does anyone know if that is a guarantee on those things on a '73? Performance Accessories discontinued their #522 2" inch kit so I am kind of in the dark piecing this together. I did purchase all the longer bolts as well as body spacers so far. The other BL lifts I have seen are 3+ inches which I would never go over 2 inches on a BL so that rules those kits out. I like the ride of my truck and have already lifted 4 inches but with these 35's there isn't as much clearance as I thought it would give me and I am not buying 33s when I have brand new tires and regeared.

Hope I explained this well. Anyway if you have some knowledge to send my way it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!
Click to expand...
I used the Performance Accessories kit putting a 2 inch lift on my '81 C10, works great. That's too bad it's discontinued. If you do some googling, some places still list as having it in stock, maybe just sitting on their shelf. This one for instance: https://milkymotorsports.com/produc...0gAF8e1WBQoPeDoQlgkUJcVo5yJTkNVP937DsjCY4XiL_
 
squaredeal91

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Im not into body lifts but Back in the day I made my own body lift for a friend's truck. We bought a 2' piece of 3" nylon round stock from somewhere and cut it to desired thickness. It worked out great. Downside is steering shaft issues and floor shift and bumper height.
 
mtbadbob

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I just did mine in the suspension, Very simple, you don't have to change sh*t, and your bumpers don't look ridiculous being way below your sheetmetal. IMHO, one couldn't do anything more dumb than a body lift. Take that for what it's worth...
 
kkgp81

kkgp81

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Bloodhound1981 said:
Oh believe me, I have.
Click to expand...


Hold my beer while I post these pics. This is far dumber than a body lift. :oops:

The cat is parting this puppy out. I spied these works of art while they were unbolting the roll bar.
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bigcountry78

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2” is the absolute max I would do. You will have to raise the fan shroud for sure, probably lengthen the steering shaft, there will be adjustments or lengthening needed for the shift linkage, and you may need to make adjustments to the transfer case shifter as well. It may be as simple as screwing on a 2” extension on the shaft, or you may need to modify the floor to get full travel. You may also need to make some adjustments to the brake lines off the master cylinder. Also, the fuel filler neck will need to be addressed, and this is before you move the bumpers up to match. That’ll take some fabrication, as I don’t think the brackets are available anymore. Now, I’ve never used a body lift, but back in high school I did some research because I was really wanting to put bigger tires on my 98. I ultimately decided that the body lift wasn’t worth it. I say that to say that I’ve never done one, so I may have missed something. But these item come to mind immediately.
 
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nvrenuf

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I ran a 2” body lift for years with zero problems.

There is a few inches of overlap on the steering shaft so it can extend AFTER the two plastic plugs at the joint have been removed. These plugs can be drilled out or melted out with a torch, simple job.

That said, if you’re doing anything with the steering shaft do yourself a favor and swap to a Jeep XJ shaft. The XJ shaft has u-joints instead of the rubber coupling so it makes a noticeable difference in tightening up the steering feel.

Don’t move the shroud. You would actually need to lower it since the radiator moves up while the fan/engine don’t move. If you did lower it you’d create a gap that can allow the fan to draw air around/under the radiator instead of through it. The simplest solution is to trim the lower lip of the shroud so the fan doesn’t hit, this will not effect the cooling at all.
 
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