Suspension/Body Lift difference?

[Fernie]

Hi All

I am thinking about having my 3rd Gen lifted by 2" and I have noticed that you can either lift the body or the suspension. As a complete pen-pusher I have no idea what the difference is and what benefits the two different lifts will give. Ultimately I am trying to lift it for extra clearance to keep things drier when launching a boat.

I know that I risk becoming the laughing stock for asking what is probably a stupid question, but if you don't know - you don't know!!

Cheers

Simon

[sv1000spilot]

Body lift = lifting the body

Suspension lift = lifting the suspension



A sensible answer may or may not follow..........

[BUSHWHACKER]

If you're towing, then it's better to lift the body so that the towbar remains the same height.

[POPEYE]

Hi All

I am thinking about having my 3rd Gen lifted by 2" and I have noticed that you can either lift the body or the suspension. As a complete pen-pusher I have no idea what the difference is and what benefits the two different lifts will give. Ultimately I am trying to lift it for extra clearance to keep things drier when launching a boat.

I know that I risk becoming the laughing stock for asking what is probably a stupid question, but if you don't know - you don't know!!

Cheers

Simon

As Vince says, a body lift will be probably the better otpion for you, i cant speak for the 3rd gen surf but if you check out the write up i just did for MattF on his site, or look in the "file store" theres a good how to there as well. just click on the "file" tab at the top, then on tech modifications and it's there, it's for a 2nd gen 2.4 but will give you some idea of whats involved, basicly you fit 2" blocks between where the chassis bolts to the body, if you can opperate a spanner you can do it yourself
http://forums.bauchan.org/portal/index.php

[MattF]

As Vince says, a body lift will be probably the better otpion for you, i cant speak for the 3rd gen surf but if you check out the write up i just did for MattF on his site, or look in the "file store" theres a good how to there as well. just click on the "file" tab at the top, then on tech modifications and it's there, it's for a 2nd gen 2.4 but will give you some idea of whats involved, basicly you fit 2" blocks between where the chassis bolts to the body, if you can opperate a spanner you can do it yourself
http://forums.bauchan.org/portal/index.php

Bugger. I'd better get that added quick.

[Fernie]

Thanks Guys...

for your replies - very droll sv lol.

So a body lift will just literally lift the body and the towbar would be at the same height but with a gap to the bumper? Whereas a suspension life would lift everything above the axles?

Sorry again for being thick. Am I right in thinking that they would both look the same from "the outside"?

So why do some do one and some do the other? Is it difference in ride stability etc? Would be greatful for an explanation before I take the plunge.

I thin I might even be able to do the body lift then - my biro has a spanner attachment - it's a swiss army biro!

Cheers again

Simon

[BUSHWHACKER]

Suspension lift for more suspension travel/ ride height.
Bodylift for more clearance when fitting larger diameter tyres.

Combination of the two for both of the above reasons.

[Fernie]

Thanks again...

BW - it seems that you are my full time mechanic tonight, cheques in the post ;-)

[blackpoolsparks]

As bushwacker says
a suspension lift is beneficial for offroading, it lifts up your chassis, giving a bit more clearance under your truck.
To add another inch or so of clearance, one can increase their tyre size. On a standard surf, this is not possible as the wheels would hit the body. so a body lift allows you to put bigger tyres on.

for just posing, either or both are fine...

[Surfer Ross]

for your replies - very droll sv lol.

So a body lift will just literally lift the body and the towbar would be at the same height but with a gap to the bumper? Whereas a suspension life would lift everything above the axles?

Sorry again for being thick. Am I right in thinking that they would both look the same from "the outside"?

So why do some do one and some do the other? Is it difference in ride stability etc? Would be greatful for an explanation before I take the plunge.

I thin I might even be able to do the body lift then - my biro has a spanner attachment - it's a swiss army biro!

Cheers again

Simon

There's more to the body lift than just fitting spacer blocks though. You either need to drop the radiator or fit an electric fan, you'll also need a longer steering column or a column spacer, longer fuel tank hoses, a panhard rod bracket and there may be adjustments to be made to various hoses.

All you need for a suspension lift is shocks and springs unless you go crazy and then you'll need to drop the front diff and adjust the front end of the exhaust (front prop hits it).

[wiggy]

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ight=body+lift for the 3rd gen one i think

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ight=body+lift for the 2nd gen one ...........if i remember right someone had problems with the steering column extension on the 3rd gen and had to put a spacer in......hope this helps

Might be doing mine this weekend if the weather gets better and i think (maybe and might get corrected for this..) that you would be ok with the standard brake lines etc as its just 2" (on mine the shocks will be at the maximum but nothing else needed)....will be tight but can add the extended stuff later if you arent throwing the truck around off road...

Hope this helps

Rob

[yoshie]

There's more to the body lift than just fitting spacer blocks though. You either need to drop the radiator or fit an electric fan,NOT ON A 3.0ltr you'll also need a longer steering column or a column spacer,MAYBE ON 3RD GEN longer fuel tank hoses,RUBBISH a panhard rod bracketRUBBISH and there may be adjustments to be made to various hoses. NOPE

All you need for a suspension lift is shocks and springs unless you go crazy and then you'll need to drop the front diff and adjust the front end of the exhaust (front prop hits it)RUBBISH. EXTENDED BRAKE LINES UNLESS BY OFFROAD WE ME ASDA CARPARK MANUAL HUBS WILL SAVE CV WEAR DROPPING THE DIFF MAKES THE LIFT POINTLESS

Have you actually ever lifted a surf?

[wishbone]

Is the panhard rod connected to the body on the 3rd gen ? I know on the 2nd gen it's connected to the chassis so no need to fit a drop bracket on a bodylift.

[stormforce]

Have you actually ever lifted a surf?

In Ross's defence Bri i think he was probably going by what i had said to him for what he has on his truck.He has a 3" bodylift in which case those parts have all been adjusted.I will be having them all from Ross's truck when i remove the 3" bodylift and the other bits will go on my truck so i can do the 3" bodylift i got here

[yoshie]

In Ross's defence Bri i think he was probably going by what i had said to him for what he has on his truck.He has a 3" bodylift in which case those parts have all been adjusted.I will be having them all from Ross's truck when i remove the 3" bodylift and the other bits will go on my truck so i can do the 3" bodylift i got here

In that case I apologise didn't realise he was on about 3" a unusal size for most.
A 3" body lift thou Rich is that not a tad excessive mate? I saw a 2" body lift detach from a chassis on Sunday when the truck slide side ways and the rear wheel hit a bank.