body lift vs level

[tamcphail89]

Hi all, I'm looking for some opinions on a future project. I have a 2010 qc 2wd, and I'm tossing around the idea of lifting it a little bit. I'm not a fan of the rake look. I've seen the leveling kits available and they're nice and affordable and would allow me to put a little bigger, more aggressive tread pattern tire on. My question is, can you put a 3" body lift on without putting a leveling kit on too? 3" is really all i need, and I'm not really wanting to shell out the dough for a suspension lift at this time. I've seen people put on a leveling kit and a small body lift......is this a better route?

Also, ride quality is very important, i use my truck as my company vehicle all day. Whichever route i go, will i need to lift the bumpers or exhaust?

Any help is appreciated, thanks guys

 

[tamcphail89]

Would putting some bilstein 5100s and a small body lift be a better route vs the spacer/body lift?

Thanks

 

[Wandell]

A body lift will not affect your ride quality. This combined with a leveling kit would be a great option.

 

[Cruizer]

A body lift will not level out your truck if you're looking to drop the rake. Could always get Bilstein 5100's maxed out and a rear spacer for a level and slight lift. Everything I've heard says Bilsteins will stiffen the ride a little. If it's a work truck most the time you may also want to consider if you level or lift at all you will loose some MPG do to the change in aerodynamics. I'm going Bilsteins maxed out with a 1.5" rear spacer, then a 3" body lift. I'm going 1.5" on the rear to keep some rake though because I don't ever want to be nose hight when hauling something.

 

[White Beauty]

Do both.. Level kit and bl. I got 2.5inch level in front. 3inch bl. And a 1 1/4 rear spacer not installed.

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[Cruizer]

Do both.. Level kit and bl. I got 2.5inch level in front. 3inch bl. And a 1 1/4 rear spacer not installed.

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That's close to what mine should sit like then and I like how you're truck sits. Did you install the BL?

 

[sausec17]

you have a 2wd, you cannot use front adjustable bilsteins.
leveling kit if you want it level- little effect on ride quality if spacer is less than 2.5"
body lift if you want more height overall-no effect on ride quality
both if you want it level and lifted

don't forget there are 1.25" and 1.50" body lifts as well

 

[White Beauty]

That's close to what mine should sit like then and I like how you're truck sits. Did you install the BL?

My brother did the bl install for me as I was away. This pic doesn't have the rear spacer installed.

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[argray90]

If you want to eliminate the rake just do the BL on the cab haha totally joking. But you can do several routes if your doing it just to eliminate rake add a leveling kit. If you want lift do the leveling kit and BL looks great in my mind!

 

[Cruizer]

My brother did the bl install for me as I was away. This pic doesn't have the rear spacer installed.

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You got a kick ass brother. I need to find more info on doing a 3" BL. I'm decent at workin under the hood, but I've never lifted a body from the frame.

 

[White Beauty]

You got a kick ass brother. I need to find more info on doing a 3" BL. I'm decent at workin under the hood, but I've never lifted a body from the frame.

Yeah he's a licensed mechanic so it works out great. Hahaha. Said it took him around 4.5 hrs to install. Just gotta follow instructions he said. Can be done with Jacks and Jack stands just a lot more time consuming.

Here's his 08 with 37's. Modified 8 inch lift. He's made a lot of parts himself.

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[Cruizer]

That's a nice truck. I'm hoping to have a buddy or two to help speed it up. I'll have to use jack stands. Wish I had access to a lift.

 

[tamcphail89]

I'm thinking the front leveling kit with maybe a 2-2.5" bl would be good. I want to keep ride quality good. Will i need to raise the bumpers or exhaust? Which leveling kit would you guys recommend? What about the rough country 3.75" combo lift?

Thanks

 

[argray90]

I only have experience with the 3" PA lift. I thought the install was pretty easy just read the directions a few times before and you'll get it. Bumpers have brackets to raise them up which takes away the use of tow hooks and rear bumper towing. The exhaust can be moved up slightly easily if you have dual rear if you have side like I do I just left it.

 

[tamcphail89]

A buddy of mine that works at a local 4wd shop told me to stay away from body lifts due to the fan shroud cutting and the steering shaft spacer....

Are the things he mentioned a big deal?

 

[tamcphail89]

Bump. I've seen plenty of guys on here with a front leveling kit and body lift, do i can't imagine its too difficult. Did any of you guys have trouble with steering being thrown off or trouble with the fan shroud?

What size tires would you guys recommend with the level + bl? I'll be using the factory 20's

Thanks guys

 

[argray90]

No clue why he would cut the fan shroud that's not needed and the steering spacer can be tough to install but no issues with reliability. There are tons of guys running BL with no issues. I run 35x12.5x17 on a level and BL and love it.

 

[Thor09]

To answer your bodylift question with the fan shroud, I did see someone on here install a bodylift and I believe the instructions stated to leave the shroud off and they reinstalled. Since the body moved and the motor didn't, the fan started digging into the shroud. There are plenty of guys in this thread with bodylifts so as long as you do what they did, I know you'll be fine.