In this age of high-performance shocks, solid-axle conversions, and cutting-edge suspension systems it can be easy to overlook some of the more traditional ways to raise your 4x4. While advances in off-road technology are great, for many people these high-zoot components simply surpass their needs. For the average wheeler who's looking for a subtle boost and room for a larger set of tires, a body lift is an excellent and budget-friendly lift alternative. Since the first body-on-frame constructed vehicle rolled onto the highway many moons ago, body lifts have been an active instrument in the automotive world. Used by OEMs to squeeze larger powertrains into existing vehicle models and by rockcrawlers to tuck their drivetrains up high for a flat underbelly, body lifts have definitely secured their place in the performance aftermarket. The heart of the body lift is the 3-inch lift spacer. Comprised of high-strength composite plastic, the spacer simply sits atop your factory frame isolator. Be sure to use the provided Loctite when installing the new hardware, and always thread the bolts in by hand first.The heart of the body lift is the 3-inch lift spacer. Comprised of high-strength composite While body lifts have a wide array of uses, the most basic is to raise the body of the vehicle 1-3 inches so that larger tires can be installed. One of the biggest advantages of equipping your rig with a body lift as opposed to a suspension lift is that a mild body lift allows you to raise the stance of the rig without modifying the suspension or drivetrain components. This means no changes in driveshaft or CV angles and no unique suspension parts to contend with. To get a closer look at a modern body lift, we headed over to the 4Wheel Parts store in Van Nuys, California. We then followed along as the parts crew installed a 3-inch Performance Accessories body lift on an '06 Chevy 1500 4x4. To raise the body from the frame, the crew at 4Wheel Parts used a series of tall adjustable jackstands commonly referred to as dead men. If you're planning on installing a Performance Accessories body lift kit in your driveway, a standard 3-ton floor jack, a few short sections of 4x4 wooden blocks, and twin jackstands will do the trick.To raise the body from the frame, the crew at 4Wheel Parts used a series of tall adjustabl Most of this truck's factory linkages and components had plenty of give or adjustment to accommodate the 3-inch lift, and the parts that didn't were provided with spacers and adapters in the kit. Though many 4x enthusiast don't care for the modern drive-by-wire and electric fan configurations, these new-age components really help expedite the install.Most of this truck's factory linkages and components had plenty of give or adjustment to a To keep the '06 Chevy looking as the factory intended, the 3-inch kit came with front and rear bumper brackets that raised the factory bumpers to match the body's new lift. If your truck is equipped with a rear hitch then it will remain in the stock location, but a brace is provided to tie it into the bumper similar to how it comes from the factory.To keep the '06 Chevy looking as the factory intended, the 3-inch kit came with front and Another clean touch to the new PA body lift is the optional beefy gap guards that hide the spacing between the body and framerails. These fenderwell liners require a few 1/4-inch holes to be drilled and are kept in place by heavy-duty fasteners in addition to the factory attachment points.Another clean touch to the new PA body lift is the optional beefy gap guards that hide the With the Chevy's stance now 3 inches taller, there is plenty of room for the 285/75/17 Nitto Dura Grapplers. Mounted on the stock 17-inch wheels, the Dura Grapplers are a great tire for light off-roaders and truck owners who spends most of their time on the highway.With the Chevy's stance now 3 inches taller, there is plenty of room for the 285/75/17 Nit After a full day's work the crew at the Van Nuys 4Wheel Parts had the Chevy 4x4 Extended Cab ready to roll. The new stance is clean and subtle, both perfect attributes for the truck owner looking for mild lift and room for larger tires.After a full day's work the crew at the Van Nuys 4Wheel Parts had the Chevy 4x4 Extended C SOURCES 4Wheel Parts 400 W. Artesia Boulevard Compton CA 90220 877-474-4821 www.4wheelparts.com Performance Accessories P.O. Box 3450 Chino Valley AZ 86323 928-636-7080 www.p-a-g.net Nitto Tire 6021 Katella Avenue Suite 250 Cypress CA 90630 877-565-8448 www.nittotire.com By Ali Mansour Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
