Body Lift Not So easy

[CLS]

Just finished doing a 3 inch body lift on the Cherokee.

Ran into a few problems:

I didn`t have any rusted bolts-that was easy.

Started lifting and found that the e-brake was in the way and getting pinched on the frame.

Had to lower the Cherokee back down and disconnect the e-brake inside. I hope putting the E-brake back will be easy.

Radiator shround was hitting fan- easy fix moved shroud down one hole.

Fan hitting trans line to rad-had to bend the transline so that the fan missed it.

Transmission linkage which I did a search on this forum and most people were able to adjust it to work.

This didn`t work for me-had to have a 3 inch piece welded to the linkage(the linkage from the steering column was too short after the lift)

The Transfer Case linkage is now out of adjustment-the truck no longer will go into 4 low. I`m hoping that just adjusting and tightening the linkage will fix this.

Just wanted to post this in case anyone in the future is looking into possible problems with doing a body lift.

Other than these problems it went really well.

:D smile.gif

Chris

[ September 28, 2002, 08:19 PM: Message edited by: CLS ]

[La Wagoneer]

I haven't done a body lift on my wag yet but have done a few on other type of trucks. What you encountered is pretty much normal modifications neede on trucks with that much of a lift. In fact mane body lift kits come with rods to weld into the tranny linkage. I've never had that problen because I always put in a floor mounted cable shifter as one of my first mods, hold over from my drag racing days. While a body lift is cheap to buy it is very labor intensive on some rigs due to the number of additional modifications some trucks require. Some shops charge almose as much to install a body lift as a suspension lift (leaf springs not IFS). Good luck on getting the t-case linkage adjusted. Remember that when you lifted the truck you change the center of gravity some and it will handle differently. Go slow until you get used to the new handling due to the shift in the center of gravity.

[tc]

yep, sounds like what I did except I had alot of rusted bolts!!! so you got it easy. good job.

[billyj7175]

I second that notion on a body lift being a PITA. I helped a buddy do a 3" on a toyota pickup, and it ended up being more work than a suspension lift. Body lifts are cheap, but usually require lots of minor fabrication to get everything to work right. My buddy had to even notch the shifter hole in the tunnel to get his stick to clear...along with numerous fan, hose, brake/fuel line clearance issues.

[River Beast]

Originally posted by CLS: [my replies in BOLD
Just finished doing a 3 inch body lift on the Cherokee.

Ran into a few problems:

I didn`t have any rusted bolts-that was easy.

good for you!!! most do hava a headache this the bolts

Started lifting and found that the e-brake was in the way and getting pinched on the frame.

I loosened mine...no problems

Had to lower the Cherokee back down and disconnect the e-brake inside. I hope putting the E-brake back will be easy.

Radiator shround was hitting fan- easy fix moved shroud down one hole.

Fan hitting trans line to rad-had to bend the transline so that the fan missed it.

Both above problems were mentioned numerous times.... you must lower the radiator by 3" by drilling new mounting holes in the rad supports... this lowers the the rad, shroud and lines to clear

Transmission linkage which I did a search on this forum and most people were able to adjust it to work.

This didn`t work for me-had to have a 3 inch piece welded to the linkage(the linkage from the steering column was too short after the lift)

this 3" extention rod comes with most kits to lengthen the trans linkage..it did with mine

The Transfer Case linkage is now out of adjustment-the truck no longer will go into 4 low. I`m hoping that just adjusting and tightening the linkage will fix this.

my kit came with a T-case linkage correction peice as well.... though I modified my OEM linkage to work.

[CLS]

RB,
The kit only came with a 2inch extension that wasn`t even the same diameter as the transmission linkage.

Looking at the e-brake, I may be able to reroute it if not I`ll have to figure something else out.

And I wasn`t about to pull the radiator and drill new holes because my friend send he could bend the trans line to miss the fan. And that is what he did and it worked.

The transfer case probably only needs some tightening and adjustments.

At least now it is pretty much done and off of my list. Next item....

Chris

[River Beast]

hmmm

that's odd... my kit came with a 3" ext rod for the tranny linkage.... I cut about 6" up the rod and rewelded the ext in there...

As for lowering the radiator... this keeps the fan diectly centered on the radiator and nothing more to modify... it took my about 30 minutes to drain, take out, drill and reinstall and fill....

where is the EBrake being pinched at? I don't recall this problem.....

the T-case linkage might be something you just ahve to figure out.....

[heydave]

I remember when I put a body lift on my Wag that I had to unbolt the e-brake cable brackets from the frame ahead of each rear wheel. For the radiator I lowered it. There was already one set of holes that were very close so I only had to drill two holes.
NO RUSTED BOLTS! You made alot of people envious with that statement. smile.gif

[The BEAST]

sounds like you had a rough time . My body lift went off without a hitch except for the trans likage which I allso had to lengthen 3 inches but I expectrd more problems since my son (13) and I built ours for 22$ worth of pcv from home base thanks to a post on this site only took us 3 hours start to finish thought a 73 is easier to do than a GW hope your future projects go smoother

[The Preacher]

Just curious how much the body lift kits typically cost??

[tc]

I beleive I picked my 3" for $80 and the 2" for $70 through jcwhitney.

[mtn goat]

I built ours for 22$ worth of pcv from home base thanks to a post on this site What article is this?"

[pwrwgn]

i would like to know what mods need to be done to the clutch linkage. My trans is a t176. Also i have a np 208 trasfer case and how do i have to change the linkage for that. i am possibly going to install a 3 inch body lift and would like to know whats needed.

[Damage, Inc.]

This is mine...PVC and takes just a couple of hours.
http://www.pcisys.net/~rjhump/jeep/bodylift/kit.htm

[mtn goat]

Damage, your pics dont work....this is my kind of system. any way I can see those pics.

[mtn goat]

Never mind, I got it...so how long you been running like this? any problems