Body lift in a car – what is it, how to install it, is it safe and reversible? We explain
A body lift is a way to raise the body of an off-road vehicle without changing the factory suspension system. It seems simpler than a full lift because it doesn’t require major changes. But is it really that simple? What benefits does a body lift provide and what are the potential consequences? Learn our perspective to see if this solution is right for you.
What is a body lift and how to do it
A body lift raises the vehicle by lifting the body on the frame, applicable only to off-road vehicles with a body-on-frame construction. Usually, the lift is no more than 1.5” to 2”, or about 5 cm.
To install a body lift, spacer pads are used in several mounting points, depending on the vehicle model and its construction. You also need to replace the mounting pads and bolts with longer and harder ones, which come with the body lift kit. In some cases, if spacers for the gearbox are needed, kits will differ in the number, thickness, or diameter of the spacers for automatic or manual versions.
Not so simple: Disadvantages and necessary modifications
Simple? Well, not really. First, to install a body lift, you need to completely separate the body from the frame. Then, besides adding spacers, some off-road models may need more components modified, such as radiator mounts, gear shift rods, or air conditioning hoses. This is just the start of the list of things to change.
Lifting the body will mean that all elements connected to the body and mounted on the frame or along it will need modifications. Their lengths become insufficient, like levers, or the factory components get stretched, like steering system wiring. So, the newer and more electronic your car is, the more impact this modification will have on the factory construction. Therefore, a this solutionworks better on simpler off-road vehicles.
Additionally, the bumper and grill will often need repositioning. Otherwise, there will be an unattractive gap between the body and the frame, looking at least, strange. The point of this modification is to highlight the vehicle’s aggressive, off-road character, not to make it look like a weakling that struggles with a small hill.
Is it worth installing a body lift and why do it?
As you might notice, a body lift, which theoretically is an economical and simple modification, becomes more technically complicated and costly.
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The main goal of this modification is to allow for bigger wheels and tires while keeping the vehicle’s suspension working as usual. What does it mean? It means you’ll work hard and spend more for not necessarily an effective, profitable, or rewarding investment.
When it comes to rewards, even though there are many possible modifications to make, a body lift is still a reversible modification. Even if you change the bumper position or replace hoses, you can bring everything back to its original state. But is it worth the effort when you can do a simple suspension lift using similar parts and get the same results but at a lower cost? It might seem like a rhetorical question, but there are cases when a body lift is a pretty good solution, which we will discuss a bit later.
Body lift vs. leveling kit
If your goal is to raise the body and also level the vehicle’s angle, a body lift alone won’t achieve the desired effect. All frame spacers are of the same height, otherwise the vehicle’s stability would be compromised. So, no shortcuts here. In this case, you need to add a leveling kit.
You can do this by adding spacers above the suspension springs or block under the leaf springs. Another way is by changing the shock absorbers to longer ones. There are several ways, and none usually require major modifications. In most cases, there is no need to replace the vehicle’s factory parts.
Body lift vs. suspension kit
A full suspension kit is a completely different story. Advanced lifts often involve modifying factory systems like the braking or exhaust system. Certainly, it includes replacing factory suspension parts like shock absorbers, control arms, track bars, sway bar links, springs, etc.
In this case, the cost of parts and installation will exceed the price of body lift kits. But is that for sure? Don’t forget that raising the suspension involves many more variables and off-road benefits. A body lift will not significantly increase your vehicle’s off-road ability. It won’t affect the suspension’s work or improve its parameters, including articulation. Ultimately, comparing the results to the costs, a suspension kit often proves more beneficial.
Combo modifications: Body lift and suspension lift together
As we mentioned, we don’t insist that a body lift is a totally useless installation. We present our point of view, suggesting an alternative. It’s the combo lift, which combines elements of both body lift and suspension lift.
With this combination, you not only increase the vehicle’s ground clearance, enhancing its off-road potential, but also lift the body, allowing for much larger and wider wheels. If you want to raise vehicles body not just for looks but mainly to prepare your off-road vehicle for the trails, consider this option.
If you are not a fan of doing it yourself, you’ll need to visit a professional workshop for the installation. The combo kit will reduce the number of necessary visits to the mechanic and handle two things in one process.
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Klaudia Kusy
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