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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: JDMCRX on June 16, 2004, 04:56:12 AM

Title: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: JDMCRX on June 16, 2004, 04:56:12 AM
Well i want to do my body lift but rock-road is on back order so im gonna build my own i think i was thinking of gettin some 2" X 3" X 3" blocks and use them but what thickness should i use?
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: Fredo on June 16, 2004, 06:20:39 AM
Go with 3"x3"x3'' with 1/8" in thickness .

Fredo
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: jagular7 on June 16, 2004, 07:03:06 AM
For what vehicle?

Why not look at Sky Manufacturing as they also have a body lift kit for several Suzuki models.

Or take a look at Ebay for body lift spacers. There are lots of those on Ebay and are only the spacers.

To add, most Suzuki's, Sami/Trackick/Vitara, are not like other manu'd body on frame vehicles. The body is mounted through a body mount stud. There is no bolt. So you can't replace the stud with a bolt (unless you drill through the floor and use large washers), so you'll have to have something like a custom threaded tube nut.

Or take a look at Heather's page. She did this on her own and I think she upgraded the 1/8" wall to 1/4" wall spacer. It's since been removed due to other major changes.
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: Cwkick on June 16, 2004, 07:07:48 AM
Fredo,

JDMCRX wants a 2" body lift not a 3".  That is why he is looking for 2x3x3.

JDMCRX,

Heather has a wonderful post on a DIY body lift.
You should check it out!

Cwkick
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: JDMCRX on June 16, 2004, 07:40:16 AM
Yeah i only want to do a 2" lift. so ill go get some 2"x3"x3" 1/8" thick tubing. and ill take some pics
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: hcgalvin on June 16, 2004, 08:04:37 AM
Quote
Yeah i only want to do a 2" lift. so ill go get some 2"x3"x3" 1/8" thick tubing. and ill take some pics



I would see if you can afford at least 3/16" thick... I feel it would be safer..

Heather
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: Zukipilot on June 16, 2004, 08:13:40 AM
What does DIY stand for?
Zig
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: TN_Tracker on June 16, 2004, 08:14:50 AM
Do it yourself
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: Zukipilot on June 16, 2004, 08:16:19 AM
Thanks TN.
Zig
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: JDMCRX on June 16, 2004, 08:51:01 AM
So 3/16" ok co ill go look

I was going to do the calmini 3" but its a bit to high for me.

Ill do the 2" and see how i like it.

I just want to clear 31x10.5R15
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: hcgalvin on June 16, 2004, 09:03:00 AM
Quote
So 3/16" ok co ill go look

I was going to do the calmini 3" but its a bit to high for me.

Ill do the 2" and see how i like it.

I just want to clear 31x10.5R15


You're still prolly gonna have to trim your fenders... for the 31's..

so jump on that bandwagon and buy some jc whitney flares!


;)

Heather
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: JDMCRX on June 16, 2004, 09:14:10 AM
Yeah im gonna order those soon

Quote


You're still prolly gonna have to trim your fenders... for the 31's..

so jump on that bandwagon and buy some jc whitney flares!


;)

Heather

Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: TN_Tracker on June 16, 2004, 09:55:33 AM
Quote
Thanks TN.
Zig

You're Welcome. After reading Heather's Article I was curious if a 2" lift would work myself. My question would be is there enough clearance between the original upper bolts and the new lower bolts when using 2" steel. Does that make sense? ???
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: 1bigtracker on June 16, 2004, 10:20:40 AM
Quote
What does DIY stand for?
Zig

haven't you ever seen the DYI channel?  it pretty good.  they rebuild cars and stuff.  its worth watching.

stu
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: Fredo on June 16, 2004, 11:02:11 AM
Quote

You're Welcome. After reading Heather's Article I was curious if a 2" lift would work myself. My question would be is there enough clearance between the original upper bolts and the new lower bolts when using 2" steel. Does that make sense? ???


it's for this reason that i sais ti go with 3"x3"x3".

Fredo
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: hcgalvin on June 16, 2004, 12:43:04 PM
I'll be the first to tell you that a 2" DIY is going to be a PITA, unless you get something like a "bolt extender" for each bolt. Some way to screw on extensions to your bolts for the very same reason that TN Tracker stated.The bottom of the top bolts will hit the head of the bottom bolts. Sure, you might think to yourself, you can cut them, but the body bolts themselves do not have threads all the way up the bolt.

Plus, if you cut them, you'd be ruined if you couldn't do anything more with them. And if your 2" doesn't work out. You'd have to recreate some kind of body bolt.. (already done that, and know what it takes).

In any case, I DID put a 2" on my truck, and it ended up being more like a 2.5" because I had to put enough spacers in there so that the bolts wouldn't hit each other, and so I would have enough thread.

http://www.whitepineclub.com/members/kd7hcg/pictures/bodylift/

sorry about the pages.. they haven't been updated yet and are a little ugly. The Back and Next for more pictures is at the top of the page.  
[EDIT: it's being fixed now]

IMHO I would go with a 3" and follow the article, or buy a 3" body lift.  (I did hear from Speedracer7c that the Calmini one might be a PITA though! :o  )

Heather
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: TN_Tracker on June 16, 2004, 01:12:45 PM
Thanks Heather for the info and link. Guess my theory was correct. ;D Guess I'll either get the RRO 2" or make my own 3", thanks to your instructions. My big concern with the 3" in the steering shaft. I know some people say it needs to be extended and others say it doesn't. Is this a model year specific issue?
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: JDMCRX on June 16, 2004, 03:08:18 PM
Yeah i was looking at the what ill do is weld the lower bolt to the plate no washer drill a hole then insert it and weld it and will give me a bit of cleareance. i do not want a 3" body lift my friend had issues with the steer shaft and brake lines and fuel lines. we will see i got nothing else to do and the metal is free.
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: JDMCRX on June 16, 2004, 03:10:31 PM
I see what u are talking about now (http://www.whitepineclub.com/members/kd7hcg/pictures/bodylift/DCP02472.JPG)

Hmmmm
Title: Re: 2" body lift DIY
Post by: real_red_wagon on June 18, 2004, 01:49:49 PM
I made my own 2" body lift and I'm glad I did when i removed all of my body bolts they all just snap anyways so I drilled out and used all new bolts, washers, and nuts. for the spacer i just used heavy 21/4" round pipe cut to 2" lengths with washers of the same size welded to each end. the pipe was pretty thick I don't remember how thick its been on for almost a year now and I've had no problems also 2" doesn't require any other mods other than the 4wd shifter boot comming off any taller and I couldn't put the handle on without an extension. drilling out the floor for the new bolts wasn't the easiest thing but it wasn't that bad with a hole saw I wheel the Real Red Wagon pretty hard and the lift holds up well