i see alot of posts about this ubject but it always ends up toward the end somehow never really resolving it's self.  I'd really like to avoid a body lift since i know for a fact the bolts on this rig are beyond rusted and fused.

What is the tried true, fail safe way to lift the rig 3 inches without going with a "kit"  what supplies will be needed?

I intend to do some light-duty off roading but this rig is my daily driver so it won't do ANY rock climbing.  I just want better ground clearance and a more aggressive stance.

Some of more direct questions i have right off the top of my head are:
>i know of the crown vic springs for the back...but what about the front?
>Are 2" spring spacers really going to destroy my ball joints..seriously?

I have been rollin on 2 in spacers for years nowand only had to one ball joint and it was bad when I bought it just kept puttin it off. Yes the crown vic shocks will work but do not get the cheap ones they wont last one good beating and there done. the best way for the front is BDS strut spacer Roadless gear had them in the past (1-888-762-3537) I tried the strut mount flip did not like it. It will be tough to get big rubber under with out the body lift LOL.

Sawzall and some rubber flare trim... works every time, and no body lift.

I went with the 3" budget body lift and I like it. The only thing I did different was to buy Sky's 1.5" coil spacers and strut spacers instead of the 2" modified jeeps ones and doing the flip, I too was worried about going through CV joints. From what I read on here the 1.5" spacer is enough for running the 31" tires with the 3" budget lift and everyone was right. I had to cut a little off the inner fender and that was all.
  I also used the crown vic shocks and they worked great, you do need to push the lower rubber mount out of your original shocks and use them in the crown vic shock, but it wasn't too difficult.
  My Tracker is a total rust bucket but all of the body mount bolts came out easily, the only ones that gave me a little trouble were the two front ones below the head lights. I used my cutting torch to nip a little hole in the front of the frame to get access to them, then I heated up the "nut" to get them free. I welded a 2" x4" beam across the front frame rails as a new bumper mount and this covered the holes.
  Mine is a daily driver as well, I still have stock gearing and run the 31" tires on the highway 100kms a day and I like the ride much better with big tires. I have the new 3rds but haven't put them in yet....soon though.
 

1) If you're doing light duty wheeling, you'll not need a lift kit at all. I have done some GNARLY wheeling in my stocker, and not done any damage.
2) If you still want to stuff a bigger tire under there, do what's called a "virtual lift". You'll cut the wheel wells, and this will allow for a bigger tire. There are "quick and dirty" ways to do it, and there are "clean" ways to do it. Do searches for "virtual lift" and pick the method you like best. By not actually lifting the vehicle, you will not be raising the center of gravity much (just tire height). This is cheap - and good.

~J~

ok i guess i should clarify then.  This is a 1995 showroom perfect tracker lsi.  I bought it with only 33,000 miles on the O.D. in 2003.  As a long time zuki driver i couldn't believe i found one this clean...i will  NEVER cut this rig in any way, shape, or form.

It was a get around truck for a retired elderly couple (my old neighbors) since it was new.  They only used it at their cabin during snowy midwest winters.  That's the only reason it's got some rusty bolts on the under carriage.  The car other wise looks brand spanking new.









I've owned plenty of dented, rusted out, smoking zuks...this one is a rarity in that it's in awesome shape inside and out, and all original and I plan to keep it that way...we all know it's not usual to find one this perfect. I plan to keep the BFG A/T 235's  i just want to lift it a bit and i'd prefer it be all suspension since i want to retain the stock bumpers.  I love Agent Oranges rig so i'd like it to be 3" of lift like his.  I'd honestly get the Calmini kit...but i don't plant to load it with winches and bumpers so i don't want that harsh ride.  But the struts and shocks are now shot and it's time to replace them...so now i figure would be the best time to invest in the upgrades i'll need to give it a bit more of a rugged look.

Actually i'm digging the Boondox kit they are offering.  but it's not that much cheaper than the calmini...still, not nearly $1000.  so that much is appealing

how does this lift ride?  is it kidney jarring like the Calmini?

And how does a budget 3" lift ride?  guess i should ask that....after all they say "you get what you pay for"  If it's all pieced together with this and that i guess i should ask is it worth it?  what are the pros and cons

For 235's you may not need any lift at all.  I have them on my truck and it looks much tougher than it did with street tires.

I remember that Keith.  You and I were upgrading at the same time.  I've actually been here a long time but forgot my password to my old prfile so now i'm only a Jr. Member.

LOL

And no i know it doesn't really need it, i just want it lifted.  So....that's it?  The best way to lift my kick 3inches is to hack it up so it only "looks" lifted?
Brilliant.  But no thank you.

Is there anything else?  how much lift does the crown vic/ Strut mount flip/ longer struts-shocks/spring spacers combo actually provide?

bump?
still got just a few more questions.  I want to try and do this lift over my vacation this week

Have you read through this article?

http://www.granitepath.com/~irving/suzuki/budgetbodylift/index.htm
This shows yo I think everything you need to know about doing a budjet bodylift and suspinion lift by Nate and Heather.