Pics of 3" body lift install up

[Sinjin]

Well i just threw a website together with some of the pictures that were taken from the install. Just the pics are up right now, still scanning some in, and I will add commentary later. I hope this helps someone.

http://www.geocities.com/sinjin_pez/index.html

[2001ExpSport]

Looks sweet! Very nice, I like Rob's too.

[jeffseal]

what kit did you use for it and where did you get the kit from. did they tell you that the bumper brackets would work. also how many hours did it take you? I am trying to decide whether i should do it myself or take it to the 4wd shop. i dont have a welder so if the brackets dont work i dont know what i am going to have to do. thanks in advance jeff

[Sinjin]

Jeff.....
I got the Performance Accesories 3" Lift Kit, from Offroad Warehouse, talk to Mark(858-565-779) very helpful and will be able to answer all your questions. Its actually a lift for a '98 Ranger. Heres a suggestion, do the lift at home, then have a welder do your bumpers, those are the hardest part. It probably took us about a good 11hrs total, but we did take our time, and took swim breaks.
Good Luck,

also check my site to get an idea of what u are getting into.

[Tekeman]

Sinjin, I have the same body lift and am anticipating installation next Tuesday. I'm hoping to have all my parts ahead of time so it goes smoothly. I read that some of the body bolts need to be swapped. Did you find this the case? If so, can you remember which ones and did you need a longer/shorter bolt etc. Thanks

[2001ExpSport]

Tek,

Spray those body mount bolts with WD-40 or any type of penetrating spray. I can't think of the name right now, but you can get some anywhere. I use WD-40, works just as good. Do it today on all of those bolts and spray again a few more times. Some of the guys have been breaking bolts while trying to get them out. Just wanted to foreworn.

Good Luck!!

[LukeDog3D]

You and Rick should write that one up and post it on this
website. Great page.

[Sinjin]

Tnanks and good idea....I'll see what I can do.

[kurant045]

Guys I also took a few pics while doing my body lift last weekend, if you want I can email them to you and if they are helpful you are more than welcome to use them for the project. I definetly don't have the time or knowledge to put them together.

Oh and Tek, I recommend you do the same thing that 2001 said except do the following: Get yourself the socket set that you'll be using to take out the screws and loosen all your bolts just a bit, then puddle the opening up with brake fluid. This is by far much better than wd-40 to penetrate through those tough threads. I used both and saw a tremendous difference with the brake fluid. If you don't loosen those body mount screws a little bit, nothing will penetrate down their, you'll only be giving the head of the bolt a lube job.

Robert

[2001ExpSport]

Kurant, I meant to spray from underneath and I was using WD-40 as an example. I agree, WD-40 is not a great penatrant. The brake fluid is a better idea though, good call.

[JayR]

Hey Rod, looks great, only prob, now your truck has to sit outside the garage =( Too bad everyone seems to be outgrowing the garage.

[kurant045]

I don't have a garage at home but the other night I went out to dinner and went into an underground parking garage because it was pouring and didn't want to get wet. I asked the parking attendent if my truck fit and she said "sure just turn right" the left went upstairs and read " 6'5" no vans". Well the right was the same about a floor down and if the sign wasn't hanging by a chain I would of ripped it off with my roof. Luckily I found a space right around the corner. This brings up a question out of curiosity, how high is your truck standing? I do mean from the ground up to the roof or roof rack. Just want to compare. I guess mine is about 6'7"-6'8" if that sign at the parking garage was right.

Robert

[Tekeman]

OK Sinjin and Kurant, I need some info. I attempted the PA lift and ran into some issues. I've got a mechanic and full use of facility and tools so that part is ok. But we had all the body mounts out and then started looking at the radiator. Obviously it will lift with the body and we don't want that. We can cut off the existing mounts, but what do you do to replace them. The radiator can't be banging into the fan. How did you work around this. Note my yr and make. Is there anything fundamentally different from others with the same lift and different yr vehicle.

Second, the gas tank filler extension looks like it willl be a pain in the ass. Can the work on it be done without dropping the tank? Being a ranger kit, the truck probably is a lot more accessible to working on the gas line than the xploder.

Third, on a different note, after putting the body back together we went on to the torsion twist. My truck is only a 97 but we couldn't turn the factory shackle with a 1/2 in. air gun. Would it be possible that they are froze/rusted already? We can cut them off, I guess, but since the replacement bolts are small I want to use either the factory or other replacement bolts. There is no turning back either, I drilled the holes to 9/16 already. So I'd like to not screw up the factory ones if I can help it. Also, are the factory bushing and bushing sleeve easy to reuse? I hope so. But if not, I want to have new ones when we try it again. More $$ :-( Sorry for the long thread, but my parts have been itching to get put on for 6 weeks and finally when everyones schedule allowed I'm still sitting stock. What a let down!

Any help will be put to good use!!!!!!!!!! Thanks.

PS I'm going to search old threads, too, but just needed to throw this out first.

[Edited by Tekeman on 08-31-2000 at 07:40 AM]

[RFR2212]

I can't say how well brake fluid works, although sounds like a great idea. I don't know if anyone has heard of PB Blaster....it's like WD-40 but ten times stronger....It tends to be tough to find at auto parts stores so I buy multiple cans when I need it. It runs about the same price as WD-40 but like I said, works much better...Thought I'd let ya in on what I know....Thanks Pete

[Tekeman]

MAV ARE U OUT THERE!!!!! I just saw you had a radiator lift problem in an old thread. What did you end up doing?

[Sinjin]

Tekeman,
What we did is not mess with moving the radiator, just using the drop brackets to lower the fan 3 inches, no problems with overheating, worked out good.
ohh and another thing, I dont know about the gas filler thing, we didnt have to mess with any of that.
I hoped i helped, I'll be here for another few hours, then im outta here for Colorado!
Later,

[WellsLaw]

Rod:

I just went to your geocities page and your truck looks great. I have the same model, color, etc down here in Miami FLA. I wanted to know, did you only do the 3" body lift or is there the torsion twist/schckle routine as well. Also, how does she ride (power wise) with the 33" tires (assuming you have not changed gears)?

Thanks for the info ...

Bobby

[Sinjin]

Bobby...
I have not done the tt/shakle thing, I might do it in the future, but not really a need to. She rides great, feels like stock to me, I really havent been able to feel a difference. Power wise, i felt a little loss, but not really, I guess the only time i can tell is when i have the AC on going up a huge hill, thats about it. Im very happy with the results. I was worried about losing power as well and gas mileage, but so far so good. Thanks for the compliment and I hoped this helped.

[Gofast]

Tekman,
1) Radiator, Sinjin left the radiator alone and just lowered the shroud. It lowers more on one side than the other, it's crooked across the back of the radiator. That,s be cause the hose is where the mount needs to go. Just play with it.

2) Gas tank tube was fine. Didn't have to extend it on Sinjins.

3) Torsion bar. Use a big breakover bar, it may be tighter than the airgun can handle right now. Put wd40 on it. It should turn with a big breakover.

WARNING!

Check the lower A/C hose by the crank pully! Make sure that is tied back to clear your pulleys. Sinjin and Gerald both had hoses that rubbed. This is a $200 deal for most people.

Also, we did have to the change bolt sizes. We used a lot of washers.

Good Luck,

[Tekeman]

Thanks for the Good News. How about the steering shaft - did you need to use the adapter? Is my 97 XLT a "telescoping" type like some others I've read about?