BTF Lift Project

[SUL73NAZ]

Looking good. Can't wait to see the finished product. The silver powdercoat looks really nice btw.

Thanks. I wasn't all that stoked on it at first since I didn't like how it looked without the clear coat but it grew on me!

 

[SUL73NAZ]

lift projects lookin good so far. i may have misread, but are you just using a 2.25" spacer + quicklift for the front and just quicklifts for the rear (no spacers)?

That is correct sir. No spacers just quicklifts in the rear.

 

[Maxstealth04]

Pictures installed?

 

[Eric1249]

What is the advantage of going with the BFT upper control arms? I have the 2.5 lift in the front and 1. in the rear. The front end on my truck is starting to feel pretty sloppy/loose.

 

[Ronin8002]

What is the advantage of going with the BFT upper control arms? I have the 2.5 lift in the front and 1. in the rear. The front end on my truck is starting to feel pretty sloppy/loose.

They are made of tubular steel and are stronger. They use a uniball instead of an upper ball joint for better range of motion and durability. They are also slightly longer to help get a better alignment. Essentially they help reduce the damage caused by this:

Which can result in this if you abuse it enough:

Granted that was with 3" front spacers and he beat the crap out of the truck, but really anything over 1.25" is going to cause your spindles to contact the coils when you droop the suspension out. This leads to poor suspension downtravel which, along with the increased angle on the suspension, leads to a bumpier ride. It also stresses the factory ball joints more.

 

[fofopirata]

Great explanation!!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge here...

 

[tom010]

hi,
any results so far about your project SUL73NAZ ?
still looking to go the same way, but with rear btf spacers (1.25").
would be there any stress with the axel drive in the rear (about the frame hole)?

tom

 

[Ronin8002]

hi,
still looking to go the same way, but with rear btf spacers (1.25").
would be there any stress with the axel drive in the rear (about the frame hole)?

tom

1.25" rear spacers should clear the frame hole at full droop but will be very close. Not sure if adding quicklifts back there will affect that or not.

 

[tom010]

ronin, that's the point. I'm not sure too.
so, i have installed 2.25" in front and 1.75" at rear. the old struts are going slowly a bit mad (to hard and dumpy).
my idea was to changed them to the quicklifts loaded struts (better performance and 9-times setting). I dont like to get stress with the rear frame. I guess it is to close.
an other idea is to use standart struts (kyb or monreo) and install a bodylift (~1.5") to use bigger tires (255/75-r17).

which way u would go?

ths, tom

greetings from snowy bavaria (european alps)

 

[Ronin8002]

I would wait for SU73NAZ to see what he says first....very interested to see how this works out.

Though it would certainly be less expensive to go with a set of Monroe Quick Struts. I would personally do that with a body lift.

 

[tom010]

thx for your feedback.
i guess that the monroe quick struts coming total equipted with coils etc.
so plug and play. one of the monroe quick struts cominmg at ~ 210$ for rear and ~ 160$ for front (data from partstrain).

cu tom

 

[SUL73NAZ]

Bump

I haven't been on here in forever, I am a full time student who also works full time so I do not have much spare time. I did install the BTF Uniball UCA's and The rancho quicklifts. I have not yet installed the front spacers since I have not upgraded the wheels and tires (I think it would look silly to have that much lift on the stock size tires). I will post pics soon.

 

[jnabb1706]

great info, waiting to see some of the results!

 

[SUL73NAZ]

Update, I never did install the front 2.25" spacers since I decided the benefits did not outweigh the negatives of combining the quicklifts with the 2.25" BTF spacers. I did however order a set of 1.25" spacers that I will be combining with the quicklifts. I will receive the spacers in about a week or two so and then have them installed and get an alignment. I will post updates and pics and let everyone know how this turns out.

 

[SUL73NAZ]

I am gonna post before and after photo's of the quick lifts only vs. the quick lifts with the new 1.25" spacer. Here are some before photo's:

 

[SUL73NAZ]

No major updates. I decided to remove the sway bar instead of make extended sway bar end links. Gives you better off road performance but more body roll on road. Going to try it out and see how I like it. Also spacers arrived yesterday but I am not sure when I will have time to install. I will keep you guys posted. Here are some pics:
With sway bar:

After:

I also drooped out the suspension to verify that there was no contact between the coil, spindle, or uniball cup. No issues what so ever. Looks really good.

Here are the new spacers with a T-Shirt Brandon was kind enough to throw in for me along with some stickers for Christmas! Thanks Brandon!

 

[obie]

Wow, those upper arms are just gorgeous. Lookin good so far!

 

[MCD04EB]

Those look great! I like the color SUL73NAZ
and i would love to find out about where to get those decals! I would definitely support BTF and wear those on the Ex.

 

[SUL73NAZ]

I have been really bad about uploading my progress but here is some:
Installed some one off (had the louvers filled in) McNeil Racing Fiber 4" Fiberglass Fenders and Cut the bumper:

Started on the main hoop for the bumper:

Finished the tubes for the bumper:

Had a skid plate cut out, they cut the first one too short so I have to wait for teh new one. After that will install the skid plate and have the bumper powder coated semi-gloss black. More to come :/

 

[Ronin8002]