How to: 2nd gen bodylift - PA 883 Bodylift Instructions

[ccasxls]

I was looking online and cant find a 2" BL for the ranger...could I simply cut an inch off the 3" BL pucks? I've already got 3" of suspension lift but the front is maxed out and all I really want is another 1.5" but I could do two and eventually put 33's/35's on her. would the steering linkage that comes with the BL still work fine if I only do two" of lift? I want to do this this spring basically as soon as it warms up. BTW awesome write up, cant get enough good info, its the new crack. Also I've got an 01 xls 4x4 4 door. thanks

 

[RaveDigger]

I am under the impression that the two inch lift eliminates the need for the steering extension. I believe some have even done the three inch lift without the extension, but don't quote me on that. The only issue I see with cutting the pucks is that the brackets that are provided to drop the radiator 3" will need to be modified to only drop the radiator 2" instead.

 

[lounge lizard]

it all depends on the truck weather you will need to add to the steering length.

I used a body lift for a 07-98 f-150 and it cam with an extension for the steering that I was just not happy with.
so I made my own and it works great!

you may want to look into an f-150 body lift in your year truck they may offer a 2" and you will just end up with parts you don't need like me!

 

[Jason c]

I know summit has 2inch list kits for earlier rangers. You could use the spacers for that and make your own bumper brackets. Or just buy the spacers by them selves with the 3 inch kit. http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=2' body lift spacers&dds=1

 

[Drockepps]

Hey just joined this site the other day and I wanted to say this this is a great thread and is exactly what I want to do to my 2001 Explorer Sport 4wd. I am trying to find a great cheap and yet reliable way to lift my explorer high enough to fit 33'' tires underneath it. (This will fit 33''s underneath it right?) But obviously there has been some time that has passed since the original thread was made. Was just wondering if there was any new 3'' body lift kits that have came out since then? And if not, summit racing is the optimal place to order the lift from?

 

[RaveDigger]

Drockepps, I still had to do some fender trimming to clear my 33" tires with the 3" body lift. I think that the body lift mentioned in this article (PA 883?) is the one that everyone still uses.

 

[Drockepps]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRA-70023/

I found this on the summit racing site that the original link: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRA-PA-883/ was pulled from. It states that the original PA-883 is no longer available. But this PRA-70023 is now available. Has anyone recently tried ordering this part and installing it? The price for the original link posted was $170 but the link that I added is $150 more expensive ($320).

 

[Paraphoe]

Drock, I have no experience with the alternative kit, but the PA-883 is still available on a ton of other internet retailers. I would just order from someplace else like Tellico 4x4.

 

[Jason c]

It shows the 883 kit is still available at summit http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRA-833/


This is the kit I just put on my 2000. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-7888300/

 

[Drockepps]

The link you posted first is for the ford ranger models 89-92? The second link posted is for a 2000 model... Those able to fit 2001 explorer sport 4wd model?

 

[Jason c]

The second kit I posted and put on my 2000, looks identical to the one Shadowraven used on his 2002. The ranger is the same as the explorer except for the rear bumper brackets. They will need to be modified the same as Shadowraven did or make your own.

 

[Jason c]

I had to do my rear bumper brackets a little different. I couldn't get both the lift brackets on the outside of the frame rail at the same time. So I put them on the inside and welded them on.

The bolt in it is just for piece of mind. Probably not really needed.

 

[03XSport]

Just to be clear, this works on the 2003 Ex sport right? My local shop wants a good write up of how to do it if theyre going to do it for me. I wont do it for a few reasons ( no tools so i cant, and very little experience with all of this stuff)

 

[CMcCormick]

Sadly with highschool and my job I don't have time to try and mess around with my car for a long period of time to try and install a body kit.

I know half the fun, but I am thinking of buying this body lift then a 4 inch suspension lift kit, if I gave this PA-883 Body lift to a mechanic, would that still be able to install it for me or would it be different?

 

[LoganD]

I would use this exact process to install this on my 4-door 1999 Ex right? please reply

 

[Garrett T]

Excellent thread, and thanks for taking the time to post such detailed pics!

What shocks would be recommended? We are doing the 3" lift in the next two weeks with a kit from P-A-G ( my brother is senior engineer there ) but I would like to know what others are using for the shocks.

I was able to get the full kit and the Gap Guards, so should look pretty sweet when done.

 

[BSlusser]

Sadly with highschool and my job I don't have time to try and mess around with my car for a long period of time to try and install a body kit.

I know half the fun, but I am thinking of buying this body lift then a 4 inch suspension lift kit, if I gave this PA-883 Body lift to a mechanic, would that still be able to install it for me or would it be different?

You wouldn't necessarily take the kit to a mechanic, but more along the lines of a suspension or motorstyling shop. If you have a solid understanding of the process you should be able to do it on your own, if not be able to explain to a specialist the major things to take note of (i.e., the brake line bracket mounted to the frame behind the top of the front driver shock tower, very important). At that point they should be able to give you an estimate, which I've heard rumored to be in the neighborhood of $500+ for labor. It's not as difficult as it might look, and I don't think the write up says anything to the effect of this, but honestly, an impact wrench (electric or pneumatic, doesn't matter) goes a LONG way. You could knock this out in a day if you were truly set to it. I've done the procedure twice with a 2", took me two days working at a brisk pace the second time around.

I would use this exact process to install this on my 4-door 1999 Ex right? please reply

Yes

Excellent thread, and thanks for taking the time to post such detailed pics!

What shocks would be recommended? We are doing the 3" lift in the next two weeks with a kit from P-A-G ( my brother is senior engineer there ) but I would like to know what others are using for the shocks.

Whatever shock you would like. You could purchase a factory shock and it will fit just fine. The suspension is not being altered at any point, ergo you dont necessarily need a new shock in order to do this lift.

 

[Shack91]

Explorer looks sick!! Awesome job! Would this lift work with my 97 explorer??

 

[foxbody351]

dude awesome article man! definitely will do this along with basically everything you've done with ur gray x. hats off to ya!!

 

[flyinv55]

My body lift kit arrived yesterday. Its a PA #70023, now i am waiting for the War-153 shackles and AALs so I can do everything at the same time. So far I have read all through this tutorial to begin associating myself with the task at hand and must relay my appreciation to you for the many hours you spent preparing this step-by-step process. The part about the airbags going off if the steering wheel position gets disturbed concerns me though, so there is a possibility of this happening when the airbag fuses get put back in? I will be working by myself and will tie off the wheel so it cant move, (like we used to do in the old days when towing a car).