Question on the Body Lift I'm doing this weekend

[dmasini]

Been searching and reading everything I can about BL's for about 2 weeks! Still nervous about doing the lift as I haven't done anything this in depth before. Hopefully everything will run smoothly!

Anyway, I know that I need to go get 2 to 4 extra bolts (150mm). Is that the diameter I'm looking for? And which mounts will I need them for?

Oh and this is for a 2001 4 door using the PA-883 BL kit. Thanks for any help!

 

[scott93EB]

I don't know the size you want but I know it isn't 150mm diameter, thats aroudn six inches. Did you mean length, some others should be able to help you, a lot have been done.

 

[dmasini]

Well the closest explination I found for the 4 bolts I need to buy are from someone doing a 2" lift on a 96 using a first gen lift. That states that I need 4 bolts 50mm longer than the OEM bolts. M12x120mm 8.8 is what they said to look for. Not sure what these would replace though. If that's even the right size I would need.

 

[Blee1099]

You can use the supplied bolts but then you would have to drill the body mounts. Did you try Tractor Supply or some other nut & bolts supply shop. Home Depot & Lowes I noticed didn't have a great collection.

 

[SplashMan]

I didn't need any new bolts. I used the ones from the kit and reused some of the stock ones.4 years and it is still on and just as secure as the day I installed it.

 

[dmasini]

I read I can use bolts from the kit on the front and rear mounts. Take the OEM bolts from the back two and use them for two of the middle mounts (in cab) and I guess buy two new ones for the remaining two mounts. Unless the front OEM bolts would work in the cab as well.

Blee: The nearest place to me is a Home Depot. I know their is a Tractor Supply store in Leesburg I can hit if need be.

 

[Buckshot]

pull the bolts from your kit and see if they are threaded the entire length of the shaft. If so - most of your bolts will be fine. If not, you will need to take those bolts and purchase a thread cutter - I believe it is 12mm course thread cutter and extend the threads so the shoulders of the unthreaded portion of the shaft don't stop the bolt from threading all the way in.

PM me and I'd love to help out. Check out this thread for a lot more info. buckshot BL Learn from my mistakes!

 

[dmasini]

Buckshot: I'll check the threads when I get home. I'm guessing the PA-853 isn't too much different than the PA-883 though. Did you ever figure out the stock bolt size?

 

[Hokie]

Buckshot: I'll check the threads when I get home. I'm guessing the PA-853 isn't too much different than the PA-883 though. Did you ever figure out the stock bolt size?

check out Gerald's write up, but I'm with Splashman, I thought the 3" (PA-883) didn't require using new bolts. If so, good luck finding a metric grade 10.9 (US Grade 8) or higher bolt. Lowes doesn't carry stuff like that big in metric

hell if i was in C'ville (will be in 1.5 weeks) I'd lend you a hand

 

[xplor_off-road]

im thinking of going with a 2" bl, what if i buy the 3" kit and cut the blocks down 1", would this correct the bolt length prob.? just an idea.

 

[xxScapegoat]

d00d dmasini, dont forget to show me pictures when its done!!! i should be ordering my lift on friday and putting it on in a couple weeks with my girlfriends dad (18 wheeler mechania) and her sisters fiance (fabricator, used to work at firestone).. i cant wait to see how yours looks!

 

[Sherwood]

Here is a great write-up that I printed up and used when I installed my body lift. http://mudmarine.tripod.com/3bodyliftinstall/index.html
It was a huge help for me.

 

[dmasini]

Here is a great write-up that I printed up and used when I installed my body lift. http://mudmarine.tripod.com/3bodyliftinstall/index.html
It was a huge help for me.

Yeah, I've been studying that site for over a week! It just never gave a firm answer on if he had to buy extra bolts or not... So I'm just not going to worry about it until I actually see if I do or not. Went out and bought myself a nice 18" Craftsman breaker bar last night though. It's too long to fit in my toolbox...

Scapegoat: Don't worry! There will be plenty of before/after pics! If I'm not too drunk by the end of all this!

Hokie: Just come back this weekend! What's the harm?

 

[dmasini]

BTW, I also found this site for putting the BL on a Ranger. Different I know but it's still got some good tips and stuff in it in case ya'll are interested.

http://www.twinkyee.com/bodylift/

 

[Buckshot]

For my 1997 it was 12 mm diameter bolts 1.75mm cut threads - (metric doesn't use coarse vs fine like standard bolts...they have many different thread cut options - that's why I had to go look at the Hasnon thread cutter I got for my body bolts)

Once the threads are cut far enough onto the bolt shoulders - usually about 3" from the bolt head, you can use any length bolt you want in any position - as long as it is long enough to be visible when looking at the bottom of the body mounts. That way you don't need to go looking for new bolts at the hardware store.

The rear lift gate positions are the longest bolts and likely the only two you need to buy. I think I bought some that were 220mm long If I remember correctly. The next three are all the same size and can be cut from the longest ones in your kit and the front ones are different - I think I used the middle length from the kit for my front positions. They thread up into a separate nut instead of down into the body mounts (hence the need to drill out the body mount) and you will need a 18" 1/2" socket extension to hold the nut through the access holes in the sheet metal on either side of the radiator.

Sounds confusing, but we are all telling our approaches to a custom solution. Even if it sounds like we are saying two different things, it will make more sense once you are into the project and looking at your bolts.

Good luck!

 

[Hokie]

Hokie: Just come back this weekend! What's the harm?

Charleston, SC >> Fairfax, VA : 1100 miles round trip

Fuel mileage: 17.5 mpg

Fuel Used: 62.9

Fuel price per gallon : $2.25

Total cost to help Dmasini install body lift: $141.5 (not quite priceless )

 

[dmasini]

Buckshot, it makes perfect sense to me! Thanks for the explination and your right, I think the only way I'm truely going to find my answer is when I get to that point unfourtunately. Didn't want to risk having to stop and get stuff in the middle of the project but if it comes to that oh well.

I bought the longest 1/2" extention they had at Sears to go along with the breaker bar so hopefully I'll be ok. Much appreciated for all the help! Been looking through the "Post your lifted truck" thread and I think I'm going to need more lift after this little BL! I still drool all over the "Whailing Donkey" my friend bought off PAExplorer....

 

[dmasini]

Total cost to help Dmasini install body lift: $141.5 (not quite priceless )

Free beer Hokie! FREE BEER! Need I say more??

 

[Sherwood]

Yeah, I've been studying that site for over a week! It just never gave a firm answer on if he had to buy extra bolts or not... So I'm just not going to worry about it until I actually see if I do or not. Went out and bought myself a nice 18" Craftsman breaker bar last night though. It's too long to fit in my toolbox...

Scapegoat: Don't worry! There will be plenty of before/after pics! If I'm not too drunk by the end of all this!

Hokie: Just come back this weekend! What's the harm?

I didnt have to buy any bolts. That is why he says to drill out a couple of the body mounts and use a through bolt and nut. I also didnt cut the carpet to access the bolts under the front seats. I raised the seats up and away far enough to reach the bolts. Also, keep a watchfull eye on the engine compartment while raising the truck. I had my A/C hose wrapped around a pulley and if i didnt check it first, I would have had a bit of a problem.

 

[dmasini]

Thanks Sherwood. I would have taken the seat out before cutting the carpet! And I've got two other guys to help out so hopefully between the three of us we'll be able to check everything real good.

Besides the front mounts, which other ones did you need to drill?