Anyone have any experience with any local 4x4 shops doing a body lift on a pickup? More specifically a 2008 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4.

I know there's a couple in Tacoma that have been around a long time like Olympic Offroad and another whose name escapes me at the moment.

Lets leave out the topic of shops to stay away from. If you don't like them or don't recommend them then just dont bring them up.

I just need a referral for a simple body lift.

But it sounds like the suspension lift is a much better option.

I have had positive experience with Truck Performance Northwest just outside of Renton off the Maple Valley Highway. If it's not done right he won't do it. Prices are reasonable also. Ask for Casey 425-432-7276.

Captain

I hate Body lifts You can always check out 4 wheel parts warehouse in tacoma... I've done a fair amount of biz through them, and they've yet to screw me On the other hand, I typically just buy stuff from em, and install it myself

Just FYI, the pros will tell you the use of body lifts should be limited to trucks that already have a suspention lift and only if a little extra clearance is needed for large diameter wheels. Build them from the ground up, not from the top down.

And a lot of places, will not install a suspension lift on anything with a body lift, and vice versa The body lift boxes actually specifically say that they are not to be used in combination with modified suspension

Myself, that's the only thing body lifts are good for, is fixing the grumbling when you're slicing the hell out of your brand new tires, and ya gotta go up just a wee bit more

On a side note, it's handy to be able to keep the durability of your stock suspension and still clear a little bigger tire on an IFS rig

Yeah, that's true. That's why the combination of both are usually only done on extream modification of non-street legal trucks with larger than 12" suspention lifts and 48" tires.

Unless you live in California.

Or if you live anywhere outside of the city in WA

I, personally would never get a body lift. But If you really want to Id say Olympic Off Road.

But you may want to do your homework on the effects lifts may have on your Tranny and drive train. Also the hidden costs such as Speedometer adjustments, tongue & payload capacity, handling performance, shocks, height clearance, etc.

I was going to get a suspension lift for my F-250 until I started considering all the effects it could have. Plus I like being able to get through drive-thru's and into my garage.

Wherever you go, make sure to make the rear higher. This improves mileage...kinda like driving downhill.

Would a suspension lift be a better product in the end?

Yes no doubt about it, if you want to keep it on the cheap look into a leveling kit. While not as much of a lift as a full suspension, it is still a better option than a body lift. Plus that way you don't have to change shocks, springs, lower and upper control arms ect. More in the price point of a body lift rather than a full suspension.

Definitely go for the leveling kit. Much more cost effective and you wont need to grow out mullet to drive the truck(sorry to those who still have one but I cut mine years ago). It keeps it pretty cheap and does not force you to buy all the extras as Green Drft stated. One on the nissian I think it will be about 2 inch on the front end allowing a bit larger tires......maybe 33's that will give the truck a good look and still ride/handle nice.

Yes. Eddie, most every truck you see lifted driving around on the road is a suspention lift, unless it's one some squid got a hold of, stock frame and bumper elevation with a chasis jacked up in the air. They look retarded as hell.

I am still looking at the leveling kit as an option. At the dealership they told me the lsat one the did needed new shackles for the rear suspension because the front end actually came out an inch higher than the front after the leveling kit was installed.

Yea, you guys are right. The body lift would look cheesy.
A suspension lift for that truck couldnt be too expensive, could it??

I will post a picture later of the truck as it sits right now.

Lift the Vette.

Lol....

Shackles would be a good way to go in the back if the leveling kit raises the front too much.
Just look for well made high grade steel versions, there are lots of crappy stamped steel versions on e-bay for dirt cheap.
But spend some time and you should be able to find some decent ones for a good price. You can find different lengths for most trucks too. Super easy installation.

.

If someone could photoshop a lift kit under it I will send them a pic to work with.

How about it TBird ?

I'd stay away from shackles, honestly... They promote axle wrap... Leveling kits can be okie IF the front end is a coilover sprung IFS... If it is a torsion bar front suspension setup, sometimes the leveling kits aren't really all they seem... I'm not familiar with the new Nissan's.. One problem I can see with a body lift, is you'll have to find a way to raise that brush guard up front 2 or 3" to match the new bumper height, since it more than likely attaches to the frame...

From what I can see, a 2" body lift might not look that bad on it... Personally, I like the look of a level, or slightly higher in the front look... And absolutely despise having the back end jacked up... If you do go with a leveling kit, and it sits higher, have some airbags installed in the rear to level it out.. air shocks would do the trick as well... Another option would be an add a leaf... although they are usually good for over an inch, usually closer to two

At the dealership they said the one leveling kit they installed made the front end 1 inch higher than the rear which I dont think is that big a deal.

Your ideas for the rear adjustment sounds good tho.


The tires on it are 31 inch and I think thats probably tall enough in a nice mud tire dont you think? 33 maybe?

That's the best I have in me tonight... lol.. My arms and hands are a little shakey from castin all afternoon

Lemme see what I can scrounge up for ya tire option wise

I just bought a set of BFG's newest addition to their tire lineup... They are nothing short of amazing in the snow, mud, etc... I'm just not sure what they have available for sizing options

Why would you want to ruin that truck?

Hey Sol

I used to work at a tire shop when I was younger and many guys came in with trucks like yours that were lifted. Many of them complained about the truck "wandering" after the lift. Does your drive straight or wander after the lift?

I can take my hand off the wheel doing 100 mph and it goes straight as an arrow on a good road. If the road is rutted like the lanes on I-5 due to snow tire and heavy truck traffic, it wanders a little.

I'd go 2" body lift,run the 33's. Anything greater than 33" is going to open more cans of worms anyhow.

no body lift. buddy had a body lift on an older nissan. nothin' but trouble. wouldn't stay in 4lo, because the shifter was too short, and bumping into the tranny tunnel. everything has to be adjusted to fit, wiring, brake lines, radiator hoses--anything not attached to the body. if you want to run 33", make sure that the rearend ratio is as near to 4.11 as possible. alot of automatics and computer controlled trannys will give you problems if the gear ratio is too low (ie <3.72 or whatever) if the stock tire size is 31", then it might not be a problem. if you're going to do it, do it right. might want to see if the mods will void your warranty. it's a big decision, it's hard to go back once you've done all the work.

i'd post some q's here:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=53

pretty much anybody at a 4x4 shop will tell you it's a great idea, since they're trying to sell you something.

good luck, let us know what you come up with.


willy

I'm thinking the best route would be to beef up the suspension a little bit while providing just a little extra clearance then going with the factory size 16" x 31" tire in a good mud terrain pattern.

Hows that?

2" of body lift will hardly cause ANY of the issues you hint upon.

31" to 33"...is just as simple as it sounds,even if you do not understand both inches.

you might be right. i've seen some ok ones and some bad ones. I think that a suspension lift is by far the way to go. it's more expensive, but the concept of lifting the entire vehicle off the axles vs. lifting the body off the frame is more sound for someone who's trying to gain ground clearance by fitting larger tires. I think it looks better..i don't like seeing the frame of the truck poking out from under the body. if all you want is to fit bigger tires, and don't care about suspension travel, head over to stam's place and have him cut the wheel wells so you won't rub when you're running on the logging roads. it is simple...but there are a few things to consider




willy

All suspension lift and they are easy to do. I recommend getting better shocks to go with it. I am at work right now. When I get home I will post a photo of my truck. All suspension lift and tires. Not overdone.

Steve

shackels work good if you don't plan on hauling any loads in the back of the truck or towing a bunch i was told they will tweak and cause the rear to squat. ii have a 03 tacoma with a 3" suspention or 3.5 i cannot remember. with 33's on it and they clear good give a good hight and does'nt look overdone. and they clear fine. i would recomend doing it your self then having it alighned it took us about 5 hours to lift my truck 3 dudes, and a shope so a day without the shop should be about right. i will try and load some pics later of it