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Body Lift (ugh)

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by maleko, Apr 30, 2008.

  1. Apr 30, 2008
    maleko

    maleko New Member

    Gig Harbor, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2005
    Messages:
    45
    For those of you who have used them, how much body lift is too much?

    The rig:
    M38
    Holbrook long leaf spring kit
    Ford V6, T18 Trans, D18 Transfer case
    Dana 44 front and back, Locked rear, ARB front
    Planning on 34-35" Swampers, narrow as possible

    Being built for:
    Trail rig - Moderate to tough trails.
    Sort of a resto-mod. Trying to keep as much of the original look and feel as possible while building it moderately tough.

    Previous owner(s) butchered quite a bit of it, which I'm spending lots of time tearing out and rebuilding. Don't really want to touch the drivetrain since it's in pretty descent shape (and I want this thing running and looking respectable for a July trail jamboree...). POs installed the drivetrain a little on the high side for my liking, and I can't clear the transmission with the stock floorpan / transmission covers. Choices would be to body-lift it about 2" and go with stock floor parts, or stick with the 1" body lift the PO installed and have a new floor custom fabbed. ($$$) Bringing it back to no body lift at all would mean taking out the floor and making it a tube buggy, I'm afraid.

    I've had a few different jeeps, but never had any body lift at all. Pros / cons, given what I'm building? Sage advice from the wise men? Thanks all.
     
    maleko, Apr 30, 2008
    #1
  2. Apr 30, 2008
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    I have a 2 1/2" body lift. It really helped me clear my T18 shifter housing. The T18 seems to be extra tall compared with others. I have no complaints. You'll probably have to go with swinging pedals if you go more than an inch. More than an inch and the holes in the floorboards have to be huge to let the pedals travel. And you have to extend the pedal rods up to compensate for the decrease in pedal travel. Not an issue if you already have firewall mounted pedals.
     
    Posimoto, Apr 30, 2008
    #2
  3. Apr 30, 2008
    windyhill

    windyhill Sponsor

    PA
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2006
    Messages:
    1,502
    I'd stick with 1" or less, I put about 3/4" on my 3b and reworked my trans cover for my t18 on my 3b worked really well.
     
    windyhill, Apr 30, 2008
    #3
  4. Apr 30, 2008
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Also keep an eye on radiator location vs. fan and hoses. I had such tight clearance there that replacing the body mounts (added maybe 1/2" body lift) created fan/hose interference - so had to lower the rad back down.

    IMHO anything over 1" is going to fix one issue while creating a bunch more...
     
    Boyink, Apr 30, 2008
    #4
  5. Apr 30, 2008
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    With even a 3/4" body lift on my flattie I had pedal clearance & geometry issues with the floor pedals. I had to hog the holes out some and I'm still not happy with the result. :(

    Billy (blevisay) runs 9.00-14 Swampers on stock rims with a 2.5" spring lift and they only rub a little on full flex IIRC. That's the route I'd go.

    If floor clearance with the tranny is the primary issue, I'd look very hard at fabbing up a new, higher floor cover as opposed going with a body lift IMHO.
     
    w3srl, Apr 30, 2008
    #5
  6. Apr 30, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    I have 2" (by PO). It made my SM465 swap easier. The PO lengthened clutch linkage, etc. My radiator was replaced and mounts redone with the engine / front clip swap.
     
    drexotic, Apr 30, 2008
    #6
  7. Apr 30, 2008
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,470
    Ran a 2" body lift with through the floor pedals - redid the floor opening for it at that time. Since have gone to swinging pedals setup and the 2" helped with the SM465 and I have a smooth hood with a good air cleaner on the Dauntless ('course it's not stock either :) )
     
    Warloch, Apr 30, 2008
    #7
  8. Apr 30, 2008
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2003
    Messages:
    605
    2.5" spring + .5" shackle lift will give you plenty of room.
     
    michigan_pinstripes, Apr 30, 2008
    #8
  9. May 1, 2008
    maleko

    maleko New Member

    Gig Harbor, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2005
    Messages:
    45
    Thanks all - appreciate the help and advice. Already have firewall mounted pedals, so that's not an issue. Whole radiator and fan setup has to be replaced anyway, and I don't think I'd have any issues there. Thanks for the heads-up on that though - that's the kind of thing I would miss until I was halfway through.

    Wheel fit isn't an issue yet. When I get it running I'll play musical wheels - the 33s from the CJ will move over to the Willys to try out, the 32s from the Willys will move over to the Cherokee. Everyone gets new shoes! Main issue is floor / tranny clearance, and fabbing that cover up is beyond me. Too many twists and turns. I do think I'll look into someone to do this, and get an idea of $.

    Anyone else want to weigh in, feel free. Still not positive which way I'll go.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2008
    maleko, May 1, 2008
    #9
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