Body Lift Installation

Boogity3 · August 4, 2003

I want to get a Body Lift Kit for my 03 1500 Z71, but found out that it costs $600 just to install. So, I think my buddies and I are going to do it ourselves. Only problem is, we have never done anything like this before. How hard is it? Should I just get someone else do it and bite the bullet, or just get BFG 285's or 305's and forget the lift? Any input would be appreciated!

EMPIRE231 · August 4, 2003

body lifts are a big pain to install, especially on the new gm's. it would be better to have someone really experienced do it. the bed is not hard at all, but the cab is no fun. you could just get some torsion keys and jack the front end up an inch or two.

MountaineerTom · August 4, 2003

Actually, I didn't think it was that hard, just time consuming. I had never done one before either, nor had my brother or friends that helped me.

Here's a link to my page with lots of pics and info on the installation. There's a link on there to chevy4x4truck's website with pics of the install he did on the truck he used to have.

http://tommy3z71.homestead.com/body_lift.html

Also, you can try what I did. I contacted Performance Accessories and asked them if they could send me a copy of the instructions for my truck so I could look them over and decide if I wanted to do it myself or have a shop do it. They offered to send a hard copy or FAX me a copy. I scanned the copy I have to send to a few people if you would like me to e-mail them to you. They may have an updated copy though, not sure.

Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions on it.

Boogity3 · August 4, 2003

Thanks a lot Tom! My name is Patterson and I probably will give you a call if you don't mind. I'll show you the reults sometime too. I'm relocating down to Charleston, SC where I went to school.

Happy trails!

MCourson · August 4, 2003

I helped install a PA 3" body lift on a '95 K1500 Ex cab. It was rather easy just time consuming, it only took 3 of us. As long as you follow the directions I doubt you will have a problem.

ridnlow · August 4, 2003

My friends and i did one on a 2001 Chevy reg cab Z71 stepside.. took a long time but wasnt hard..

Chris97K1500 · August 4, 2003

I'd agree, not hard, but time consuming. If you have access to an air compressor and tools, much easier! The bed is much easier to do, might want to start with that, just to get an idea of how it works. I did the bed by myself, but will take two to do the cab. Just follow the directions and take your time, shouldn't have much trouble. Good luck, Chris

AZ-Z71 · August 4, 2003

I did one as well and followed Toms page. Installation was really easy but as everyone stated, time consuming. Best suggestion is to start early on a Saturday and expect to have a couple little things to dress up on Sunday. I too only worked with one other guy and he had some experience on older chevy's and I had no experience. It really is easy.

tmf6902 · August 5, 2003

Yeah, it''s not hard, just make sure you have a good jack and a 4x4 piece of wood....oh yeah and don't do it when it rains like i did......or in the winter for that matter....besides that take your time. 600 bones sounds really high for a body lift, i got my suspension lift done for around that price

99-2door · August 5, 2003

I agree, not difficult just a little time consuming. I did most of the stuff myself and my brother came over and helped when I went to lift the body. One thing I did differently than the instructions said was that I didn't take the seat out to get to the shifter cable retainer. I just got under the truck and pulled the boot through the floor, broke the retainer off an replaced it from under the truck. Saved a bunch of time right there.