Body or suspension lift??

[fgrimm]

Ok- dumb question....

 

What's the difference between a body lift and a suspension lift?

 

I have a 2003 4x4 Tahoe whose rear tires rub the wheel well. I might like it higher anyway but not too much as I only deal with bad/dirt roads and don't really off road.

[BadBowtie]

Suspension lifts lower the suspension components, but lift the frame and engine etc, you basically are lifting the truck away from the axles.

 

Body lifts lift the body away from the frame.

 

Suspension lifts are more for offroad rigs, they actually have more benefit than a body lift. Body lifts are good for a cheap way to fit bigger tires, but not gaining any ground clearance. I went with a body lift because it was $1200 cheaper, and I need to have the snowplow undercarriage withing 12" of the ground, plowing is more important to me than 'looking cool' or having better offroad ability. If I get another truck that isn't my dd and my plow rig, then I will definately go witha suspension lift.

[mark w]

if you want ground clearance go suspension. if you want fender clearance and want economical go body lift

[willfxp]

Suspension lifts are more for offroad rigs, they actually have more benefit than a body lift.

The guy at the lift shop recommeded against me getting a lift (and less business for him) if I wanted to go off roading because you extend the shocks to it's limits. When off roading, you need that shock to be able to extend out farther.

 

I at first thought lifts were for off-roading. Because you can then put on bigger tires. I didn't really believe him, but, why else would he lead me away from business when I was asking for CST lifts... I was also thinking about how lifting will raise your center of gravity, and that's not always a good thing on an un-even trail or rock.

 

I did tell him I had a stock Z71, and he said it was good enough. Just need shocks, bigger tires, and locking diff.

[tmf6902]

Suspension lifts are more for offroad rigs, they actually have more benefit than a body lift.

The guy at the lift shop recommeded against me getting a lift (and less business for him) if I wanted to go off roading because you extend the shocks to it's limits. When off roading, you need that shock to be able to extend out farther.

 

I at first thought lifts were for off-roading. Because you can then put on bigger tires. I didn't really believe him, but, why else would he lead me away from business when I was asking for CST lifts... I was also thinking about how lifting will raise your center of gravity, and that's not always a good thing on an un-even trail or rock.

 

I did tell him I had a stock Z71, and he said it was good enough. Just need shocks, bigger tires, and locking diff.

He's on crack.....the only way you are gonna get bigger tires under your truck will be with a lift.....at least up to 285's....You get new shocks when you get a lift....so they won't extend it to it's limits....he is right about the center of gravity...but unless your rock crawlin with a pick up chances are it's not gonna happen....besides with wider tires your stace is wider, and it offsets the height a little....my blazer is over almost 8 feet tall from the ground to the roof, and I have only "Almost" flipped over once....and that's because I was foolin around in a parking lot in the snow, and hit a curb sideways, at a fairly high rate of speed....(I did manage to break both my valve stems on that side)....besides that I have beat the crap out of that truck and never flipped, or come close.....

 

since you only want if for tire clearance and only dirt roads....just get a body lift....just make sure you get those things for your rear wheel wells that cover the space in between your bed and the frame so you can't see straight though..it's kinda tacky

 

TMF

[willfxp]

He's on crack.....the only way you are gonna get bigger tires under your truck will be with a lift.....at least up to 285's....You get new shocks when you get a lift....so they won't extend it to it's limits....he is right about the center of gravity...but unless your rock crawlin with a pick up chances are it's not gonna happen....besides with wider tires your stace is wider, and it offsets the height a little....my blazer is over almost 8 feet tall from the ground to the roof, and I have only "Almost" flipped over once....and that's because I was foolin around in a parking lot in the snow, and hit a curb sideways, at a fairly high rate of speed....(I did manage to break both my valve stems on that side)....besides that I have beat the crap out of that truck and never flipped, or come close.....

 

since you only want if for tire clearance and only dirt roads....just get a body lift....just make sure you get those things for your rear wheel wells that cover the space in between your bed and the frame so you can't see straight though..it's kinda tacky

 

TMF

That is the same logic I had, but I couldn't explain why he didn't want more business... Oh well, atleast I know where not to go. Thanks.

[Jersey Tahoe LT]

Everything I was going to say has already been said. I will second that the shop owner is on crack. A susp. lift is def for off road and the shocks are made for it. the Body Lift is to add larger tires at a lower cost. The only gain with a BL is that you can get about 1.5" more Ground Clearance from larger tires but that is it. With your Tahoe and a body lift you should be able to fit 285/75-16, 305/70-16, or 33's under there. I have heard of guys getting 35's under there but that is going to be pushing it. I think they Crank the T-bars and add rear blocks. Anyhoo let us know what you do. Oh and by the way. The BL are easy to install your self if you have some mechanical knowledge. Be able to save yourself about $400 to $700 for installation. That right there gets you bigger tires.

 

Later,

Brandon