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Frame strength after lift?

Mega Dogmeat

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Mega Dogmeat Enthusiast

Mega Dogmeat

Posted
Posted

I've been sort of wondering about what actually happens to the frame on an IFS (88-present) truck when you lift it ...

 

Most (if not all) kits that I've seen require cutting out a portion of the frame in order to install the subframe crossmembers ....

 

Any time you cut a peice of hardened, heat treated steel like the frame of a vehicle is, you inherently weaken it.

 

While most of the time when you weld something in place, the weld winds up being stronger than the rest of the section ....

 

I guess my question is, have any of you ever noticed anyone with a lifted truck having cracks around that portion of the frame where the new subframe crossmembers were welded in place?

 

I figure that some of you with older trucks may have had your lifts on for quite a few many miles .... How has the frame of the truck, as well as the lift, held up to extended usage?

 

Any input on this would be cool. thanks....

tmf6902 Senior Enthusiast

tmf6902

Posted
Posted

My blazer that had about 125k when I put my lift on it, now it has about 186k with nothing broken yet. I've done just about everything I have ever wanted to do to it, with a broken part...(knock on wood)...but that wasn't IFS. as far as my 2500 goes, the only thing that broke on it was a CV joint, and I don't blame that on the lift, I blame that on the installer.

 

as far as the frame goes...so far the only thing I have done to it is sprayed some of the coating back on, because it came off in places where they worked on it.

Hecktorx Enthusiast

Hecktorx

Posted
Posted
My blazer that had about 125k when I put my lift on it, now it has about 186k with nothing broken yet. I've done just about everything I have ever wanted to do to it, with a broken part...(knock on wood)...but that wasn't IFS. as far as my 2500 goes, the only thing that broke on it was a CV joint, and I don't blame that on the lift, I blame that on the installer.

 

as far as the frame goes...so far the only thing I have done to it is sprayed some of the coating back on, because it came off in places where they worked on it.

You've never cracked the frame at the steering box?

 

In the early 90's, me and about 4 of my friends all had different style Chevy trucks but they were all between the 81-87 years. They ranged from 3" bodylift w/33" tires to 12" suspension lift w/40" tires. Every single one of us had to weld up cracks in the frame.

 

It's not that I think your lying, but have you check the frame there lately? If it's not, then your one of the few. Especially on a K5 that has a slightly thinner frame the the pickups in those years.

tmf6902 Senior Enthusiast

tmf6902

Posted
Posted

No..I know about that problem, never happened....and it's not that i've been a **** with it either, I've gotten air with the biatch on the beach before. It's just never happened. The largest tires I have ever run with it are 36x14.5's so maybe that has something to do with it? or maybe it's just dumb luck?

 

tmf

PFarkas Enthusiast

PFarkas

Posted
Posted
I've been sort of wondering about what actually happens to the frame on an IFS (88-present) truck when you lift it ...

 

Most (if not all) kits that I've seen require cutting out a portion of the frame in order to install the subframe crossmembers ....

 

I can't speak with certainty for anything but the Superlift for my truck, but I doubt that other lift kits (Rancho, RCD, ProComp, CST, etc.) are substantially different.

 

I installed the Superlift on my truck, so I know what I had to cut in order to attach the lift bracketry.

 

When installing the lift, some cutting is required, however what is cut away is not any of the length of the frame, but rather the tabs for the factory driver side lower differential bracket, the extension travel stop, and part of the upper control arm bracket. This information is on page 7 of my installation manual (form 3290.01-05010).

 

There is no cutting of material from the length of the frame, nor is there any cutting of frame members that run from side to side, connecting the frame rails.

 

I do not believe that there is any compromise in frame strength resulting from the installation of the lift, however, I do believe that it would be a challenge at best to remove the lift from the truck, restore it to stock, and have it look like stock. To do this, you would have to weld material onto the frame.

 

 

If you have any questions on concerns about it, try calling Superlift (or the lift manufacturer of your choice), tell them you have a pre-sales technical support question, and then ask away. My experience with their technical support has been that they are helpfull and courteous.

 

 

If you'd like, I can take pictures of the frame and suspension as it looks with the lift installed so you can see (or not see) what has been removed.

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