Body Lift Vs. Suspension Lift

bluemonstercali · February 17, 2009

hi, first off i'm a total noob so sorry for the ignorance. but can somebody tell me the diff between the two and if possible pics of the difference. is there one better then the other. i just got a 08 ext cab (sierra) and seeing all the awesome trucks makes me wanna lift mine. thx in advance

J-man67 · February 17, 2009

A body lift is a kit of spacers that go between the body and the frame. This lifts the body up, but the frame stays the same distance from the ground. This allows use of bigger tires. A suspension lift, lifts the entire truck up higher, usually with new drop x-members in the front and blocks/add-a-leaf/leaf springs for the rear. They gives more over-all ground clearance along with the ability to use bigger tires.

Check these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_lift

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_lift

bluemonstercali · February 17, 2009

thanks j-man

BuckFeverZ · February 17, 2009

A body lift is a kit of spacers that go between the body and the frame. This lifts the body up, but the frame stays the same distance from the ground. This allows use of bigger tires. A suspension lift, lifts the entire truck up higher, usually with new drop x-members in the front and blocks/add-a-leaf/leaf springs for the rear. They gives more over-all ground clearance along with the ability to use bigger tires.

Check these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_lift

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_lift

Theorhetically if you install a 3" body lift, you will have the same ground clearance as if you installed a 3" suspension lift assuming you run the same tires since the axles/differentials will be at the same place.

But, with the same situation, you will be less likely to high center the truck with the suspesion lift since the frame will be 3" higher.

2000DV4.8 · February 17, 2009

A body lift is a kit of spacers that go between the body and the frame. This lifts the body up, but the frame stays the same distance from the ground. This allows use of bigger tires. A suspension lift, lifts the entire truck up higher, usually with new drop x-members in the front and blocks/add-a-leaf/leaf springs for the rear. They gives more over-all ground clearance along with the ability to use bigger tires.

Check these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_lift

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_lift

Theorhetically if you install a 3" body lift, you will have the same ground clearance as if you installed a 3" suspension lift assuming you run the same tires since the axles/differentials will be at the same place.

But, with the same situation, you will be less likely to high center the truck with the suspesion lift since the frame will be 3" higher.

Technically that's right, since ground clearance is measured from the lowest point to the ground (rear pumpkin), but the suspension lift also increases frame clearance (I know you know that, this is directed more towards the OP).

BuckFeverZ · February 17, 2009

A body lift is a kit of spacers that go between the body and the frame. This lifts the body up, but the frame stays the same distance from the ground. This allows use of bigger tires. A suspension lift, lifts the entire truck up higher, usually with new drop x-members in the front and blocks/add-a-leaf/leaf springs for the rear. They gives more over-all ground clearance along with the ability to use bigger tires.

Check these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_lift

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_lift

Theorhetically if you install a 3" body lift, you will have the same ground clearance as if you installed a 3" suspension lift assuming you run the same tires since the axles/differentials will be at the same place.

But, with the same situation, you will be less likely to high center the truck with the suspesion lift since the frame will be 3" higher.

Technically that's right, since ground clearance is measured from the lowest point to the ground (rear pumpkin), but the suspension lift also increases frame clearance (I know you know that, this is directed more towards the OP).

Correct, that is why I stated what I did in bold