Whats the difference between a 'body' lift and 'suspension' lift..

[NaturaTek]

Yes, noob here again.

 

I keep reading peoples signature with stuff like .."..2inch body lift and 4inch suspension lift.."

Wow, so I can do two diff kinds of lift on my pathy? What are the differences between them. I'm gonna take a wild shot and say a body lift is regarding torsion bars?

[88pathoffroad]

A body lift is only applicable to WD21 (87-95) Pathys. That's where you unbolt the body and add spacer blocks between the body and frame to raise the body off the frame for more tire clearance. Body lift kits come in 2" or 3" heights and cost between $100 and $150. 93-95's need a special kit due to the rearmost body mount bolts being different from 87-92's.

 

A suspension lift involves either replacing all 4 coil springs (on an R50), or by installing aftermarket upper control arms, cranking up the torsion bars and replacing the rear coil springs (on a WD21). There is also a drop-bracket lift kit (Trailmaster 4") that drops the front diff and torsion bars down 4" with brackets to give you lift.

 

Not knowing which Pathy you have, I can't tell you all the limitations but we can start from here...

[Simon]

Looks like, based upon his profile, it's a 1990 SE.

 

If so, then 88's posts regarding WD21's fit your truck. Torsion bar crank, UCA's, Rear coils = 3" suspension lift

 

Body Lift = 3" more lift on the body.

 

If you combine both lifts, you can fit 33" tires on your truck as a few of us have done.

[Splinter]

Now does a torsion bar "crank" require a re-allingnment on the front end?

I assume it does.

Edited November 11, 2007 by Splinter

[GrimGreg]

Yep, the more you crank the more the wheels will go / \ that is why 88 mentioned aftermarket UCAs, because if you crank too much then you can no longer adjust the stock UCA out to fix that issue and correct the allignment.

[Simon]

Yep...as GG said. Now, if you DON'T want to go past 1-2" of lift in the front end, you should not get new UCA's. You'll never get it aligned with the front end sitting so low. They're designed to give you a 2.5-3" lift.

 

There is a member here who bought aftermarket UCA's, and modified them to work with less lift, but he's an engineer, and has access to lots of tools, and lots of knowledge to make those mods.

 

Anyways, it's just something to consider.