Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Doing a body lift a one man job?

BDS, ReadyLift, Smaxx... You name it, we know about it here.

by fishsticks » Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:51 pm

I pulled the trigger on one of Mark's body lifts. It's the next milestone step in my plan for the truck.

For those who've installed one already, is it a one man job or do you NEED a buddy for any part?

I'm well equipped tool wise, and VERY mechanically inclined. Seems like 12 bolts, some jacking, and maybe some frame grinding. No biggie.

Doable in a day, or am I missing something big?





Hard to believe I first put wrench to truck in a non maintenance fashion in March. This was supposed to be my "stock" ride. :mrgreen:
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by Trail X » Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:59 pm

Give this man an award for a record fast stock to 'rock' time.

Have you seen if Mark will send you an install guide? Also, ask him to join the site if you're speaking with him - remind him that the vendor program is free. We welcome all.
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by MrSmithsTB » Wed Aug 11, 2010 8:10 pm

Awesome! Can't wait to see it. I'm hoping to get on the current run of lifts. Guess there is only one left now, so I may have to wait for the next set of brackets :hissyfit: Looks to me like it is doable with one person, just might take a little longer. When I do mine, I plan to do it solo. I'd say just make sure everything is unbolted so you can jack it up without having to stop. And use two jacks so there is more stability. And have a backup car to drive in case you break something and don't have a spare.
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by Rob93 » Wed Aug 11, 2010 8:25 pm

I'm a part of the select few getting his body lift too :D
Me and my buddy put a body lift on his bronco... I really recommend having a friend there, it goes buy a lot faster (and a bit more fun) and just makes everything less of a headache... If help isn't an option, then I'm sure you could do it, just a little more of a PITA...

BTW, even when it's your friends truck, there's something about sliding in the body blocks that is so satisfying lol
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by teebes » Wed Aug 11, 2010 8:34 pm

Yes, should be fine doing it solo, it's actually really easy. I used my hi-lift to lift one side at a time. Just make sure to do the job on flat ground :coffee2:
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by fishsticks » Wed Aug 11, 2010 10:54 pm

JamesDowning wrote:Have you seen if Mark will send you an install guide? Also, ask him to join the site if you're speaking with him - remind him that the vendor program is free. We welcome all.



memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=73





Sounds like this shouldn't be bad to do.
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
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by Regulator1175 » Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:14 am

I just did it a week and a half ago. It was pretty straight forward to install. I did it on my own, with a broken leg still in a cast, and didn't have any problems. If you need the instructions, or JD if you want to up load them here in the articles, I have both the suspension lift and the body lift directions that I can email out. I did the full install in around 12 hours, maybe a bit longer.

Good luck.
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by Trail X » Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:41 am

fishsticks wrote:
JamesDowning wrote:Have you seen if Mark will send you an install guide? Also, ask him to join the site if you're speaking with him - remind him that the vendor program is free. We welcome all.


memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=73


Right, but he's only posted here twice!
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by The Roadie » Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:11 am

It's easier if you have two floor jacks. I didn't, and finding the right balance point fore/aft was tricky. But I did mine alone as well.
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by Regulator1175 » Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:34 am

I did it with one jack and a 6x6 block. there is a ridge on the body, midway on the side of the body. I was able to sit the block there, and lift the body high enough to do it.
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by glfredrick » Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:34 pm

I'vve done several on different vehicles by myself, and the guys working in off-road shops do it all the time.

I usually use a 4x4 along the pinch seam of the body to widen the lifting point and spread it along the body. Also, do one side at a time. Just loosen the bolts some on the other side.

Time varies widely depending on how much stuff you have to re-locate and/or if the body mount bolts come right out or fight due to corosion. I can see this done in a day without too much hassle. My kiddo can do them in under 3 hrs.

What are your plans for the bumpers? That seems to be the biggest hassle of the whole deal (also extending brake lines and e-brake cables).
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by SteveTB03 » Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:23 pm

Donny your going to kill my wallet, if you lift I'm going to have to lift mine also :friday:

I mean after all we are "Twin Jeeps" :viking:
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by fishsticks » Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:46 pm

Start saving your pennies then... this tends to happen in spurts.


Besides... the lady at the parts store said yours looked like it went off-road and mine didn't...
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85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
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by SteveTB03 » Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:25 pm

Yeah I know I was surprised at that but remember I was following you the whole time just about so I got the dust clouds you created all over the truck.

I know it happens in spurts I've done more to my truck in a short amount of time (since knowing you) then I have done this fast lol

I've been trying to call you to tell you about some things but haven't heard from you. I assume your busy as hell.
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by v7guy » Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:04 am

Dumb question, I'm full of them.

When you do a body lift, I'm guessing the stock rubber mount goes on top of the body lift block/spacer?
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by fishsticks » Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:21 pm

IIRC I left them on the bottom.
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
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by HARDTRAILZ » Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:43 pm

Mine are on bottom. Every body lift i have done on any vehicle had the stock left on bottom.
I hate to advocate weird chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone...but
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by v7guy » Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:39 am

Cool deal, thanks guys.
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