Author Topic: 3" body lift... How hard?? (Read 2640 times)

badbowtie03 · « **on:** February 16, 2011, 10:13:41 PM »

looking into getting a PA 3" body lift and was wondering how hard would it be to install it myself? or is it easier to get it installed from the pro's? is there anything extra i'll need? such as rad hoses? gas tank filler neck? wires/ cables? also im wondering if i did do it myself ho wwould i go about lifting the body the put the spacers in? also if you got a pic with an avy and a 3" body lift please post it for me, love to see how the stance is.

Thanks

Ski Edition · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2011, 10:23:37 PM »

This is my 3" PA body lift with 305/70/17's. Good luck if you do it yourself. Just too much of a project for me to take on. I had it installed and my biggest suggestion, is to make sure that the tranny cooler lines are moved down away from the AC pulley. I learned the hard way.

badbowtie03 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2011, 10:33:30 PM »

that looks really nice... yeh i priced it out already and it's roughly $500 cdn for the lift and roughly another $400 - 500 cdn for installation.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2011, 10:55:20 PM »

Here's mine. Same lift as Ski's. Also some leveling keys up front. Running 295/70/17.

project black out · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:49:30 AM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 16, 2011, 10:55:20 PM

Here's mine. Same lift as Ski's. Also some leveling keys up front. Running 295/70/17.

now did you install this yourself or did you have a shop do it for ya? and how hard was it to install the leveling keys? ive wanted to do this for quite sometime now but i havent looked into what i need to buy or how to install

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2011, 02:03:56 AM »

Quote from: project black out on February 17, 2011, 12:49:30 AM

now did you install this yourself or did you have a shop do it for ya? and how hard was it to install the leveling keys? ive wanted to do this for quite sometime now but i havent looked into what i need to buy or how to install

I forget the price of the lift. I think it was about $350. They charged me $400 on the install but that was the shop that did all the body work too. The keys were $130 from Summit and I had an alignment shop do those as it needs to get aligned anyway. My old keys were so rusted on they ended up calling me asking if they could cut them off as they had already spent a few hours trying to get them off. Extra labor on that bill for a total of $190 including the alignment. I had called a Furd garage about the F150 keys that so many people use but the price was the same as the Summit brand. Prices on those used to be about $65 for the set of them.

project black out · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2011, 10:22:53 AM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 17, 2011, 02:03:56 AM

I forget the price of the lift. I think it was about $350. They charged me $400 on the install but that was the shop that did all the body work too. The keys were $130 from Summit and I had an alignment shop do those as it needs to get aligned anyway. My old keys were so rusted on they ended up calling me asking if they could cut them off as they had already spent a few hours trying to get them off. Extra labor on that bill for a total of $190 including the alignment. I had called a Furd garage about the F150 keys that so many people use but the price was the same as the Summit brand. Prices on those used to be about $65 for the set of them.

gotcha! hmm im thinking about getting a set this weekend. do you have a link of where i can find what im looking for? the ones ive seen are always advertisements and i can never find the actual keys

...and how much of a lift will they actually give? ive heard 2.5-3 in is that correct?

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:13:52 PM »

Quote from: project black out on February 17, 2011, 10:22:53 AM

gotcha! hmm im thinking about getting a set this weekend. do you have a link of where i can find what im looking for? the ones ive seen are always advertisements and i can never find the actual keys ...and how much of a lift will they actually give? ive heard 2.5-3 in is that correct?

They are pretty specific. I think the one's I got were 2". I'll see if I can find a good link for them.

I'm pretty sure these are the keys. It doesn't say Avalanche but they're for Tahoe, Suburbans. Might want to call them to verify.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-7897353/

Also, I'm sure you can find the Ford keys online cheaper than what the local dealer quoted me, I just didn't have time to wait on shipping.

Here's some Tuff Country ones from site sponsor JCWhitney. A little cheaper and it helps out the club a little (very little) if you click on the link through the sponsors page.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/torsion-key-front-leveling-kit/p2018427.jcwx?filterid=d237y2004j1&_requestid=16616204

And here's the adjustable ones you can get from Stylin Trucks. Kinda pricey and every time you decided to change your stance, you'd need an alignment.
http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?partfamilyid=1934

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:39:42 PM »

Quote from: badbowtie03 on February 16, 2011, 10:33:30 PM

that looks really nice... yeh i priced it out already and it's roughly $500 cdn for the lift and roughly another $400 - 500 cdn for installation.

Make sure you get the gap guards too. You'll want them to cover up the sides of the engine.

project black out · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:06:10 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 17, 2011, 03:13:52 PM

They are pretty specific. I think the one's I got were 2". I'll see if I can find a good link for them.

I'm pretty sure these are the keys. It doesn't say Avalanche but they're for Tahoe, Suburbans. Might want to call them to verify.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-7897353/

Also, I'm sure you can find the Ford keys online cheaper than what the local dealer quoted me, I just didn't have time to wait on shipping.

Here's some Tuff Country ones from site sponsor JCWhitney. A little cheaper and it helps out the club a little (very little) if you click on the link through the sponsors page.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/torsion-key-front-leveling-kit/p2018427.jcwx?filterid=d237y2004j1&_requestid=16616204

And here's the adjustable ones you can get from Stylin Trucks. Kinda pricey and every time you decided to change your stance, you'd need an alignment.
http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?partfamilyid=1934

im looking at the tuff country keys and it says 120$ each...so would that mean i need 2 keys for a total off 240$+tax

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:50:50 PM »

Quote from: project black out on February 21, 2011, 08:06:10 PM

im looking at the tuff country keys and it says 120$ each...so would that mean i need 2 keys for a total off 240$+tax

damn, I thought that was for a pair.Hell with that. look for the Ford keys or the ones from Summit I got.

project black out · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:54:21 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 21, 2011, 08:50:50 PM

damn, I thought that was for a pair.Hell with that. look for the Ford keys or the ones from Summit I got.

thats what im wondering! lol now the picture shows 2 keys so im wondering if those count as "1" set or if it means 120$ per key lol

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:36:55 PM »

Quote from: project black out on February 21, 2011, 08:54:21 PM

thats what im wondering! lol now the picture shows 2 keys so im wondering if those count as "1" set or if it means 120$ per key lol

I'm waiting for the live chat help window to open to find out.....

project black out · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:43:49 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 21, 2011, 09:36:55 PM

I'm waiting for the live chat help window to open to find out.....

gotcha! im hoping its 120$ for the pair

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:46:27 PM »

Quote from: project black out on February 21, 2011, 09:43:49 PM

gotcha! im hoping its 120$ for the pair

YUP. I was on with the rep and he confirmed that price.

He also asked me if I was wanting to purchase them today....after I had told them they're for a buddy of mine.

If you're going to order, go to the sponsors page and click on the JCWhitney link there to access their site. I don't know if it'll give you a discount but the site makes a couple of quarters (literally, that's it. LOL) on the sale.

project black out · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:48:40 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 21, 2011, 09:46:27 PM

YUP. I was on with the rep and he confirmed that price.

He also asked me if I was wanting to purchase them today....after I had told them they're for a buddy of mine.

awesome! gotta love sale reps... worse then starving vulchers!

bluedevil · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2011, 05:58:14 AM »

Over $200 for keys i find it kinda high. My 2" drop keys i believe where about $100 a few years ago.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2011, 06:22:51 AM »

Quote from: bluedevil on February 22, 2011, 05:58:14 AM

Over $200 for keys i find it kinda high. My 2" drop keys i believe where about $100 a few years ago.

They're $118 for the set of them. When I called the Furd garage they wanted $65 each for them that's why I went to Summit and spent the same money. My front tires were rubbing and I couldn't wait for them to get shipped.

project black out · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:42:53 AM »

It's a big relief knowing that they are that cheap! But I've heard horror stories of people trying to install these in their garage..( tools flying across the garage, hands being crushed.. I think I heard on guy was using a c-clamp for something and it split in half)....is this a project for the pros or am I just hearing the worst Tapatalk

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2011, 05:59:32 PM »

Quote from: project black out on February 22, 2011, 11:42:53 AM

It's a big relief knowing that they are that cheap! But I've heard horror stories of people trying to install these in their garage..( tools flying across the garage, hands being crushed.. I think I heard on guy was using a c-clamp for something and it split in half)....is this a project for the pros or am I just hearing the worst Tapatalk

People have done their own. Fowlhunter is one of them. It needs an alignment after being done anyway so I had the shop do mine along with the alignment.

project black out · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2011, 06:08:07 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 22, 2011, 05:59:32 PM

People have done their own. Fowlhunter is one of them. It needs an alignment after being done anyway so I had the shop do mine along with the alignment.

ok ok makes sense!.... im gonna call up to a really good shop here in town they are always packed but they have very good deals. and i hear its worth the wait

R3D DR4G0N · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2011, 02:12:51 AM »

i keep hearing differently. we put a lift kit on my brother in laws patriot all by ourselves, and we had no idea what the f*** we were doing, :P so my question is, can i do this myself? im on a tight budget right now and i dunno if i can afford to pay extra to someone else to do the install, even though it will be done right. once i do that it needs an allignment, so i will also wait until i have (at least) new tires as well, so its all done in one shot. also, any links to the right shock extenders? i cant seem to find ones for the front. thank you!

Jon

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:34:05 AM »

Quote from: R3D DR4G0N on July 11, 2011, 02:12:51 AM

i keep hearing differently. we put a lift kit on my brother in laws patriot all by ourselves, and we had no idea what the f*** we were doing, :P so my question is, can i do this myself? im on a tight budget right now and i dunno if i can afford to pay extra to someone else to do the install, even though it will be done right. once i do that it needs an allignment, so i will also wait until i have (at least) new tires as well, so its all done in one shot. also, any links to the right shock extenders? i cant seem to find ones for the front. thank you!

Jon

Here's the guy I got mine from. Send him a message. The ones in this link say Ford but they look the same as mine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shock-Extension-Mounts-F350-Super-Duty-4x4-Front-05-10-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b5148ed2QQitemZ170541747922QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

R3D DR4G0N · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2011, 07:02:48 AM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on July 11, 2011, 03:34:05 AM

Here's the guy I got mine from. Send him a message. The ones in this link say Ford but they look the same as mine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shock-Extension-Mounts-F350-Super-Duty-4x4-Front-05-10-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b5148ed2QQitemZ170541747922QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I actually bookmarked the ebay ad for the known correct shock extensions, and yes they do look the same:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shock-Extension-Mounts-Avalanche-4x2-4x4-6Lug-2002-2006-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQfitsZModelQ3aAvalancheQ201500QQhashZitem27b56f7b74QQitemZ170547706740QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Thank you! Ill make sure to shoot him a message

Jon