Suspension Lift vs Body Lift

[jblc]

I think most of what I read here are Body lift kits: increase ride height, level, etc.

Physically what's the difference between a Suspension Lift vs Body Lift?
I'm thinking of adding a suspension lift to my 2WD (and a small tire increase at 265/70R17), specifically to increase its offroad capability a bit since it's 2WD.

Does a Suspension Lift Kit include new steering / linkage components, etc?
Or just longer shocks etc, and shocks like the Bilstein 5100 are in fact increasing suspension, not just body height?

I know this is such a basic question, so thanks for any guidance

I searched online and this forum, but since I don't know what terms to use -- or when people are referring to which one -- I came up short.

Sponsored

 

[Frenchy]

So a body lift is simply going to lift the body up higher then where it is off the frame. A lift kit will lift the entire chassis higher. Certain components of course we'll still be at the same height they originally were but that's just the basic gist of it. Another thing you can get with a lift kit over a body lift is increased travel depending on the kit. For example I chose the old man emu lift kit for my truck. Due to its design it replaced all four shocks along with all Springs both front and rear. With it doing such he's not just gave me extra clearance and more lift it also gave me more travel and articulation.

Now a leveling kit on the other hand will only lift the front and will only change shocks in the rear at best. Is that good for off-road? Not exactly because if you're wanting to get more clearance why would you only touch the front and not the rear? Also you would want a little extra articulation wouldn't you?

Now as for off-roading with a two-wheel drive I'm not going to lie you're not going to get as far as you might want to. That's one of the advantages of having a four-wheel drive. The four-wheel drive will definitely get farther than the two wheel drive vehicle in terms of off-road capability. This I'm sure you're already aware of so we're not going to touch on that too much.

As for tires going bigger does help in general. The advantage of bigger tires is it Lift Every component on the vehicle versus a lift kit doesn't lift every single component. For example the ranger comes from the factory with 30in tires. Wanting to go bigger to a 32 inch tire will lift the entire truck by one inch. It doesn't sound like much but even that little bit will make a difference when going off road. That extra inch made it easier for you to go through certain obstacles. The same idea applies with a bigger tire. Also a tire with a bigger sidewall will have less issue when being aired down.

I hope this helps

 

[Frenchy]

Oh I should also add that not all kits include steering linkage or other suspension components when it's not required. If you're only bringing up the front and rear up by 2 to 3 inches at max then chances are you do not need any additional parts changed. With the Old Man EMU lift kit I did not change the upper control arms and was able to retain the factory alignment

 

[jblc]

So a body lift is simply going to lift the body up higher then where it is off the frame. A lift kit will lift the entire chassis higher. Certain components of course we'll still be at the same height they originally were but that's just the basic gist of it. Another thing you can get with a lift kit over a body lift is increased travel depending on the kit. For example I chose the old man emu lift kit for my truck. Due to its design it replaced all four shocks along with all Springs both front and rear. With it doing such he's not just gave me extra clearance and more lift it also gave me more travel and articulation.

Now a leveling kit on the other hand will only lift the front and will only change shocks in the rear at best. Is that good for off-road? Not exactly because if you're wanting to get more clearance why would you only touch the front and not the rear? Also you would want a little extra articulation wouldn't you?

Now as for off-roading with a two-wheel drive I'm not going to lie you're not going to get as far as you might want to. That's one of the advantages of having a four-wheel drive. The four-wheel drive will definitely get farther than the two wheel drive vehicle in terms of off-road capability. This I'm sure you're already aware of so we're not going to touch on that too much.

As for tires going bigger does help in general. The advantage of bigger tires is it Lift Every component on the vehicle versus a lift kit doesn't lift every single component. For example the ranger comes from the factory with 30in tires. Wanting to go bigger to a 32 inch tire will lift the entire truck by one inch. It doesn't sound like much but even that little bit will make a difference when going off road. That extra inch made it easier for you to go through certain obstacles. The same idea applies with a bigger tire. Also a tire with a bigger sidewall will have less issue when being aired down.

I hope this helps

This is all excellent -- thank you
So, to clarify: eg bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks are, then, a suspension lift (if selected above stock height) that leads to increased clearance -- not just lifting the body. Is that right?

"The four-wheel drive will definitely get farther than the two wheel drive vehicle in terms of off-road capability. This I'm sure you're already aware of so we're not going to touch on that too much."

Yes, and you're exactly right on being aware Hence trying to do minimal changes that will at least help a little. I do regret making the (to me incorrect) choice at the time for 4x2. However, I have what I have , and can't trade it in; I have too many non-reversible mods for that to be practical. In the next Ranger, i'll definitely go 4x4!

 

[Frenchy]

This is all excellent -- thank you
So, to clarify: eg bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks are, then, a suspension lift (if selected above stock height) that leads to increased clearance -- not just lifting the body. Is that right?

"The four-wheel drive will definitely get farther than the two wheel drive vehicle in terms of off-road capability. This I'm sure you're already aware of so we're not going to touch on that too much."

Yes, and you're exactly right on being aware Hence trying to do minimal changes that will at least help a little. I do regret making the (to me incorrect) choice at the time for 4x2. However, I have what I have , and can't trade it in; I have too many non-reversible mods for that to be practical. In the next Ranger, i'll definitely go 4x4!

Correction the Bilstein is a leveling kit because it will only lift the front. You still have to buy other parts(leaf springs, blocks or shackles) for the rear to be lifted.

 

[jblc]

Correction the Bilstein is a leveling kit because it will only lift the front. You still have to buy other parts(leaf springs, blocks or shackles) for the rear to be lifted.

I think I understand, thanks Yes, the front is a level, but it's also indeed lifted suspension-wise (ie more clearance and travel), not just body-height-wise...right?
Why is it okay to raise without non-shock/coil additions, eg control arms? For example the Icon kits come with new control arms, and they only lift to 3.5".

Yeah, the rear is (of course) not increased due to the replacement shock being just the same as stock height. You're saying that if I want to lift the rear, then aside from taller shocks, other parts also need to be added to the rear; that makes sense.

So, why do some kits only have blocks eg this Icon one, and others include leaf springs eg this Old Man Emu one that i think you said you had? Wouldn't they all need leaf springs?

 

[Frenchy]

I think I understand, thanks Yes, the front is a level, but it's also indeed lifted suspension-wise (ie more clearance and travel), not just body-height-wise.
Why is it okay to raise without non-shock/coil additions, eg control arms? For example the Icon kits comes with new control arms.

The rear is (of course) not increased due to the replacement shock being just the same as stock height. You're saying that aside from a taller shock, other parts also need to be added to the rear; that makes sense.

Why do some kits only have blocks eg this Icon one, and others include leaf springs eg this Old Man Emu one that i think you said you had?

It really depends on the company honestly. To me a company is being cheap if they only add blocks over replacing leaf springs especially if the leaf spings are able to hold sufficient loads. As for the reason some kit come with and recommend upper control arms is to get the alignment back into specifications. Why you ask? Because the way the suspension kit affected the vehicle created a problem where the factory alignment was not able to be achieved. Some companies(Old Man EMU for example) will make sure you dont have to do silly things like replacing upper control arms when installing thier suspension. This in return reduces the overall cost for the consumer. If a company is making you replace major components then chances are it isn't that great.

Again I did not have to replace my control arms and I was able to get the alignment back into specifications with no problems. Other members on here that have installed leveling kits have had to install uper control arms just to get the alignment back into specifications. And guess what?! A good amount of them spent more money on their suspension compared to me. That doesn't count changing to a different suspension like starting with nitrocharger and wanting to go to BP-51 or starting with FOX 2.0 and wanting to go to FOX 2.5.

 

[Tako]

Aftermarket control arms are stronger, more travel, more caster, and look sweet.

also limited to axle clearance. Stuff the biggest tire.

 

[THLONE]

Probably a few sand bags, a hi lift jack, a shovel, a tow strap, a buddy vehicle, and chains for mud/snow will get you further from the pavement.

 

[AdamHarris]

It really depends on the company honestly. To me a company is being cheap if they only add blocks over replacing leaf springs especially if the leaf spings are able to hold sufficient loads. As for the reason some kit come with and recommend upper control arms is to get the alignment back into specifications. Why you ask? Because the way the suspension kit affected the vehicle created a problem where the factory alignment was not able to be achieved. Some companies(Old Man EMU for example) will make sure you dont have to do silly things like replacing upper control arms when installing thier suspension. This in return reduces the overall cost for the consumer. If a company is making you replace major components then chances are it isn't that great.

Again I did not have to replace my control arms and I was able to get the alignment back into specifications with no problems. Other members on here that have installed leveling kits have had to install uper control arms just to get the alignment back into specifications. And guess what?! A good amount of them spent more money on their suspension compared to me. That doesn't count changing to a different suspension like starting with nitrocharger and wanting to go to BP-51 or starting with FOX 2.0 and wanting to go to FOX 2.5.

Regardless of which company, type (leveling spacer or replacement strut/spring assembly), or amount of travel gained, when the front of a Ranger goes up the alignment adjustment parameters and amount of available alignment distance, are reduced. I have the "dreaded" 2.5 spacer leveling kit you speak against in SO many posts and my truck was able to be aligned back into specs but there was almost no additional adjustment available if it had been needed, which it was not. This is the only real reason aftermarket upper control arms (UCAs as you will see them referred) are needed, they give this extra amount of adjustment if you go beyond 2.5" or whatever. We are all glad you like AME by ARB, but there is nothing special about them really and they certainly don't provide some kind of "special" lift that negates the need for additional alignment travel and thus negates the need for aftermarket control arms. Going up on a Ranger is just that, going up, no matter how its achieved (Yes we get it, spacer levels don't net you any additional suspension travel while replacement strut/spring combos often do, but either way you are just going UP).

 

[taildraggerpilot]

It really depends on the company honestly. To me a company is being cheap if they only add blocks over replacing leaf springs especially if the leaf spings are able to hold sufficient loads. As for the reason some kit come with and recommend upper control arms is to get the alignment back into specifications. Why you ask? Because the way the suspension kit affected the vehicle created a problem where the factory alignment was not able to be achieved. Some companies(Old Man EMU for example) will make sure you dont have to do silly things like replacing upper control arms when installing thier suspension. This in return reduces the overall cost for the consumer. If a company is making you replace major components then chances are it isn't that great.

Again I did not have to replace my control arms and I was able to get the alignment back into specifications with no problems. Other members on here that have installed leveling kits have had to install uper control arms just to get the alignment back into specifications. And guess what?! A good amount of them spent more money on their suspension compared to me. That doesn't count changing to a different suspension like starting with nitrocharger and wanting to go to BP-51 or starting with FOX 2.0 and wanting to go to FOX 2.5.

I installed Fox 2.0’s in the rear last year. Those were a welcome change from the bouncy FX4 shocks. What would be a good choice of level kit for the front that keeps it simple and cost effective?

 

[Frenchy]

I installed Fox 2.0’s in the rear last year. Those were a welcome change from the bouncy FX4 shocks. What would be a good choice of level kit for the front that keeps it simple and cost effective?

Cant speak for leveling kits as I dont recommend them

 

[Frenchy]

Regardless of which company, type (leveling spacer or replacement strut/spring assembly), or amount of travel gained, when the front of a Ranger goes up the alignment adjustment parameters and amount of available alignment distance, are reduced. I have the "dreaded" 2.5 spacer leveling kit you speak against in SO many posts and my truck was able to be aligned back into specs but there was almost no additional adjustment available if it had been needed, which it was not. This is the only real reason aftermarket upper control arms (UCAs as you will see them referred) are needed, they give this extra amount of adjustment if you go beyond 2.5" or whatever. We are all glad you like AME by ARB, but there is nothing special about them really and they certainly don't provide some kind of "special" lift that negates the need for additional alignment travel and thus negates the need for aftermarket control arms. Going up on a Ranger is just that, going up, no matter how its achieved (Yes we get it, spacer levels don't net you any additional suspension travel while replacement strut/spring combos often do, but either way you are just going UP).

Actually due to only lifting the front and not touching the rear is what causes the problem that many run into when only perfoming a leveling kit. As you mention you are at max adjustment. Well with Old Man EMU it lifts the front by 2.4(close enough to 2.5) and also lifts the rear by 1.6 because of this you still have enough rake where the alignment can get back into specifications and still have room for adjustment if needed. Want to say there is nothing special? Remember they have more experience with suspension then you and most other companies out there.

 

[Frenchy]

Aftermarket control arms are stronger, more travel, more caster, and look sweet.

also limited to axle clearance. Stuff the biggest tire.

athere.are aftermarket control arms stronger? To an extent yes. Will they provide more travel? Only if the other suspension will allow. For example. With the Old Man EMU lift kit on my truck I would not gain any additional travel on my tuck if I went to aftermarket upper control arms. Its different if you go to a long travel kit. As for putting a bigger tire you nees other things then control arms. If anything it limits the wheels you can put on.

 

[Tako]

athere.are aftermarket control arms stronger? To an extent yes. Will they provide more travel? Only if the other suspension will allow. For example. With the Old Man EMU lift kit on my truck I would not gain any additional travel on my tuck if I went to aftermarket upper control arms. Its different if you go to a long travel kit. As for putting a bigger tire you nees other things then control arms. If anything it limits the wheels you can put on.

I agree with you. I was just writing why control arms are good. Yes if the coil overs are extended travel, uca are needed.
If crash bars are modified and OP did some trimming they could put a bigger tire.

Sponsored