View Full Version : to go custom or not to go? (Body lift)
Trailblazin
04-27-2007, 06:07 PM
My friend told me there's a place in Kuwait that does custom body lifts... he's getting one done for his 6" Avalanche, and was telling me if we go together we could get a discount on the kits.. so hey i'm always on the look out for a bargain...
He told me he's seen their work and the bumpers have been relocated properly.. so im gonna give it a shot... it's around the same price as the BDS kit, but this is installed, no shipment to pay and also i would have warranty on the body lift... maybe even get a 3" lift.. what are your guys opinions???
To go with this, if my friend orders some tires through me, i will be ordering a set of 33"s finally... wish i had done that from the beginning....
brandon_spegal
04-27-2007, 06:17 PM
As long as you have a good fabricator then i think a custom lift is good. personally i would trust a kit more but if you go custom you have a lot more options that you can play with. just be careful cause if you have someone that doesn't know what they are doing they can really mess up your ride. kits are the safest way for sure.
the roadie
04-27-2007, 07:49 PM
Weren't you broken down badly a few months ago? Did I miss your getting fixed up again? How did that go?
JamesDub
04-27-2007, 10:04 PM
I say go for it . But you should only get a 2.5" bodylift cause I have a 3" and want to remain the biggest TB , haha . Just make sure they relocate the bumpers etc . I can still tow with mine , but they cut off the front tow hooks .
James
AlekG
04-27-2007, 10:27 PM
Because the BDS kit relocates the front inside (metal) bumper, and you need to hack a big piece out of it, the tow hooks are toast, not only from a location standpoint but also because they would not hold up for being towed.
The rear hitch receiver on the other hand is relocated with heavy duty brackets and is still operational.
One last thing to not forget about, you will need to extend the lower steering linkage. The BDS kit comes with a stainless steel extender.
http://www.bds-suspension.com/Images/Kits/ck_9221.jpg
You can see the piece in this picture, its at the top in between the two big brackets.
AG
Trailblazin
04-27-2007, 11:02 PM
Weren't you broken down badly a few months ago? Did I miss your getting fixed up again? How did that go?
Yeah I got it fixed.. it was the bearing housing on the front right passenger side that took a crap on me... my mechanic told me it's a normal problem with trailvoys in our area.. most ppl just go for a 4wd delete, but thankfully my friend donated his front axles and housings and installed them on mine... I'm 4X4 priveleged again :p
I say go for it . But you should only get a 2.5" bodylift cause I have a 3" and want to remain the biggest TB , haha . Just make sure they relocate the bumpers etc . I can still tow with mine , but they cut off the front tow hooks .
James
lol well i'll see how it goes... I've never towed anything once with my TB, so I wouldn't mind if they couldn't install the rear tow hook again (althought I know ALOT of impact safety will be removed :rolleyes: ) I'll have to talk to them and see what's up...
Because the BDS kit relocates the front inside (metal) bumper, and you need to hack a big piece out of it, the tow hooks are toast, not only from a location standpoint but also because they would not hold up for being towed.
The rear hitch receiver on the other hand is relocated with heavy duty brackets and is still operational.
One last thing to not forget about, you will need to extend the lower steering linkage. The BDS kit comes with a stainless steel extender.
You can see the piece in this picture, its at the top in between the two big brackets.
AG
I did have this in mind coz i knew the BDS kit came with a steering shaft extension.. I was thinking of talking to BDS and just buying the part by itself but I doubt they would do it.. My friend tells me a 3" body on the Avy doesn't require any shaft extensions, so i'll have to double check with the garage before the install....
In all just to clarify things, since this body kit will be made in Kuwait.. I'm sure the life expectancy of the kit will be at least 2-3years.. anything more and it should start falling to pieces... I know the BDS kit is fit for life, but again I'm taking that chace. I'll be graduating in a years time and I should be looking for a new truck within 2 so the kuwaity body lift is the way to go for me, even though i'll be there guinea pig trailblazer... :ugh:
Trailblazin
05-13-2007, 03:44 PM
I went and talked with the guy today... he told me that a 3" lift was possible and if i wanted even a 4" lift!! 3" is enough for me, i don't want too much chassis to body gap showing....
Anyway he told me it would take 2 days to do, and I'd have to install an electric heater as they'll move the radiator up 3" but the fan will stay in the same place... so i'd get heat issues...
seemed to know what he was talking about.. he knew about cutting the front crash bumper... so i have faith in him.. he also knew about the steering extension so i guess all will go good
ill keep posted when i get the cash together to work this out
....and I'd have to install an electric heater as they'll move the radiator up 3" but the fan will stay in the same place... so i'd get heat issues...
IIRC the BDS lift keeps the radiator in the same place with new brackets to avoid that. Just food for thought
Gearhead2012
05-13-2007, 10:57 PM
ok...so, if there have been 3 inch lifts before (one out in california that I believe jamesdub has)...and if this guy can do a 3 or even a 4 inch body lift...why does BDS only do 2 inches? I'm just curious really...I aggree that 4 inches would be a lot of frame showing, but if you're looking for every inch possible, it could work, albeit just for tire clearance.
JamesDub
05-13-2007, 11:38 PM
Yup mine is a 3" and no electric heater needed on mine . I believe mine also has the brackets to keep the radiator in its original spot .
FYI : after you do the bodylift spray paint the frame black thats showing with Krylon Rust Tough Enamel Semi Flat spray paint :thumbsup: .
Heres what it looks like , much better .
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g273/JamesDub131/DSC00925.jpg
James
chrisbar
05-14-2007, 10:02 PM
Dude, Next time put some clothes on before snapping pics :nono:
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/chrisbar52/Dubnaked.jpg
JamesDub
05-15-2007, 01:29 AM
Socks , Boxers and Shorts . What else do I need ???
I live in sunny CA :rolleyes:
James
Blazernut
05-15-2007, 03:54 AM
Socks , Boxers and Shorts . What else do I need ???
I live in sunny CA :rolleyes:
James
Looks like just socks! (nice Truck)
If you wanna get gross I'll take a pic with my shirt off .... I live in Canada! The sun will be rising in a month or so.
Oh ya the topic - I thought things got wonky for the front axle passing through the oil pan with more than a 3" lift. And what about the stress on the axle joints?
Big E
05-15-2007, 07:39 AM
Safety wise I think 3" of body lift should be the max. Look around, you't can find an off-the-shelf 4" body lift and there are good reasons for that.
I don't think our Trailvoys could hand much more then a 2-3" body lift anyway just by looking at the engine compartment. There are a lot of wires, hoses, etc that would get pretty tight at that lift height.
the roadie
05-15-2007, 11:00 AM
Dude, Next time put some clothes on before snapping pics :nono:Reflectoporn!