MScruiser
obsessive-compulsive oppositional-defiant wise-ass
They said it couldn't be done. They were wrong.
I originally decided to do a 2" body lift. I got all the parts and hardware ordered, and got started on Thursday morning. I woke up early Friday and finished installing the lift. It was not easy, and took a lot of careful planning, measuring, and research; seeing that I was One of the first persons to ever attempt this (the only other 200 with a body lift was built from the frame up as racing truck for the Baja 1000 (Canguro Racing)), it was a little nerve-racking. I didn't want to seriously screw up an $80k truck.
I IM'd Kurt Williams, and texted Dave Connors, both with the Canguro Racing team, and they gave me some good advice, and a few pointers. I also spent about an hour on the phone with Robert Brown of 4-Crawler (boy does he like to talk, but a hell of a knowledgable and nice guy).
After a few days to think things over, I dove right in. Pretty straightforward: Disconnect some wires here and there, disconnect the steering linkage, disconnect some panels and brackets, remove the body bolts, and go from there. Way more complex than that, but for time's sake, I'll leave it at that.
I got the 2" lift installed, and checked things out; sure enough, the steering worked fine, and it even shifted into gear just fine too, albeit it didn't feel as "solid" as it used to. I stood back, in order to behold the beauty, and bask in the fact that I tried something so bold, and had a successful tale to tell too.
And then, I noticed some downsides; it was just TOO tall. It just looked ridiculous. I imagined my wife trying to get into it, and pictured my young daughter trying to climb in (when she is old enough to climb). I got cold feet. It was just too much. Also, the ARB bumper CAN NOT be modified, so it was going to be staying where it was. It just looked weird sitting so "low".
So, I cut each 2" spacer in half. I now had a set of 1" spacers. I got back to work, and reinstalled the new 1" spacers. Now...now it looked just right. Went for a test drive. Everything works perfectly. I am a happy man.
Parts diagram, courtesy of @beno
New hardware from Fastenal (2" UHMW Spacers)
Getting the TJM off
Getting to some of the bolt locations
Old Hardware
Old Hardware Tac Welded to New Fastenal Grade 8 Bolts
Old TJM mounting holes
New holes have been drilled ~1.25" above the old ones
Jacking up the body
In position and painted
Body lift is done on the passenger's side
TJM Bumper is installed (note: upper trim pieces are not shown in the pic, but fit just fine)
The ARB will not be able to be modified. I will have to find some trim to fill the new gap, which shouldn't be too hard.
I originally decided to do a 2" body lift. I got all the parts and hardware ordered, and got started on Thursday morning. I woke up early Friday and finished installing the lift. It was not easy, and took a lot of careful planning, measuring, and research; seeing that I was One of the first persons to ever attempt this (the only other 200 with a body lift was built from the frame up as racing truck for the Baja 1000 (Canguro Racing)), it was a little nerve-racking. I didn't want to seriously screw up an $80k truck.
I IM'd Kurt Williams, and texted Dave Connors, both with the Canguro Racing team, and they gave me some good advice, and a few pointers. I also spent about an hour on the phone with Robert Brown of 4-Crawler (boy does he like to talk, but a hell of a knowledgable and nice guy).
After a few days to think things over, I dove right in. Pretty straightforward: Disconnect some wires here and there, disconnect the steering linkage, disconnect some panels and brackets, remove the body bolts, and go from there. Way more complex than that, but for time's sake, I'll leave it at that.
I got the 2" lift installed, and checked things out; sure enough, the steering worked fine, and it even shifted into gear just fine too, albeit it didn't feel as "solid" as it used to. I stood back, in order to behold the beauty, and bask in the fact that I tried something so bold, and had a successful tale to tell too.
And then, I noticed some downsides; it was just TOO tall. It just looked ridiculous. I imagined my wife trying to get into it, and pictured my young daughter trying to climb in (when she is old enough to climb). I got cold feet. It was just too much. Also, the ARB bumper CAN NOT be modified, so it was going to be staying where it was. It just looked weird sitting so "low".
So, I cut each 2" spacer in half. I now had a set of 1" spacers. I got back to work, and reinstalled the new 1" spacers. Now...now it looked just right. Went for a test drive. Everything works perfectly. I am a happy man.
Parts diagram, courtesy of @beno
New hardware from Fastenal (2" UHMW Spacers)
Getting the TJM off
Getting to some of the bolt locations
Old Hardware
Old Hardware Tac Welded to New Fastenal Grade 8 Bolts
Old TJM mounting holes
New holes have been drilled ~1.25" above the old ones
Jacking up the body
In position and painted
Body lift is done on the passenger's side
TJM Bumper is installed (note: upper trim pieces are not shown in the pic, but fit just fine)
The ARB will not be able to be modified. I will have to find some trim to fill the new gap, which shouldn't be too hard.
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