I want to put a 2" lift on my 87 F250 Standard cab 4X4. What is the difference between the 80-86 and 87-91 body lift kits? I'm hoping the only difference is the bed cause I won't need that part of the kit anyway, but the 80-86 kits is half the price...just wondering if I can use it?
The only reason I see for actually buying a "kit" is that the bolt lengths are already figured out for you.
Each pair of bolts are of differing lengths, some being not so long and others quite long.
The ones on my 1985 were all 7/16 coarse-thread, 7/16 x 14 ??I think?? .
If you are able to remove the bolts from one whole side and head to the hard-ware store at your leisure, you can simply buy the necessary bolts two inches longer.
If the old ones come out in good shape, you can even use some of the longer ones in place of the shorter ones and only need to buy two or maybe four new ones.
You can fabricate better spacers than you can buy.
If you have never messed with the two fore-most cab-mounts, the ones on each side of the radiator, they don't just screw out.
There is a second threaded sleeved washer that will put you into fits if you don't know how it comes apart.
Put plenty of knocker-loose on all the old bolts every day for a couple weeks before attempting removal and it will go a lot easier.
I used a genuine body-lift kit on my truck, mostly on account of I didn't have the luxury of the truck sitting idle while I made/bought what I needed.
I have had zero problems with the lift and would highly recommend anyone else to do it; but, my next plan of action is to un-rivet the mount brackets from the frame, make them four- or six-inches taller, and re-mount the cab to these raised brackets, sans the lift spacers.
I want to get it up off the engine a little more, plus have space below for a set of saddle-tanks, big truck style.