Body lifts?

[160k87F250]

Anybody know if there is a body lift made for our DIESEL pick-ups? Every one I've come across says that it is not made for a diesel. I'm guessing it's because of the added weight to the radiator core support due to the lerger rad.
John H

 

[aaklingler]

Most guys just use them anyhow.

 

[Swany]

You have to relocate the intercooler lines too, not recommended for diesels because of the weight, not because of the radiator. Most guys use suspension lifts on diesels, it's kinda rare to see body lifts on them, but some will still do it.

 

[160k87F250]

Not recomended because of the weight? The weight of what? The body should be close to the same weight, either gas or diesel. The only difference is the larger radiator and the larger core support to support the radiator. I'm tempted to use a body lift, just wondering why the lift manufactors do not reccomend them for diesels.
John

 

[towcat]

Swany's talking about the radiator core support weight. Ever pulled your radiator? Now just think of it full of coolant and your two batteries too. Given most of the trucks in the IDI dept don't have IC's, just the weight on the core support will tear up your cab pretty bad. On the F450's that started in the IDI times, cab replacement was pretty common around 600K due to the frame tearing things up .

 

[Swany]

Not recomended because of the weight? The weight of what? The body should be close to the same weight, either gas or diesel. The only difference is the larger radiator and the larger core support to support the radiator. I'm tempted to use a body lift, just wondering why the lift manufactors do not reccomend them for diesels.
John

If you don't want to take my word for it, call a 4x4 shop or a lift manufacturer, diesels are significantly heavier than gassers, there's a lot more modifications that are necessary....not something manufacturers want to deal with. Plus, most diesels aren't the best wheelers and if four wheel drive enthusiast don't have the demand for body lifts with pushers, then they there's no reason to supply. Fab something up on your own if your fixated on a body lift. I'd recommend you call a 4 wheel drive shop first though.

 

[dazedandconfused]

Well guys what about making your own mounts for the core support from steel with thick rubber between mounting surfaces, such as an old conveyor belt? I've made my own before this way, just a suggestion!

Andy

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Something else to consider also.
Included with the weight of the extras for the diesel is that lift itself.
Gonna require some hardened bolts to accomodate the higher center of gravity up front too.
From past experiences with my Ranger pickup, they will move around a bit if given the chance. I had to constantly watch the front bushings even with locknuts as they would even vibrate loose just enought to throw off the alingment. Oh and it is holding a 3 core radiator up there cooling a 351W ga$$er.

 

[160k87F250]

All right, then. Sounds like a body lift is out of the question. I figured the core support and radiator were the reason why body lifts are not reccomended. The cab and bed are the same as a gasser, but the core support is much heavier. Thanks for all your help, now it's back to the original plan.
John

 

[Agnem]

John, I wouldn't rule it out. I've just done a 2" body lift on the Bronco. If those plastic spacers are the problem, big deal. I can get a piece of steel stock, and drill a hole thorugh it and make my own, if these don't hold up. Having seen how it all goes together on the Bronco, I wouldn't hesitate to try it. It's really not a big deal. For the kind of driving that you do, I can't see it not working. Now granted, I haven't tested my body lift yet, but if you want to see how it works out, just wait a little while.

 

[ramon f350]

if I am not mistaken performance parts makes a 2" body lift for diesel trucks but you cant go over that due to cab flex

Ramon

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I am in the process of installing a 3" body lift in a 85 6.9 F-350. My reason for this is to gain clearance for Cummins and possibly 13-speed.

I have been under the truck a thousand times getting ready for this.

My truck is chassis-cab with a 42" sleeper. I am raising the cab and sleeper.

I can foresee no structural reason not to lift. The weight of the lifted components will still be mounted at the same points. If the radiator business is a worry, just build a crossmember from one cab-mount to the other, sort of a truss.

If a lot of the worries were really an issue there would be a lot of F-650's and F-700's with distorted cabs.


If for no other reason, the added clearance around the engine is well worth the trouble.

 

[towcat]

If a lot of the worries were really an issue there would be a lot of F-650's and F-700's with distorted cabs.


If for no other reason, the added clearance around the engine is well worth the trouble.

There's one part of the equation that you have forgotten....f650's and 750's have signifigantly beefier frames. their resistance to bending is much higher. On the F450's I have worked on over the years, the frames were stiffer than the f350's but not as stiff as the f650's. there was good and bad about it. good was that the frames were flexible enough not to beat the driver and rider into a pulp but bad in the fact that it was stiff enough to tear up the sheetmetal. At 700k. the entire cab was stressed to the point that all the upper spotwelds on the roof was being pulled apart from the pillars. This is along with the tearing on the firewall commonly associated with manual trans trucks. In short the cab, the front clip and radiator support was junk.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

My truck has a double frame. I tend to forget that others don't.

 

[ramon f350]

I am sure that makes a huge difference in the stress on the cabs