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Has Anyone Installed A Body Lift Themselves?

S

simtechray

Charter Member
SM 2004
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2002
Messages
430
Location
New Jersey
I might be doing this soon and need some input.
I've got the instructions already in my hand...all 26 pages :eek:
Do to the lack of decent 4x4 shops in my area a 3 inch body lift goes for $600 labor plus the lift kit :8:
If any shadetree mechanic has done one on an AV please IM me...I've got questions.
 
Who makes your body lift kit?

I am also wanting to do this myself and have looked at Performance Accessories' kit but have some questions on the install (fan shroud, brake lines, etc)

Thanks.
 
The instructions I have are for the PA 3 inch kit.
Don't have the kit yet, just instructions...wanted to know what I was getting into first before they got my money. I could always scan them in and email them...but like I said it's 26 pages.
 
Hey guys, it's not an Avalanche, but I put the PA 3 inch kit on my Silverado myself, with the help of my brother and a couple friends. Didn't really need that many people, just that many people wanted to help. I know it won't be exactly like the Avy, but some of the stuff may be very similar. Here's the link to my pics. http://tommy3z71.homestead.com/body_lift.html

The job itself wasn't hard at all if you have some mechanical skills and a decent set of tools. Probably the hardest part for me was the removal and installation of the rear bumper. Just kind of hard to get to some of the bolts.

Good luck. :)
 
SimTechRay said:
I might be doing this soon and need some input.
I've got the instructions already in my hand...all 26 pages ?:eek:
Do to the lack of decent 4x4 shops in my area a 3 inch body lift goes for $600 labor plus the lift kit ?:8:
If any shadetree mechanic has done one on an AV please IM me...I've got questions.
Click to expand...

Whoa, this is wierd. I was just about to post the same question SimTechRay. I also have the instructions they (PA) faxed to me last month but I only have 25 pages ??? Can't make out the photos too well because of the fax quality but they didn't have it in a pdf format to e-mail.
I am planning to do this myself also, just looking for a place to buy. SummitRacing has the best price of $261.99+ ship that I have found so far. Their part #PRA-PA-10073.

Any other suggestions for vendors??

Also I was going to leave the stock Z71 wheels/tires on until they wear out. Would my truck look like a dork this way ??? ??? I know the other guys got + size tires at the same time but I got to spread the mod $ out :cautious:
 
Ok,
Guess I'll play guinea pig. My kit arrives on Wednesday and hopefully I'll install it on Friday. Look for pics sometime over the weekend. I do have the GM brushguard so that will take a few more days to modify so it works with the 3 inch body lift.
Wish me luck (y)
 
SimTechRay said:
Ok,
Guess I'll play guinea pig. My kit arrives on Wednesday and hopefully I'll install it on Friday. Look for pics sometime over the weekend. I do have the GM brushguard so that will take a few more days to modify so it works with the 3 inch body lift.
Wish me luck ?(y)
Click to expand...

Where did you get the kit from and how much $ ???
I will look forward to your play by play.
Here is a link from another member Chevy4x4trucks also with a silverado lifted like MountaineerTom. Body Lift

GOOD LUCK!
 
I'm a decent mechanic. I've restored a couple of old military jeeps and trucks. I've rebuilt a couple of motors. In other words, I know my way around the tool bench.

I had my local 4x4 shop install my lift. My truck was $30,000. More tahn I've ever paid for a vehicle, and I wanted it to be done correctly.

The people that did my lift have been in the business since 1946. This was the first avalanche Body lift they had done, and they said it was the most complete and difficult body lift they've ever done. It took them 11.5 hours.

Just my .02, and good luck
 
SimTechRay said:
Ok,
Guess I'll play guinea pig. My kit arrives on Wednesday and hopefully I'll install it on Friday. Look for pics sometime over the weekend. I do have the GM brushguard so that will take a few more days to modify so it works with the 3 inch body lift.
Wish me luck ?(y)
Click to expand...
SimTechRay, did you get started today?
I am anxious to hear how it is going or how it went ;)
 
JRose609 said:
I'm a decent mechanic. ?I've restored a couple of old military jeeps and trucks. ?I've rebuilt a couple of motors. ?In other words, I know my way around the tool bench.

I had my local 4x4 shop install my lift. ?My truck was $30,000. ?More tahn I've ever paid for a vehicle, and I wanted it to be done correctly. ?

The people that did my lift have been in the business since 1946. ?This was the first avalanche Body lift they had done, and they said it was the most complete and difficult body lift they've ever done. ?It took them 11.5 hours.

Just my .02, and good luck
Click to expand...

Given my mechanical skills - ummm I think I better save up to pay someone to lift mine when it is time -I will need to save for wheels and a lift :(
 
Well...my lift has begun. Got too dark so I decided to quit before it was finished. The truck is lifted now ?;D but I still have to install the front and rear bumpers. I've got the rear bumper back in the stock location so I can drive it around till I've got the time to finish.
I worked with one friend, another was supposed to show up but he never did, may have had time to finish the job with another pair of hands working. All in all the install went pretty smooth. The hardest part so far was unhooking the emergency brake cable...spent a good hour doing that...let me know if you need any tips. The pictures in the instructions do leave a lot to be desired, if your doing an install, IM me and I'll try to get some pics that might help explain things better. For instance, in one part they tell you to trim the "ears" off of the lower fan shrouding...I could not make out anything from the pics provided so I've got mine back together without trimming...I don't see why they tell you to trim if it's not needed ???
Anyways I'll try to get some pics up during the week and hopefully mount my bumpers back on...ugg instructions say more trimming ?:cry:
WesTex, I got the kit from summit, lowest price I could find in the time frame I needed.
 
How does the body lift look with your 285/70-17's? Do you think you will go to a bigger tire or do they still look OK?

Thanks.
 
Hello,

I was wondering how much of a change did the AV ride after the install?

I am in the process of having a 3" body lift and replacing my stock tires but keeping my stock 17" wheels with 33's.

My goal is to have it done this weekend. my weekend project.

Please let me know.

I'm curious if any changes in the gas mileage, ride etc.

thanks in advance.

 
Devildog,
The 285 tires are looking a bit small...if anyone wants to buy them with 4000 miles let me know.
I will probably go to a 305 the next time I get tires.

planetav,
The truck rides the same. I haven't done a milage check yet. Are you doing the lift yourself?

My front bumper is back on and I'm now designing a bracket so I can put my GM brush guard back on...after that I'll post up some pics ;D
 
simtechray,

I friend of a friend and myself will be doing it this weekend. I am in search to ensure we do it right. From the bumpers to the wiring harness.

I hope I can keep my 17" stock wheels but add bigger tires, as big as I can go.

I now regret not getting my Z71.

:6:

this will be the first AV 2WD his doing with the body lift.

I will keep you posted with pics once it's done..



But I can do with what I have in my SOM Z66.

Any help is appreciated. Great site. Great people. without
 
Well I've made my first prototype bracket to mount my GM brush guard with my new body lift.
See results here
The steel I used isn't thick enough for my likeing so I'll take it back apart in a few weeks and make a stronger one...not bad for a first try though ;)

 
black_magic said:
Does the body lift level out the AV or is the rake still present?
Click to expand...
The body lift does not level the vehicle. You'd have to adjust the t bars if you wanted to make it level.

 
do new bumper brackets come with the kit? How about a pick form the side, please. I'v been on the fence for a 2 grand-ish suspention lift. Any help would be grate. Thanks........... >:D

ps ....COOL!
 
Alaska_AV said:
do new bumper brackets come with the kit? How about a pick form the side, please. I'v been on the fence for a 2 grand-ish suspention lift.
Click to expand...
Yes everything is included...even loctite :)
In my area, a suspension lift: 1800 kit + 1000 install + kit requires new rims + new tires for those rims...way outta my league :p
side.jpg

side1.jpg

 
Thanks, your truck looks awsome.

In my area, a suspension lift: 1800 kit + 1000 install + kit requires new rims + new tires for those

I was concidering doing my own lift, I was planning All'sHimers on the tire and wheel thing, "oh, honey just look at that, the old rims will rub the new upper Aframe, Damn I need a new set..."

Boy, that looks good.
>:D
I allways hate when you can spot a body lift a mile away. I.E. watch the sun set between frame and body :D:
 
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