Are you an off-road enthusiast or just a truck and/or SUV fanatic? It can be difficult to lift your truck or SUV using a suspension lift. Although many off-road accessories shops are selling suspension lift kits for every vehicle classification, they aren't easy to use and often will cost big bucks. As an off-road person, I make my own suspension parts and lift kits. A simple body lift is ideal for correcting height problems. Here's how it's done:

What you will need:

• Body Lift Kit (any brand)
• Hydraulic jack or a Hi-Lift jack
• Brake lines extensions
• Jack stand
• 1 set socket wrench
• Adjustable wrench
• 1 set open wrench
• Vise grip

Procedure:

1. Work on the main body frame first (for trucks). Remove the nuts of the body support blocks that support the main body.

    

   (Note: Body support blocks are rubber blocks that link the body and the chassis.)

2. Remove the Coolant Radiator Tank and the water hose from the engine bay.
3. Detach all the fuel lines and hoses that separate the body from the chassis. Remove the fuel hose from the fuel tank.
4. Disconnect the break lines from the body to the chassis.
5. Remove the steering rod from the coupler and steering gear box.
6. Remove the bumper.
7. Check all of the lines and wiring that connect the body and the chassis. Remove any that are still attached.
8. Jack the body (not the chassis) about 6-7inch away from the chassis.

   (CAUTION: ALWAYS use the jack stand for support when doing under-chassis work. A hydraulic Jack/Hi-lift Jack may collapse at any time if unsupported, which could cause a very serious injury to the person working.)

9. Remove the bolts from the supports. Other bolts are found inside the main body.

   (Note: 6 bolts or more are found under the carpet inside the truck. You need to open the carpet to expose the bolt.)

10. Remove the support blocks.
11. Install new lift blocks.
12. Gently lower the Jack until the body and blocks attach.
13. Put the new bolts in and tighten the nuts.

    (CAUTION: Make sure the nuts are securely tight. This is the main support from the body, to avoid accidents double check the nuts.)

14. Reinstall the Coolant Radiator Tank using the new relocation bracket from the kit.

    (Note: The Radiator Tank will become lower when installing a body lift kit.)

15. Reconnect the fuel lines and break lines using a hose extension.
16. Reinstall the new, longer steering rod to the steering coupler and steering gear box.
17. Reinstall the bumper using the relocation adaptor from the Kit.
18. When working at the rear bed of the truck. Just repeat guide 6-13.

If you lift your truck using this method, the safe body lift height is 4-4.5inches. Lifting your truck above the safe height will be very risky. It will affect your driving comfort on sharp curve turning.