[Rocky-X]

Anyone know of any shops in the Chicagoland area that install lifts?

Just did my pml about a week and it feels like this is how tall it always should have been. Not very satisfied

 

[Rocky-X]

It kinda sucks having a question in this section...... i don't think anyone EVER comes in here.

 

[Bklyn.X]

That may be true although I think it could be that most of the folks that might be able to answer questions about body lifting your 1st gen truck have done it themselves. I’ve done and helped do many but don’t know of any local shop’s ability to do the job well enough to recommend.

I don’t know how our trucks hold up in “Chicagoland” but here in NYC the body bolts on a 15 year old truck are most likely rust welded in place turning a relatively simple job that takes a few hours into a nightmare that could take much longer.

I’m not trying to be a downer or dash your hopes, just don’t want you thinking you’re talking to an empty room or that no one hears you…

 

[Rocky-X]

Lol well thanks for keeping me company. It was getting lonely in here. Yeah i realize most people tackle this themselves but i definitely don't have the knowledge to accomplish this alone. I thought i could until i watched a video of a guy who had to cut into the metal under where his shifter is because he said he could no longer shift into 4 lo after he installed his. That deterred me from ever thinking about trying it myself.

I don't have anyone to turn to for help and it seems Chicago is a dead zone for xterra off roaders. I guess I'll probably just have to wait until this car is no longer my daily driver and can put it aside and work on whenever i have time.

 

[Bklyn.X]

Ah yes, the sheet metal shifter cut. As scary as this may seem it is one of the easiest problems you may encounter and normally during a 3” BL and not the 2”. The 3” is a major PITA and something I don’t recommend…2” is not as painful and gives plenty of lift.

The main worry for our 1st Gen trucks is rust. Rusted body bolts, steering shift bolts, etc…almost every bolt we need to work on will be rusted and may need to be replaced.

We did one that had a rotted radiator lower bracket that could not be saved…had to fab one out of a piece of angle iron that was lying around. Otherwise it’s just a lot of steps to follow.

There is a great 2” body lift write up HERE.

I got a crew of maniacs here in Brooklyn that knocks 'em out in less than a day for beer, pizza and smokes...

 

[TBass]

I have an unused 3" performance body lift I bought years ago.

Should I install it or sell it?

 

[TBass]

The main worry for our 1st Gen trucks is rust. Rusted body bolts, steering shift bolts, etc…almost every bolt we need to work on will be rusted and may need to be replaced.

What rust? My X would be to differ

 

[Bklyn.X]

What rust? My X would be to differ

Ha ha, you southern guys don't worry about rust do ya?

I've helped put in two 3" BL's and cursed them both times. much more work and worry.

Just a side note; IMHO there should be a replacement TC shifter that comes with the kit. Having us cut and weld a section in the middle of the OEM one is, well, stupid...

 

[Rocky-X]

Ah yes, the sheet metal shifter cut. As scary as this may seem it is one of the easiest problems you may encounter and normally during a 3” BL and not the 2”. The 3” is a major PITA and something I don’t recommend…2” is not as painful and gives plenty of lift.

The main worry for our 1st Gen trucks is rust. Rusted body bolts, steering shift bolts, etc…almost every bolt we need to work on will be rusted and may need to be replaced.

We did one that had a rotted radiator lower bracket that could not be saved…had to fab one out of a piece of angle iron that was lying around. Otherwise it’s just a lot of steps to follow.

There is a great 2” body lift write up HERE.

I got a crew of maniacs here in Brooklyn that knocks 'em out in less than a day for beer, pizza and smokes...

Yup that's the stuff that worries me. I'll get 75% finished then run into some part that needs to be cut off and have a new one fabricated. I won't be able to do that then I'll spend the rest of the day very angrily trying to figure out how to put my car back together. Then after a nice long 16 hour day of taking my car apart just to put it all back together the same way, I'll go inside and cry myself to sleep. Not exactly how I want that day to go.

Thanks for all the input. I definitely got one thing out of this. I will absolutely not try to do a body lift on my own.

Any Chicagoland guys out there that want to make some money????
I'll pay$$$$
I'll help
I'll buy beer
I'll buy pizza
Whatever it takes