I'm about to install a 3" PA body lift on a 04 Heritage 4X4. Since I have a reese hitch and dual exhaust already installed I'm thinking of leaving my back bumper where it is rather than lifting it also. Then I'm going to take some Diamond plate aluminum I have and make me a gap gaurd for the gap it will create.

Good idea? or not. I'm also wondering what the front would look like if I left it alone too, so I won't have my tow hooks hanging out.

Maybe the shop I'm having installing it will give me a discount for less labor!

SilverNCSU

 

I've seen the diamond plate trick before. In my opinion, it looks much cleaner with the bumper raised. As for the front, I trimmed the ends of my frame off directly in front of where the towhooks mount. I then mounted a set of 88-98 GM factory towhooks inside my framerails using the OEM Ford mounting bolts. Here's a pic.


https://www.f150online.com/galleries...-889-88098.jpg


https://www.f150online.com/galleries...-889-88099.jpg


https://www.f150online.com/galleries...2999-66432.jpg


https://www.f150online.com/galleries...2999-66433.jpg

 

Good Job w/ the truck! I believe I'm going to try leaving the rear bumper and do the diamond plate deal, but after looking it over...I'll be moving the front bumper. Would pretty much defeat the whole purpose if I didn't.

Did you do your lift yourself? I put one on a 97 2WD Ranger, and later a 2000 4wd Ranger, and it wasn't that bad. I'm trying to decide if I should jump headfirst into this and try it myself or pay a local offroad shop $400 for labor. It's going to be me and two other guys in a shop w/ every tool imagineable but no hydralic lift. Just jacks and stands.

Thanks,
SilverNCSU

 

It's not that hard, just time consuming. On Ford's, the body bolts go in from the top, so you have to remove some interior trim pieces and pull back the carpet a little to access the bolts. This makes the install go a lot slower. I'd suggest looking at the instructions when you buy the lift and decide for yourself. Like I said, it's not hard but it is time consuming. It took me a whole weekend.

 

I'd lift the rear bumper. The hitch looks stock with the 3" body and lifted bumper. The exhaust will hang a bit low but it would be cheaper to have your exhaust rerouted some than the price of diamond plate!

kev

 

I THINK THAT GAP ON THE REAR LOOKS LIKE AN UNFINISHED TRUCK TAKE YOUR TIME AND DO IT RIGHT YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID

 

Yeah, I've decided I'm going to do it all. (the right way) Just saw a 99 w/ a body lift at a used lot for sale and he didn't lift his rear bumper and it looks a little ****ty. I'm going to lift it and if needed I'll fix my exhaust myself.

Does anyone know any where online that has the cheapest 3" body lifts for sale? The shops around here are ridiculous. So far the cheapest I found online was $158.49 w/ free shipping.

Thanks
SilverNCSU

 

www.summitracing.com

Summit was the cheepest by far when I was looking a few years back. I believe I paid about $125 for it shipped but I think the prices went up since then.

Just enter PRA-PA-863 in the item number search for the 97-03 f-150 3" Performance Accessories Body Lift.

kev

 

Just installed a 3" body lift on my 97 this weekend. Your going to want to raise the bumpers. It doesn't look right without them lifted too. Besides, most kits come with the brackets. The down side is you will need to install a class 3 or 4 rated hitch in the rear. You will no longer be able to use the bumper ball.
good luck.

 

use the brackets they give you it looks really funny if you dont trust me