Fit bigger suspension, and the next thing we all think about is bigger tyres! However, your 4WD will need extra clearance so it can still turn corners. One way to gain clearance is by spending up on some new, even taller suspension and all the associated gear to raise the whole 4WD.
There’s a more economical method with many positives, though. One popular option is to lift the body off the chassis to gain that vital wheel arch clearance. By doing this, your new tyres will fit and your centre of gravity hasn’t changed too drastically.
Body lifts are one of the most popular modifications out there, and they appear to be relatively simple. As such, they’re a great DIY project for the shed.
However, like any modification, there are a few hidden implications that you should consider before undoing any bolts. Let’s take a look at the nitty-gritty of separating body from chassis and what it means for your 4WD.
WHY LIFT JUST THE BODY?
There’s a bagful of benefits to body-lifting a 4WD. The goal is to only go as high as you need, with the most popular height being 2in. When the body is lifted the desired height, not only can you bolt on that taller rubber, but it’s also possible to achieve a gain in approach and departure angles at places where the body (or the bumper attached to it) was previously the lowest point.
You won’t gain any ramp-over angle improvement, though, as the chassis and components underneath remain the same height, but the raised body gives your door sills a better chance of damage-free 4WDing.
The lift gives more room in the engine bay for engine conversions or fitting a taller radiator if greater cooling is needed. It allows room for larger, upgraded accessories underneath like custom long-range fuel tanks. In extreme cases, some choose to use the height gained between the body and chassis components to raise exposed items underneath like gearboxes, fuel tanks and crossmembers higher for added protection.
SO HOW DO YOU DO IT?
The essentials of a body lift are as simple as unbolting the standard vehicle’s body to chassis mounts, sliding in an appropriate length and diameter block, and then securing with longer bolts. Don’t be misled, though. There are a bunch of issues created when you lift the body.
Most issues are common but are not overly difficult to solve, while some vehicles have other more specific issues. For the competent DIY’er, the complete lift can usually be done for only a few hundred dollars. Unless you’re sure you can undertake mods like the following, a proper body lift is something left for the pros.
INTENSE OFF-ROAD DURABILITY
At the extreme end of things, Steve ‘Hobzee’ from 4H shop, who organises many gruelling off-road events like Cliffhanger Challenge, reckons most vehicles in that calibre of competition will rarely see out one round with a typical body lift before major body damage.
Body blocks punching through the rear floor in Nissan Patrols is common. The experienced guys will build custom chassis outriggers to lift the body for the required tyre clearance and avoid body blocks altogether.
Outback touring veteran Peter from Aawen 4X4 Tours reckons he’s seen damage from excess body lifts that make the comp boys cringe. The extreme corrugations found in remote stock routes and the like tend to play havoc on anything not exceptionally braced.