2" body lift installed

Well I got it installed this weekend, the install went smooth, and looks very nice. here are a few pictures.

removing the seats and extending the transfer case shifter

http://users.bentonrea.com/~braymond/bens-pics-05.JPG


removing the stock radiator support and fitting the new one

http://users.bentonrea.com/~braymond/bens-pics-06.JPG

fitting the rear bumper back on

http://users.bentonrea.com/~braymond/bens-pics-09.JPG

after cutting away the stock radiator mount

http://users.bentonrea.com/~braymond/bens-pics-10.JPG

putting the ARB back on

http://users.bentonrea.com/~braymond/bens-pics-11.JPG

this last one is a really crappy picture of the X after it was all done (except for putting the KCs back on)

http://users.bentonrea.com/~braymond/bens-pics-12.JPG

I am sure you did a great job, but do you have any pics taken during daylight? Or software that will lighten up your images? Not being a prick, I just want to see the end result of your work.

Originally posted by Mike H
I am sure you did a great job, but do you have any pics taken during daylight? Or software that will lighten up your images? Not being a prick, I just want to see the end result of your work.

nope. I will get some more pictures later. As for the work there is really not much, the only real "work" is the radiator drop. The kit supplies a bolt on solution but we decided to weld in the lower support. The guy who did the welding welds for a living (I got lucky there my welds are shit) If you want I can get some close ups of it this weekend.

Ben

Great pics, ATH! Just a couple quick Q's (and I apologize for jumping in late in the game if this has already been covered): Where'd you get a 2" body lift? I've heard that SLR and EOE are both working on them, but have not heard of any finished products yet. Was it a piece-together kit? Also, how'd you get the ARB right? Did the kit have a bracket, or was it custom work?

Thanks for the pics ATH, gives me a good idea of what I'm getting into with mine. Turns out UPS fucked up the shipping on my body lift and it got sent back to AC. Looks like the problems fixed now though and I should see it in a few days. A couple questions concerning your intall. Did you custom fab a bracket to refit your ARB? From the final pic it looks as though your ARB is flush with the body. Also, why did you find it necessary to weld the radiator bracket in place? I figured that would be the bulk of the work when installing the lift. I've been thinking about simply cutting the lip of the fan housing and using a shorter radiator hose to reduce the slack in it. Goth, a fellow MAXCer, did this and hasn't had any overheating problems. Thanks

Dog

I was under the impression that a 2" BL didn't need to drop the radiator. I thought that was what Goth had said ... ?

The ARB is just below the body (sorry can't remember the measurement right now)

right now the ARb is on but I am not done making the brackets yet. The ARB is held in place with four
tungstan(sp) alloy bolts (20,000# shearing rating) placed all the way through the frame.

I don't really think its necessary either after talking to Goth. However, when I was working with Nissan Mike to get this 2" B.L. together, he wanted to include it in the kit. I doubt I'll take the time to drop the radiator after seeing Goth's success, but I'm waiting for my kit to arrive before deciding. As mentioned in my previous post, IIRC all Goth did was use a shorter radiator hose because the slack in it after the body lift resulted in its contacting of the idler pulley.

Dog

Originally posted by Philosopher
I was under the impression that a 2" BL didn't need to drop the radiator. I thought that was what Goth had said ... ?

Well the kit comes with everything to drop it but I think if you leave the fan cover off you do not need to drop it. I live in an area where it gets to 110 regularly so I wanted to have it on.

As to why we wlded it on the support that AC sends is help in place by 2 self taping bolts, we decided to take the time to plasma cut and weld the new support in place (just not comfortable with two little sheet metal screws holding up the radiator)

Ben

Originally posted by Chris_McCracken
Great pics, ATH! Just a couple quick Q's (and I apologize for jumping in late in the game if this has already been covered): Where'd you get a 2" body lift? I've heard that SLR and EOE are both working on them, but have not heard of any finished products yet. Was it a piece-together kit? Also, how'd you get the ARB right? Did the kit have a bracket, or was it custom work?

The kit is from A.C. (www.4x4parts.com)

Hey Hippie_treelover, any gaps in the wheelwells now?

Originally posted by superjens
Hey Hippie_treelover, any gaps in the wheelwells now?


if you mean between the body and frame, then yes and no

in front the flaps still work, in back you can see all the way through ;-)

I suck at this stuff but here goes:

Shit, I think that looks damn good man. Of course, I know nothing about manipulating pics :D

Dog

Originally posted by Antitree_hugger
in front the flaps still work, in back you can see all the way through ;-)

Time for some Lift Lips (http://www.liftlips.com/)

Originally posted by xoc


Time for some Lift Lips (http://www.liftlips.com/)

SWEET! thanks Ian.

Ben

Originally posted by Antitree_hugger


SWEET! thanks Ian.




You've never seen them before? :bonghitte

Originally posted by Philosopher



You've never seen them before? :bonghitte

Seen them thought they came with the kits these guys were putting on the Toyotas. I did not know who made them. I was planning on just making a set my self for the rear.

Originally posted by Philosopher
I was under the impression that a 2" BL didn't need to drop the radiator. I thought that was what Goth had said ... ?

I didn't drop mine w/ the 2" body lift, just removed the lower fan shroud lip. I went rockcrawling in July and August, and had the joy of I-495 stop and go commutes for those months as well (100 degrees on at least a few days...) with no problems. The entire swept area of the fan seems to still be across the radiator itself, so I suspect it's fine, but if I do happen to come across any problems I'll let people know. I kind of doubt I will, it's been a while now...

Looks good Antitree Hugger! What size tires you putting on?

I believe 33" TSL's were on his agenda.

Originally posted by Schludwiller
I believe 33" TSL's were on his agenda.

I would be careful with the 33" TSLs (at least the 10.50s). I forget the exact numbers on the Interco site, but they are really skinny tires. In fact, BFG MT 33x9.50s are wider than the 33x10.50 TSLs. I'm currently running 32" TSLs, and with the body lift I haven't decided what I'll run next. Perhaps the SSR or 33" BFG Mud or maybe even the 32 TSLs again. Just a heads up on that tire size.

Dog

I think I have finally decided on BFG MT KMs in the 33x10.50

Hey Goth when you did yours did you pull the fuel filler tube protector in the right wheel well? I did and today I found out (at lesat my local dumbass dealer) can only get the clips that hold it in if I order the whole thing. :(

Originally posted by Antitree_hugger


Seen them thought they came with the kits these guys were putting on the Toyotas. I did not know who made them. I was planning on just making a set my self for the rear.

I was just giving you some shit. ;)

Originally posted by Philosopher


I was just giving you some shit. ;)

DAMNIT!!

I already get the mushroom treatment here at work :flipa:

Did you have the Conn-Fer rack before the lift? My brain fades.........

Nice looking 2" lift though! Your ARB looks good! Now you gott a get rid of those Les Schwabby tires........:D :D :D

hehehe yes the tires are going away real soon now. Yes I have had the Con-Ferr for a while now (over a year if I remember right ;-)

Ben

And if nobody noticed he has the lift-lips installed now. They cleaned up the rear tire wells real nice. I never did get a chance to check the fronts.

ATH,

In your writeup, you moved the transfer case shifter, but did you have to move the automatic trans. shifter??? Any problems with the lift....now. Thanks.

Derek

ATH,

In your writeup, you moved the transfer case shifter, but did you have to move the automatic trans. shifter??? Any problems with the lift....now. Thanks.

Derek

No it fit just fine. and No problems with the lift itself in all this time.

I got an answer to my question, three years later....Strange.
Ended up installing the 2" lift without any transfer case or auto shifter issues. Haven't visited this board in a long time.
Trying to sell my Xterra right now...but nobody is interested in it because its lifted with 33's, go figure. Later.

Yeah, a modified truck just screams "abuse" to potential buyers even if you haven't taken it offroad. That's why I figured I'd drive mine into the ground. One look at the undercarriage and you can tell where it's been.

I got an answer to my question, three years later....Strange.
Ended up installing the 2" lift without any transfer case or auto shifter issues. Haven't visited this board in a long time.
Trying to sell my Xterra right now...but nobody is interested in it because its lifted with 33's, go figure. Later.

hehehe not strange just slow ;-)

I plan on keeping mine forever, I have three boys who dream of one day driving dady's truck.