Hey guys.. looking into doing a mild lift on a '97 1500 regular cab 4x4 and need some help. I've never gotten into doing lifts and don't have a clue. Basically I am doing the lift for looks. I will play in the snow ocassionally and maybe a little mild offroading, but mostly just want to make the truck look a little tougher and impressive. I'd like to fit some nice wide 33"s on it with no rubbing and don't want to spend a fortune, yet definately don't want to sacrifice ride as it is a daily driver. Should I go body lift or suspension lift? I say 33"s because I've read any bigger and you get into having to re gear, etc... is this true? I don't want to get into all of that right now. Any input would be a huge help. What brands should I look at for either body or suspension lifts? I read the Performance Accessories is the best body lift?

 

honestly, its just kind of personal opinion. our trucks have affordable 3 inch susp. lifts, so theres not a huge price difference, and if your not doing serious off roading then either one will work fine. its kind of up to you, whichever one you'd rather install.

 

you can get a 3 inch body lift for about 275 shipped..a 3 inch suspension lift for about 235 shipped. currently i have a 3 inch body lift and i love it, but ive got a 2 inch susp lift on the way. If i could only choose one, i would prolly do the body lift, for one reason, makes changing the plug wires, cap and button alot easier. as far as regearing, im planning on running 35s and not regearing. probably gonna hurt my mileage a little.but oh well. the brand of BL i have is PA, the sus lift im getting is skyjacker. one other thing i might add is that i was running 32x11.50x15 with no lift and no rubbing. hope this info helps

 

I most likely would just take it somewhere to be installed so that doesn't really matter to me. What are the benefits of each (body vs suspension) lifts?

 

a body lift will not affect the factory ride to much, maybe just a tad bit more body roll. a susp. lift may stiffen the ride up a little more than your used too. some people look down on BLs because they dont really make the truck "higher", but just the body, so your not really gaining more ground clearance, just tire clearance, but to the average joe it will look higher. and our trucks look amazing with BLs b/c our fender wheels hang down far enough to cover the ugly space between the bed and frame. either way youll be able to fit the larger tires and get the look you want, i did the BL first. just go with that and youll be fine. if later on you discover you want a little more lift. get the susp lift

 

I was guessing a body lift should be the way to go first too but wanted to get some opinions on that. How much work is involved in installing it? I'm pretty good at doing work and following directions etc but live in a condo and don't really have any place to work on it. How much should I plan on paying somebody in labor to put a BL on?

 

if you have any knowledge of how to turn a wrench, installing it will be a breeze, took me the better part of the day b/c i was drunk about half way through the install but, its fairly easy, just use common sense, the directions the PA kit comes with is pretty much acurate. as far as having someone else install it, i dont know, but im guessing about 2, maybe 300 in labor

 

where you located...if your anywhere near Augusta, GA. id be more than willing to help you put it on. beer and pizzas on you though

 

I'm in Frederick Maryland.. I like ram1500dodge's idea... anybody close want some beer and pizza?

 

275 for a 3" body? Yikes, mine was $90 off ebay and came with everything needed. Went on flawlessly