Body Lift Kit Installation, Part 1

Contrary to popular belief, lifting your truck doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you like the look of an off-road truck (big tires, wide stance) but don’t want to spend too much money, you can go with a body lift. Also, there is no tinkering with the suspension, so you won't alter the factory ride quality.

Varying from one to three inches in height, most body lifts can be installed in a day and offer great benefits. You’ll be able to accomodate those big tires you’ve been looking at, you'll have added ground clearance, and a taller, more aggressive, off-road look.

The Body Lift Kit

HMH Offroad

The owner, Ray, is off-picture to the left and can be seen taking our lunch order for some tasty Chipotle burritos. In the middle is Nate, an enthusiastic gent that likes to make perfectly normal "GEAUGA LAKE" signs read "UGA L", and to the right is Brent, our point-man over at HMH-Offroad.

In all seriousness, the guys over at HMH were a delight to work with and we'd really like to thank them for allowing us to get in their way all day. I'm sure our constant questioning and our photographer and videographer stopping them for shots really got on their nerves.

• The instructions say to remove the fan, this was not necessary.
• Do not remove all of the body mount bolts at once - the body may become unbalanced and fall off of the frame.
• Never, ever trust a guy that says, "Just trust me on this..."
• The transfer case shift linkage must be removed while lifting the body. The instructions note to do it after the body is lifted, but it may bind and break. Remove it early and save the headache.
• Don't assume that Chipotle made your order correctly and included your extra chips and salsa. Always check the bag. Always!
• Your seatbelt can be used to secure the steering wheel while working on the steering shaft.

1. For safety reasons, it's always good practice to disconnect the battery before doing any work.

2. After removing the fuse box cover, remove the airbag fuse. Fuse locations may vary, consult the chart on the fuse box cover for specific location.

3. Before Installation, measure the distance between the front bumper and the fender.

4. Measure the distance between the rear bumper and tailgate.	5. Measure the distance between the cab and bed.
6. Remove core support cover clips.	7. Remove core support cover.
8. Remove the front grill shell.	9. The small clips holding on the grill shell.
10. Remove front bumper support brackets.	11. Remove the front bumper.

12. Remove tow hooks and tow hook covers.

13. Unbolt the lower guard.

14. Remove the lower guard.

15. Remove the airflap from below the radiator.

16. Remove the ground strap from the firewall.

17. Unbolt and remove the engine cover.	18. Unbolt and remove intake tube.
19. Unbolt and remove upper radiator shroud.	20. Remove the lower radiator shroud.

21. Unhook wiring harness from engine.

22. Before disconnecting the steering shaft - secure the steering wheel.

23. Mark the steering shaft for alignment and unbolt.

24. Disconnect ground strap from behind bumper.

25. Disconnect brake lines from frame clip.	26. Remove wiring harness from frame clip.
27. Pull slack into parking brake cable and secure.	28. Using special pliers, disconnect the parking brake cable. [Nate, the installer, says: "...best tool I ever owned. Left a man dead in the street in Amarillo for them things."]
29. Unbolt fuel filler neck from side of bed and from gas tank.	30. Carefully cut the outer rubber hose, leaving the inner plasic hose alone, and insert the supplied extension.

That's the end of part one of our Performance Accessories Body Lift Kit installation. Head on over to part two to see the rest of the install, as well as the ultimate test to see just how strong those plastic body lift pucks really are!

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