Body lift questions

[Trent1721]

I have a 1997 Chevy 1500 4x4 ex cab. Is there any special tools I need to install a body lift? Also the rails that support the bottom of the bed are rusted out can I fix this or do I need a new bed? I would appreciate any replies.

 

[thz71]

There's an entire thread on this but no no specialty tools just a basic set and a jack. An impact makes it easier. As far as the bed supports sounds like an east fix to me

 

[Trent1721]

Do you know how to fix the bed supports?

 

[thz71]

If your talking about what I think you are just cut the rust out and weld some new in

 

[Trent1721]

Ok thanks for the quick replies

 

[SkyHighColorado]

you will need a big floor jack and a 4x4 to cut to size to lift the body.

You will need a wire wheel on a drill to get the rust of the body mounts and you will want to spray them with rust reformer. You should plan on getting new body mount bushings because they will be trash. I run energy suspensions and they are great. You may want a blow torch to heat stuck bolts, forget penetrating oil because it will never work. If you want to do it by the book you will need to cut the column shifter rod and weld in an extension (auto). or you can do what most people do and just take it out and bend some of the kinks straighter to make it longer. I just wedged it in my tow hooks and kept bending it till I had enough extension. hope this helps.

 

[thz71]

you will need a big floor jack and a 4x4 to cut to size to lift the body.

You will need a wire wheel on a drill to get the rust of the body mounts and you will want to spray them with rust reformer. You should plan on getting new body mount bushings because they will be trash. I run energy suspensions and they are great. You may want a blow torch to heat stuck bolts, forget penetrating oil because it will never work. If you want to do it by the book you will need to cut the column shifter rod and weld in an extension (auto). or you can do what most people do and just take it out and bend some of the kinks straighter to make it longer. I just wedged it in my tow hooks and kept bending it till I had enough extension. hope this helps.

Penetrating oil does work and he doesn't have a shifting rod his is a 97

 

[Jrgunn5150]

It works for me, I just hose my bolts down daily the whole week before I work on something lol