Posted: Aug 08 2006 at 8:34pm | IP Logged

freedom wrote: Anyone with body lift experiences? Yes I know they aren't the best option. But, if I decide to body lift my 04 King cab 4x4, how much movement will I lose with my tranny and transfer case stick? Also been looking at the suspension lift options and Calmini seems to have the best for what I want. Anyone beg to differ?

There is nothing wrong with installing a BL (body lift) on your 04 4WD Frontier unless that is you install it incorrectly or carelessly... and by doing either the results can be disastrous and/or even a fatal mistake.

Now with that said, a BL will provide extra clearance between the wheels and the body of your truck for the use of larger tires especially when combine with the extra travel of a suspension lift. A BL will also raise the center gravity of your vehicle and you will notice a slight difference in how the vehicle acts on the highway and/or during off-road driving but it will NOT effect the current stock or even an aftermarket suspension system performance. The first question you want to ask is yourself is; What size BL do I really want and why?

The most popular BL design for the 01-04 Frontier and Xterra is the "Performance Accessories Body Lift Kits" and they are available in all 1", 2" & 3" increments. So depending on the size of an added BL height you do choose will answer your question of "how much movement will I lose with my (manual) transmission & transfer case shift levers?"

a.) 1" BL: Will not effect the manual transmission and/or transfer case shift levers to the point that any modification will NOT be necessary. Note: No matter which size BL (1", 2" or 3") is used on an automatic transmission equiped vehicle no modification to the auto shifter is required or even necessary. 

b.) 2" BL:

c.) 3" BL: Will adversely effect both the manual transmission and transfer case shift levers to the point that modification WILL be a necessity for proper and smooth operation for both. The good news is that a bolt-on extension for the manual transmission lever is included with the 3" BL kit and can be installed in just minutes. The not so necessaraly bad news is that the kit also provides an extension for the transfer case shift lever that requires the cutting of the factory transfer case lever and the welding of the 3" extension (cold roll mild-steel stock) piece to it which is included with the BL kit. If the extension is not welded into position correctly a simple reheating of the mild steel extension can be performed to help bend the extension to fit properly and allowing the correct and full movement of the transfer case shift lever to engage or disengage the 4WD Lo - Hi ranges and/or 2WD position.  

The Calmini 3" IFS lift kits are excellent however, I must add that Automotive Customizers; http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/ has a 3" suspension lift kit and complete suspension lift packages (front & rear) which includes chromally tubular upper control arms, greasable ball joints, polyurethane bushings, sleeves, zerk fittings, hardware and much much more, that I have used for over five years now without any issue except for the regular and expected wear & tear maintenance items that comes with these types of suspension lift modifications.

If you are really serious with the whole pre-runner (high speed off-road overland travel/racing) scene then the "Total Chaos" long wheel travel front suspension kit is the way to go then...you will also need to change the front fenders or do plenty of sheet metal cutting to make room for the front suspension travel as well as to help keep the front tires from rubbing too.