How to install a body lift on your 4wd.

A body lift raises your 4WD’s body above the chassis using lift blocks and longer mounting bolts. It can create extra room around the tyres without changing the springs, shocks or suspension geometry.

The basic idea is straightforward, but a safe install involves more than fitting blocks. Steering, hoses, wiring and other connections between the body and chassis all need to accommodate the extra height.

This guide explains the general process. Always follow the instructions supplied with your specific kit and the vehicle’s workshop manual. Mount locations, lifting points, bolt torque and required modifications vary between vehicles.

1. Choose the correct body lift kit

Start with your vehicle’s make, model, year and body style. A single-cab ute may use different mounts and hardware from a double cab, even within the same model range.

Check the lift height and whether you need additional parts, such as a steering extension, radiator brackets or shifter extensions. Some kits include these; others offer them separately.

Browse our 4WD body lift kits and check the individual product details before ordering.

2. Check certification before starting

In New Zealand, all body lifts require LVV certification for road use. 

The blocks, fasteners and completed installation must meet the applicable requirements. Buying a suitable kit that can be certified is part of the process. 

For vehicles overseas, check the requirements where the vehicle will be registered.

3. Inspect the vehicle and prepare your tools

Inspect the body mounts, chassis brackets and surrounding bodywork. Rust, damaged mounts and seized bolts should be addressed before installation.

Check the rubber body mount bushes too. Lift blocks will not fix bushes that have collapsed or deteriorated. If replacement is needed, doing both jobs together can avoid repeating the dismantling work. View our body mount bushing kits.

Typical equipment includes sockets, spanners, a torque wrench, wheel chocks and suitable lifting and support equipment. Follow the kit’s tool list and use a firm, level work area. 

If you are unfamiliar with safely supporting a vehicle body or working on steering components, have a qualified workshop carry out the installation.

4. Prepare everything that connects the body to the chassis

Before lifting, identify anything that could become stretched, trapped or misaligned:

• Steering shaft and its connections.
• Brake lines and handbrake cables.
• Fuel filler and breather hoses.
• Wiring, battery cables and earth straps.
• Radiator hoses, fan shroud and intake pipework.
• Gearshift and transfer-case linkages.
• Bumpers, bullbars and other fitted accessories.

Follow the vehicle-specific instructions for releasing, disconnecting or repositioning these items. Follow the workshop manual’s battery and airbag precautions where applicable.

Taking photos before dismantling makes reassembly easier.

5. Raise the body and fit the lift blocks

If you don't have access to a vehicle hoist. Use a one-side-at-a-time method, retaining loosely fitted bolts on the opposite side to help maintain alignment of the body and chassis. Follow the sequence in your kits instructions. 

If you don't have a vehicle hoist, you can often use a bottle jack to lift each side. 

Raise the body slowly, only as far as needed. Watch the connections as it moves. Stop if anything becomes tight or the body resists lifting.

With the body safely supported, fit each block and its specified hardware in the correct position. Preserve the required order of bushes, sleeves and washers. Do not assume all mounting bolts are the same length. Quite often you will need to re-use the factory washers that came with the vehicle. To remove these from the original bolts, place a deep socket over the bolt head and tap with a hammer and they should pop off. 

Lower the body carefully onto the blocks. Repeat the process for the remaining mounts, including the tub where applicable. Before you tighten the new bolts, check the body and chassis are aligned correctly. 

6. Complete the steering and clearance adjustments

A body lift increases the distance between the body-mounted steering column and chassis-mounted steering box or rack. Some vehicles need a steering extension; others have sufficient factory adjustment.

Our steering shaft extension guide explains this further. 

Check fan-to-shroud clearance before starting the engine. Adjust where required.

Also confirm the gear and transfer-case selectors engage correctly without fouling the floor or boots. For automatic vehicles you may need to adjust the shifter linkage so it aligns with D for Drive etc.  

7. Tighten, inspect and arrange certification

Before use, check every mount and all disturbed connections. Confirm there are no leaks, stretched hoses, trapped wires, steering restrictions or fan interference.

Complete these checks and certification before returning to normal road use. 

How hard is it to install a body lift kit?

Installing a Flatout Offroad body lift kit is a simple job for someone with reasonable mechanical experience, the correct tools and suitable lifting equipment. The difficulty depends on the vehicle and its condition.

Fitting the blocks is usually the straightforward part. Seized body mount bolts, worn bushes and adjustments to the steering shaft, radiator shroud or gear selectors can make the job more involved. These details vary between models, so read the kit’s instructions before starting. Older vehicles are typically easier to lift.

If you’re comfortable working on vehicles and can safely lift and support the body, it may be a suitable DIY project. If you’re unsure about the lifting process or steering modifications, have a qualified workshop carry out the installation.

Will a body lift give me more ground clearance?

A body lift raises the body and wheel arches. It does not directly raise the chassis or differentials, or increase suspension travel. Read our body lift vs suspension lift guide for more information. 

Find the right kit for your 4WD

Flatout Offroad supplies body lift kits and steering extensions for a wide range of 4WDs, with delivery throughout New Zealand and worldwide.

Shop our body lift kits, or send us your vehicle’s make, model, year, chassis code and body style for help choosing the right kit.