Discussion: Body Lift vs Flat Belly

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Yay!Gurrr

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Discussion: Body Lift vs Flat Belly
I wanted to pose this question to generate some discussion on this topic. Looking to discuss the merits of component placement relative to overall amount of lift.

Which is better and why ?

For each assume the amount of lift as measure at the belly is the same. (Orange line)

Bodylift - assume a nominal ~1" body lift with no floor cutting. Assume similar 1" engine lift.

Cut floor - Assumes no body lift and floor/tunnel cut to fit the drive line.

This is NOT a vote, this is a discussion. If you have nothing to add to the discussion simply resist the urge to post.

I can see some pros/cons for each... What do you think..

(Note: This is to generate general discussion. This isn't specific to any of my current projects)

Discuss !

bodylift01.jpg
 
I like the completely flat bottom with a little body and engine lift more ground clearance the better but if the lift got over say 1 or 2 inches then I wouldn't go any more on the body lift and would have to angle the bottom to keep the body and frame from being seperated to much. But another option would be to cut the floor and lift the engine and trans higher to make room for a flat bottom also kinda like i'm doing in my samurai but I think the flat bottom would work better say if your belly pans on a rock and your trying to turn left or right all it has to do is slide on the rock on a flat plane instead of going over the hump which could keep you from turning in a tight spot.
 
I have always been a proponent of a 1" body lift especially on jeeps. It really helps open up the undercarriage to allow for 10x better ability to clean and wash things off. It also seems to help vent out extra heat soaked in from trail riding...

That said, the whole low COG theory has me wondering about a few things:
The loss of ground clearance under the frame rail.. Ok its only 1"
Raising the weight of the engine/drive train in the chassis.


I should add... "I" am not looking for advice on this issue so much as to create some discussion on the topic...

After I posted the pic I realized I hadn't included the 'cut the floor' option. While a valid option, I see that as possibly the worst as far as loss of side clearance. Ill update the pic.

I reworded the post to clearly point out the amount of 'lift' is measured from the orange line and any suspension lifts would be compensated for to reflect the orange line.

Anyway....
 
I went with the flat belly, no body lift route on my TJ. I am slowly going for largest tires on smallest lift with the most belly clearance I can get.

In my research I found where several people did it and didn't report too many issues, so I went ahead and followed.

Belly up with no body lift is about a tight of a fit as you can get. I had Schwabe (local jeep expert!) help me with modifying most of the bracketry involved (cutting, trimming, etc) to make everything work. I'm real pleased with how it turned out. Essentially a flat belly, and no body lift. Motor mount lift was also installed.

TJ on 37" tires and 3.5" springs, my measurements came out to:

Top of windshield frame: 74"
Ground to Belly up: 20 3/4"
Ground to Bottom of rock slider: 25 1/2"
 
From what I gather from the original post is, its a toss up between whether ur body or drivetrain is heavier. Basically I say go with the one that keeps cog the lowest.

If its strickly a trail rig I would hack the floor but a DD I would body lift
 
yager said:
After I posted the pic I realized I hadn't included the 'cut the floor' option. While a valid option, I see that as possibly the worst as far as loss of side clearance. Ill update the pic.
Click to expand...

I went with a flat belly on my Samurai, but beat on the floor board a little so I could raise the transfer case (didn't technically have to cut). My rocker panels definitely suffered from being low at first, but now they are clearanced, LOL! I love how low and stable my Samurai is though, and how the belly is flat and can slide over rocks.


Raising the body up, obviously raises the CG of the body AND cage up, but it also raises up the CG of the occupants of the vehicle plus the gear that was brought along.


REDLYNER said:
I am slowly going for largest tires on smallest lift with the most belly clearance I can get.
Click to expand...

X2

I like the compact method of no body lift, flat belly, and cut/beat tub to clear the driveline.
 
I have a 2" BL on my jeep and I think it's the highest I would go. 1" would probably be better but when i was younger that was the call I made. I run a very heavy set-up which includes a 203/205 doubler. If I had planned better I would have rotated the 203 and clocked the 205 more. Unfortunately, that ain't happening. I've got some hang down and yes it does make contact about every ride. So to tie in with this discussion I would suggest a flat belly with a minimal lift.

IMO, I don't see how 1" throws off your COG at all. Raising the motor only puts more stress on the mounts and for shearing. Years ago I heard where people were raising the rear of the drivetrain up so that when you went uphill the motor was more level but I think that was for the folks with carbs :lol:
 
i def vote for no body lift and let it hang. Build a heavy skid that will take the abuse and drag it!
 
Would it be wise to say that adding width can compensate COG issues that come with lift? Mine is a 91 S10,2in. body and about 6in. susp. Nothing hangs under an S10 and I only added body lift for cleaning and cooling.. and a taller tire. Not done yet, but my calculations put me standin a little tall on 38s. Thats why I went with 79 hp D44 8 lug and D60...? And what about Cherokees? No frame ?
 
yager said:
After I posted the pic I realized I hadn't included the 'cut the floor' option. While a valid option, I see that as possibly the worst as far as loss of side clearance. Ill update the pic.
Click to expand...

Side clearance on what, the trans? Yeah it will be a little tighter in the tunnel but if it allows you to make a flat bottom to keep the trans and tcase outa the rocks then go for it.
 
Well I'll say this.

I have a flat belly, however my suspension brackets hang under it. They hang me up on stuff. And if you were to look at them they are beat to crap as a result. Next time I would give up ground clearance for a trully flat belly.
 
What is the purpose of the lift? If you need a little more clearance for larger tires then a reasonable body lift makes sense (1" to 2"). If you are hanging up on every rock then the flat belly makes sense.

I really don't think that it is an apple to apple comparison. I think that once the goal of the lift is identified, the required type of lift becomes clear....
 
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