A body lift raises the cab and bed of a body-on-frame truck by adding spacers at each body mount, usually one to three inches. The frame and suspension stay at factory height. Because the body now sits higher on taller stacks, the condition of the body mount bushings becomes even more important for keeping the cab tight and quiet. 

A body lift is one of the most affordable ways to fit bigger tires under a pickup, SUV or Jeep. It also changes how every body mount and cab mount works, including the cab mounts closest to the firewall, which many owners do not think about until the cab starts clunking. Here is how a body lift kit works, how it compares with a suspension lift, and why fresh polyurethane body mount bushings should be part of the plan.  

How Does a Body Lift Work? 

A body lift kit places a spacer, often called a puck, between the body and the frame at every mount position. The body is raised off the frame by the spacer height, longer bolts clamp the stack together, and the original or replacement bushings sit above and below. The suspension, steering geometry and frame height are left untouched. 

The extra height creates room in the wheel wells for larger tires. Because the frame does not move, the center of gravity of the chassis stays low, and you avoid the driveline angle changes that come with lifting the suspension. 

Body Lift vs Suspension Lift: What Is the Difference?

 

Body lift 

Suspension lift 

What gets raised 

Body only 

Frame, body and axles 

Typical height 

1 to 3 inches 

2 inches and up 

Ground clearance under the frame and axles 

Unchanged 

Increased 

Effect on steering and driveline angles 

Minimal 

Often needs correction parts 

Main purpose 

Tire clearance 

Clearance, travel and tire size 

Load on body mounts 

Higher leverage at each mount 

Unchanged 

 

Many owners combine a small body lift with a suspension lift to reach their target tire size without extreme suspension changes. Either way, the body mounts are the parts that hold the whole stack together. 

What a Body Lift Kit Means for Your Body Mount Bushings 

Raising the body on spacers increases the leverage acting on every mount. The body now sits higher above the frame, so when it rocks under braking, cornering or frame flex, the bushings at the base of each stack take more force. If those bushings are already cracked or compressed, the extra leverage shows up quickly as clunks, squeaks and a cab that moves on the frame. 

Worn rubber under a body lift spacer is one of the most common causes of complaints after a lift. Spacers do not wear, but the bushings around them do. Fitting fresh, durable bushings at the same time is the simplest way to stop the problem before it starts. 

Body Lift Kit 1 InchBody Lift Kit 1 Inch

Choosing the Right Bushings for a Lifted Body

We offer body mount bushing sets for a one inch lift, which supply correctly dimensioned polyurethane bushings for every body mount position at the lifted height. That gives you the lift and the bushing renewal in one job, with no mismatched heights or stacked spacers. For other lift heights, renewing the factory positions with our standard sets alongside the lift kit hardware is the next best approach. 

Polyurethane suits lifted trucks because it holds its shape under compressive load, resists oil, ozone and road salt, and keeps the clamping force on the longer bolts. Our body mount products are backed by a limited lifetime warranty and most come with installation guides. 

Body Mount Bushing SetBody Mount Bushing Set

Body Lift Checklist Before You Start

A body lift touches more than the mounts, so plan for these items:

  • Steering shaft: Many trucks need a steering shaft extension or spacer to reach the higher column.
  • Bumpers and gaps: Bumpers bolted to the frame now sit lower than the body, leaving a visible gap.
  • Radiator and fan shroud: The core support rises with the body, so the shroud may need relocating.
  • Shifter, hoses and wiring: Transfer case shifters, fuel filler hoses and harnesses need enough slack.
  • Body mount condition: Inspect every bushing and cage nut, since lifting the body is the best time to renew them. 

If you have not checked your mounts yet, start with our guide to bad body mount symptoms. For another way to clear bigger tires on Toyota platforms, see our explainer on what a body mount chop is. 

FAQs

Looking for more information about body lifts? Below we answer the most commonly asked questions

What is a body lift?

A body lift raises the body of a body-on-frame vehicle by adding spacers between the body and frame at each mount. It creates room for larger tires without changing suspension height.

Is a body lift bad for your truck?

A correctly installed body lift is a common and accepted modification. Keep it modest in height, use quality hardware and renew worn body mount bushings so the extra leverage does not loosen the cab.

How much does a body lift raise a truck?

Most body lift kits raise the body by one to three inches. The frame, axles and suspension stay at factory height, so ground clearance under the chassis does not change.

Do I need new body mounts with a body lift kit?

If your factory bushings are cracked or compressed, yes. A lift increases the leverage on each mount, so worn bushings quickly cause clunks and movement once the body sits higher.

Can you combine a body lift with a suspension lift?

Yes, many owners use a small body lift with a suspension lift to reach their target tire size. It spreads the height between both systems and keeps each one within sensible limits.

Does a body lift affect ride quality?

The suspension is unchanged, so the ride itself stays largely the same. Worn body mount bushings under the spacers can add vibration and noise, which is why fresh bushings matter.

If you are planning a lift, make the body mounts part of the job from the start. Browse our range of body mount bushings, including sets for a one inch lift, and our team can help match parts to your truck.