Performance Accessories 1" TJ Body Lift

By James Hasler

We all want bigger tires under our Jeep, but a lot of us don't want to lose axle articulation in order to run the big boys. A suspension lift does wonders for your running ground clearance, but unless you install longer bumpstops, it doesn't allow you to run much bigger tires when the axle is really twisted up. So, what's the cure? Well, a body lift in conjunction with a suspension lift allows you to run bigger tires and not lose any compression travel in most cases.

The test victim in this case, was Phil's TJ. It's got the straight-6, 5-speed and does not have AC. He runs 31" tires and already has a Pro-Comp 2" suspension lift. He was jealous of Andrew's EMU'd TJ's height and thought a 1" body lift would bring him closer to that goal.

The kit that was used was from Performance Accessories. It was very complete and comes with eleven, 1 inch plastic pucks, longer bolts and washers as well as drop down brackets for the radiator and detailed instructions (which we didn't follow). It also comes with a bracket to modify the transfer case linkage, but we did not find that it was necessary so it was not installed.

The first step is to loosen the 5 body mount bolts on one side of the vehicle. Then, remove the remaining 6 bolts. (The 5 on the other side and the front center mount bolt.)

Phil and I then used a floor jack and some wood blocks to lift the body right below the drivers door. We did this while having to listen to Andrew curse while installing his Off Your Rocker panels...

We lifted the body enough to slip in the 5 pucks on that side. We then used the longer bolts supplied and loosely tightened them up. Reuse the stock bushings.

Note: The kit comes with two different sized bolts: 5 smaller ones and 6 larger ones. The 5 smaller bolts go in the front, center mount hole and the 4 rear-most holes.

We then did the same thing on the other side in order to install the remaining 5 of the 6 pucks.

Lastly, we lifted up the front enough to slip in the last puck. This last puck requires the removal of the plastic cover on top of the front bumper. Once the puck is inserted, you can replace the plastic cover.

We then removed the fan shroud and fan blade in an attempt to not have to relocate the radiator. However, we then realized that relocating the radiator is quite an easy task and much easier then drilling new holes in the shroud.. Having the shroud and fan out of the way, however, allowed us more room to work when we dropped the radiator.

This task involves removing the coolant overflow bottle (in order to gain access to some of the radiator bolts). You then remove the 6 bolts holding the radiator to the sheet metal and bolt down the 6 drop down brackets in their place. You then mount the radiator to the drop down brackets and replace the overflow bottle.

Finally, you test to make sure the fan has clearance and also check and makes sure all tranny gears and transfer case modes work.

Phil noticed that it is harder to engage low range now, but not hard enough to go through the process of installing the supplied bracket.

That's it...go buy some 33's and enjoy! We didn't take any before or after shots, but a 1" body lift isn't at all ugly. You see a bit more of the frame, but that's about it!