Picture it - Jonestown, PA, 2013. It's the week of ECXC (a memorable ECXC involving Frog Hole), and I'm sitting with several Nexterra members grabbing a bite to eat at
Moose's LZ Bar and Grill. At one end of the table is myself, Mehdi, Dave Cheli, Dave Parrish, and Curt Sellon. Somehow I turned the conversation towards me and my truck (I must be learning from Brooklyn Tom), and what the next phase of ideas/mods I wanted to accomplish/install. My goal was to be able to get 35's on the truck, and I was looking at the Fabtech 6" and Calmini 5" suspension lifts.
The Dave's and Curt suggested a body lift as an alternative, and I explained that I had never been in favor of them. They explained they were less expensive, somewhat easier to install and I would be able to keep the same, if not better clearance and center of gravity under the truck. When I was still showing signs of weariness, curt then took out his D-Cell Maglite (why did you have that with you at dinner anyway?) and unscrewed the top of the Maglite. He showed that it was easier to lift just the top of the light off, while leaving the rest of the base of the light alone; lifting the entire flashlight would change aspects. NOTE: I may be off on my verbiage, so don't quote me.
After the flashlight demonstration and the conversation, I started contemplating buying a body lift. I thought about a body lift for the rest of the week at ECXC.
Fast forward a couple months to September 2013, and I finally pulled the trigger and bought a 2" body lift kit through Brian Cadigan at Cherry Hill Nissan. I received the kit, and put it in the basement.
Fast forward again to this past winter. I thought about the body lift sitting in the basement for over a year, and felt that it needed to be dusted off. I started to make some plans, including ordering a new bumper that would accommodate the 2" body lift. I also made some calls to a couple people to help with the install.
Fast forward one more time and now picture this - New jersey, May 2015. I'm surrounded by a portion of the Brooklyn crew, consisting of Dave Cheli, Tom, Justin and a surprise guest - Andy! Like a well-oiled machine, these guys went to town taking apart my truck. The body lift went very well and very fast; I think we started somewhere around 9, possibly later; the lift was installed and bolts were tightened down by 12:30 or so - just in time for lunch.
After lunch time, the rest of the afternoon was focusing on putting the truck back together, installing the new bumper, and, oh yeah - a new Volant cold air intake.
I didn't take many pictures yesterday, but did take these:
I then took a few more this morning during the rain. I apologize for the quality of them.
I haven't purchased 35's yet, but hope to before July this year.
I can't thank Dave, Tom, Justin and Andy enough for their help this past weekend. Even though I heard several time throughout the day "I don't care - it's not my truck" from each of these guys, mostly from Tom, I know that they really do care, because these guys oversaw the project from beginning to end, making sure everything was put back together and working properly, before my long trip home. And I know that deep down, Tom loves me, no matter what he may tell you.
Thank you, gentlemen, I truly appreciate your help.
And a big THANK YOU to Dave and his family for your hospitality this past weekend. You have a wonderful family, and it was a pleasure and honor meeting them!
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