My son is looking to raise his 97 Toyota Tacoma.  I've been looking for a good kit to do this.  I am unsure what the differences are between a body lift and a suspension lift.  What will each accomplish?  What am I looking for in a kit?  Any brand name suggestions?

Body lifts increase the space between the body and the frame. The current body mounts proabably lift the body a 1/2" off the frame. A body lift replaces the bushing in the mount with about a 3" spacer. Body lifts are usually inexpensive and retain the factory suspension geometry. The body lift itself will offer NO increse in ground clearance but will allow the fitment of larger tires, which will increse ground clearance. Body lifts can be easy, or extremely difficult. Things that must taken into consderation include items like; fuel lines, e-brake cables, shift linkages (t-case, trans etc.) fan shroud re-location, length of engine wiring harnesses, etc. A good kit will provide you with the means to correct all these potential issues. A real cheap kit is usually noting but 3" body mounts and longer mount bolts. Some people dislike the visible gap between the body and frame.

Suspension lifts acutally replace factory suspension parts with parts designed to give the truck a taller stance. The way this is done depends on; the facotry style of suspension, amount of lift, and the manufacturer of the kit. Suspension lifts range in difficulty in installation, they can be bolt and easy to "custom fabrication required". Most susp kits will require new longer shocks and a PREFESSIONAL alignment after the install. The biggest concern with a suspension lift is the potential to exceed safe driveline operating angles (driveshafts, CV joints, etc). Excessive angles result in driveline vibration and premature part failure. Steering geometry usually must be corrected as well. The result is incresed ground clearance, usually better flexibility of the suspension, and the ability to fit bigger tires.

I personally prefer suspension lifts. But the difference in cost can be preventative. A body lift kit is usually around $200 with bumper reloaction brackets, etc. A suspension lift? can range from $200-$3000+.

Good luck.

if hes just gonna ride in the street, get a body lift. But be warned is he ever goes off road he better have insurance. I reccommend a fabtech or superlift suspension lift. Because in my humble opinion body lifts a inferior and scarrrrrrryyyyyy!!!!  

Most well built rigs I see employ body lifts as well as suspension lifts.  

i have a 2inch skyjacker suspension lift with my jeep cherokee which i love, put new coils and shocks on it.  i'd go with the suspension. with a body lift especially if he plans on goin offroad sometimes you run the risk of messing up the frame really bad.  

Another good reason to skip the body lift is steering shaft problems, state laws concerning the gap between the bady and frame, fuel filler tube mods, wiring getting stretched on some rides, shifter binding on column shift, the need for a longer shifter on manual trans., body warpage as the mounts wear out, and a few other bugs that you run into.

     With a suspension lift you are pretty straight forward, Shims for geometry of driveline, Wheel travel, adjustability of some shocks, and reliability.  

I would go with a suspension lift, they give you more room to fit big tires and it raises the truck at the same time. A question of how high is up to you.  I have just a 4" BDS on my 95 Bronco and I love it. It looks good, rides sweet, and does even better when you get in the mud. This is good for me cause I ride around town a lot, but If the truck is just for wheelin then go big. Check out BDS at www.bdssuspension.com  

Well said, I agree