I'd say I have a very general understanding of the difference between a body lift and suspension lift but can anyone give me a basic comparison of the two (cost, functionality, aesthetics, pros, cons, etc).

Also, is a budget boost like Teraflex considered a body lift or suspension lift. I've heard guys say "get a suspension lift, body lift is cheap and doesnt look as good". Besides price, what makes the Teraflex kit so popular?

 

Body lift lifts the entire body of the jeep only.
- This is generally done to allow bigger tires
- verry inexpensive and fairly easy to install
- Looks like ass, especially if more then 2" (opinion)

Budget Boost lifts the entire frame and body of the jeep.
- Allows larger tires
- Gives better clearance between the ground and frame
- Inexpensive yet effective.
- Looks the same as a full suspension lift. (until closer inspection)
- Maintains stock ride quality and handling (with reasonable lift)

Full suspension lift raises the frame and body again.
- Allows larger tires
- Gives better clearance between the ground and frame
- Greater flexability than stock
- Increased strength
- Can increase ride quality both on and off road (Highly dependent on design)

I'm sure others can point out more but I think that covers the basics. A full suspension lift is considered the CORRECT way to lift a jeep. The price and performance depend on tons of factors but the bigger you go the more complicated the system.

 

Trust Me dude go suspension

 

You can find answers to your questions in the Modified FAQ

 

The basic differences are:

Body Lift -

The Jeep has a body mounted to a frame....there are body mounts that hold them together...a Body Lift inserts spacers, to lift the body further from the frame, primarily to allow larger tires to fit...as a suspension lift just changes your ride height, ....if the larger tires would hit on full compression w/o a suspension lift, they would ALSO hit WITH a suspension lift.

All a BL is essentially is a set of spacers to space the body up, one per body mount...people do these in an hour or three range...depending upon the beer/pizza used, etc.

A Body Lift therefore doesn't increase your ground clearance in of itself...but, it allows larger tires, for example, 33's fit with NO lift...35's only protrude one inch more than 33's...so a 1" BL allows 35's to stuff as if they were 33's, etc.

A BL can also be used to make more room to tuck up low hanging fruit (Gas tank, muffler, etc...) to improve clearance.

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A larger diameter tire is the ONLY true lift, as it also lifts the axles/diffs...suspension lifts leave the alxles and diffs, etc., at the same height.

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A Suspension Lift -

Suspension lifts use the SUSPENSION to raise the frame...essentially pre-drooping the suspension to increase the ride height. This increases the ground clearance of the frame, but not the axles/diffs, etc.

On a coil sprung suspension, the SL essentially consists of either a longer set of coil springs, and/or higher spring rate coil springs...so that at rest, the same weight jeep doesn't sink down as low, thus raising the ride height.

A Budget Boost IS a SL...but, to save money (The BUDGET PART), it uses a coil spacer to set the coil's upper position a bit lower, pushing the stock coil down, thus raising the jeep.

Essentially, it uses a spacer to give the extra coil length, and allows you to keep your stock coils, saving $. Droop/articulation, will be about the same, as he droop is from gravity and cantilevered leverage for the most part, rather than spring force.

Because it uses the stock springs...adding weight, like a winch/bumper, skids, sliders, etc...will typically sag them with time, and, you will not have extra spring rate to match the (Slightly) higher center of gravity.

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Shocks make a huge difference in articulation...and any SL or BL can be combined with longer shocks if $ allows, etc.

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Generally....A BL is PART of a build-up, for example, to run 35's with out needing bumpstop extensions (That rob uptravel/stuffage...) a 1" BL is a cheap fix.

With the 1" BL, the shock's 15" compressed limit is now ~ 16"...meaning a longer travel shock might work, than before, etc.

Most people get new longer travel shocks when they get a BB or other SL....to take advantage of the extra articulation.

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As BB's top out at about 2 - 2.5" of suspension lift....the drivetrain mods that are required for a 3+" lift are typically avoided, saving more $.

Adjustable track bars, longer linkages, adjustable arms, longer drive shafts, etc...and other items start being required as lift heights go over the BB range, with SWB JK's needing the most, sooner, and LWB Unlimiteds needing less in general, and later (Taller), etc.

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So all three versions have rolls to play, depending upon what you want the JK to do that it can't now, and your budget.