Problems lifting '90 surf?

[pigglet]

Just brought me a 1990 surf. Shes a beast. In the process of lifting her but been talking to a few people about what problems i should look out for when lifting it past a certain height. Went on a run a few weeks ago with a surf that snapped his cvs and blew his front diff from lifting it to high. What kind of height can i do on body and suspension before i need to think about worrying about my brake lines and cvs etc. So far have wound up the torsin bars 70 ml and am stretching rear springs to match untill i come up with some more coin.

[macca81]

body lift to 2" is fine with no other mods.
torsion bars in theory can be wound up 2" b4 CVs have to much strain on them... 1" BJ spacers can take this upto 3" total in suspension...

[shamozzle]

As far as lifting you can wind the torsion bars up 2" at the front. Any more than this can create binding in your cv's. An additional 1 inch of lift can be added to this with a ball joint spacer kit. Usually this comes with the diff spacer blocks which brings everything back into alignment.

Brake line extensions should not be needed with a 2" suspension lift but will be with the 3" lift. A 2" body lift on the surf is easily achievable without any problems

Snapping CV's could've been caused by the vehicle being wound up too much at the front and creating some stupid cv angles but as far as the front diff goes they're prone to breakage, the usual scenario involves having one wheel in the air spinning then making contact with the ground, end result is usually stripped crown wheel and a stuffed pinion shaft. A locker will usually sort this though

You'll be able to find out heaps more on this site regarding your surf http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/index.php


Cheers.

[pigglet]

I know someone that can make the spacers for the body lift themselves rather than having to buy them if i do this should i only lift it an extra 1"? Im really wanting to lift it 3" on body and 2" on suspension...if not higher. Should that be my max point or do you reacon it would be sweet at that kind of height?

[hilux79]

What is the reason you want to lift it? For bigger tyres and ground clearance? Just asking cause you have to remember the higher you go the easier it will fall over unless you widen the track. 2 and 2 would be pretty good.

Ben

[xxxhilux]

if u do a body lift of 3inchs you will have lots of problems hoses wont stretch that far
you will have problems with fuel filler
gear levers
i think 3inchs gives u problems with steering shaft
and there will be more things that you will run into thats why most people do a 2 inch body lift

[TWISTY]

I have done two 3" bodylifts on 4runners. One on mine, and on a mates. Neither of them needed steering shaft extensions, just loosen the splines when you lift the body, and tighten up when done. Both needed the the main gear shifter extended 2", and just cut a heap away to get the xfer stick to work. My fuel filler was fine, a mates needed some exhuast pipe and hose clamps to extend it to suit. Both had problems with the intake pipe for the V6 splitting after time, but were fixed with the ISR mod. (Intake Silencer Removal, pics below). Only other dramas is you'll need some drop brackets for the radiator, which are simple to make.

Got a 3" kit in the garage still (Nylon blocks turned up on a lathe) that I could probably sell if interested.

Mine, 3" Body, BJ Spacers, Cruiser Coils, and 37s with some scrubbing in the front.


Mine with my mates, both with 3" body and 2" susp, and 33s.

[+dj_hansen+]

I also have a balljoint spacer kit which allows better front end geometry if your going for a full 2"lift in the front and can push to 3"without serious binding problems. High tensile aluminum blocks and all high tensile bolts, never installed. PM if your interested or need more info.