Vitara Wheels and Suspension Lift

[bearski]

Hey Guys,

I've trawled through the forums for information on wheel sizes and offsets etc but havent come across what I'm looking for as everyone here seems to want 31" muddies or something....

I have a suzuki Vitara SWB hardtop and all I am chasing is a little extra ground clearance (as I'm currently refered to as "Mr Plow" on the beach) and some wider rubber (maybe a little larger in diametre), I'm not out to spend heaps of dollars I just want something a little more capable.

I've priced some longer springs (King Springs $140 for each end) which should give me between 1-2" extra clearance with my standard shocks, which is what I want.

Now, I've also been to some tire shops and they say at the very most I can put some 215/70 R15's on the standard 5.5" width rims without to much issue. But the choice of tires in the size is pretty much non-existant.

So my problem pretty much lies in the wheel/tire issue. I'm on the hunt for some sunraysia rims to take some reasonable all terrain tires. Without modding the vehicle what tire size could I expect to fit on without rubbing and what offset/size rims would I need? I dont mind going slighter larger in diametre (no more than an inch).

Thanks in advance!

[cj]

You could fit 215/75R15's to a 5.5" rim but have a think about 235/75 R15's as you won't need any mods other than some rims and you gain width and ground clearance. I don't see the point in springs if you're not changing the shocks.

[fightara]

Hey Guys,

I've trawled through the forums for information on wheel sizes and offsets etc but havent come across what I'm looking for as everyone here seems to want 31" muddies or something....

I have a suzuki Vitara SWB hardtop and all I am chasing is a little extra ground clearance (as I'm currently refered to as "Mr Plow" on the beach) and some wider rubber (maybe a little larger in diametre), I'm not out to spend heaps of dollars I just want something a little more capable.

I've priced some longer springs (King Springs $140 for each end) which should give me between 1-2" extra clearance with my standard shocks, which is what I want.

Now, I've also been to some tire shops and they say at the very most I can put some 215/70 R15's on the standard 5.5" width rims without to much issue. But the choice of tires in the size is pretty much non-existant.

So my problem pretty much lies in the wheel/tire issue. I'm on the hunt for some sunraysia rims to take some reasonable all terrain tires. Without modding the vehicle what tire size could I expect to fit on without rubbing and what offset/size rims would I need? I dont mind going slighter larger in diametre (no more than an inch).

Thanks in advance!

I run 235/75 R15s on my standard 5.5" rims - never had a problem, and they hold the bead really well.

Agree with CJ - no point changing springs unless you change shocks.

I say go the 235s with a 1" bodylift. Very moderate; it'll fit, and what do you need lift on the beach for anyway? The Vits aren't THAT low

I run Goodyear AT/Rs, and I find them great on the beach, shite in mud, and suprisingly grippy on rock.

[bearski]

Hmmm... sounds interesting. Maybe my springs have just sagged over the years. I bought the car approx 12 months ago and it now has 260,000k on the clock. I had the car on rainbow beach on sat/sun and I was scraping my underside heaps when driving through any inland tracks or in soft fluffy sand (in larger 4wd tracks which are hard to avoid!).

So if my current springs are on the out I'll need new ones anyway, why not go for longer ones while I'm at it? Most suspension places I've spoken to say I'll get away with it using the current shocks no worries (they were new on the car when I bought it). I understand I wont get any further travel at full extension because I'd be limited by the shock absorber, but other than that are there any other drawbacks? I really want to do this as simply as possible, installing springs for me is much easier than a body lift.

I planning on putting BFG AT's on. The 215's are 27.8" diametre whereas the 235's are 29", have you's had any probs with brakes and/or engine power with this size tire on?

[85zook]

if ur gonna bodylift dont even bother doing a 1", do a 2". and 235/75's would work well on the 5.5's. heaps of tyres in this size

[bearski]

Yeah, I wont be bodylifting, I want more overall ground clearance, not just more room just to put bigger tires.

[cj]

Most suspension places I've spoken to say I'll get away with it using the current shocks no worries (they were new on the car when I bought it). I understand I wont get any further travel at full extension because I'd be limited by the shock absorber, but other than that are there any other drawbacks?

I'd be concerned about the level of expertise at these suspension places you've been talking to. Think about what happens to a shock if you increase the spring height.

[Beastmavster]

I'd say dont use Kings springs from personal experience with the Vitara... but that's my experience - I'd recommend Dobinsons. Although dobinsons only give 30-40mm more clearance going to a 29" tyre means you need 33mm clearance so this is fine for your purpose.

If you're only after enough lift for 235/75/15 (29" tyres) then WHY would you bodylift? A small (2" or under) Suspension lift is easier and more legal without engineers certificate in all states. (You could also use coil spacers but some states frown upon them). Beats hassles with insurance companies and cops too.

Seriously... do some people here recommend body lift for anything on basic principle?

As far as more clearance goes... neither suspension or bodylift is gonna give you more overall clearance without tyres. Both will give no more clearance under the rear diff (lowest point on a vitara). However 2" of one is as good as 2" of the other for other clearance issues.

You will be somewhat limited in travel with your stock suspension but it's not gonna kill it the first time you use it. Buy the springs, use them... then upgrade your suspension. See what some of the vitara (and ex vitara lol) guys use.

[SiKiD_01]

i used to have 235/75R15 on standard suzi 5.5" rims. apparently, as i was told, that this is an illegal fitment, as the 235's require a min 6" wide rim to mount on. a lot of people do it anyway, and some over in the states mount 30x9.5's on standard rims! i spose it means don't have an accident, or else if the insurance people find just that one little thing thats illegal on your car, then no insurance cover.

when i had the 235's, i had one inch coil spacers front and rear, nothing needed modding, but did get some rub on full lock right. back of right front tyre would just rub on chassis rail.

then i changed rear shocks to longer ones, and got a lot more travel, resulting in back tyres rubbing on inside of rear wheel wells. standard coils could be removed at full droop.

anyway, i ran the 235's with no problems at all, and yes, with the 1" coil spacers, did give a slightly noticable 'lift' in ride height when talking about ruts in sand and stuff.

i think anything bigger will need some more mods. and i believe the next tyre size up from 235 is 30x9.5 and so on. i had GY MT/Rs BTW.

hope this helps.
steve

[bearski]

i used to have 235/75R15 on standard suzi 5.5" rims. apparently, as i was told, that this is an illegal fitment, as the 235's require a min 6" wide rim to mount on. a lot of people do it anyway, and some over in the states mount 30x9.5's on standard rims! i spose it means don't have an accident, or else if the insurance people find just that one little thing thats illegal on your car, then no insurance cover.

when i had the 235's, i had one inch coil spacers front and rear, nothing needed modding, but did get some rub on full lock right. back of right front tyre would just rub on chassis rail.

then i changed rear shocks to longer ones, and got a lot more travel, resulting in back tyres rubbing on inside of rear wheel wells. standard coils could be removed at full droop.

anyway, i ran the 235's with no problems at all, and yes, with the 1" coil spacers, did give a slightly noticable 'lift' in ride height when talking about ruts in sand and stuff.

i think anything bigger will need some more mods. and i believe the next tyre size up from 235 is 30x9.5 and so on. i had GY MT/Rs BTW.

hope this helps.
steve

I had only intended to go the 215/R75 15's initially, but it seems the 235's should fit OK, if I do get the larger size I'll probably get some 15x6" sunrasia rims to suit and keep the stock wheels and tires in the garage.

I have NO plans of going any larger or doing a body lift. As I said my springs have sagged somewhat already it would seem. I've been to 3 different suspension places about the springs and have been told the same thing, even SuziSport have a spring kit on their site that states they're fine with standard shocks. The blokes I've spoken to say I'll realistically only get a 1-1.5" increase over standard height at best doing this. When combined with larger tires this should give me the extra clearance I am chasing.

[cj]

Where are you located? If you know you'll never go any bigger 15x6 will do you but if in the back of your mind there lurks a thought of one day.... then get 15x7's as they will give you more options down the track.

[antt]

i, and some over in the states mount 30x9.5's on standard rims!

my spare is a 30x9.5 mounted on a standard rim

[cj]

I've got some 33x9.5's on stock rims

[Ric]

had 2" king springs, sag heaps with 235/75 MT/R's. didn't like the MT/R's, so i did a 2" body lift and put in 31" BFG muds. have had to bash back the firewall and cut back the front bumper to fit them in. changed the steering lock as well because the left side would rub on the chassis. don't know about fitting with the rear bumper because i left it off.
they are on 15x7 rims. its worth going straight to 15x7's. you will save in the long run when you slowly upgrade to bigger tyres.

Ric

[fightara]

I'd say dont use Kings springs from personal experience with the Vitara... but that's my experience - I'd recommend Dobinsons. Although dobinsons only give 30-40mm more clearance going to a 29" tyre means you need 33mm clearance so this is fine for your purpose.

If you're only after enough lift for 235/75/15 (29" tyres) then WHY would you bodylift? A small (2" or under) Suspension lift is easier and more legal without engineers certificate in all states. (You could also use coil spacers but some states frown upon them). Beats hassles with insurance companies and cops too.

Seriously... do some people here recommend body lift for anything on basic principle?

As far as more clearance goes... neither suspension or bodylift is gonna give you more overall clearance without tyres. Both will give no more clearance under the rear diff (lowest point on a vitara). However 2" of one is as good as 2" of the other for other clearance issues.

You will be somewhat limited in travel with your stock suspension but it's not gonna kill it the first time you use it. Buy the springs, use them... then upgrade your suspension. See what some of the vitara (and ex vitara lol) guys use.

I was suggesting a small bodylift in lieu of suspension lift because:

a) cheaper
b) COG lower
c) 1" requires pretty much no changes to brake/fuel/steering/levers, etc. and the 235s will fit
d) beach work doesn't require much clearance except for under the diff

There is a noticeable difference in power, but it's not too bad. Braking is not that adversely affected. The GV brakes (not sure about Vit but assume the same) are pretty big considering the size/weight of the car.

[Beastmavster]

Yeah. 1" bodylift isnt that hard really, but it's just a thing that Bodylift does normally need engineers approval.....

2" bodylift much harder. Remember I ended up doing 2 different bodylifts on mine before I got the Maverick, so I'm not ANTI bodylift, just expressing that there's as many reasons to do suspension as body lift. More if you're in QLD which is pretty repressive on bodylift.

[bearski]

Yeah. 1" bodylift isnt that hard really, but it's just a thing that Bodylift does normally need engineers approval.....

2" bodylift much harder. Remember I ended up doing 2 different bodylifts on mine before I got the Maverick, so I'm not ANTI bodylift, just expressing that there's as many reasons to do suspension as body lift. More if you're in QLD which is pretty repressive on bodylift.

I live in Brisbane. I've never wanted to do the bodylift, just the other fella's on here seem keen on it Whatever I do I want to be fairly simple that I can reverse to standard without too much hassle in case I sell the vehicle. A combination of springs and tyres seems a relatively cheap and easy way to do what i want.

Back on the topic of 235 size tires, what sort of offset rim would be required so that the front tires wont scrub at full lock? (Assuming 15x6 Rims and also considering that the tire isnt supposed to stick out farther the the wheel arches)

I wont be ever going bigger than 29", so I'm not worried about getter larger rims to future proof myself I want to get a cruiser or something eventually, this car has to last me to the end of uni (approx 12-18months).

Thanks again guys.

[bearski]

i, and some over in the states mount 30x9.5's on standard rims!

my spare is a 30x9.5 mounted on a standard rim

Hey Antt, I'm a fellow Loganite also. Any chance of possibly looking at your setup and having a chat to get some advice? I wont get offended if you say no....

[antt]

i, and some over in the states mount 30x9.5's on standard rims!

my spare is a 30x9.5 mounted on a standard rim

Hey Antt, I'm a fellow Loganite also. Any chance of possibly looking at your setup and having a chat to get some advice? I wont get offended if you say no....

yeah whenever mate, we'll have to go wheeling sometime

[Beastmavster]

I was looking at a go south somewhere (Ormeau or Browns Plains on Sunday).

Antt you up for it?

[antt]

can't, we have a training day for the logan challenge on sunday

[y0di]

235's look great on 7" rims