Im looking at body lifting my SWB vitara. I've heard that it can affect camber and steering geometry. Is this true? I was pretty sure it wouldn't seeing as the suspension and steering components are all located via the chassis not the body. Also is it a complicated job? Some places i've been to seem to think it is $$$$$.
Any help would be appreciated.
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body lift question
body lift question
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There is absolutely no effect on camber or steering geometry when fitting a body lift.
Fitting a body lift is nat a very complicated job but does take a full (ish) day. I am sure that with a hoist, it could be done in around a 1/2 day.
For a workshop, it will be $$$$ - figure on around 8-10 man hours, plus the kit. Let's say the kit is $300, plus maybe $500 in labour (if you're lucky) plus any little things that are required. It's not hard to have, say $1100+ in it, just working from some rough figures.
However, I am yet to see a commercially available body lift for a vitara that I am happy with. Some of us make our own, I have done three vitaras for club members and they have all worked out well at 2".
There are only a few little things that need "custom" work when they are fitted. abou tthe hardest one is lifting the stock front bumper.
Come along to the next suzuki club meeting, we have some fair vitara gurus in the club.
cj
Fitting a body lift is nat a very complicated job but does take a full (ish) day. I am sure that with a hoist, it could be done in around a 1/2 day.
For a workshop, it will be $$$$ - figure on around 8-10 man hours, plus the kit. Let's say the kit is $300, plus maybe $500 in labour (if you're lucky) plus any little things that are required. It's not hard to have, say $1100+ in it, just working from some rough figures.
However, I am yet to see a commercially available body lift for a vitara that I am happy with. Some of us make our own, I have done three vitaras for club members and they have all worked out well at 2".
There are only a few little things that need "custom" work when they are fitted. abou tthe hardest one is lifting the stock front bumper.
Come along to the next suzuki club meeting, we have some fair vitara gurus in the club.
cj[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
do you have suspension lift yet? if not, have you considered this option?
BL only gives a bit more room to run larger tyres, and does almost nothing to increase off road performance, and maybe lift the C.O.G a bit higher. what it does allow is room for some larger tyres, 30"-31", and more room for the tyres to stuff when the suspension cycles through its range.
things to consider:
steering shaft may need to be extended
shifters will need to be extended or bent
fuel filler hose needs to be extended (some can stretch for a 2" BL)
brake lines from body to chassis need to be extended
thats about it, depending on the BL kit you get. some go together really good, others may need more work to work. i did a BL twice on my vit, 1st was with Box section steel (very illegal) and then replaced with 70mm dia HDPE blocks.
BL dont interfere with any steering or suspension geometry.
if you do a 2" or 3" BL, make sure you try to lift the body up evenly off the chassis so that you dont lift one side and bend the studs on the other side.
i have a 3" BL, and i have lifted my fuel tank 3" too. this is good because you dont drag ur tank around too much. i also have about 3" more under bonnet room, but with my cary and snorkel set up, its not really enough.
you may also have to watch out for heater/aircon hoses with are attached or go in or out of the firewall.
BL only gives a bit more room to run larger tyres, and does almost nothing to increase off road performance, and maybe lift the C.O.G a bit higher. what it does allow is room for some larger tyres, 30"-31", and more room for the tyres to stuff when the suspension cycles through its range.
things to consider:
steering shaft may need to be extended
shifters will need to be extended or bent
fuel filler hose needs to be extended (some can stretch for a 2" BL)
brake lines from body to chassis need to be extended
thats about it, depending on the BL kit you get. some go together really good, others may need more work to work. i did a BL twice on my vit, 1st was with Box section steel (very illegal) and then replaced with 70mm dia HDPE blocks.
BL dont interfere with any steering or suspension geometry.
if you do a 2" or 3" BL, make sure you try to lift the body up evenly off the chassis so that you dont lift one side and bend the studs on the other side.
i have a 3" BL, and i have lifted my fuel tank 3" too. this is good because you dont drag ur tank around too much. i also have about 3" more under bonnet room, but with my cary and snorkel set up, its not really enough.
you may also have to watch out for heater/aircon hoses with are attached or go in or out of the firewall.
1995 Vitara:
stock standard
WWW.DARWIN4X4.NET
stock standard
WWW.DARWIN4X4.NET
G-Steve,Gwagensteve wrote:There is absolutely no effect on camber or steering geometry when fitting a body lift.
Fitting a body lift is nat a very complicated job but does take a full (ish) day. I am sure that with a hoist, it could be done in around a 1/2 day.
For a workshop, it will be $$$$ - figure on around 8-10 man hours, plus the kit. Let's say the kit is $300, plus maybe $500 in labour (if you're lucky) plus any little things that are required. It's not hard to have, say $1100+ in it, just working from some rough figures.
However, I am yet to see a commercially available body lift for a vitara that I am happy with. Some of us make our own, I have done three vitaras for club members and they have all worked out well at 2".
There are only a few little things that need "custom" work when they are fitted. abou tthe hardest one is lifting the stock front bumper.
Come along to the next suzuki club meeting, we have some fair vitara gurus in the club.
When you make your own body lifts, how have you broached the captive stud issue?
I too am not overly impressed with what is on the market but that said, I don't have access to any fabrication equipment and as such may have to purchase a pre fabbed kit anyway.
Are you interested in producing a good quality 2" body lift on request for sale? I have no problem with paying the going rate but safety and quality is a must.
Cheers,
Kris.
KRiS
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