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Yet another vitara question

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:16 pm
by nashy
Hey fella's
Now i dont wanna get shot for asking this. I have spent the last 2 hrs using the search function, and kudos, the one on this site is actually half decent. I've found alot of useful info and i suppose all i'm really after now is opinions from ppl who have done this or know someone who has. What i'm thinking of doing is.
Front: 15mm spacer, front strut flip
Rear: 30mm spacer, new shocks
Then possibly a 2" body lift
Main thing i'm after is a little more clearance, a little more flex and make it look a bit better. At present with the 215/80/15's the car doesnt look like it has much clearance at all.
So has anyone done anything similar and hows it ride and look.?
Cheers
Nashy

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:26 pm
by Goatse.AJ
Sikid had a heap of info on what springs out of other vehicles would fit if you want to do it on the cheap. I'd be more inclined to go bigger springs rather than spacers.

Have a look through the Bible: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic48779.php

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:44 pm
by nashy
yeah i've been thru the bible alot over the last few weeks... Was mainly seein if anyone has done anything similar and how it went for them. Vits are pretty capable stock, showed up a few patrols last week, but as always want bigger and better

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:39 pm
by Goatse.AJ
40mm lift should allow you to fit 235/75 15 tyres. Fit a decent set of muddies with some decent length shocks and springs and away you go.

I'm not a fan of spacers, except to cure the lean caused by different length coils to compensate for the extra weight on the driver's side.

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:50 pm
by danssurf82
i have 30 mm spacers in the front and 50 mm spacers in the rear, longer shocks in the rear, and have a 50 mm spacer to drop the front strut mounts, i didnt flip the original ones i left them standard.

have had no probs with breaking cv's, in 2 years only broke one... its pretty good comparing to friends who break them all the time..(mainly toyota's)

i have 31's fitting no probs, 32's scrub a little when flexed up and steering turned full lock

i had 235/75 15 tyres fitting when my vit was standard you dont need a lift for that size but not worth it, go straight to 31's..

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:09 am
by monkeyplex
You should have no dramas with any of that nashy.

First modification I ever put in was some poly urethane spacers, (from a Bruce I think through this forum). I have been running 20mm front and 40mm rear, with no strut flip for four years, and have had not an ounce of trouble.

Last year I got rid of my 215s and put on some 31 inch muddies, followed by a 2 inch body lift. If you go 31's, while not 100% needed, a body lift makes life much easier. Although the gear ratios all get a bit tall, the big tyres definitely increase the off road capability of your car, and look heaps better. Mud terrain tyres make a world of difference off road.

As far as ride and handling. The coil spacers you will hardly notice. I think I actually remember the ride felt slightly softer at first. That combined with 2 inch body lift will cause noticably more body roll during cornering.

Just remember to take it easy on the road while you get used to the ride. All these mods make your vit handle more and more like a truck.

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:21 pm
by nashy
Cheers for the input guys. The coil spacers are a cheap solution for a little bit of lift to help out. Will eventually save up the dosh and put in an OME or dobinsons lift kit, coupled with a set of 30 inch muddies. But for now i'll go the spacers and a body lift. Can get away with doin all that for under the $350 mark.

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:41 am
by A GRIFFO
I've got a 50mm sping lift ironman 280
50mm body lift ebay 220
30mm coil spacer ebay 80
tyers and shocky next

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:26 pm
by saffrett
wat aboyt certifing the body lift

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:51 pm
by nashy
gettin it engineered..?

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:25 pm
by monkeyplex
Don't quote me on this, but I heard that you can lower or raise the body up to 2 inch without engineering. I can't remember where I read it tho..

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:11 pm
by nashy
yeah i dunno.. I know quite a few guys here in qld who have body lifts and i dont think they have engineering certs.. NSW could be different tho..

EDITED: Just finished having a look and in qld u can do 50mm yourself but anything more u will need to get engineered. But in all honesty, how many 4x4's out there would be classed as illegal already. There is just so much speculation about everything, and i dont even think the bloody cops know the rules...

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:40 pm
by preecy
hey there when my vitara was stock and i wanted a cheaper opion i found out that tj jeep 2inch (50mm) coil spacers fit and just made shock spacers for the rear and also had a 2inch body lift and i cleared 30" tyres no prob just another opion if u wanna look down that road cheers