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Raising vehicle height

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Offline JAMES44

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Raising vehicle height
« on: May 01, 2017, 10:01:29 AM »
    It always intrigues me the number of folk who insist on raising their Suzuki ..higher it is the more unstable it becomes on the road..excuse if only used off road playing...friends Jeep which he raised i had a drive in it on road ..never again thanks..
              Jim

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Offline RJkick

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2017, 10:08:22 AM »
I feel more stable on the road with a 4" lift better shocks, springs, and wider tires

I had the tiny stock tires below and it was okay but less stable in my opinion

I could see instability with height and stock or "skinny" tires

I guess it depends on how fast you want to turn a corner or crank the wheel to the chock - like the Samurai tests that had them banned

It does tend to be unstable in high wind but that's more weight than anything else
92 Sidekick 1.6L 16v Calmini\OME 4.5" lift 3" Body Lift OME962 springs in front w\.75" spacers OME955 in rear w\1.75" spacers Extreme Duty Strut Eliminator kit and rear ProComp MX6 Shocks 31X10.50 Nexen M\T   Thorley Header   2" exhaust  Calmini front truss bar and stabilizer and skids   Custom Bumpers and Rock Rails  Limit Straps

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Online fordem

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2017, 11:00:38 AM »
First - I want to say that there are different ways to lift a vehicle - there are many people who believe that lifting a vehicle is just a matter of bunging in a spacer or a taller/stiffer spring along with longer shocks, and there are many inexpensive kits out there for both Jeep and Suzuki that do just that, however, by proper selection of spring rate and length, along with shocks valved to suit both the vehicle weight & spring rate, it is possible to achieve a lift whilst at the same time providing improved ride comfort, handling & stability.

Please bear in mind also, that vehicle design engineers have to work within specific parameters - things like a budget and also what management sees as the target market for the vehicle, what percentage of the prospective users will be interested in comfort, handling or off-road capability - the end result is that the factory suspension is a compromise, which in many cases can be improved upon, especially if the end user knows what he/she wants out of the vehicle.

Second - I want to point out that whilst you haven't told us which Suzuki you're comparing to which Jeep, you're almost certainly not comparing apples to apples, and my previous statement is perhaps more applicable to lifted Jeeps than it is to lifted Suzukis - your friend's lifted Jeep is almost certainly going to be one of the "solid front axle" models - did the lift address the camber change and bump steer issues that are common with solid front axle lifts?

'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline TioPick

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2017, 03:21:01 PM »
Interesting start of a thread.  Someone may have been around a bunch of 4X4 cowboys that need a stirrup hanging out the door to climb in their PU.  I had been anticipating raising my Chevuki Tracker a couple of inches.  Not for bigger tires but for center clearance in rutted 2-tracks.  I am aware that one should not just throw spacers in without also changing control arms and panhard rod and all that adds up for an only 2" lift.  Therefor my latest idea is to put air bags front and back to inflate when needed.  Anyone have any experience and tell me what sort of lift I might expect?

Of course where I live I would not have to look far for hydraulics.  Besides low and slow I might could tip toe through the boonies like a Daddy long-legs

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Offline Phase change

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2017, 07:17:32 PM »
It’s called lifting not raising.  Sheesh. 
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Online fordem

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2017, 06:57:12 AM »
I just installed a set of Dobinsons (Australian) lift springs in one of my compact 4WDs (a Mitsubishi), with a considerable improvement in stability, the OEM springs were obviously selected more for ride comfort than handling.  There is noticeably less body roll in turns and  the nose dive when braking is almost eliminated.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2017, 06:59:19 AM by fordem »
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline TinTopTom

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2017, 07:46:20 AM »
    It always intrigues me the number of folk who insist on raising their Suzuki ..higher it is the more unstable it becomes on the road..excuse if only used off road playing...friends Jeep which he raised i had a drive in it on road ..never again thanks..
              Jim

Because I can  :P

Not really, but when I read something like this, I have to wonder, did you have someone tailgate you in one of those ridiculous 'bro-trucks' this morning?

You know the ones, AKA 'Mall Crawler' sportin' small tires, lifted a minimum of 12" using green powdercoated lift kit components, Fox reservoir shocks that look like they belong on Robbie Gordon's Baja 1000 Trophy Truck, 10" diameter chrome muffler tip, $25k worth of aftermarket crap bolted on a $15k truck that never sees dirt and gets washed and detailed every Saturday, rain or shine :laugh:  :laugh:  The SEMA show this year was awash in an ocean of those things. Don't get me wrong, those guys are going for the look, it's their money and effort, and that's cool with me.

My Samurai is lifted so I can get over obstacles when I go play. It has a skid plat, too. Welded on plates to protect the ring gear as well. The right tool for the job. If you don't drive over stuff, and just like the 4x4 for the snow on your slippery driveway, an Outback or all-wheel drive Audi might be better. But if you just like the look, and don't mind dealing with the higher center of gravity, do it!
Building stuff is a way of life

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Offline WVzuk

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2017, 12:41:09 PM »
Because with a Sidekick, Tracker or Sammi you really need at least a 2" lift to do much offroading.  Plus I think all the afformentioned trucks look better with a mild lift.  My Sidekick with 3" Zukination lift and mud tires is actually more fun to drive on the road than stock.
1994 4dr Sidekick: 3inch Zukination lift, 30x9.50 mud tires, snorkel, ARB rear locker, homemade bumpers

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Offline Phase change

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Re: Raising vehicle height
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2017, 07:55:34 PM »
Before, after.  Any questions? Lol.
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had