I think it is time to lift my xl-7. Its a 2002 that going to need some new tires and I am going bigger maybe some 265/70/16 or 265/75/16 on the oem wheels. I been reading alot on the forums. So I thinking about running  The RRO Old Man Emu lift and the Grand Vitara body lift with some mods the was done on Nomaad xl-7 plus Steering extension kit. I will also be running spidertrax wheel spacers. I have read the spring spacers in this kit are not the good that Sky or Low Range may be the way to go. Any input would be sweet good or bad. Thanks Paul

The spring spacers from Low Range are the BEST.   You may be able to save some $$ buy using a different wheel spacer. I got mine off ebay for $125 for a set of 4. I think Spidertrax are that much a pair.

running calmini 2.5" suspension lift +1.25 coil spacer 2.5" bodylift, 1inch spidertrax wheel spacer, and 32 inch tires with just a bit of rubbing at full lock, had to do a little bit of trimming in the wheel well and a little bit of massaging with a sledge hamer

Is there anybody out there running the basic Calmini 2.5" lift (no spacers). Curious about the highway ride and if the Calmini spring give the XL7 a harsh ride. I'm not looking to go king kong off road but I do allot of mountain tracks but still want some comfort on the road. 

Thanks

I'm running Low range's 2" spacer kit with new shocks on 245x75-16's.  Great stance and still good MPG.  

The trans is still happy pullling grades in OD>


Here is a pic squatting ~ loaded down heavy with camping gear.

Whitfield, nice shot of more or less of what I want in in a lift kit, Not a big mud bog competitor!

When you say 2" spacers, are we talking about suspension spacers (coil spacers)? Any alignment issues with the front end?

Thanks

Martin

Stock photo to compare (235-65-16 BFG's) ~





Martin I believe it was 1.5" up front and 2" in the rear ~ Low Range's standard coil spacer kit.  The new rear shocks helped my ride and drive.  

Alignment was fairly straight forward.  My stock truck was wearing the tires bad and needed a camber bolt to correct stock unlifted alignment.  

I lifted the truck + added new tires + installed Moog Camber bolts (1 on the top each side) and sent it for alignment.  The only issues we had was the driver side needed an extra camber bolt.  Alignment is now spot on and the truck is much more pleasant to drive then out of alignment in stock form.  

With the 245's I get slight rub at full compression but 3 months in and the tires have yet to mark the plastic.  They stuff very well and as the plastic begins to show marks I'll trim to fit.  

The 245s fit the fenderwells just about perfect.  265's would not have worked for me.      

Low Range's coil spacer lift uses 1.5" coil and strut spacers in front and 2" spacers in the rear. It is the best bang for the buck anywhere. I should know, I supply them. LOL. By the way that is one clean looking lifted XL-7 you have whitfield.

Whitfield, Thanks for tire info. Funny, your XL7 is a mirror of the one I just purchased (including the tint rear glass). Only exception being the rims, I've got (and have a preference for) the stock "steel" rims.  Not sure why but the previous owner fitted it with Mich Primacy highway tires..  a very good tire if your sticking to the highway! 

My XL7 has yet to hit the road as I'm prepping it with some racks and stuff for my Hang Gliding gear. It's high km's but I think it was a RV trailer queen as it has hardly any sign of the wear one would see with 220,000km's. I swiped the front skid plate off of my Tracker and will try and figure out something for the transfer case next.

I will probably do the spacer lift in the fall when I scope out some BFG's at the same time and let them set and check the camber.

Cheers

Martin

The spacer lift appears to be the simplest solution but I would still like some feedback from anyone that has gone with the basic (no body lift) Calmini lift. Other then the additional lift, do the custom drop control arms have an advantage?

Cheers

Martin

Here is the kit I offer, the spacers are CNC machined from billet aluminum, all steel parts are tig welded and powder coated. Most complete spacer lift kit on the market.

http://www.srcustoms.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=29&category_id=8&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=56

Here is the kit I offer, the spacers are CNC machined from billet aluminum, all steel parts are tig welded and powder coated. Most complete spacer lift kit on the market.

Do you recommend a longer shock for the rear?  (BTW, nice looking kit). What are the brackets for?

Thanks

Martin

Do you recommend a longer shock for the rear?  (BTW, nice looking kit). What are the brackets for?

Thanks

Martin

Yes you will need longer rear shocks when installing this lift. The one bracket is a pan hard relocation bracket it keeps the pan hard bar in the original location, this is important if you want your truck to handle the same as before it was lifted The other is for the brake bias arm. Let me know if you have any questions. If you like e-mail me at SRCUSTOMS|removethispart|@shaw.ca

Mud Child,

Thanks for the info, the project to lift will be in the fall (when replace the tires). Your kit looks nicely made, seems like the simplest approach to mild lift. Your almost "local" so I will be in touch.

Call me "thick" but what the heck is "pan hard relocation bracket"? Heck, whats pan hard bar?  I've been crawling around my 99 Tracker for over 12 years and never knew I had one  (The bias bracket I know.... I always like to think of it as payload compensator ....)

Also, What type, brand or what ever do you spec when replacing the rear shocks?

Martin

A panhard rod - also known as a track bar - is the ideally horizontal link that controls the sideways movement of the rear axle - just slide under the back and look for a bar an inch or two behind the rear axle - one end attaches to the axle, and the other to the frame.

When you lift the vehicle with a spring lift (coils or spacers), axle is further away from the frame, so the rod is now at an angle and pulls the axle to one side (the right - going from memory), the relocation bracket goes between the frame and the rod, lowering the end of the rod so it is horizontal once more.

Edit

Just for clarity - the relocation bracket can theoretically be used at either end of the panhard rod - I've never seen Mudchild's own, so I don't know which end he built it for.