[dhglory]

I've got a stock vitara wagon handed down to me and I like to lift it enough to fit 31's. Don't like to spend heaps as all my $$$ goes into my bikes but need to get to places my Subaru couldn't go. Any suggestions ?

[atari4x4]

max cheapness:




less cheapnesst: bodylift from the business directory & coil spacers from Bruce, strut top flip, commo shocks + probably a bit of love from the above 2.

[shandy92]

Lucky you getting one handed down, start with a 2" bodylift from justcruizin (business section) then either buy some lifted springs or just put in the spacers as said ^^^^. Have a Search its been asked and answered lots. Or buy a calmini 3" kit or the altered ego 4.5" kit!

Cheers

[shep]

Best option is to sell the vitara and buy a jimny

[dhglory]

shep, jimny's are cute, but not for me. My swb was too small for what I need it for so jimny is a no no. Body lift might get the go, would 31's fit with just that or do I need longer springs too?. Or am I just pushing it?. I've got a set of good maxis bighorn in the shed and like to use them.

[christover1]

If you already have tyres, no cost to throw them on, and measure up what needs doing.
And some 31's only measure 30 anyway.

[dhglory]

$255. Is something I can live with. Just had a look at just cruising. The bighorns are half worn so they won't be 31 anymore. I did bolt them on but there is no room left for any movement . I am not after a weapon off-road, just enough room for them to sit comfortably in the wheel arch. Maybe a spacer in the rear as that sags heaps with the toolbox and gear in the back, not to mention the trailer.

[atari4x4]

leave it standard if you dont want a weapon & can't afford to do it properly.

[dhglory]

It doesn't come down to affordability. 15 grand worth of bikes getting towed by a handed down vitara is just great , I just need it to go where my (lifted) suby went, sold it to a mate and I can't get up to some of our local DH tracks He goes in the sub. It just bottoms out. A. Few inches would make all the difference. I like getting out there and check out tracks when we go interstate don't get me wrong but my bikes are no.1 and my priority. My vitara just Needs to get me there and back and have a little fun in between but I happen to break things as I get a bit carried away sometimes DH adrenaline rush is not easily matched with driving a 4wd so I tend to push it too far sometimes. Have to say I haven't broken anything on it yet, pretty surprised actually

[shandy92]

if you plan to tow i wouldnt be putting 31's on it, you will soon hate towing. You are better off going suspension lift to raise the chassis a bit and maybe go to a 235/75/15's

how much does the trailer weigh fully loaded?

[atari4x4]

pics of free vitara not loading?

[dhglory]

Makes sense what you are saying there shandy. Trailer only weighs 200kg at the most but I haven't thought about the effect on putting on bigger tyres.

[atari4x4]

legally only allowed to tow 450kgs.

[karlmarkiewicz]

I have nothing but a 2 inch suspension lift (could be replaced with spacers) and about 30.5inch tyres. Wound out the steering stops so it doesn't scrub on full lock (took 30 mins) and for the back, there is inevitably going to be scrubbing, unless you, as atari said, give the hammer and grinder some love. But to save cutting your tyres all you have to do it roll the guards, the scrubbing doesn't fuck your tyres after that. Can't say much about towing, I have a 6x4 trailer (200kgs) and with 3 DH bikes in it, I can hardly feel a difference AT ALL (on road). So for what you are towing, don't think it is a huge deal. But then again, these guys ^^ would know more.
Thought I would give my 2 cents.

[dhglory]

thanks karl, now we're getting somewhere, looked at coil and strut spacers already and seeing the bighorns are half worn that would be just about right. my trailer is just a 5x3 frame with aluminium top to squeeze 4 bikes in it and atm I don't even feel the thing sitting behind it.

[karlmarkiewicz]

dhglory wrote:

thanks karl, now we're getting somewhere, looked at coil and strut spacers already and seeing the bighorns are half worn that would be just about right. my trailer is just a 5x3 frame with aluminium top to squeeze 4 bikes in it and atm I don't even feel the thing sitting behind it.

I know you can get a brand new 2 inch lift, which is strut and coil spacers with rear shocks, all for $550 from outdoor auto, although I have heard bad things about him on this forum. If you don't live near him then don't bother with him, apparently he is not reliable with sending parts.
5x3 trailer is tiny, I reckon you would be fine with just the suspension spacers. With 31s and 2 inch suspension you will get a total of 4inches lift, which I think would do you nicely. Works a treat for me, my vitara goes anywhere.

[dhglory]

cheers, that's the sort of info I'm after. ordered strut spacers and coil spacers from the US and see how it sits when that is in.

[Reubs]

dhglory wrote:

I like to lift it enough to fit 31's.

dhglory wrote:

cheers, that's the sort of info I'm after. ordered strut spacers and coil spacers from the US and see how it sits when that is in.

Strut and coil spacers aren't going to help you fit 31s under your Vit without them scrubbing A LOT.

29" (235/75R15) with standard bumpstop spacing results in A LOT of scrubbing even when just driving over a small gutter.

You need bumpstop spacing as a minimum. Bumpstop spacing, and body lift would be better.

[atari4x4]

in this thread you said it was already lifted?

dhglory wrote:

got a lwb vitara with a 2"lift and 30" bighorns

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41396&p=750426#p750426

[dhglory]

since your at it, can you also pop up that one where I mentioned "that was my old 1.6" ?

[shandy92]

dhglory wrote:

since your at it, can you also pop up that one where I mentioned "that was my old 1.6" ?

so what do you drive now? i thought you drove a 96 1.6L wagon? if you have a v6 then ill delete my post as its almost irrelevant

[dhglory]

that was my old 1.6 wagon with the lift already on it, got rid of it due to a cracked head but kept the wheel and tyres.
I have the later V6 now and want to use the wheel and tyres but need a lift to fit them.
hope that clears things up.

[atari4x4]

Might have issues with the big brakes... Get searching, this & lifting a Vitara has all has been covered 11ty billion times before

[karlmarkiewicz]

Reubs wrote:

dhglory wrote:

I like to lift it enough to fit 31's.

dhglory wrote:

cheers, that's the sort of info I'm after. ordered strut spacers and coil spacers from the US and see how it sits when that is in.

Strut and coil spacers aren't going to help you fit 31s under your Vit without them scrubbing A LOT.

29" (235/75R15) with standard bumpstop spacing results in A LOT of scrubbing even when just driving over a small gutter.

You need bumpstop spacing as a minimum. Bumpstop spacing, and body lift would be better.

I run only a 2inch suspension and 31s. yeah it scrubs A LOT but after rolling guards and cutting some plastic. The rubbing doesn't hurt the tyres at all, just hurts your ears.

[karlmarkiewicz]

atari4x4 wrote:

Might have issues with the big brakes... Get searching, this & lifting a Vitara has all has been covered 11ty billion times before

x2 about the brakes. 15inch rims are a no go for V6 unless you do some grinding.
btw Atari, i have a feeling about what it means, but was does '11ty' translate to?

edit: I am dumb. Instead of 11 you are saying 11ty, like twenty but for 11. I get ya hahahha

[atari4x4]

11ty = an absurd amount of something.

[karlmarkiewicz]

atari4x4 wrote:

11ty = an absurd amount of something.

Got it. Cheers