[oohsam]

Hi Guys,
Looking at getting a 2" lift on my Vitara.
Its currently got spacers under the springs which lift it, by the previous owner, however I'd like to do this properly.

I've done lots of reading and am still bewildered by what to get. I can install this all myself, but am torn between choice.

Can someone recommend a decent suspension kit. Rig is being used for driving to hunting spots. No serious 4wd going on. Just medium 4wding.

[eXc450]

Is it SWB or LWB? If it's SWB, it seems a lot of people have luck with 180sx spings. (I lost height on my LWB when I tried it)

I have really liked my OME shocks combined with 30/60 spacers (stock springs). I wouldn't go any higher personally due to CV angle.

Don't forget to search as it's probably safe to say most of your questions will have been asked before

[oohsam]

Thanks for the reply> I did look at the OME stuff. Looks good.
Its a SWB.
I've done a search but this forum layout is a bit strange to me. Im a member of alot of forums, but this one is just a little strange!

I dont need to go too high, just need some decent ground clearance. I might just leave the springs in there with the spacers and get some longer shocks.
I'm sure this will require brake line length upgrades too.

[DarkHorse]

Brake lines are OK until you get up around 3" over stock, you just have to disconnect a couple of places where they bolt to the chassis or body to let them move more.

Cheap rear lift is 180SX springs and Commodore shocks. Front is trickier. I liked my OME coils and struts, but they were expensive. Dobinsons stuff seems to be reasonable, PM Dank on here for prices/options.

[oohsam]

Thanks Darkhorse.
I'll PM dank. I dont mind spending a bit of coin to get it done properly. That way I wont have to worry bout it for a while.

Was just reading up on the ToughDog stuff. For 1390 though, seems alot more expensive than the Ironman stuff.

[christover1]

Yep, danks the man to talk to.

[Poita]

I recently put a full 2" Dobinson lift on my SWB Vitara and have nothing but praise for it.

[oohsam]

I will be going down this path. Dank mentioned getting a LWB kit for more lift, did you just get the SWB kit?
Cheers

[Poita]

I got the SWB kit, but got the front springs from a later model as they are 1mm thicker so will drop less if I ever get a front bar.

I would have liked the rears a bit thicker though as when fully loaded with camping gear it does loose quite a lot of height.

[oohsam]

Ah Ok i see. So do you think it would be better to go for a little more lift by using the LWB springs?
Cheers

[Poita]

Yeah it would be a good idea, on the rear anyway, but I have no idea if they are the same, you would need to check that out.

Would be interested to know what the differences are as I may be interested in upgrading eventually.

[DarkHorse]

Poita if you want another jump in height/load bearing in the rear have a look at GV springs.

[MacDaddy]

oohsam wrote:

Thanks Darkhorse.
I'll PM dank. I dont mind spending a bit of coin to get it done properly. That way I wont have to worry bout it for a while.

Was just reading up on the ToughDog stuff. For 1390 though, seems alot more expensive than the Ironman stuff.

There are a few Vits here with the Ironman gear, i had it in my GV for 2 years, it went well, and never had a problem... however, if you want a good load rating, i think the Ironman is only rated to 50kg over stock, but if you go to a higher load rating, the spring becomes stiffer and firmer, so you lose some flex and good ride, for higher load capacity... i am getting Tough Dog springs fitted right now, as they are rated to 300kgs, so quite firm, but i carry a heap of stuff in the back, tools, spares, recovery gear, etc, easily over 50kgs of stuff... so yeah, its a trade off... Dobinson is also good gear, i think its rated up to 80kgs...

[Chop]

Seriously can't believe you'd put 300kg rated springs in the back for 50kg's of weight I have the 130kg dobinsons in the rear and they're stiff as!

[Poita]

DarkHorse wrote:

Poita if you want another jump in height/load bearing in the rear have a look at GV springs.

Do you know what they are rated at?

I am not sure what my current ones are rated at.

[MacDaddy]

Chop wrote:

Seriously can't believe you'd put 300kg rated springs in the back for 50kg's of weight I have the 130kg dobinsons in the rear and they're stiff as!

Why so shocked, haha... Ok, this is the wording Tough Dog use, Light load, Up to 300kgs, so i cant see any problem... and its over 50kgs of weight, my old springs dropped 15mm with it all in the back...

[christover1]

Front GV springs I'm my Vitara was so good I decided to refresh the rear.
Did a wreckers and AZ search.
Decided to try Commodore springs in my rear
$35 a pair is worth a try.
Chose some from rear of a VS sedan, mostly because it was mostly stripped, so less work:)
Being slightly larger diameter they do need the rubber seats to stop possible rattles, so grab them as well.
The top one is a bit of spacer and locator and fit snuggly in the well.
Length of spring was equal to my OME plus coil spacer, so no need to change my bumpstop extensions.