[Thripd]

Hiya!

Can someone tell me if I am on the right track? As I understand it the best way to increase overall clearance is with bigger tyres, which requires a body lift to fit them under the arches. The easiest (cheapest) body lift is to retain the factory suspension but add spring spacers. This setup will be fine for ride/handling on bitumen.

Please note: NOT looking for extreme 4WD action (we'll go around, not over) just need clearance on chewed out sand tracks on Moreton/Fraser. Also, we pack our heavy gear in a nicely balanced trailer so weight is not really an issue.

2006 Grand Vitara JLX 2.7L V6 5sp auto IRS

[Gwagensteve]

As you have IFS/IRS, adding spring spacers alone will add clearance under your car. For cars with a live axle, increasing tyre diameter is the only way to increase ground clearance under the differential.

Just to clear up the terminology - a "body lift" refers to spacing the body further up off the chassis to gain clearance for larger tyres. AFAIK, the 2006 GV doesn't have a separate chassis, so it can't be fitted with a body lift.

A suspension lift consists of adding longer springs or spacers to move the wheels further down away from the car. (therefore moving the car up)

A suspension lift adjusts the "centre point" of the suspension. As the suspension moves through its cycle, the wheels will move into the same places they could have before the suspension lift. For this reason, suspension lift (alone) will not permit the fitment of larger tyres.

Basically regardless of suspension lift height, it's normally necessary to trim guards or space the bumpstops down to prevent tyre fouling if you wish to fit tyres that would not clear at standard height.

I'm sure a late model GV owner will advise the largest tyres that can be run on your car.

Steve.

[Thripd]

Gwagensteve wrote:

As you have IFS/IRS, adding spring spacers alone will add clearance under your car.

Thanks for clearing this up for me, Steve! I've been bamboozled by various threads on various forums, seems there's no end to what can be modified, I just need to know what SHOULD be modified!

Perhaps a suspension lift is all I need, with some wider tread, to keep me from bogging on the inland tracks. Certainally if a slight increase in tyre diameter is possible then I'll do that too, advice anyone?

Advice also, please, on the highest LEGAL suspension lift I can achieve on my model, I'll be needing the approprate mod plates and approval I'd assume (QLD) . Spacers alone would obviously be the cheaper route, but the piggybank will allow for longer springs if that's what I need.

2006 Grand Vitara JLX 2.7L V6 5sp auto IRS

[alien]

laws on modification SUCK... and from memory QLD and WA are about the same.

in WA you can only have a 2" combined lift (tyres and suspension) before engineering is required (lane change tests etc). You're also only allowed a small percentage tyre increase - on a sierra which comes standard with 205/70-r15 its technically illegal in WA to run a 215/75r15 on it!

That said though, if you keep it sensible, have good mud flaps/flares to cover the rubber and don't drive like a tool you're generally fine with the cops.

Here's a grab from something i wrote ages ago on here:

Quote:

in WA its no more than 50mm lift INCLUDING tyre lift.

From the NCOP that WA follow: www.infrastructure.gov...eb2006.pdf from: www.infrastructure.gov..._ncop.aspx (page 20/71, section 4.10)
Modifications that result in raising the vehicle body greater than 50mm are to be carried out and approved in accordance with Codes LS7 and Code LS8.

LS7 - page 61 - point 1: Design of modifications that result in the vehicle body being raised by more than 50mm from the original "as manufactured" height.

Page 63: Wheels & Tyres - The overall tyre diameter can be increased by up to 26mm (four wheel drive vehicles only). Tyres fitted to commercial vehicles must not be more than 50% wider that the vehicle manufacturer's widest optional tyre.

The wheel track of off-road and four wheel drive vehicles must not be increased by more than 25mm...

LS8 - page 68 - point 1: Design of modifications that result in the vehicle body being raised by more than 50mm from the original "as manufactured" height. which includes points 6. installation of body lift and 7. alternative wheel and tyre specifications with modified axles or suspension.

So in essence.. a 215/75r15 is in fact ILLEGAL to run on a vehicle that has a stock 205/70r15 as its 35.5mm larger - exceeding the maximum allowed increase by 9.5mm, and running a larger tyre in combination with a lift of 50mm or more is also illegal.

[Thripd]

alien wrote:

in WA you can only have a 2" combined lift (tyres and suspension) before engineering is required (lane change tests etc). You're also only allowed a small percentage tyre increase - on a sierra which comes standard with 205/70-r15 its technically illegal in WA to run a 215/75r15 on it!

I guess the laws are there because of the 1% of idiots driving around in deathtraps. If only we could pass legislation which could prosecute someone for "Being An Idiot", then they could leave the rest of us alone!

I will look into the possibility of a 2" suspension lift using spacers, and adjust bump stops, and getting it all plated properly so it's legal and insurable for 99% of our driving. The sand tyres will spend 11 months of the year sitting in the shed, I suppose once they're on we're at our own risk...

[atari4x4]

shoot a PM to Twin Stick Off Road as i think he has fabbed up some strut top spacers for the current shape GV's.

[diver_dingo]

Gwagensteve wrote:

As you have IFS/IRS, adding spring spacers alone will add clearance under your car. For cars with a live axle, increasing tyre diameter is the only way to increase ground clearance under the differential.

Just to clear up the terminology - a "body lift" refers to spacing the body further up off the chassis to gain clearance for larger tyres. AFAIK, the 2006 GV doesn't have a separate chassis, so it can't be fitted with a body lift.

A suspension lift consists of adding longer springs or spacers to move the wheels further down away from the car. (therefore moving the car up)

A suspension lift adjusts the "centre point" of the suspension. As the suspension moves through its cycle, the wheels will move into the same places they could have before the suspension lift. For this reason, suspension lift (alone) will not permit the fitment of larger tyres.

Basically regardless of suspension lift height, it's normally necessary to trim guards or space the bumpstops down to prevent tyre fouling if you wish to fit tyres that would not clear at standard height.

I'm sure a late model GV owner will advise the largest tyres that can be run on your car.

Steve.

Addign spring spacers will lift the car but will NOT lift the height of your diffs, the only way to do that is to put the bigger tyres on after raising the hight of the car, with a spring or body lift.

[atari4x4]

diver_dingo wrote:

Gwagensteve wrote:

As you have IFS/IRS, adding spring spacers alone will add clearance under your car. For cars with a live axle, increasing tyre diameter is the only way to increase ground clearance under the differential.

Just to clear up the terminology - a "body lift" refers to spacing the body further up off the chassis to gain clearance for larger tyres. AFAIK, the 2006 GV doesn't have a separate chassis, so it can't be fitted with a body lift.

A suspension lift consists of adding longer springs or spacers to move the wheels further down away from the car. (therefore moving the car up)

A suspension lift adjusts the "centre point" of the suspension. As the suspension moves through its cycle, the wheels will move into the same places they could have before the suspension lift. For this reason, suspension lift (alone) will not permit the fitment of larger tyres.

Basically regardless of suspension lift height, it's normally necessary to trim guards or space the bumpstops down to prevent tyre fouling if you wish to fit tyres that would not clear at standard height.

I'm sure a late model GV owner will advise the largest tyres that can be run on your car.

Steve.

Addign spring spacers will lift the car but will NOT lift the height of your diffs, the only way to do that is to put the bigger tyres on after raising the hight of the car, with a spring or body lift.

dude.... read that post again.

it's got IFS/IRS, so yes spring spacers/spring lift will give him more clearance under the diffs.

[bigrig91]

Hey mate, just got back from a trip up to rainbow beach with my dad in his 06 gv, he has about 35mm lift, arb bar on the front, underbody protection and 225 70 16 all terrains and he had no problems.....we went through on low tide and hit some pretty soft stuff and although he bottomed out a couple of times the underbody just bulldozed the tracks smooth!! we were really suprised how he went!

[Thripd]

bigrig91 wrote:

Hey mate, just got back from a trip up to rainbow beach with my dad in his 06 gv, he has about 35mm lift, arb bar on the front, underbody protection and 225 70 16 all terrains and he had no problems.....we went through on low tide and hit some pretty soft stuff and although he bottomed out a couple of times the underbody just bulldozed the tracks smooth!! we were really suprised how he went!

That's awesome! I haven't actually bought this rig yet, but the more I hear the more I'm thinking it's a good all-rounder for the family. I've talked to the bank, all is a go......

I've PM'd Fatzook and will post any replies here for all to see.

[bigrig91]

yeh mate, they are using it to travel round aus next year so we are just sorting out all the bugs. it is a really good tourer so far, great on road, and comfortable off road...lacks flex a bit but thats not what he wants it for. its a 5 speed manual and goes hard!

[royce]

spring spacers arent the easiest way to lift em, and they are also illegal

alien, QLD lift laws are nothing like WA, we are must not alter travel by more than a third (used to be must retain 2/3 of travel, its been reworded to stop fitting longer shocks to get round it) but any suspension kit you buy from any REPUTABLE supplier will be legal with no mod plates required

strut spacers are also illegal and dangerous, they dont address bumpstop clearance

[alien]

QLD are lucky then! =)

[royce]

I would love to be under NCOP!!!

we are allowed 15mm tyre increase, above suspension laws (amount to bugger all) and dot inspected body lifts, with no scope for anything above that

[Thripd]

royce wrote:

any suspension kit you buy from any REPUTABLE supplier will be legal with no mod plates required

Cool, I need a QLD perspective to keep things relatively above-board. So with longer springs on the IRS and IFS I can attain the clearance I want without going to a wider diameter rubber, true? I guess this will retain all the zook's power, too! AND by leaving bump stops as they are I won't loose any of the spring's travel. I'm liking this idea better, even tho maybe a little more money

I've seen King's, OME's, et. al. mentioned, it's going to come down to pricing. I'll be looking at the cheaper ones as boulder-hopping is not on the cards. Everyone has their favorites I suppose, are there any of the cheaper range which I should absolutely avoid?

PS I greatly appreciate everyone's input thus far! Being a 4Xnewbie I'm a prime target for upsellers!

[alien]

stick to a name brand and you should be just fine. keep in mind though, while price may be of concern you're likely to keep these springs for years to come, and their effect on handling, including braking does present a safety issue... all im saying is its not something to skimp on =)

[Fatzook]

Thirpd: I have returned your PM. Pretty much what royce said

Fit a good quality 40mm suspension kit, some belly guards, and some A/T's and enjoy

[bigrig91]

Fatzook wrote:

[marq=up]
Fit a good quality 40mm suspension kit, some belly guards, and some A/T's and enjoy :wink[/marq]:

Exactly.

[atari4x4]

how the heck did you create that rolling text quote??? ???

[Fatzook]

atari4x4 wrote:

how the heck did you create that rolling text quote??? ???

You beat me to it!!

[Joe]

[Polar_Bear]

Fatzook wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

how the heck did you create that rolling text quote??? ???

You beat me to it!!

[marq=right]
You guys suck at teh internetz [/marq]

[shakes]

Polar_Bear wrote:

Fatzook wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

how the heck did you create that rolling text quote??? ???

You beat me to it!!

[marq=right]
You guys suck at teh internetz [/marq]

[marq=down]quotes[/marq] [marq=up]has[/marq] [marq=left]teh[/marq] [marq=right]answers[/marq]

[Mistaria81]

as far as I know, spring spacers are also highly illegal.

[atari4x4]

Mistaria81 wrote:

as far as I know, spring spacers are also highly illegal.

[marq=right]you[/marq]

[marq=left]are[/marq]

[marq=up]
correct[/marq]

[Mistaria81]

atari4x4 wrote:

Mistaria81 wrote:

as far as I know, spring spacers are also highly illegal.

[marq=right]you[/marq]

[marq=left]are[/marq]

[marq=up]
correct[/marq]

creepy rolling text... almost hypnotic

[royce]

yeah we might save that stuff for facebook ey

[303zuke]

Isn't ODA1 selling rear spacers and longer rear shocks on E-bay?

I also recall a thread about a Hong Kong company selling suspension kits for the '05-'10 GV that somebody thought were pretty good.

[steak_knife]

303zuke wrote:

Isn't ODA1 selling rear spacers and longer rear shocks on E-bay?

I also recall a thread about a Hong Kong company selling suspension kits for the '05-'10 GV that somebody thought were pretty good.

ODA would sell shit to a manure farm..

[4x4ish]

what fatzook said 40mm kit from a reputable dealer like arb and some 225 tyres and you'll be set. this way its all kept legal and adds value to your car.