[ronancosgrove]

Hi guys,

I have a standard '83 model sj410 1.0L hard top Sierra. I'm looking for the most cost effective way to get a bit more suspension lift. I've read a few bits on changing shackles for a longer than stock shackle but not sure if that's the right thing to do to get a cheap lift.

Would it be ok to simply change the schackles length to a longer shackle? I've read that the extra length in shackle will give you 1/2 that extra length in lift. i.e, if I increase from a 4 inch to a 6 inch shackle, (the difference being 2 inches) this would result in a 1 inch lift. Would this impact steering?

Other than changing out the springs, shocks etc, is there another reliable way to get lift?

Thanks guys,

RC

[Asho]

You must know what you are trying to get out of the lift I.e more suspension travel, fitting larger tyres, or purely aesthetic.

It's true that a 2 in shackle extension won't give you a two inch lift, how much it gives you is dependent on how far you've compressed the springs resulting in the angle of the shackle to change. Any change in height will effect the handling of the car, but a 2-3 inch lift is "normally" in the safe zone.

An alternative lift that I tend to disagree with, is the spring over axle conversion. Which does as the name says, mounts the spring on top of rather then below the axle.

[Gwagensteve]

Shackle lifts have more disadvantages than advantages. Caster is reduced leading to reduced directional stability (tracking) and reduced "turn in" capacity. Steering vagueness is increased due to increased leverage on the suspension bushes. Suspension travel is not increased.

There is a place for longer shackles if spring length, travel ratios, bumpstop positions and shock lengths are being modified, but this is in the realm of suspension design, not a bolt in.

As per asho- what's the purpose? Longer shackles don't really improve performance much at all.

[ronancosgrove]

Thanks for the input guys.

The desired outcome is mostly appearance. It sits quite low at the moment and thought longer shackles may be a cheap & easy modification to give some lift.

Need to reconsider following your comments!

Cheers RC

[tanshi]

you also need to considr legality.

longer shackles are illegal and easy for the authorities to notice.

[alien]

Asho wrote:

An alternative lift that I tend to disagree with, is the spring over axle conversion. Which does as the name says, mounts the spring on top of rather then below the axle.

Only if you want to spend a LOT more than an off-the-shelf lift kit... like, 5 times more.

ronancosgrove - if your vehicle is stock standard and has factory suspension, it's likely that it's sagged beyond belief. If you still plan on running stock or near-stock tyres, you'll likely benefit from fitting a new suspension kit with no lift at all. It's going to be the most cost effective AND reliable option, improve handling blah blah blah. Make sure whatever kit you buy, you also buy new u-bolts to go with it (they don't generally come with new u-bolts).

https://www.4wdpartshop.com.au/suzuki/s ... etail.html

[Gwagensteve]

Personally I don't like the look of a car with stock leaves and longer shackles- they always look distracting and like something's broken.

[alien]

I agree - they're SUPER obvious at the front too which is probably why it looks so strange immediately, because it's really in your face. The aftermarket ones are always some loud colour too which doesn't help.

[Asho]

alien wrote:

Asho wrote:

An alternative lift that I tend to disagree with, is the spring over axle conversion. Which does as the name says, mounts the spring on top of rather then below the axle.

Only if you want to spend a LOT more than an off-the-shelf lift kit... like, 5 times more.

I assume by a lift kit you mean new suspension?

If so how is it 5 times less then a $340 conversion? Unless of course you want to get it engineered... and made legal...
I just assumed because shackle lifts were included, legality was not a problem...

http://www.trail-gear.com/product/4944/ ... Kz-efl9670

[Gwagensteve]

Because that $340 kit is inadequate to result in a safe, reliable and capable vehicle. It's the bare minimum to make the car move under its own steam with the springs on top of the axles.

As for legality, whilst both modifications are illegal, one takes 20 minutes to remove and the other normally results in the vehicle being parted out or abandoned, if defected. Ironically, especially when more bugs have been ironed out, which means more irreversible (or difficult to reverse) modifications

Popularity of SPOA has been in decline in Victoria since about 2003 I reckon. May it rest in peace. It has been responsible for more cars destroyed/ defected/abandoned than any other single cause. There's a steady stream of SPOA cars built back then on FB that can't be RWCed or transferred for sale for next to nothing.

[alien]

Asho wrote:

a $340 conversion

Add to this:

- Hi-steer kit
- New shocks
- Trac bar of some description
- Caster correction wedges
- Extended front & rear drive shafts
- Modified bump stops
..There's probably more i'm forgetting...

and of course you're now on a slippery slope:
- New rims & tyres (because why are you doing a SPOA if not to fit them?)
- Gearing to correct the now ruined ratios because of the tyres
- Lockers
- HD axles (because of the lockers & tyres)
- Engine upgrade because all the above his killed the on-road drivability

And once you've done all that and spent all that money, why wouldn't you have started the whole process off with an engineer to try and make it road legal in the process??? (more $$$).