ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: new2zuki on May 14, 2009, 08:14:14 PM
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just got a sami took it offroad and fell in love any ways i wanna lift it bigger tires what kind of tires should i look for and what is to big of a lift i have to drive it to work for a while
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I am fairly new also. Just like anything else , it is All in what you ultimately want to do with it. I would suggest that you go to the Gallery here on this forum and look at what everyone else is running/doing to there rigs. Also on "YOU TUBE" you can see alot of rigs in action and compare what you do or want to do in your area and you can compare what works and does not work first hand. I am running 235/75/15's with what looks like longer shackels on it (bought that way) but I am putting it togeather for my little girl and don't want a too high center of gravity on the street. I will go with a Rancho 2" lift with a aggressive and tall tire (Diff.clearance and steering components). I think a "High Steering" kit will be in order and I will be done for a while. Welcome to the Forum and Good luck! We have great people here who like to help.
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If I were doing it all over again? I would do 29" M/T tires, lockrite locker front & rear, shackle reversal kit and be done with it.
But...
Tire size (which dictates lift size) is dictated by the type of driving you do, and how often you do it. Lockers & proper tires are by far the best bang for the buck. Do you plan on mall crawling, rocks, sand, mud, snow....
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Welcome to the sickness, I have found that you are never done. A shackle lift and M/T tires will be 1st on the list, then lockers then coils and Toyota axle's with 37's. I agree with Jeremiah, much can be accomplished with a bit of lift, larger tires and lockers but there is no end to what you can or will want to do to your Sammi, just take small steps and you will find the right combo for what to do.
Good Luck,
Norcal
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I have heard(just heard mind you) that the Rancho springs are stiff. I know(have a set) that the OME springs improve ride quality 200%. I agree with Jeremiah about the small lift and lockers over big tires and cheap lift. You will have a lot more fun and go more places with a 30" tired, locked up, and geared rig than you will a slap together spring over, open, 33" tired rig. Trust me I have done both. Plus it is fun to surprise people in a little car.
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Agree with Jeremiah, but also would add some t-case gears, 4.89 or 4.16 for 30" tires will do the trick.
So all together:
1)shackle reversal kit (2"-3.5" of lift);
2)set of good 30" MTs or ATs tires (depends on where rig is wheelling);
3)lockers;
4)t-case gears.
Everything else will come up (or not) later.
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well thanks for all your help one more question i have to drive it to work daily for the time being so do i want a reverse shackle or a suspension lift iv been told suspension
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Shackle reversal is a suspension lift, and is one the best / cheapest ways to get a smooth ride for DD & helps you clear obstacles easier because of the way it changes the suspension geometry.
But again - there's NO WAY to answer you question about what's best for YOU unless YOU tell US what you plan on doing with it when you get off pavement.
*edit*
And, ballpark your budget for us too.
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sorry lol as far as what I'm doing off road I'm new to wheeling so your basic deep mud rough trails hill climes average size ruts i mostly will be going to a Orv park called evens creek in WA if that helps any other than that random quad trails mud pits and power line trails and as for a budget $800 a month extra after bills but i would rather save up and spend more to do it right the first time
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"To do it right" is somewhat subjective, what you consider fun, and how hard you wheel. I don't have a lead-foot, so I can get away with less heavy-duty stuff (which keeps weight down - which means I need less heavy-duty stuff... which keeps the MPG / power / Suzuki gods happy).
My recommendation would be for somewhere between 29" (aka 235/75 r 15) and 31" tires - depending on how much power, MPG & $$$ (to re-gar back to stock) you're willing to sacrifice. If you plan on a lot of mud / wheeling, get the swamper TSL, they're the best for the $$$. If you're more street oriented, I'm very happy with my Dakota M/T tires from pep boys (re-badged coopers) - they've never let me down - but I have to be careful to not puncture the comparatively thinner sidewalls.
The Shackle Reversal kit will give you 2" of lift - which will clear MOST tires in this range. You can always add taller springs / shackles / SOPA in conjunction with the S/R lift (should you decide to go bigger down the road). Some trimming (really, the most under-rated mod out there) may be required for some brands of 31" tires. Get whatever t-case gears re-gear you back to stock. Don't worry about having to re-purchase t-case gears if you go with bigger tires down the road, you'll get most of your money back on them (especially if you already buy used).
If you still need more traction (you aren't hooking up on-trail) buy LOCKERS. They're the #1 way to gain traction (if you've already done the above). You'll also be able to go places you never thought you could go in a little rig. You'll make bigger rigs jealous - TRUST ME. I do it all the time. If you go with even bigger tires / lift down the road, you'll already be locked. Bonus.
Buy some armor when you get the spare coin - it's always useful no matter what lift you run. You can add power adders like 2" exhaust, headers, intake mods. If you go with a 1.6L 8v, you can keep all the intake / header goodies (same bolt pattern). 16V will require new header / intake.
By keeping with smaller tires, you won't fall into the trap of needing bigger... well... everything. Breaks, axles, power steering, bigger engine.....
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For Evan's Creek you could get away with a small set of Swamper TSL's, and some lockers. Throw on some rocker protection and you should be able to climb around everything down there, a 4:1 gear kit would be perfect to get the power back. Since it is a DD the recommendation for 2-3" of lift and some nice MTR's would be a great fit. I have been pretty happy with the Pro-Comp Extreme MTR's, but the new Goodyear MTR's, while expensive, come with Kevlar side walls to help protect against sidewall damage.
I would look into a winch and some protection for your Transfer case. Since Rimrock and Naches is mostly side hills with only a few rock climbs, except for Funny/Moon Rocks, you should be able to take trips over to the east side and hit almost all the trails, and pull yourself up any you can't climb. :)
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new2zuki ,what did I tell you, these people here are great. Can't wait to see which direction you chose to go in....maybe I'll follow the same path (or Trail) when we hear your results.