ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: zaggy on July 23, 2005, 11:17:34 AM
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So I was i the back shop
   Looking at a Sidekick we are stripping and it dawns on me....
If everyone else is getting a 2" lift from a 1" spacer I can get a similar drop
by lowering the spring plate in the lower control arm!
   From what I have read about lifting the front ends on the forum and searches
a 1.5" spring spacer is getting a 3" lift...correct?
   If thats correct then a 1.5" drop on the spring mount in the lower should get me a 3"
drop.....shorten the strut shaft to suit and I should have stock suspension travel and a 3" drop.
   Am I missing something?, what problems are you guys hitting when you go up?
Zag
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There used to be a kit from calmini that did the same thing. Only it yelded a 2 inch drop the replaced the lower control are with a new one that had a dropped spring perch and in the back replaced coils. only thing is alignment which is easy to fix with camber bolts.
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Thanks
I've read about that one, but it seems no longer made.....so I figure being cheap and stubborn I can replicate it.
Zag
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Your right it is no longer made. I looked for ever when getting my lowering kit. IT cost like 400 bucks. I even email them and got the respense no longer made. Hey zag have you ever looked into a supercharger for the 2.0l
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I haven't looked into a super yet......
Little outta my price range right now...but there used to be a company called Judson that made them for beattles, worked really well and had a good life.
If I stumble on anything I'll let you know>
Zag
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The design of the front end certainly multiplies the effect but it may be closer to 1.5x rather than 2x.
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So for practical info,
How much real lift are you guys getting with 1" spacers, or 1.5" or what ever? That will give me a base line to work with going down.
Zag
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Zag,
I put some 3/8" spacers in the front of my 2 door to make up for spring sag. I ended up with 3/4" of lift. Leveled the Tracker out very nicely! :D
3/8 + 3/8 = 6/8. 3/4 of an inch. Looks to me like it doubled it or very damn close!
Cwkick
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I put 1.25" spacers in the front and got just over 2" of lift. Its somewhere between 1.5 and 2 X
Could you not just extend the strut into the engine bay rather than shortening it?
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Hi
From looking things over it's just easier to shorten the top of the strut rod than it is to raise the strut tower.
Thanks
Zag
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Could you not just extend the strut into the engine bay rather than shortening it?
That is a great idea! Instead of a strut flip you could put it on top of the strut tower for more travel when lowered.
Cwkick
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Might work...
I'll take another look!
Zag
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its should work, and just think, if you extend the mounts enough they can come though the hood for a pre-runner look! ;D ::)
Stu
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So....
I'm figuring
From the info I'm getting spacers give about 1.75:1 lift (approx) so if I drop the spring pockets in the lowers 1.5" I'll get a total lowering of about 2.5". It'll take some fabbing but moving the upper strut mount to the inside of the engine bay should work to keep the strut travel near stock. I will p/u about 2 degrees negative camber in the front end...but thats ok as it will help eliminate understeer (push) in the corners. Looks like axles and all the 4WD stuff will clear, all I will need to do is cut down the stock bump stops.
The rear will get stock coils that will be heatened then compressed to match and re heat treated, but I will need to find shorter shocks in the catolouge.
With the DIY adjustable sway bars and some rear axle limiting straps...I think we've got it.
Final should be
- Suspension lowering....2.5" Front/2" Rear close to stock travel
- KYB Rally Gas struts and shocks
- Double front sway bars, adjustable rear
- 1/2" front wheel spacers
- 15X6 chrome tracker 5 spoke wheels w 205-60-15 M&S tires for Street/Rally
- 15X7 Aluminums(aftermarket) wheels w 195-50-15 tires for Solo and Street sillyness
Total lowering should be
- 3" to 3.5" on the 205-60-15's
- 4" to 4.5" on the 195-50-15's
Leaving about 6.5" ground clearance on the 205-60's
about 5.5" ground clearance on the 195-50's
Should work
Zag
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Zag, sounds like you're getting there. I was going to say just cut down the rear springs but then I remembered that you wanted a softer spring and that would do the opposite. With your rear shocks have you considered using a pin to eye adapter? This may give you more choice in shocks.
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Good idea CJ
I hadn't though of that...I'd rather go with a shock with the correct travel and mounts but your idea is a great option!
Thanks
Zag
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Hey everyone
Thanks for all the help and input working through the suspension layout!
Zag