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4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...

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Offline Element

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So, I need some advice... I am building an adventure kick, I want to run a 30 or 31 inch tire.... I have been considering my lift combos... should I look at not only a susp. lift but a 2" body lift as well?
Thanks for any input!!!!
Jerry                                                               Member since:   May 14, 2006


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Offline sidekicksrock

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2007, 09:11:18 PM »
In my humble opinion, I would not go less than a 3 inch suspension lift. I also think the truck needs more lift to move the wheel wells out of the way of the larger tires. 2" body lift should be fine. Hagen Widening, and rear axle over rotation. Longer shocks and OME struts. and at least 31 to 33 inch tires Lower axle gears if your running an automatic. and Trail Tough transfer case gears. Skid plates if you are going to be around big rocks or mud.
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Offline Element

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2007, 09:38:46 PM »
I will be running lower R&P, I have one 5:62 I am trying to find a front to match. Also, I may be adding the lower tcase gears!!!! I am looking to run the 31's and full skids... I had some thoughts of doing 2.5 susp and maybe a 2" body....
Jerry                                                               Member since:   May 14, 2006


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Offline jeff1997

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2007, 06:53:13 AM »
I use my 2" spacers and a 3" body lift and run 31-11.5's. That is all the tire I can get under it due to the design of the rear fenders being part of the doors. I wish the lift was opposite, 3" susp. and 2" body but that is the way it goes for cheap!!
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
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31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline sidekicksrock

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2007, 06:57:57 AM »
I had some thoughts of doing 2.5 susp and maybe a 2" body....

Are you worried about lifting the truck more than you absolutely have to? Sidekicks are quite stable trucks. The wheelbase is only 14" longer than the width of the axles. I asure you they are quite difficult to tip over. Unless you are into extreme rock crawling in which case you can tip most anything over if you try hard enough.
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Bandit02

Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2007, 07:40:02 AM »
I'm only running a 2" spacer lift (from jeff1997 above), and fit 31X10.50's great. The only rubbing I get is in the rear at full stuff. I had to beat back the seams in the front fenderwells, aside from that, it does great. I wouldn't mind having more ground clearance under the belly cause I do rub on some large boulders on the framerails, so eventually I will probably drop the front diff and add some more suspension lift, or just add a 2" body lift so I can fit some 32's.




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Offline Element

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2007, 09:58:33 PM »
Thanks for the feedback guys. My biggest concern about the body lift is the 3" ones I have seen look awful and make lots of noise when flexing...  I am building this 4 dr for high adventure... not tooooooo extreme crawling or anything.... How does the spacer lift feel on these rigs??? I want a good ride quality. I am diggin my kick!!!! I have 1    5:62 and may have located another. I also will be adding tcase gears!!! I may not miss my sammy as much as I thought!!!
Jerry                                                               Member since:   May 14, 2006


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Offline skandy32

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2007, 06:40:59 AM »
How does the spacer lift feel on these rigs??? I want a good ride quality.

I've been running a shock/spring spacer lift for a year or so now and its exactly the same as if i hadn't have been really. If you think about it, your springs / shocks are all the same! Just spaced up 2inches. So the ride would be identical to before... The only difference i've noticed is how cornering feels 2inches higher, and ever so slightly wobblyer

You also mentioned about noises from a 3" body lift, well, i have the same noises i had before i installed mine. And i only get those when i'm maxing out a wheel, or putting alot of stress somewhere. Dont be afraid to go for 3"s! It would definatley help with tyre clearance...

I'd say go for a body lift definatley! Its a cheap way to clear big tyres, then i'd spend as much as you can on your suspension lift. Well, this is pretty much what i've done with my swb / 2dr

hope i'm of some help! :)
Andy
UK Vitara - 2" spring/shock spacers, 3" calmini body lift, 32x11.5x15" BFG MTs, rear half calmini exhaust/no cat, full Alpine ICE

http://www.andycolver.co.uk

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Offline Digger

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2007, 10:47:54 AM »
I have done a body lift on my 90 Tracker and if I had it to do all over again, I never would do it again. It was great at first, but I live in the rust/snow belt and the lift blocks have pushed up through the floor in a few spots. Without the body lift, the body has more support points than it does with a body lift, so the connection between body and frame is much more secure without the body lift. I would save my pennies and look seriously at the Calmini 3" suspension or the new zukination lifts. They have longer or adjustable rear control arms that push the rear wheels back far enough to help clear the wheelwells better...
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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Offline Element

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2007, 12:12:17 PM »
Thanks for all the feedback. The body lift I am looking at is a 2" poly kit.
As for susp. I was considering the calmini 2" but may be rocking the OME set up.
With a 2 + 2 combo lift, will that let me run the 31's without fender modifing?


 ???
Jerry                                                               Member since:   May 14, 2006


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Offline SnoFalls

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2007, 03:31:46 PM »
Thanks for all the feedback. The body lift I am looking at is a 2" poly kit.
As for susp. I was considering the calmini 2" but may be rocking the OME set up.
With a 2 + 2 combo lift, will that let me run the 31's without fender modifing?


 ???

I would say yes, a 2" spring lift and a 2" BL should clear 31's .. you may need to hammer the seam at the front firewall, but that's not much of an issue.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

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Offline sidekicksrock

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #11 on: November 16, 2007, 11:04:17 PM »
Quote
Without the body lift, the body has more support points than it does with a body lift, so the connection between body and frame is much more secure without the body lift.

I don't know who sold you that body lift but I am shocked. Those pads above the frame rails have to be supported. If they aren't the body will break. I can not believe there is someone selling kits that do not support those points.
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Offline Uncivilized

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Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2007, 07:58:52 AM »
I've been running a shock/spring spacer lift for a year or so now and its exactly the same as if i hadn't have been really. If you think about it, your springs / shocks are all the same! Just spaced up 2inches. So the ride would be identical to before... The only difference i've noticed is how cornering feels 2inches higher, and ever so slightly wobblyer
This is right for the rear, but the front does change in a few ways. I won't get into the details, but myself and a couple other members here have already hashed this out on another forum. It all started because I complained I hated my coil spacers because of the added stiffness. AJMBLAZER had worked out the math, i'll see if I can find the info.

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rascott

Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2007, 09:07:29 AM »
I'm only running a 2" spacer lift (from jeff1997 above), and fit 31X10.50's great. The only rubbing I get is in the rear at full stuff. I had to beat back the seams in the front fenderwells, aside from that, it does great. I wouldn't mind having more ground clearance under the belly cause I do rub on some large boulders on the framerails, so eventually I will probably drop the front diff and add some more suspension lift, or just add a 2" body lift so I can fit some 32's.

'89 psychic(suzi)
my experiment was to do a simple suspension lift + 31X10.5 wheels.
looks like i was following Bandit02to jeff for spacers.- i am quite pleased w/results - and found 2" works great in the rear, 1 1/2" in front is level (2" really drops the arm and CV angles look evil).
i don't mind a little tire rub, and made slight wheel well mods up front.
i put longer shocks in the back and flipped the strut mounts. splurged on some camber bolts, being too lazy to slot the struts and mess up my alignment guy.
observations: tires still too tight - either beat in the wells or lift the body, or put the 235/75's back on.
                   not enough front droop- need to drop the strut mounts 1"-1 1/2" more and experiment w/ sway bar disconnected(i have no experience)to see how it handles.
this was very inexpensive (so far), fun, and i can see more trail in the future.

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rascott

Re: 4DR Kick: To B(odylift )or to not to B(odylift). That is my question...
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2007, 09:20:36 AM »
my appologies to Bandit02 re: quote- last is mine' i will be more careful next time.