For the sake of discussion, let's say I'm looking at a 2" lift to get larger tires in, and I can take my choice of ...

a) body lift, which is essentially blocks that go between the frame rail and the body
b) coil spacers and longer shocks
c) uprated springs & shocks

I'm not considering the cost factor here, I'm curious as to how these impact the way the suspension works, what effect they would have on body roll, etc.

Oh - vehicle is an African market 98 4door Grand Vitara, with the 2.0 engine - yes - we got them a year earlier than North America, as far as suspension goes, consider it a 99.

I'm not a suspension mod expert by any means Fordem, but I'd be tempted to do the body lift, if you are NOT looking for increased suspension articulation or ground clearance (except for what the increased tire diameter will provide) and I'm assuming that your stock shocks and struts are in good shape (meaning it would be a waste to discard them).

I like the idea of:

1. Keeping your current "comfortable" ride qualities, and losing MAYBE a little in the higher center of gravity body lean category.

2. Not upsetting your tracking / front end geometry, necessitating wheel alignment, and proly camber correcting mods.

3. Not stressing the front end suspension and driveline components (CV's, strut mounting, "A" arms, etc)

The only hurdle is probably needing to "extend" some component make-ups like brake lines, steering column to rack input shaft, wiring maybe.

Actually, I do see signs of leakage on one rear shock, indicating that a change is in the not too distant future - the decision there will be whether to use a standard shock or an extended/upgraded shock.

Articulation is not really an issue - we're more of a flat land, with mud & sand to contend with, rather than rock.

Wheel alignment also not an issue, provided it can be corrected by camber bolts and maybe an extended panhard rod - I'm the type of person who will get an alignment done every couple of years, it only costs about USD$30 or so here.

Ride quality is definitely an issue, I wouldn't mind improving it - this is a daily drive that will spend 80% of it's time on pavement - I'm not against shelling out the coin to fit OME struts/shocks & springs on all four corners, provided that there is an improvement over simply replacing worn components with new ones.

Something I didn't mention earlier, and perhaps I should have - I'm in the middle of designing a custom winch bumper - custom primarily because ARB doesn't make one for this model Grand Vitara - ordering in from Calmini would prove ridiculously expensive, and I believe I can get a local fabricator to do one at a decent price - no winch initially, and it may or may not be fitted later, but the design will allow for it to be bolted in - anyway, there will be added weight on the front end and some "droop" to compensate for - which would probably have to be done with springs or coil spacers.

Ride quality is definitely an issue, I wouldn't mind improving it

In my mind, any move from non-stock suspension components will adversely affect the ride quality. By ride quality, I'm thinking the relative comfort of your stock smooth ride. In other words, any aftermarket spring you add would contribute to ride harshness, is my thought.

I hear you - BUT - the OME stuff, from what I hear/read, will actually improve the ride quality, both on & off road - if I'm going to replace the shocks/struts, it's not that much more to get the OME and according to ARB, they can be used with the original springs.

Then that does sound like a win / win! 

If money isn't an inhibitor to the decision process, I'd definitely go the OME route.  ARB/OME have been around the block once and have established their products through development and improvement over the years.  I'm not an OME salesrep, but I did like the ride quality of the OME springs I had under one of my trucks... even though I was running stock struts with extenders at the time.  I have to believe adding a set of their struts and shocks would improve the ride even more.  Talk to a knowledgeable sales rep before you buy and discuss your future front bumper and winch plans then ask them which springs (med or heavy) to go with.  I am still running Jeff's coil spacers and have had no problems with them but... OME suspension components are in my future plans for my truck.

A knowledgable sales rep - sounds like an oxymoron to me   it's not that money isn't a factor in the decision, but, I've looked at the pricing and I think I can live with it - mind you I will be unhappy if the OME reputation turns out to be hype.

There are two ARB dealers here, and as far as the GV goes, I can do what they do - look it up in the book.

For the shocks/struts - there is one part number for the front and another for the rear, for the springs, I have a choice of two for the front (stock/light load 0-75lbs & heavy load (75-160lbs), and one rear (medium load).

OME is definitely not hype.  I have them on my X-90, and several passengers who could compare before and after all remarked that the ride was much improved on really bumpy tracks.  I don't do much off-road in the GV, but when the suspension needs replacement, it will be OME.

If you are going for a fabricated front bumper, I think you should go with the heavy load set, or you will lose some of that ground clearance in front.

Fordem, give us all some feedback after you have the OME equipment under your truck and have driven it awhile.  I'm betting you will love the improvement.

All this trouble. Why couldn't our trucks have just come with 31's. 

Good luck with your lift adventure nprecon!

If you are going for a fabricated front bumper, I think you should go with the heavy load set, or you will lose some of that ground clearance in front.

I was actually considering the light load set - but I will consult with ARB before placing the order.  I believe those springs were intended for the V6 Grand Vitara, which is (based on the owner's manual) between 180~200 lbs heavier than my 2.0 four cylinder engined model.  In theory, I should be able to fit the bumper and original equipment V6 front coils and recover whatever clearance was lost.

Just a quick note - to avoid confusion - I believe US model Grand Vitaras only had a V6 engine, the rest of the world is different, and the Grand Vitara is available with 1.6 & 2.0 cylinder engines, and the 2.5 V6.

Because of the low cost, I would highly recommend doing the body lift as well, it's a relatively easy modification that only takes minor fabricating of the front and rear steel bumpers to get done right. I did my lift in a day and was extremely pleased with the results. The GV rides basically the same as before, of course the cornering stability has decreased but it is barely noticable IMO. Getting rid of the front sway bar had a far more negative effect on the vehicle's handling than adding the 2" body lift.

With just over 4" of total lift and no front sway bar, I run my vehicle on a daily basis and feel quite safe on the road (possibly due to the pretty stiff Calmini front springs I have on). Even in cases of emergency, I can still corner relatively quickly if I so desired with no feeling of wanting to tip over, I will more experience some understeer when pushed..

From experience, if you have alot of flex in the rear suspension, 2" of suspension lift alone is NOT enough to clear taller tyres. This is what my rear end look like when compressed. I have on 215.70R16 (27.85") tyres and only the 2.5" Calmini lift at the time..



Any wider and it was sure to touch..

In this pic (view it full sized) I was testing out some 245/70R16 (29.5") tyres on the rear. The smaller 27.8" tyres are in front. Here I have both the 2.5" suspension and 2" body lift.



The 29.5" tyres fit just right on the vehicle, almost giving it back a stock look.. Sadly, my auto transmission just does not have the gearing required to run the 29.5" tyres and it was impacting severely on fuel economy and acceleration..

I would do both body and suspension and get those 31's on right off the bat.  You will not get that much more articulation from the suspension lift really if you are concerned about that. If you want a stock ride use coil spacers instead of longer springs. If you want a softer ride the best thing i've found is lower the tire pressure.

I started with the 2" suspension lift and 225/75r16 and it was just not a noticeable enough difference.  WIth the bodylift and 265/75/r16 it really feels like a whole different truck and has the clearance i need. 5.125 diffs are a good idea though.

You will not get that much more articulation from the suspension lift really if you are concerned about that.

For the sake of discussion - why would a properly done suspension lift, not provide increased articulation?

I listed two options that could be considered suspension lifts, the first being coil spring spacers and longer shocks, the second being upgraded springs & shocks.

Coil spring spacers provide increased spring preload and as a result, theoretically increased ride height - so more uptravel before you hit the bump stops, and because of the longer shocks, more down travel.

A stiffer spring would allow increased ride height, which would again allow more uptravel, and the upgraded (longer travel) shock would allow more down travel.

Isn't that the essence of increased articulation?