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Should i lift it?

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Offline WVzuk

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Should i lift it?
« on: February 09, 2012, 12:30:46 PM »
Ok, so I was reading a post lower on this page where someone asked about lifting and a couple of people said only lift enough to clear your tires.  I have stock 94 4dr kick with 227/75-15 AT tires.  They don't have any clearance issues at all but I always seam to scrape just barely on water breaks and ruts made by bigger trucks (which is basically every truck).  There is one hump in particular on my favorite trail that I basically have to rail frame rail slide over.  It seams like when I scrape all I needed was a couple of inches and I wouldn't have.  This is a daily driver so I'd like to keep it paractical but I do have a newer car I can take on long trips.  

I was going to get some coil spacers.  What do you guys think?
1994 4dr Sidekick: 3inch Zukination lift, 30x9.50 mud tires, snorkel, ARB rear locker, homemade bumpers

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Offline mike5721947

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2012, 01:20:10 PM »
well. 235/75r15's are a start for more height they fit no lift.
2 inch spacers would get you obviously 2 more inches of frame clearance

now. the question you have to wonder is if its the frame hitting on the ruts or your rear diff. if its the diff pumpkin hitting a spacer lift wont help. only tires will get it to clear.

now, with a 2 inch spacer lift it gives you room for 30x9.5 tires. giving you even more clearance.

225/75r15 is an odd size, 235/75r15's are a cheaper tire because its a more used size. with a 2 inch spacer lift it doesnt look bad, dont know about 225's though.
1990 Suzuki sidekick 2Dr Conv.
385,000 km and still going strong.
31" kumhos 3inchs of lift.

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2012, 02:14:33 PM »
OF COURSE YOU SHOULD LIFT IT!!! I say that only because I am your source for quality coil/strut spacer lifts.  >:D. Mike is right, 235's are cheaper and have more options in AT and MT tires.
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
Custom strut spacers
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 tuxblacray

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2012, 02:17:27 PM »
I vote that you put the 2" spacer lift on and a nice set of 235's or 30"x9.5" tires......
I know the voices aren't real.... but they have some pretty kewl ideas!!! Tux.....  ;-)
I get my Sammi parts here, and you can too... http://www.mikodaindustries.com/http://stores.ebay.com/sticksnstones4x4samuraiparts

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Offline jzap

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2012, 03:15:23 PM »
A 4 dr like yours has a longer wheelbase , and therefore needs more height to clear a breakover.  If you were driving a 2dr, I'd say try 235's first, but since you have a long wheel base, you may need to go with a spacer lift too. 

Personally, I'm running 225's on a 2dr for the last several years, and it only scrapes on an extreme breakover, but your geometry is a bit different.
Jim Z.
96 Tracker
66 Apache camper

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Offline WVzuk

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2012, 03:18:28 PM »
The reason I got the 225s is because they are my first tires that aren't stock and I read that 215s are the biggest the manufacturer recomends on the stock wheels and some people with the 235s says they are a bit squirrelly on the road so I split the difference....lol.

My tires are brand new and I Toyo open country AT's and I like them really well though i think they could be better in mud.  At any rate I'm gonna keep them.

Good point about the diff, but there are several instances that I could really use a little more room under the frame rails.
1994 4dr Sidekick: 3inch Zukination lift, 30x9.50 mud tires, snorkel, ARB rear locker, homemade bumpers

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Offline WVzuk

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2012, 03:21:28 PM »
Yes jzap, that's the term I was looking for, breakovers.  The shorter the wheelbase the less clearance you would need.  235s are only about 1/2" taller anyway so I figure lookswise it wouldn't be very noticable.
1994 4dr Sidekick: 3inch Zukination lift, 30x9.50 mud tires, snorkel, ARB rear locker, homemade bumpers

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Offline mike5721947

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2012, 04:19:57 PM »
i had to argue with a local tire shop to install 235's on my truck. they would install the tires on the rims no problem but wouldnt put them on the truck cause they said they wouldnt fit.
finally got them to put them after arguing. i had this forum to go by saying they fit. i dont see them as squirely onroad, they actually handle better then my 205's did.
1990 Suzuki sidekick 2Dr Conv.
385,000 km and still going strong.
31" kumhos 3inchs of lift.

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Offline The Goat

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2012, 09:14:41 PM »
Odd... My shop put 31s on without blinking. 

And clearance IS an issue.

If I had to do it again, and I just did it two weeks ago... 235s and a plate style bumper instead of a tube.  Minimal lift if any.  Mpg plummets on a lifted kick.... 28-30 unlifted to 21-23 lifted with tires and bumper. It hurts when I have to fill up.

They look great up high, but the mpg sucks.
1995 Four Door Kick...auto, OME, 33s, 200k. Other stuff.

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2012, 06:51:03 AM »
Odd... My shop put 31s on without blinking. 

And clearance IS an issue.

If I had to do it again, and I just did it two weeks ago... 235s and a plate style bumper instead of a tube.  Minimal lift if any.  Mpg plummets on a lifted kick.... 28-30 unlifted to 21-23 lifted with tires and bumper. It hurts when I have to fill up.

They look great up high, but the mpg sucks.
The lift does not cause MPG to drop, the 31's do.
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
Custom strut spacers
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 HERC99

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Re: Should i lift it?
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2012, 09:14:34 PM »
run 33 ,s n a 3'' body n be dun with it  that's whats on my wife's tracker n it Handel,s great on the road