D3 Body Lift?

[TerryO]

Given that it is not uncommon to give a D1 or D2 a 2" body lift to get extra ground clearance and to allow larger wheel tyre combinations it got me wondering if anyone had or if anyone had ever heard of someone ever giving a D3 a 2" body lift?

I would imagine it would provide a number of challenges that are unique to the D3 but if successful it could make the D3 a lot more capable as a off roader as well.

cheers,
Terry

[connock]

Hi Terry

I hanvt heard of a D3 being done but a body lift wont give any more ground clearance , unless you are going to put larger dia. wheels on
that would look good :eek:

connok

[Dirty3]

Get some suspension rods or the LLams fitted, all the clearance you need for off road work, a decent set of tyres (could go a little taller but not needed unless you want mud terrain profiles) and your set.

[CaverD3]

I think body lifts are illegal for vehicles with air bags. At least in NSW.

[Graeme]

got me wondering if anyone had or if anyone had ever heard of someone ever giving a D3 a 2" body lift?
I'e heard of quite a few but they're usually lifted about 12' or so!















Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

[connock]

I think body lifts are illegal for vehicles with air bags. At least in NSW.


I think its the same in SA too, seen a few 4bys with rediculus lifts getting booked lately.

Love to watch those guys on a sideways incline, good for a laugh.:angel:

connock

[TerryO]

Thanks for the comments so far.

Whether it is illegal or not is besides the point as there are plenty of D1 and D2's that are lifted and have airbags and while some get caught most don't and it has not stopped these vehicles being modified still even today.

If the body could be lifted 2 inches then as far as I can see it would allow larger wheel / tyre combinations so it would give more ground clearance. It would also posibly improve ramp angles ...maybe!

In reality right now most current D3/4 owners wouldn't even consider this as a possible option but as these vehicles get older and much cheaper then this will be something that the next wave of owners who now own D1's and 2's and trade up to D3's might consider.

...I knew someone would not be able to control themselves and would make the 12' comment. ;)

So the question stands ...could it be done and has it been done?


cheers,
Terry

[SuperMono]

So the question stands ...could it be done and has it been done?

As it happens I was pondering this question last week while staring up at the underbody of my D3 (coil sprung) during a mud removal exercise.

I think the question of 'could' is easy: yes, it only metal and interconnecting bits.
But as to what you would gain, the only valid reason would be to clear larger tyres.
Ramp over is really a chassis and underpinnings issue, not the body.
You would pick up a bit of useful departure angle but the gain on approach would be minimal.

I think you would need to lift the body by a fair bit to actually clear larger tyres.
On the front I suspect you would still end up with rubbing at some point in the suspension stroke at some steering angles. You may also have to remove some metal and plastic both front and rear with bigger tyres, then you have the diff ratios to consider.

So you could, but the gains are not going to be what you may acheive with an earlier Disco.

[connock]

Any thing is posable if you throw enough cash at it,

connock

[gghaggis]

It was done some years ago to a coiler D3 in Europe (they were hoping to enter it in the Dakar), but didn't provide much advantage. There was some issue with the monoque body, but can't recall how they resolved it. Ramp-over remains the same, and it's illegal with air bags.

Much easier to modify the front and rear overhangs and wheel arches - I did some of that to my first D3 for comp work.

Cheers,

Gordon

[TerryO]

It was done some years ago to a coiler D3 in Europe (they were hoping to enter it in the Dakar), but didn't provide much advantage. There was some issue with the monoque body, but can't recall how they resolved it. Ramp-over remains the same, and it's illegal with air bags.

Much easier to modify the front and rear overhangs and wheel arches - I did some of that to my first D3 for comp work.

Cheers,

Gordon


Thanks for that Gordon, that answers my question.

cheers,
Terry

[grumpa]

I have a D3 S and wanted to increase ground clearance by a couple of inches. A suspension company fitted new coil springs and it works fine! No problem with my insurance either. I live in SA
Grumpa

[~Rich~]

I have a D3 S and wanted to increase ground clearance by a couple of inches. A suspension company fitted new coil springs and it works fine! No problem with my insurance either. I live in SA
Grumpa
A 50mm suspension lift is not a problem, the post is about a body lift which uses lift blocks to space the body off the chassis.
As Gordon had mentioned it is easier to modify the overhangs if required.
With older Toyota Cruisers, live sprung Rangies and Disco's and current Patrols owners used a combination of taller springs and a body lift to gain height for larger tyres and more diff / body clearance. It does not throw the drive shaft angles, steering castor angles out as much as say a 100mm lift.