Thread: Lift and tyres.

Sorry, how does a spring lift restrict wheel movement?

And what difference would lifting the body make to clearance compared to a suspension lift?

Cheers

I can agree from experience with what ... has said. Can't confirm the spring rate and articulation part though.

I fitted 33" tires with a 35mm spring lift and cut guards with flares. The tires fit except the tires hit the guards when 4WDing.

If you think suspension modification sounds complicated.... That's because it is.

To make it simple, to fit 33" tires I needed:

35mm suspension lift - legal in Vic (With standard spring rate springs)

50mm body lift - not legal without engineering in Vic (Not simple, recommend 40mm instead)

-25mm offset rims 16X8 Dynamic Rims

cut guards and 75mm flares - legal and 12" wide tires only just fit under with -25mm offser rims

Caster correction bushes

All up all new:
$1200 Tough Dog shocks, springs and steering damper
$600 for 5 dynamic steal rims
$200 for flares
$120 for caster correction bushes

Total $2120 + Tires

About 24 hours time

Originally Posted by V8Mitch

Sorry, how does a spring lift restrict wheel movement?

And what difference would lifting the body make to clearance compared to a suspension lift?

Cheers

Bump stops are fitted so when the axle is so maxed out upward it hits the "bump stop" mounted to the chassis. This is designed to make contact just before the end of travel of the spring and shock absorber. With large tires fitted the tires hit the guards before the bump stop hits the axle.

Suspension lift changes the difference in height between the axle and bump stop. When the spring is fully compressed the axle might not reach the bump stop putting all force through the spring mounts and possibly shock absorber if that is at it's minimum install dimension.

When a body lift is fitted the axle dynamics are the same but the space in the wheel arches is greater. Therefore larger tires can be fitted and the bump stops will make contact with the chassis before the tire hits the top of the wheel arch.

To fit 33" tires to a RRC you need a combination of both OR you can fit extend your bump stops. This will then stop the axle before the tire hits the guards. It is also road legal in Vic BUT it does restrict you wheel articulation.

This has been a discussion for a while. Please see:
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/me...rvehicles.ashx

Section 9 covers body and Section 13 covers Suspension

My problem with body lift is Section 9 clearly states what body modifications are legal. Body lift is not mentioned.

Section 13 is a little confusing but also does not mention body lift.

Therefore I could not confidently expect my Insurance company to pay out in the event of an collision. And in this hypothetical collision if someone is killed or seriously injured and the insurance company find my car "unroadworthy" Does that mean i'm potentially at risk of a criminal charge?

I also asked a roadworthy licence holder if i could get a roadworthy for the 1988 RRC I just sold with a body lift. His answer was "No, it requires engineering approval" Hence the reason I sold it without a roadworthy as the rest of the vehicle was mint.

My Approval In Principle documentation from NT MVR says

- Assessed Overall Lift is derived from infomation supplied in your application and includes suspension mods, body lift and wheel/tyre combos.
- Measured Overall Height is the measurement from the highest point of the roof to the ground and will be confirmed at the final inspection.
- Maximum Overall Lift is 150mm over the Original Equipment Manufacturer height. Overall lift greater than 150mm will not be accepted.

And yes, engineering cert not required.

How can i get a copy of VSB14?
The link directly to the Vic Roads website i added talks about VSB14 and states there are 2 options as an alternative to VSB14 Modification Code LS for raising 4WD vehicles. Option 1 - a combination of suspension and tires can be used to achieve a lift no more then 75mm without the need for certification normally required for VSB14. As long as it meets the criteria stated.

All that equates to 2" suspension lift and 2" larger tires. (2" large tire gives 1" lift from ground)

Therefore everything written in VSB14 cannot be taken as gospel. Hence the reason it is so confusing. Granted however, the statement 50mm body lift not legal in Vic was incorrect according to VSB14. As long as you don't fit any other lift, which really defeats the purpose in the first place.)

I needed 2" suspension lift, 2.5" body lift and about 1" wheel arch trim to fit 33" on 16x8 rims with 25mm offset.

Look at Les Richmond Auto and DAP Enterprises for the body lift kit. I got some flares from APT Fabrication. Wheels are Dynamic.

So the short answer is no. How big a tyre can I go then with only a 2 inch lift and some offset wheels and flares of course...?