Serious Suspension Lift

[Jameswood345]

I am in the process of organising a lift for the surf, currently I am torn between a 10, 13 or 17inch lift with a 4inch bodylift. At the moment I am in the mind of "if I am going to do it may as well do a proper job!!". What are peoples thoughts to the lift and size?

I currently run 33inch tyres (i think) and I fully expect I will need bigger as the car may look silly. Opinions would be good though.

I could do with some advice on problems associated with lifting surfs, is there any un expected costs/problems that I have missed as it seems quite a simple process.

This is a project which I have spoken extensively to L A Supertrux and I am pretty sure they will do the work.

Any advice or thoughts would be good as this isn't a cheap process and I would like to iron out any potential problems before I start.

Thanks

James

[marky]

I am torn between a 10, 13 or 17inch lift
ARE YOU SERIOUS MATE

[Jameswood345]

Deadly serious, how come?

[pops]

Deadly serious, how come?

HOW TALL ARE YOU? how will you get in? will you need oxygen at that altitude?

[marky]

It will look like this i think

[Jameswood345]

I know


The reason I bought the surf was it has always been my intention to lift it.

Marky do you know the technical spec for that surf which has been lifted or who owns it?

I have designed some ladders which I will have fabricated to assist people getting in. Also a drop down bar by the boot to help access.

so 10, 13 or 17 people?

James

[marky]

james i dont know whos it is usa perhaps?

[Jameswood345]

Ah never mind, I just want to make sure I have thought of everything before ordering the kit.


Has no one else lifted a surf this much?

[marky]

not that i know of but someone with info and experience will post on here later

[Guest]

James.

I'm sure TonyN will add anything I haven't thought of but I think you need to bear in mind the following at least.

1. With That sort of lift I think you will need at least 40" tyres if not bigger.
2. 4" body lift will need serious mods on the gear linkage, Steering shaft, gearbox and engine mountings, Radiator will need to be lowered, Custom Propshaft UJs.
3. With that sort of Suspension lift I presume you are taking the IFS and throwing it in the nearest large skip and fitting a solid axle on the front.
4. With a 4 inch body lift you will need good blocks otherwise there will be a lot of play in the body to chassis mounts.
5. With 40+" tyres you will probably need so some fairly major mods on the bodywork so that the tyres don't eat it big time.
6. Stronger axles and diffs will most likely be needed to cope with the added resistance of the tyres.
7. The standard engine will give up the ghost trying to pull those tyres. Still if you are contemplating doing such a serious mod then I would think that dropping in a Small Block V8 would be a piece of p**s along with a decent TH400 or TH350 box. While doing this you could plan the mounts so that you get less angle on the shafts and good fitment for the autochanger (fit a steering column one or a Hurst sequential one for the best possible solution.

I think that this would be one monster truck, not generally what is seen on here as it would be far too top heavy for real off-roading, more suited to the Monster Truck arena.

If you are going to do it then Nigel Morris at LA Supertrux is your man having as much experience of Monster Trucks as anyone in the UK.

I can't say I'd want to do it to mine, however if you do it then I'd love to see it cos it will be one mean Mutha. Trick paintjob to finish it off as well.

Cheers and good luck

[Jameswood345]

Andy you have made some good points there and thanks for taking the time to reply. The problem I have is what you have highlighted, I am happy to take on some of the work but it is going to cost a small fortune to do all of that work. I am looking for the compromise of big lift, increase in tyre size but I don't want to change the engine (yet), don't mind stiffing the body up as that shouldn't be too much of a problem while replacing suspension etc.

I have some quotes from LA Supertrux but I would like to go down and meet Nigel and go through the figures and his advice on where to spend my cash.

Basically i have been looking into this for a long time as it has always been my intention to lift a truck, my ambition needs to match my wallet though.

This is a long term project but I think its better I prepare everything correctly to make sure it is done properly.

James