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flatyre Gate Opener
Joined: 19 Aug 2016 Odometer: 9
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:21 am Post subject: 2001 L200 lift options
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Hey folks just bought an old L200 to convert into an arbtruck for my tree surgery business. Its rough as heck which is what I wanted, no point in cutting up a good vehicle. I've been looking at suspension lift kits and reckon a 3" lift would be plenty. I have removed the old rotten load bed as i'll be fitting a ram and tipping rear section. The rear most cross member that holds the spare wheel is pretty bad, as are the rear tub chassis mounts, but all this will be cut away anyway to make way for a custom cross member to support the ram. Only problem is the rear most spring hangers are pretty bad and need replaced. I have seen a few lift kits that are nothing more than a spacer for the top of the front struts and a single longer shackle for the rear of the springs? If I was to fabricate the new rear spring hangers three inches longer than the originals would this do the same job without being dangerous? I know brake lines need extended too but what else needs work to achieve a 3" lift?
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Xpajun Mud Obsessed
Joined: 22 Sep 2008 Odometer: 3245
1988 Mitsubishi Shogun
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:37 am Post subject:
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If the truck you bought is older than 2005 then the kit you describe won't fit - at least on the front where you would have torsion bars rather than springs.
The torsion bars can be wound up but not to 3" without doing considerable damage to tyres, cv joints and bearings.
The 3" shackles will give you around 1.5 - 2" of lift on the axle, providing you Make the spring hangers strong enough to resist buckling at the new height you shouldn't have a problem although you will have in raising the front suspension to match.
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mike328 Articulating
Joined: 10 Dec 2014 Odometer: 793 Location: Suffolk!
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:45 am Post subject:
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Don't forget dropping the rear shackle mounts 3" will only lift the truck around 1.5" as will be pivoting around the front eye of the spring and the axle is half way along it... sounds like a good project keep us posted
Edit - took too long typing, you beat me to it Xpajun!
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flatyre Gate Opener
Joined: 19 Aug 2016 Odometer: 9
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 8:37 am Post subject:
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thanks folks, your right, its a torsion bar up front, can it be adjusted to give a 2" lift without causing stress to the other parts mentioned? also would it be better to make the rear spring hangers the original height and fit 2" longer shackles instead? Also was advised to add another leaf to the springs to stiffen them up as there will be extra weight in the rear due to the tipping body. Will this work or do I need to buy heavy duty leaf springs? Sorry for all the questions, I think if I can gain a couple of inches with chassis mods and a couple more inches with bigger walled all terrain tyres, i'll get the height I need without causing excess wear to the shafts and bearings.
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mike328 Articulating
Joined: 10 Dec 2014 Odometer: 793 Location: Suffolk!
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 6:27 pm Post subject:
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I would go with dropping the shackle mountings, but there are pros and cons with both... Adding a leaf or two will be fine, some of the heavy duty spring packs ive seen are done like that anyway. Remember that with more spring you will probably want more damping to match, with a lift you will want new longer shocks anyway so just get slightly stiffer ones when you buy..
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flatyre Gate Opener
Joined: 19 Aug 2016 Odometer: 9
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 6:51 pm Post subject:
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mike328 wrote: | I would go with dropping the shackle mountings, but there are pros and cons with both... Adding a leaf or two will be fine, some of the heavy duty spring packs ive seen are done like that anyway. Remember that with more spring you will probably want more damping to match, with a lift you will want new longer shocks anyway so just get slightly stiffer ones when you buy.. |
Much appreciated, will make the spring mounts a couple of inches longer, I was going to fit new heavy duty shocks but drop the top shock mounts a few inches so top and bottom shock mounts are the same distance apart. But you reckon longer shocks on the original mounts is better?
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mike328 Articulating
Joined: 10 Dec 2014 Odometer: 793 Location: Suffolk!
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 9:17 pm Post subject:
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flatyre wrote: | But you reckon longer shocks on the original mounts is better? |
Nope, dropping the shock mounts would do the same thing for your needs longer shackles & shocks etc would give you more travel/flex on a rock crawler if that's what you were building, but for day to day driving and a lift for a bit of extra clearance what you're planning is perfect...
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