Preparing for the lift

When I initially started discussing replacing the suspension on the 4WD with something more substantial many of the salesmen immediately espoused the value of a “lift” their suspension system would give the vehicle increasing ground clearance.  That’s nonsense!   Increasing the height of the suspension does not increase ground clearance.  Out Isuzu has a live axle at the rear and independent suspension in the front.  Increasing the length of the coil springs raises the body of the vehicle but the springs sit on top of the axle.  Therefore the height of the axle (and ground clearance) doesn’t change. 

One way to increase ground clearance is to increase the diameter of the wheels by replacing the tyres and rims with a larger diameter.  I’ve already done this and increased the ground clearance by an inch.

My objective in replacing the standard suspension was to make it stronger as I’m concerned about the stresses placed on it when travelling for hours (and days) off road.  I wasn’t looking for a ‘lift’.  Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to replace the standard suspension without getting a lift.  One other advantage of a suspension (body) lift is the suspension might settle back close to ‘stock’ height with the addition of fitted items like a bullbar and winch.  Plus more load in the back.  However a disadvantage is the increased angle on the constant velocity joints (CV’s) in the front.  An increased angle increased the potential for the CV to snap.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is cooler temperatures.  High 20’s rather than high 30’s.  Ken suggested this might be a good day to change over the suspension.  In anticipation of that occurring I measured the current height of the suspension which I’ll be able to use as a reference point to see how great the left was after the new suspension. My method was to use two right angle squares.  These were used to measure the perpendicular distance between the top of the rim and the bottom of the wheel arch on all four wheels.

Hopefully everything will go without any issues tomorrow.