XL-7 suspension lift

[Zukixl7]

Can anyone give me some advice and or recommendations on a lift kit for a 2004 XL-7? I know that too high effects the drive shafts but I am led to believe that 35-40mm is max. All I am after is a better ramp over angle than existing so I can take my family out to experience the great outdoors. I had an FJ40 that went everywhere, but family meant I needed something family friendly.

I have looked at ironman, ARB(not helpfull) and Calmini but would be interested in any other choices with approx pricing if anyone knows.

Cheers,

Ian

[cj]

Honestly I'd go with ARB and if you need a little more lift add some coil spacers but don't overdo it.

[Big Boots]

ODA1 on here is a suzuki man that will be able to help you.

[ODA1]

aww shucks ive gone red :p

Pm sent....

[ODA1]

hi

still going, are you still coming to bris??

[offroadjack]

:D have seen some awesome xl-7's with calmini lifts. don't know how they flex or do it in the long term so go with longer springs and coilspacers.and DON'T fit sidesteps!:D

[ODA1]

XL7s with lifts!!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/liftedXL7s.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/img0099cf0.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/3inchlift.jpg

[Pantera]

They look good. Ive decided I want to do that to the GV!

[murcod]

Lovells www.lovells.com.au and Kings King Spring Automotive Aftermarket Springs (http://www.kingsprings.com) also make lifted springs to suit. I think TJM do a kit as well from a quick Google?

Need to stop searching before I want to buy something for mine- and I haven't even picked it up yet!?

[ODA1]

all the above are 30 to 35mm and the TJM kit is CRAP!!!

( yes i have fitted the TJM lift to my car ) ( then removed!! )

[murcod]

Thought I'd drag this thread back up.

So, what kits are worth the $$$?

TJM - no?
Lovells - ? Lovells Pty Ltd - Suspension for the ride of your life (http://www.lovells.com.au)
Kings (springs only) - ? King Spring Automotive Aftermarket Springs (http://www.kingsprings.com)
Ironman - ? Ironman 4x4 Suspension (http://www.ironmansuspension.com.au)
ARB/ OME - Yes? ARB 4x4 Accessories Bull Bars Air Locker IPF Lights (http://www.arb.com.au)
Dobinsons - ? Dobinsons Spring & Suspension (http://www.dobinsonsprings.com) / http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/catalogues/Suzuki.pdf

Do Koni and Bilstein make longer shocks to suit too?

What's the "safe" limit to lift the front?

[TheOtherLeft]

What's the "safe" limit to lift the front?

BBM have a 3 + 3 lifted GV (same as the XL-7), and all it has are caster adjustment bolts, so no diff dropbrackets etc for the front. Liam (from BBM) says it works well and to stay away from the Calmini kits.

I'm very surprised it works well.

[murcod]

Ahhh... yes I've read a review on their GV in some mag a while back
BBM (http://www.bbmotorsports.com.au/webcontent2.htm)

I'll have to try and find it again.

[murcod]

The Calmini kit gets some bad reviews- poor quality shocks and dubious sizing on their holes meaning bushes don't fit properly etc.

So, who has a set up they're happy with? I'm not happy with the factory set up and am looking at doing something sooner than expected. I've found mine will lurch around on winding roads which isn't too confidence inspiring at 80km/h+ !

I'm currently investigating Koni and Bilstein shocks - Koni have a fittment listed for front and rear, but Bilstein have no listing. I've thought about OME but I don't think they're good value for the $$$?

Has anyone tried Kings or Lovells springs, I'm not after a skyscaper lift and they seem to fit the bill?

At this stage I'm looking at doing the shocks first and then the springs later.

[Toecutta]

Well all I can say is I liked my Calmini Kit. Shocks were good, I fitted it myself and everything fitted as it should.

I had a GV with ToughDog coils, ToughDog front struts and Rancho 9000 in the rear and when I put the Calmini gear in I found it drove better on and off-road.

I think if you need to comment you need to have a comparison not just something someone told you once. Always be a bit carefull when taking advice from someone who only sells one sort of gear cause when you ask them there stuff is always the best, and everyone else is crap.

I love this example of this kind of trash talk. I think these guys (not picking on them but this is one that sticks in my mind) need to get over trying to make other people look bad but should try and make themselves look good for a change.

Straight from the Rocky Road website


Sidekick, Tracker, Vitara, and Grand - 2.5" suspension systems. Suzuki sidekick, vitara, grand vitara, geo tracker suspension lift kit, the best ride, durable, highest quality, suspension


http://www.rocky-road.com/media/meantracker.jpgContains all the suspension components of our best-selling Rock Steady lift, just remove the body lift from the package. This is pure lift, no drop brackets, no unnecessary arms or other things to goof up your vehicle's handling, no reduction of clearance as with other lift kits. Easy to install, no unnecessary bracketry, just the best quality suspension parts your money can buy. And best of all, any alignment shop can easily put this lift right to factory spec with the proper camber bolts.

Works for newer Canadian built Sidekicks and the usual Sidekick, Tracker, Vitara armada. It is also the only system on the market to work with Sidekick SPORT models. Our system does not reduce clearance with A-arm lowering kits, or bogg down your installation with brackets and spacers that are 100% unnecessary to get factory spec on camber and alignment. Instead, you enjoy the full benefit of your suspension system with maximum suspension clearance, simplicity, and offroadability. Any alignment shop can use camber bolts or a number of other items with our system to put you right back to factory spec!
You also get better flex from our system since the CALifornia based suspensions are using STOCK struts with spacer brackets stuck on top, then give it some sort of superdee-duperdee articulating name. With stock length struts and spacers? Who are they kidding! No wonder there are so many pieces stuck in those stiff-riding kits!
The Rocksteady system also comes with springs available in a variety of spring rates. Think you're going to get a smooth ride in your softop 2door if the springs have been designed to hold up to the weight of a full hardtop 4door? Think again! Planning on adding a winch bumper up front? A larger spare tire in the rear? If you're considering a kit where "one size fits all" you're simply not getting the best ride you can for your vehicle.
The main thing that sets our kit apart from our competition though is the ride quality and Old Man Emu equipment... the undisputed best quality suspension manufacturer on the planet for any vehicle. We get plenty of customers who also purchase our kit after having already spent money on our competition's lift. One customer even titled his CALifornia lift purchase as "my-big-fat-suspension-mistake". Don't you make the mistake of being sucked into the mistake of buying a poor riding suspension, stick with Old Man Emu, stick with Rocky Road, you will have the very best riding and durable suspension on the planer for your rig



I have used both a Calmini kit and just used springs to lift a Vitara and if you lift a Vitara more than about 45mm without using the front arms the front end becomes nearly impossible to get the correct alignment and without the diff drop brackets the CV angles become too large at full suspension droop (which is when you break them) that is why most companies wont do springs that big.

Just my 2c

[murcod]

:) Yes, I found that none too subtle dig at Calmini a few weeks back. I've also come across a few other comments on their kits and people complaining about the quality of the shocks supplied??? I don't know, but agree people will have a go at whatever they don't sell! The Calmini kit is a bit too "radical" for me anyway, mine won't be used off road regularly.

I rung around a bit and found out the following:

ARB/ OME: RRP $1226 for 25mm front / 35mm rear lift kit. He reckoned he could knock about 10% off.

I can get King Springs for $220 for four and I just got prices for the Konis
-> fronts 8741-1394 $340ea and rear 8040-1345 $180ea. Once again better prices if I buy it all together.

ARB also said a "bump stop spacer" was needed to "make the whole thing work"..... so it sounds like their shock may be longer but you lose it in down travel?

Overall the price difference isn't that much.

[Toecutta]

I used to have the 45mm toughdog coils toughdog front struts and rancho rear shocks. They were a good combo. From memory

Full set of coils; $400
Front struts; $500
Rancho 9000's; $300

Having you GV lifted; Priceless

:D

You can see the coils in action here
http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/shed/index.php?id=1196&im=1

These were all shot before I put the Calmini in

[02-SR5]

I had a combination of TJM coils and OME shocks (2003 Grand Vitara). The OME front shocks are the longest you will get for a GV/XL7 type of vitara. Stay away from OME springs for a grand vitara, they are a soft spring, and if you are running bigger tyres, the tyres will rub on the top of the lip and chew the tyre. The TJM springs (King spring) are 1mm bigger in coil diameter, and approx 1.5 coils longer. I ran TJM Heavy duty springs and 15mm fulcrum spring spacers in the rear to keep my 235/75/16 BFG A/T from rubbing and OME shocks. Worked very well and still drove like a road car on the road.

Try the "North Brisbane Suzuki 4wd club" forum, heaps of members over their who have done everything and have played with all different of suspension combos. There is a bloke over there who has called himself gear, he has played with all the kits (OME/TJM/Rancho/Calimini), he can point you in the right direction.

[ODA1]

not long after i saw your GV,i fitted a TJM Lift to my gv and and it was bad and i removed it, bricks would have been softer than the TJM springs i had...

[02-SR5]

Sure it wasnt the shocks, tjm shocks are pretty firm. I was running mine with OME shocks as stated, and these are pretty soft. So what did you install after you ripped out the TJM gear???

[ODA1]

i drove for a week on factory shocks untill they got the TJM shocks in, i told the wife the car would ride better once the shocks were fitted, boy did i cop IT!!!!!

fitted 30mm spacers :thumb:

[Toecutta]

One thing you need to remember when fitting new suspension is that it will ride firm for around a month or more until the coils have a chance to sag a little (bed in). Most coils are designed to do this, even lowered coils will drop a little more after the installation.

[ODA1]

wow thats more info than i got out of TJM!!, I was doing 100k a day at the time so i could not afford to wait a month with the jarring ride.

[murcod]

Are spring spacers legal?

What are the disadvantages vs new springs?

I can see plenty of advantages ie. you know what lift you'll get, they're cheap, you don't run the risk of being disappointed that your mega $$$ springs are total crap....

[Toecutta]

As far as I know they are legal.

The only thing is you still have to put new shocks in if you get a big lift and that is the bit that costs the most money anyway

[ODA1]

Strut spacers :thumb:

[murcod]

Strut spacers :thumb:

From where? And you'd still need something different for the rear?

I'm just thinking if the Konis I've just bought improve the ride/ handling enough then I might just look at spacers for a modest lift (eg. 20mm or so.)

I've been bitten before with raised springs that were rock hard and cost me a fortune.... I suppose at least coil springs are a lot cheaper than leafs. :)

[ODA1]

from ME :thumb:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/strutspacer.jpg

and im currently working on shock spacers too.

I dont know how legal these are!!

[Toecutta]

Those look good, I have seen them O/S as well.

They would have to be legal I would think.

A pair of those in the front and some VN commodore rear shocks from a wreckers and your away!

[ODA1]

yeah im looking at shock spacers aswell and the first set did not work as intended so im working on it


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/IMGP1245.jpg

[twin zooks]

from ME :thumb:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/strutspacer.jpg

and im currently working on shock spacers too.

I dont know how legal these are!!

PM sent.

[Graham Chattin]

Hi Guys,
I had a 2004 XL-7 from new until recently and I gave it a 50mm suspension lift initially using Dobinson coils and shocks. Unfortunately, the Plenty highway, the Tannami Track, the road to Cape Leveuque and the Gibb River Road were to much for the shockies - all four of them. I replaced them in Kununurra with Pedder struts and Monroes on the rear and took the Suzi up to Cape York in July last year. We did the Old Telegraph Track (North to South) and by the time we got back to Coen after doing the Frenchman,s Track, including a very hairy crossing of the Pascoe River, the Pedder struts were shot. The XL-7 is a great vehicle but the suspension cannot take that sort of punishment and Pedders would not wear any warranty claim. From some of the photos in this thread there have been some very serious suspension upgrades done so it may well be different for others but I don't think the XL-7 is quite up to the really tough stuff. I gave it my best shot and Suzi initially matched it with the Cruisers and the Nissans in the group but fell short in the end. I sold Suzi to my daughter (to keep it in the family) and bought a 100 series Landcruiser.

Cheers

[ODA1]

any pics of this XL7??

[Graham Chattin]

This is Suzi on the banks of the Wenlock River at Moreton Station while we waited for temporary repairs to be carried out to the Landcruisers rear brake calliper. The Navara in the background was stock and did really well on the trip. The other picture is of Suzi, still in mint condition, despite the rigors of the trips to the Kimberley and the Cape. I had just finished detailing her following some paint touch ups to fix the bark that had been knocked off.

[ODA1]

Thats a nice XL7 and in red :D

its a pity you dont have it any more as i am trying to put together 5 GV/XL7s for a team to apear at the bayside offroaders show n shine on the 24TH, still need 3 cars

and sorry to hear you crossed to the dark side!!!

[Graham Chattin]

I still have access to Suzi Q because my daughter and her husband now own her. I kept her in the family because I still love that truck. Give me some details and I will talk to the kids and we may be able to do something. We live bayside at Victoria Point.

As much as I think the Suzi is a great vehicle the V8 Landcruiser is sensational. It tows our new 17' caravan easily and it will take us across the Simpson and a heap of other remote locations without any dramas. I having fun setting it up as a tourer and I am planning to build my own drawer set.

[ODA1]

http://nbs4x4club.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=314025b315d56603103584c45a5ccf c2&action=dlattach;topic=8603.0;attach=957;image (http://nbs4x4club.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=314025b315d56603103584c45a5ccf c2&action=dlattach;topic=8603.0;attach=956;image)
http://www.nbs4x4club.com/forum/Themes/babylon/images/icons/clip.gif 4WD & ORS 2.jpg (http://nbs4x4club.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=314025b315d56603103584c45a5ccf c2&action=dlattach;topic=8603.0;attach=956)

that would be great:thumb:

[murcod]

Graham, it sounds more like a case of there not being any decent shocks available to suit? (The brands you tried also don't exactly have the best reputation for off road use in any vehicle.)

OME is probably the only shock brand that suits lifted XL-7's that has any sort of reputation for surviving off road use. That's part of the reason I decided to buy standard length shocks (Koni Heavy Tracks- because I know they'll last a long time.) I'm sure if anyone was inclined the local Bilstein or Koni distributors should be able to custom make some longer shocks to suit- then you'd have a shock that should last.

What tyres are you running in those pics? That colour also looks nice and isn't very common.

[Graham Chattin]

Hi,
Yeh! Pity I didn't find this forum before I started spending my hard earned. The Suzi is running on BFG AT's and the colour is Cassin Red which really suited this biased one eyed banana bending cane toad. From the experience of taking the XL-7 to the Kimberley and the Cape, a set of good front struts and some more clearance and she would have been unstoppable. On the beach in the soft stuff Suzi pushed the Nissans and the Cruisers all the way and was nearly a Nissan recovery vehicle which would have squared off them towing me through two deep water crossings at Crystal Creek and the fast flowing Pascoe River on the Cape. The lack of a good range of aftermarket stuff, including a descent snorkel, really peed me off. The door seals on the XL-7 were really good because we did not get one drop of water in the vehicle despite water over the bonnet on a number of occassions. Despite the flogging she copped on the two big trips the XL-7 still drives like new and not one rattle - great vehicle. A pity it was too small to tow our new 17' caravan.

[ODA1]

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p213/fordy1zuk/IMGP1488.jpg

this is what my baby will look like at the bayside 4x4 day on 24th just cleaner :thumb:

[Graham Chattin]

Not sure I can commandeer the Suzi for the show but maybe the thought of a free clean and detail will convince daughter to let me have it for the weekend. Sounds like an interesting day and I might pick up some tips for the Cruiser modifications.

Cheers
Graham

[HevTex]

I lifted my '00 Grand V by 2" with coil spring spacers from "EXTREME LIMITS OFFROAD" in Qld (I did get them on ebay) for $120. Then had to get "CAMBER BOLTS" ($100ish) & all seems to work well & am still running std springs & shocks, which are alot more comfy than the Grand V that came in for alignment from TJM after getting full 2" coil & shock lift. was a bone jarring ride, & that was on the bitumen lol.

[ODA1]

you have a 2inch and factory struts??? have you changed them or do just turn the stereo up so you dont hear the struts topping out?

[Graham Chattin]

Sounds like we have a lot of soft arsed GV owners out there or you need a set of Dobinson Coils for a 35mm lift. While I had plenty of problems finding struts to handle the tough going (the Monroes on the back are fine and still going) the Dobinson coils have been great and although a slightly harsher ride, the XL-7 handles much better. A stock GV or XL-7 rides and handles like a car so you have got to expect a firmer ride from heavy duty coils.

Cheers

[ODA1]

i have owned a sierra and the tjm lift for the GV ( 35/40mm ) is "bone Jarring" and bricks would be better as stated before.

[Huggy-GV]

i had lifted king springs coil spacers and Dobinson struts in my gv and it drove nice on and off road i was also running 2 inch lifted landcruiser shock but the were to ruff so i changed them back to ome for a nice ride

[HevTex]

Struts are std & have only heard them "TOP OUT" once on the beach, other than that there is no noise from the front or rear (munroe shocks & orig struts) & they will both be replaced in near future but will be looking @ the lenghthier versions of both. If anybody has recomendations please feel free... my GV is mainly for beach fishing (Stockton) so no real bush to stress the suspension lol

[02-SR5]

Yep,

OME is your friend. They are longer in the front strut by about 50mm. THey are longer than any other front strut out there on the market for a Vitara. You wont need a strut spacer if you are runnng a OME front strut.

[Graham Chattin]

Be careful where you take the Dobinson struts Huggy - GV. The coils are great but the struts fell apart on the trip over the Plenty Highway, the Tannami Track and finally on the Gibb River Road over a two week period. The replacement Pedder Struts then failed on the Cape trip. At least Dobinson's honoured their warranty where Pedder's regarded the Cape as "abuse". Give them a big miss. They only make shockies for the wife's shopping car.

The Suzi has now been retired from anything tougher than the beach so the kids should not have any problems.

Cheers
Graham

[murcod]

If you're running the OME front shocks it would probably be wise to also buy their extended bump stops (which I assume are to prevent the shock from bottoming out?)

[Huggy-GV]

Be careful where you take the Dobinson struts Huggy - GV.

i couldnt care where the struts can go now as i woke upto myself and bought a car that can handle the abuse i hand out to it .I got sick of fixing the gv everytime i went out .But in saying that i have never owned a car so good on the beach in my life