WHAT IS A LIFT KIT?
A suspension lift kit is a set of components that raise the body of a 4-wheel drive vehicle off the ground. The lift is achieved by increasing the distance between the axles and the frame of the vehicle. Lift kits are typically installed for off-road use, because they allow the vehicle to clear larger obstacles and travel over rougher terrain. Quality suspension is the foundation of any serious 4WD build.
WHY DO I NEED A LIFT KIT?
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) design their suspension generally for the best on road comfort with minimal offroading in mind, especially for cheaper 4WD’s where suspension isn’t prioritized so they can reach that affordable price point. An upgraded kit will greatly enhance handling and greatly maintain the quality of ride no matter how much you go offroad.
Upgraded suspension is an absolute MUST if you’re thinking of adding heavy aftermarket accessories that contribute constant weight to the vehicle. The factory suspension is only rated to the factory weight of the vehicle itself, accessories such as a bullbar, steel tray etc. will inevitably sag down the suspension below factory height and potentially increase the wear and tear of other suspension components.
Increasing the height of your vehicle has many benefits to your 4WDing experience including; additional clearance to reach previously unreachable spots, better approach and departure angles to prevent underbody damage, allowing fitment of larger tyres and most importantly, lifted fourbies look TOUGH..
Upgraded suspension lift kits increase your suspension travel or ‘Flex’ while offroading. Flex is defined as how far up and down the suspension can move within the wheel arches. Having extra flex means your wheel can move around more and get in contact with the ground in positions where it would be in the air with standard suspension.
TYPES OF LIFT KITS:
The proper way to safely lift your vehicle is with complete changes to the shock absorbers and springs with heavy duty lifted replacements that increase the height of the suspension. U-Bolts, Bushes & Shackles may also be replaced to refresh the suspension.
- Spacer Lift Kits:
These kits are a much cheaper but riskier alternative to a suspension lift kit. Spacers are placed on top of the strut towers to forcibly lift the front suspension. The kits are generally not recommended especially if you’re doing any form of offroading as spacers can put unnecessary pressure on spring seats leading to a catastrophic failure of the strut.
- Body Lift Kits:
Unlike a suspension lift kit that lifts the entire vehicle, a body lift kit specifically increases the space between the vehicle's body and its frame or chassis. This is achieved by installing spacer blocks or bushings between the body and frame mounts jacking the body of the vehicle above the chassis. These are even more dangerous than spacer lifts as you’re putting extra pressure on the chassis and body lifts can also impact the installation of accessories such as Bullbars & Steel Trays.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ON A LIFT KIT?
The grade and budget of the lift kit you purchase for your 4WD should be solely based on your offroad needs. While fitting the best & most expensive kit to your vehicle sounds like a no-brainer. If you’re only going camping with the family once a year you may never even push your 4WD’s suspension to the point of utilising the shock absorbers performance.
If your vehicle is being daily driven this must also be heavily taken into account. The last thing you want is to be stuck hating driving your car the other 350+ days of the year you’re not offroad. If your 4WD is a notorious mall crawler that never leaves the asphalt then a budget friendly kit might be the way to go, but if you’re hitting the trails on a monthly basis you’re going to want to equip your 4WD with premium suspension that’s going to get the job done.
PROS & CONS OF LIFTING YOUR 4WD
Lifting your 4WD’s suspension is a general no brainer especially if you’re going to be doing any sort of off-roading. Lift kits are a cornerstone of any real suspension build and here’s why:
- Increased ground clearance for offroad obstacles
- Improved approach & departure angles
- Improved off-road suspension stamina, upgraded shocks stay cooler for much longer
- Allows for fitment of larger 30”+ tyres
- Enhanced suspension stability
- Tough looks & aesthetics
- Increased towing capacities
While lifting your 4WD is a no brainer, there are always things to consider based on your needs:
- More difficult to get into and out of the vehicle
- May impact wheel alignment accuracy (Upper Adjustable Control Arms will fix)
- May void new vehicle's dealer warranty
- May lead to faster CV Shaft wear and tear (Diff Drop kit will fix)
- State to state legal restrictions
HOW MUCH LIFT IS RIGHT FOR MY 4WD?
The amount of lift that is right for your vehicle will depend on your offroad needs, personal preference and budget. You must also obviously take into account the legal height according to your state territory and extra engineering costs that are involved in certifying an above legal height suspension lift.
Generally speaking two inch lift kits which is the legal lift limit in most states is more than enough for serious off roaders, tourers and especially mall crawlers. Three & four inches of lifts requires significant modifications and costs in order to achieve the height. Spending an extra $2000-$3000 in order to only achieve an extra 1-2 inches of lift for your 4WD is as ridiculous as it sounds and is certainly not for everyone.
WHAT OTHER MODIFICATIONS DO I NEED FOR MY LIFT?
Automotive vehicles are a complex puzzle piece of components that have been carefully pieced together and lifting your vehicle begins to disrupt the equilibrium of a lot of your puzzle pieces. Components that were once firmly connected become stretched and stressed due to the 50mm of horizontal lift upsetting the vehicle’s castor & camber. Here’s a list of mods that would be beneficial on a 2” lift and mandatory for a 3”+ lift:
- Adjustable Upper Control Arms
- Diff Drop Kits
- Extended CV Shafts
- Castor Correction Bushes
- Extended Sway Bar Links
- Extended Brake Lines
- ABS Relocation
- Adjustable Panhard/Track Rods
- Drop Boxes
- Extended Bump Stops
- Extended Trailing Arms
WHAT IS THE LEGAL AMOUNT OF LIFT FOR MY 4WD?
Throughout Australia, in most states the legal limit for lift is 50mm (2”) suspension lift and 25mm (1”) tyre lift, however this varies state to state. Keep in mind that no matter where you are traveling your vehicle needs to be compliant to the state it is registered in. For example, if you’re a Victorian resident traveling to Queensland your vehicle needs to meet VIC regulations.
To go higher than the legal height of your state you’ll need to obtain an engineers certificate to keep it legal which is highly expensive, hence why we generally only recommend 50mm lift kits. Though keep in mind there are plenty of people out there with 3-4” lifts that aren’t engineered but for offroad use only (*cough, cough*).
Have a look below to view the regulations for 4WD Lifts in your state:
WHY BUY A LIFT KIT THROUGH 4WH?
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Still Have Some Questions?
Our team of experts can help you find the perfect suspension lift kit for your needs, or any parts for that matter. Contact us today to get the help you need.
