1990 Suzuki Vitara JLX 2dr soft top

team-kaos

New Member
I have been searching the web and 4x4 retailers for a suspension lift kit for my suzuki. These retailers or outlets want hugh amounts of money for little return (30mm to 50mm lift). I would like to find someone who could give me a lift of 4" (100mm) without breaking the bank. In other words, not braking my bank account with an overly priced suspension lift kit. I want to add some awesome wide rims and chunky tyres and then later add a few more items so my little SWB becomes a radical S.O.B. Even if someone can suggest a secondhand suspension lift kit that's still in good working order, this would be fine as well. Thank you. Cheers, John. ;)
 
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frosty

4x4 Earth Contributer
Sorry, but if you want to more than 50 mm, it's going to cost. Once you go over 50mm, you will need panhard rods, caster correction, steering arms, etc. It's no longer a case 4 spring's n shocks. Also, there won't be to many second lifts out there for Vitara's. Wait till you buy rims and tyres! That's really gunna hurt!
Are you building a comp truck or a poser? If it's only a poser, you'de be surprised how much further you'll go with a 50 mm lift and good mud tyres!
Have fun with it though, that's the important thing!
 

rodw

New Member
The best kit for the Vitara is the Old Man Emu (OME) kit from ARB as it has the longer front struts. This gives about a 30mm lift. to go a bit higher, you can use Grand Vitara front springs from OME (sorry I've fogotten the part number). These are for a heavier load and make it sit up a bit higher to get your 2" lift. to get 2" at the rear, you'd go with longer springs (or spring spacers) and Rancho longer shocks.

When getting extra lift, a lot of people do a simple modification to flip the strut mount so it points down which makes the top of the strut 30 mm or so lower to give more down travel as with standard struts there is some unused travel. To do this mod, you remove the 3 bolts holding the strut mount on, remove the top bolt on the strut, take the mount out and place a socket over the welded in studs and press them out. Clean up the hole with a drill and get some 35mm HT Grade 8.8 bolts and nyloc nuts. Flip the mount over and bolt it all back together.

The Vitara is dead easy to fit a suspension kit, spring compressors are not required.

You can also do a body lift on these cars. A Guy by the name of Just Cruizin on outer limits sells an excellent kit which I fitted. Helps to get the sills up out of harms way and fit bigger tyres.

This is my Vitara in it's prime with OME suspension, the 2" body lift and small 29" Super Swampers. We were pretty sure we would have been able to fit 31" tyres with this level of lift but the Swampers were the right price.

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Hope this helps. I am a bit rusty on the Suzi. check out the Outer Limits Suzi forum, AusZookers or the North Brisbane Suzuki club forums which are the bibles you nee dto know. Also a lot on the US forums too.

If you want to do something on the real cheap, flip the strut mount and get some spring spacers from Bruce on Auszookers, but make sure you still have enough strut/shock travel.
 
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westie

New Member
Mate I have a 94 estate and it has 30mm spacers and 50mm King Springs with a top strut flip done. shocks are a Gabrial 52 mm longer on the rear you can see my truck on the North Brisbane Suzuki 4X4 Club site I am very happy with it now and with the MTR's on it keeps up with the sierra's with lockers.
 

team-kaos

New Member
Westie: I am a member on the NBS website (Noojee-King). I had a look at the gallery of pics but without knowing which 4x4 run you were on that has your Estate listed, I am unable to view which one. Can you tell me which run you are listed on and tell me what colour you 4x4 is and a few more details so I can see for myself OR can you email me some pics of your 4x4 so I can see for myself to the folowing email address. Cheers, John. (hsvvs8@netspace.net.au)
 

summerscheifer

New Member
Shock and Strut Mount

apology for making this thread up guys.:eek:
"When getting extra lift, a lot of people do a simple modification to flip the strut mount so it points down which makes the top of the strut 30 mm or so lower to give more down travel as with standard struts there is some unused travel. To do this mod, you remove the 3 bolts holding the strut mount on, remove the top bolt on the strut, take the mount out and place a socket over the welded in studs and press them out. Clean up the hole with a drill and get some 35mm HT Grade 8.8 bolts and nyloc nuts. Flip the mount over and bolt it all back together."

just wondering if how do i remove my strut mount? i really need to remove shock and strut mount. i just read the thread. thanks :(
 
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mudtiera

Member
hey check out Suzuki Samurai, Sidekick, Grand Vitara, Swift and Chevy Tracker Parts and Accessories by Calmini Products I was in the same boat as you. I have holden frontera for a 2inch they wanted $900-$1000 for shocks, springs and just wind up the torsion bars. I got a 3inch for $1050 with frieght, which i got springs, shocks, torsion bars, front upper control arms, extended bump stops, brake lines, top trailing arms for the rear diff, track bar, front crossmember, everything to keep everythng alined and correct. hope it helps.
 

rodw

New Member
apology for making this thread up guys.:eek:
"When getting extra lift, a lot of people do a simple modification to flip the strut mount so it points down which makes the top of the strut 30 mm or so lower to give more down travel as with standard struts there is some unused travel. To do this mod, you remove the 3 bolts holding the strut mount on, remove the top bolt on the strut, take the mount out and place a socket over the welded in studs and press them out. Clean up the hole with a drill and get some 35mm HT Grade 8.8 bolts and nyloc nuts. Flip the mount over and bolt it all back together."

just wondering if how do i remove my strut mount? i really need to remove shock and strut mount. i just read the thread. thanks :(

As I said i am a bit rusty but it is real easy to do and what you quoted is pretty clear. Pretty sure there is no weight on the strut but just to be sure, stick it up on jackstands first. Personally, I did not really like the idea of the strut mount flip when you look at the difference of the top and bottom sides of the bushing. I would get onto Sean at Lowrange Offroad in the US and ask him to post over a set of strut spacers which achieves the same result but keeps the parts oriented correctly. You still need to knock out the bolts but a vice will do this for you.

Let me see what I can find.

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Here we go, black things as Sean's spacers, blue is front diff drop brackets, silver are bump stop extensions (which I think I still have somewhere in my shed if anybody is interested - send me a PM), Yellow is spring spacer.

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So the black spacers go where your strut mount is now and the mount is relocated to the bottom of the spacer and the centre bit of the mount and the strut bolt ends up in the hole in the middle of the spacer.. Sorry, but my Vit died before they were fitted.
 
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ZORDO

Member
If you are looking at the cost fit a h/d 40mm kit which will give you 50mm $720
If you want more then
Do the strut spacer flip - no cost.
Get some spring spacer for the rear approx $80
Not that expensive
 
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