What's the maximum lift?

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: What's the maximum lift?

well it been said before anything over about 3 inchs of lift in the front end you will need a diff drop kit, this will correct the cv angle, any tyre wider then about 275 you will need a bigger offset rim then the std, this inturn will put more pressure on your wheel bearings but i assume you know this already. i have 2inch lift and 265/70/17 at on and my just rub on the swaybar at full lock, the only way to get around the front end dilema is to swap the front upper an lower control arms to aftermarket, this will also change the balljoints in the front end to a uniball which will allow some more wheel travel, as the std balljoints will bind after 3inchs or so, dont forget to lengthen your swaybar links if you want to keep it from swaying onroad. as a rule of thumb you need about 60mm of down travel on the front struts to allow you not to top the front suspension out when you go around roundabouts etc, with ifs you will only get so much unless you want to spend big coin, in the rear go as far as you want, all you need to watch out for is brake line length,tail shaft spline length, swaybar links and maybe panhard length. correct me if im wrong but this is my opinion. cheers samo

[8608 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close 8608]

Re: What's the maximum lift?

rear lower control arms hit the actual diff housing when using 4"+ longer rear shocks. these may need to be replaced with superior's offset lower arms for clearance. an adj panhard will also centre the rear diff. i had 3" lift in the back of mine, and the rear brake line was tight. i now have a ss rear brake line at 4" longer than stock. if you have ABS, you may only be limited to 3" max. i have seen abs lines extended before, but it wouldn't be wise to DIY. 3" with a 70 series tyre is plenty for 90% of people/applications.

if you want a rad mall crawler at 4"+ lift on tiny 33"s (compared to 265/70's), then you need to get a suspension drop kit in the likes of rough country/pro-comp. mega bucks for not much more lift. each to their own. my prado is my a daily driver for my wife, and half of the mods on it were her suggestions in the 1st place. never compromise the safety of your family.

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: What's the maximum lift?

thanks 8608 thats what we need to hear someone who has been there and done it. cheers samo

[double_d69 Member Find all posts View Profile Close double_d69]

Re: What's the maximum lift?

Yeah I run the Superior lower control arms to fix that problem (along with their 4" SRC shocks)... They're also making me an adj panhard rod to correct the diff alignment (nothing major, but still a good idea).

[8608 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close 8608]

Re: What's the maximum lift?

Yeah I run the Superior lower control arms to fix that problem (along with their 4" SRC shocks)... They're also making me an adj panhard rod to correct the diff alignment (nothing major, but still a good idea).

D69, do you have the open and closed lengths on the SRC's your running?


a capable and practical set up is far better than mega lift and massive tyres. what of the increased fuel consumption and performance loss when fitting 33"+ tyres? yes you can then go down the road of diff ratio change as well, but a pair of airlockers are cheaper and will make your prado more capable on just 265/70's with a 2" lift.

[double_d69 Member Find all posts View Profile Close double_d69]

Re: What's the maximum lift?

On Superiors site it says 419mm closed and 685mm open - When I measured the closed length was the same, but open was 675mm (measured middle of eye to base of pin)... There is a bump stop on the shaft which if removed would probably give the extra 10 or more mm.... I haven't gone off road or flexed up with them yet so can't comment of the amount of extra flex i will get with these shocks and control arms over my old 4" TD Shockies.... I estimated another 15mm more, but we'll see this weekend at Fraser

The biggest difference has been the ride with the 30 stages of adjustment.... on road is a lot better than the TD, and I can only imagine off road will be a lot better too.

[8608 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close 8608]

Re: What's the maximum lift?

On Superiors site it says 419mm closed and 685mm open - When I measured the closed length was the same, but open was 675mm (measured middle of eye to base of pin)... There is a bump stop on the shaft which if removed would probably give the extra 10 or more mm.... I haven't gone off road or flexed up with them yet so can't comment of the amount of extra flex i will get with these shocks and control arms over my old 4" TD Shockies.... I estimated another 15mm more, but we'll see this weekend at Fraser

The biggest difference has been the ride with the 30 stages of adjustment.... on road is a lot better than the TD, and I can only imagine off road will be a lot better too.

thanks for the info. look forward to the pics and info as to how they go off road.