Is 1-2" the Magic Lift Range?

[Jeffwouldgo]

Got a 18 LC a couple months ago and immediately took it on the Burns Canyon trail and had a blast. I've never had an interest in off roading but now it's growing on both my wife and I, to the point where we are putting a lift on our Airstream.

I've been reading tons of threads on here regarding lifts and it seems like there are a lot of issues like alignment woes, creaking and noises, shocks leaking etc. Does this just go with the territory? I was set on BP-51 until I read the "clunking" thread.

On a side note, I have a blast reading this forum and all the info!

 

[Markuson]

Got a 18 LC a couple months ago and immediately took it on the Burns Canyon trail and had a blast. I've never had an interest in off roading but now it's growing on both my wife and I, to the point where we are putting a lift on our Airstream.

I've been reading tons of threads on here regarding lifts and it seems like there are a lot of issues like alignment woes, creaking and noises, shocks leaking etc. Does this just go with the territory? I was set on BP-51 until I read the "clunking" thread.

On a side note, I have a blast reading this forum and all the info!

View attachment 1975154

Clunking is long past, and mine are fine. Squeals happen, but I’ve beat on my BPs hard in all varieties of wheeling and they are solid as can be.

If you want to save a pile...consider the standard OME (Old Man Emu) setup and you’re only talking $1500 including UCA. No hassle beyond choosing springs for your weight.

Consider airbags for towing...

Talk to Slee or Cruiser Outfitters and both will give you solid, reasonable advice.

 

[gaijin]

Got a 18 LC a couple months ago and immediately took it on the Burns Canyon trail and had a blast. I've never had an interest in off roading but now it's growing on both my wife and I, to the point where we are putting a lift on our Airstream.

I've been reading tons of threads on here regarding lifts and it seems like there are a lot of issues like alignment woes, creaking and noises, shocks leaking etc. Does this just go with the territory? I was set on BP-51 until I read the "clunking" thread.

On a side note, I have a blast reading this forum and all the info!

View attachment 1975154

Why not just start with tires? A set of LT285/65R18 All-Terrain tires would buy you some extra ground clearance and a lot of resistance to tire damage.

Second on my list would be to remove the side steps and, if you want, add some sliders - many good products out there.

Third on my list would be a new suspension.

Just my $0.02.

HTH

 

[Jeffwouldgo]

Why not just start with tires? A set of LT285/65R18 All-Terrain tires would buy you some extra ground clearance and a lot of resistance to tire damage.

Second on my list would be to remove the side steps and, if you want, add some sliders - many good products out there.

Third on my list would be a new suspension.

Just my $0.02.

HTH

I'm going with a set of K02 this month, then sliders, then a lift a little further down the road. I love those slee sliders! Thanks for the $0.02!

 

[Markuson]

Why not just start with tires? A set of LT285/65R18 All-Terrain tires would buy you some extra ground clearance and a lot of resistance to tire damage.

Second on my list would be to remove the side steps and, if you want, add some sliders - many good products out there.

Third on my list would be a new suspension.

Just my $0.02.

HTH

That was my initial order too.

1. Deleted side steps
2. Used RW+KO2s

Then suspension & sliders.

 

[DirtNap]

On a side note, I have a blast reading this forum and all the info!

Be careful, reading this forum gets expensive. You'll say you can quit at any time, but you'll keep falling deeper and deeper.

 

[afgman786]

Be careful, reading this forum gets expensive. You'll say you can quit at any time, but you'll keep falling deeper and deeper.

It takes too much will power to not fall into the endless pit

 

[1shot1kill]

Slee lift gave me about 3 inches and Toyo MTs 295 70 18s gave me couple more..

 

[supdizzle]

Very happy with Tough Dog lift and 1 inch spacers in front to level off. 275 70 18 General Grabber ATX tires. I went skinner because of the snow here in Colorado.

 

[DirtNap]

Just a somewhat contrarian / devil's advocate point to consider. Big lift and big tire may be good offroad, but may compromise the daily driver aspects. For example, the Icon lift on mine is 3" front, 2" rear so it is leveled out. Add another 1"-1.5" from bigger tires and you are at say 4". That is 4" higher to climb in and out of everyday. At 6'1" I am climbing up into the truck. Not a big deal, but it is tougher for my 5'4" wife and 5'0" daughter.
It also makes it a little sketchy with the parking garages, especially underground downtown ones.

 

[TeCKis300]

As you mention that you tow, that would be a larger consideration guiding any choice you make. Towing stability and sway resistance/control is something that one really doesn't want to compromise. Enhancing stability for safety is the name of the game. How big of an Airstream do you tow?

To your point, a mild 1-2" lift would really be the sweet spot. Anything greater puts the suspension at compromised geometry angles. Due to the greater angle of front suspension arms and rear panhard bar, lateral or sway forces will cause odd jacking behaviors in the suspension. Or suspension deflections will cause toe steer and lateral motions in the tow vehicle chassis. Potentially inciting sway.

Personally, I would put priority on a larger tire for lift, rather than lift the suspension much at all. I have 33.2" tires under my stock height LX570.

I'd say to do a 285/65r18 tire at 32.8" tall. Or if you want to go really aggressive and more lift, a 285/70r18 at 33.7" tall. As you have a newer 200-series with 8-speed, you'll have great tow gearing even with the larger tire.

Are you building your LC with more weight? How much do you prioritize good ride qualities?

I'd do something different than most. Shock spacer in front for a 1" lift. 20mm spring shim packers at the rear for ~1" lift. Add a good quality Bilstein, OME, etc shock for better damping. And airbags.

This gives the duality of great ride quality with better damping than stock. And with airbags, added spring rate at the rear for more control under tow.

 

[TonyP]

Remove side steps.
Put on decent tires.
Go have fun.

 

[Jeffwouldgo]

Be careful, reading this forum gets expensive. You'll say you can quit at any time, but you'll keep falling deeper and deeper.

As you mention that you tow, that would be a larger consideration guiding any choice you make. Towing stability and sway resistance/control is something that one really doesn't want to compromise. Enhancing stability for safety is the name of the game. How big of an Airstream do you tow?

To your point, a mild 1-2" lift would really be the sweet spot. Anything greater puts the suspension at compromised geometry angles. Due to the greater angle of front suspension arms and rear panhard bar, lateral or sway forces will cause odd jacking behaviors in the suspension. Or suspension deflections will cause toe steer and lateral motions in the tow vehicle chassis. Potentially inciting sway.

Personally, I would put priority on a larger tire for lift, rather than lift the suspension much at all. I have 33.2" tires under my stock height LX570.

I'd say to do a 285/65r18 tire at 32.8" tall. Or if you want to go really aggressive and more lift, a 285/70r18 at 33.7" tall. As you have a newer 200-series with 8-speed, you'll have great tow gearing even with the larger tire.

Are you building your LC with more weight? How much do you prioritize good ride qualities?

I'd do something different than most. Shock spacer in front for a 1" lift. 20mm spring shim packers at the rear for ~1" lift. Add a good quality Bilstein, OME, etc shock for better damping. And airbags.

This gives the duality of great ride quality with better damping than stock. And with airbags, added spring rate at the rear for more control under tow.

This sounds like a good way to go. Our Airstream is the 16' tiny trailer so I'm not too worried, but sway is always in the back of my mind. I'll be doing the tires soon and see how far that gets me. Thank you guys!

 

[Just a Ninja]

I bought a 2013 a while back in completely stock, "grocery getter" form, tires and all.

Ordered a lift. Then had a blow out and ended up getting a set of really nice all terrains. Then took the steps off the next week. Then took it camping finally. And now I'm really questioning whether I even want to lift it. It rides so good and performs so we'll off road stock that I would be totally happy leaving it stock height.
So I'd give the same advice after my experience. Throw some 285/65/18 ATs on it, take off the steps and give it and time to see what you really think.

Cheers

 

[bloc]

I did the OE 10mm spacer in front which gave approx .75" lift to level the truck out, replaced shocks with new OEM, installed sliders, installed 285/65R18s then switched to rock warriors with P285/70R17 ATs (MUCH lighter/more compliant), and that's all I plan on doing. I've owned (and rolled) a lifted 80 and as mentioned, this 200 drives so well I didn't want to substantially mess with anything.

It does SO well off-road.. and yet all the road miles have basically zero compromise.