Truck lift - Your opinion is wanted!

[HippoNZ]

Castor correction bushes are limited to about 2 degrees of castor correction, OK for a 2" lift but not nearly enough for a 4" lift. They work by twisting the front diff back to compensate for the forward twist caused by the lift. Correction bushes do not correct the alignment of the radius arm which will be in a droop position after the lift putting stress on the rear mounting bush.

Drop arms replace the original radius arms and are shaped to put the front diff back in correct alignment as well as keeping the main part of the arm in the original (horizontal) position taking stress off the rear bushes. Most drop arms also move the front diff forward about 13mm as well.

Drop boxes relocate the rear mount of the radius arms approximately 90mm (depending on what drop boxes you get) below the original mounting point which puts the radius arms and therefore the diff back close to correct alignment. Most drop boxes also move the mount forward about 12mm as well. giving better wheel arch clearance for bigger tyres.


Tony

Thanks Tony for clearing that up

[HippoNZ]

righto fellas looking at about 2k for the job, that includes
Gear box spacer
Caster Correctors
Brake lines
Shocks
Springs
Drop box
rear arms

so that will get me going, from there I may add adjustable panhards and extended sway links etc, right now im more excited than a kid in a candy store lol

[G-ForceCrew]

Hi guys,

Really helpfull thread. Hey Brett it is worth ring Just 4X4's (Dave) He is a car dealer but runs a workshop as well and wreak's lots of trols he may have some second hand bits. If he does the mods that require new certs its all taken care of at the same time.


Kel

[HippoNZ]

Hi guys,

Really helpfull thread. Hey Brett it is worth ring Just 4X4's (Dave) He is a car dealer but runs a workshop as well and wreak's lots of trols he may have some second hand bits. If he does the mods that require new certs its all taken care of at the same time.


Kel

Hi kel
Thanks for that mate but I live down in Christchurch, but that's one thing I've forgotten is certs. Do you know if I have to get a cert for a 4" lift? and is it just a cert on the lift or is it one of those inspections where they tear apart your truck and winge about everything else that might be wrong? lol I've been speaking to a crowd here 4x4 accessories who just specialize in custom 4x4 work so I'll give them a bell and see if they can certify it for me if required.
awesome to see another kiwi here!

Cheers
Brett

[MudRunnerTD]

righto fellas looking at about 2k for the job, that includes
Gear box spacer
Caster Correctors
Brake lines
Shocks
Springs
Drop box
rear arms

so that will get me going, from there I may add adjustable panhards and extended sway links etc, right now im more excited than a kid in a candy store lol

Hey Hippo,

Looking good mate, some corrections on your list though. If you go Drop Boxes (Recomended) you will not need the Caster Correction bushes aswell.

With a 4" lift you will likely need the Panards straight away mate. The Drop boxes will drop the Gear box down 12mm and may be a good thing for your pinion angle and you may not need the gear box spacers.

Being a GQ you can take the steering wheel off to realign cause it will be way out of whack but you might think about replacing the front Drag Link (Front of diff, Steering box to left front swivel hub and very exposed to damage) in the future. Guys with air bags arn't keen to take the steering wheel off so need to replace the drag link during the lift..

If your going new rear trailing arms stick with standard length or your buying trouble, if money is tight and you can only afford a single set of rear arms go the upper adjustables for a start and buy the standard length lowers when you have the cash. You only need to replace the lowers cause they are a weak link not because they dont do the job. Unlike the uppers! They WONT do the job in current length with your new setup. you will need some adjustability in your rear end to help you sort out your drive line vibrations and the uppers will help.


Good luck and have fun.

[HippoNZ]

Hey Hippo,

Looking good mate, some corrections on your list though. If you go Drop Boxes (Recomended) you will not need the Caster Correction bushes aswell.

With a 4" lift you will likely need the Panards straight away mate. The Drop boxes will drop the Gear box down 12mm and may be a good thing for your pinion angle and you may not need the gear box spacers.

Being a GQ you can take the steering wheel off to realign cause it will be way out of whack but you might think about replacing the front Drag Link (Front of diff, Steering box to left front swivel hub and very exposed to damage) in the future. Guys with air bags arn't keen to take the steering wheel off so need to replace the drag link during the lift..

If your going new rear trailing arms stick with standard length or your buying trouble, if money is tight and you can only afford a single set of rear arms go the upper adjustables for a start and buy the standard length lowers when you have the cash. You only need to replace the lowers cause they are a weak link not because they dont do the job. Unlike the uppers! They WONT do the job in current length with your new setup. you will need some adjustability in your rear end to help you sort out your drive line vibrations and the uppers will help.


Good luck and have fun.

Cheers for that mate, Your getting my shopping list down to a "T" haha appreciate it.
From the 2k I do have a little to play with so if the panhard rods are important I'll get that at the same time.
As for the upper arms I didn't realize they were so crucial so ill add that to the list too.

Gear box spacer
Caster Correctors/bushes
Brake lines
Shocks
Springs
Drop box
upper arms
panhards

is that now a complete list to you? until my money tree decides to sprout again lolololol

[MudRunnerTD]

looking good but if your standard Radius arm front bushes are still ok then you dont need front bushes as the drop boxes wil take care of caster correction and teh drop boxes will probably sort out the gear box spacing as well.

Below is a link to the Superiors gear box spacer and it is actually the back half of the drop boxs so not required. you might think about a tail shaft spacer if your concerned about it dropping out.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nissan-Pa...item1e64acfc10

[HippoNZ]

looking good but if your standard Radius arm front bushes are still ok then you dont need front bushes as the drop boxes wil take care of caster correction and teh drop boxes will probably sort out the gear box spacing as well.

Below is a link to the Superiors gear box spacer and it is actually the back half of the drop boxs so not required. you might think about a tail shaft spacer if your concerned about it dropping out.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nissan-Pa...item1e64acfc10

I'm a little lost weather to get a tail shaft spacer or not. you and Tony and beneboy mentioned about it possibly falling out but the fella who I spoke to yesterday who I'll most likely get the kit off was adamant it wouldn't happen and I don't need the spacer. So I'll follow Tony's advice and I'll park in on a slope, get a bit of flex going and check it out for myself to see if it's over extending or not. Is that the best path to go down?

cheers

[MudRunnerTD]

here is a link to a Drive Shaft spacer, it is not a big deal and not expensive. This will only need to be considered on a big lift on a SWB GQ mate and i am of the opinion Better to be safe than sorry. This will not affect the car in any way and for $65 odd dollars will set your mind at ease.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rockhoppe...item20b9438c58

You will need to chase one for a GQ but not a big deal and the money you saved on not needing the gear box spacers and caster correction your gunna get these for free

[MudRunnerTD]

So your list should be looking something like this

Springs
Shocks
Steering damper
Drop Boxes (Chase some bolt up ones that require no cutting)
1 x Brake line (move back to front and replace back)
Brake bias Plate
Front and Rear Panards
adjustable upper control arms

OPTIONS
Tail Shaft spacer
Front Drag Link
Rear Lower Trailing arms standard length
Double Cardin Joint in rear tail shaft.