VX Lift

[ramil89]

Alright, I've lifted my 99 Wrangler, and know coil springs, control arms, etc. I've never lifted a vehicle with IFS, and quite frankly all of the information on it seems over my head.

The VX is completely stock

I would like to fit 33's underneath it

How high do I need to go/what do I need to complete this task?

thanks in advance, and sorry for the "n00bness"

[RamAirZ]

K before anyone else says it, the search button is your friend. But to answer your question, the VX is WAY simpler to lift as far as the IFS goes, you just tighten a bolt and voila, up she goes (well 2 bolts, one on each side). Here's a good write up for it:

http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=117&Isuzu_Torsion_Bar_Adjustment

It's pretty simple, took me 30 minutes to lift my VX, including putting the coils in the rear. For 33's you will have to do some trimming/banging up front but it can be done, that's what i run on mine (285/75-16 so 33x11.50). I bought some OME 912 coils and installed. You can keep your stock shocks if they are still good and you just do the OME 912's, they say if you go any bigger you'll need longer rear shocks. Here is a good side shot of mine:

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Isuzu%20Vehicross/IMG_4438.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/20100523154145.jpg

[ramil89]

hey thanks a bunch. i'll get it done soon. you're right, IFS is easier to lift.

[ramil89]

how is your handling with that amount of lift and tires?

[RamAirZ]

I'll tell you one thing, after installing my greasable sway bar bushings, it handles WAY better. It didn't handle bad at all without them, but with them you can tell a difference for sure. I love the way it drives, I've had alot of 4x4's and lifted trucks and this one is by far the best driving/riding one of them all

[phines]

There is one other thing you should consider with this lift. By cranking the torsion bars and getting 2 to 3 inches of lift, you'll have a steeper angle on the CV joints. This results in added strain on them, even with just everyday driving. They WILL wear out much faster.

To help with this, you can have a bracket made by your favorite welder (whoever he OR she is) that will drop the front differential 1 to 1.5". That reduces the angle on the CV's so they last longer.

If you really want to protect them, install a cut-off switch to the TOD and put in some manual hubs. This cuts the power to the front end and CV's don't rotate at all. You'll have true 2WD at that point, with the option to go back to 4WD/TOD.

I knew about these things when I first lifted my VX for 33's, but didn't make the modifications... it didn't take long before I was regretting that. Since then I've done all of these mods. It doesn't mean I won't pop CV's on the trail, but at least I know they won't wear out just driving on the highway. (like last time!) :)
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[RamAirZ]

Ya I have manual hubs on mine but no TOD switch, I will end up with a manual case in there anyways. My angles aren't horrible like they were on the Rodeo but yes they will be at an angle and a diff drop will help that, just alot harder to install lol. Too bad no one makes upgraded CV's for these things, ggrrrr. Good call, I didn't think to mention that, just giving simple answers to his question. Good looking out man!