Lifted 2 VX in one day.

[arcobarco]

I am happy to say that we (my wife and I) lifted her Proton 1" and my Ebony 2" in one day.
the results are awesome and we do not have any of the vibration issues or clunking or noises that are reported by others in other links. I have met 2 other VX owners in Salt Lake and will help them lift if they would like. I thought I would post a pic if I can for our friends we met and miss from the 2012 VX Moab meet. We hope you are all doing good and look forward to seeing you in 2013.
Jerry and Lizette.

[HeckaTrebeka]

Congrats! How long did each lift take you and what did you use for lift?

[arcobarco]

They only took about 2 hours each because I'm so particular about how things are to be when I put parts back together. I made sure to put antisieze on all of the bolts and everything.
For the money the lift with a spacer and cranking the tortion bars is a simple way to go and you don't mess with much.
After talking to a lot of folks about different options I decided I like the stock ride just not the ride height. I didn't think that OME springs are the best option for reasons discussed with other owners that have used the springs. I know that this is a preference deal, and have lifted other vehicles in the past. My expereince is that when you mess with one part you better be ready to mess with others. I wanted to keep this to a minimum for now. A spacer is a simple addition and simple to take out if I want in the future. If I want to lift with new springs I will talk to a shop that made springs for my other Money pit car and have the spring Pysically taller than the stock spring so when wheeling the spring stays in place.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC03988.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23016)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC03985.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23015)
For the bucks it is easy and looks the same as others that paid more. Now I have the bucks for other parts that I plan to add. The spacer is for a Dodge ram 94-11 truck and fits the spring nicely. You can pick these up for about 60-70 bucks. best lift for 70 bucks and rides just fine.

[Vendetta]

Good job, man. The front seems a bit tall though. Did you max out the crank?-V

[VX KAT]

If I want to lift with new springs I will talk to a shop that made springs for my other Money pit car and have the spring Pysically taller than the stock spring so when wheeling the spring stays in place. .

Man you two got IT BAD, dontcha! 3 VXs within, what...10 months? :thumbup:
Looks good, love that black out look. Looking forward to seeing you both in May!

Is that a Corvair in the back ground???

[arcobarco]

Vendetta,

I thought the same thing but when I measure from the ground to the edge of the wheel well on all of the tires at the center of the hub it is the same so I thought that this is appropriate. If not then let me know. My drive way is a little slanted so, it may be due to that. Otherwise the vehicle seems to be just fine while driving. guess I will see as things progress, and I'm condiering the Heavy duty front torsion bars. I would like to have a front winch located under the cladding if I can manage to fit it. Well see I am able to Jerry rig things pretty good.

Kat,

The car infrnt of the VX is my other money pit. It's a 1962 Buick Skylark 2dr hardtop. It has a few modificatoins and is no where near stock any more. I have a small forturne investied in it and I am now shifting from it to the VX. I have plans to sell it to take the $ to invest in to the 2 VX's we have. My wife wants to have some of the goodies she has seen on the other VX's so we will be getting some upgrades for her. Then we plan on seeing you all at then next VX meet in Moab a little better prepared for some trails. I sure miss you and all of the other VX folks. We had an awesome time whith everyone there. See you soon.
Jerry & Lizette
P.S. We just picked up an Astral for my step daughter from one of the Forum members and it is on the way here. It needs an engine, but if all goes well she may join us for the fun in Moab to. Now it's a family event. :yesy:

[Vendetta]

Vendetta,

I thought the same thing but when I measure from the ground to the edge of the wheel well on all of the tires at the center of the hub it is the same so I thought that this is appropriate. If not then let me know. My drive way is a little slanted so, it may be due to that. Otherwise the vehicle seems to be just fine while driving. guess I will see as things progress, and I'm condiering the Heavy duty front torsion bars. I would like to have a front winch located under the cladding if I can manage to fit it. Well see I am able to Jerry rig things pretty good.

Jerry,

The default VX stance has a slight forward rake to it. Purely cosmetic I'd assume, providing you left some breathing room in the torsion bars. But if it works for you then I say run with it.

-V

[LittleBeast]

Couple things, those spring spacers are $20-30 on amazon, I got the 1.5's to go along with my OME 912 springs because the 2" spacers were too much with the 912's.

Looks pretty good however I would suggest the front be 1/2" lower then the rear for multiple reasons. A few being: headlight angle, CV angle, handling, and looks :-)

Also just because you do not have vibrations yet does not mean they will not surface, if so just get adjustable lower links easy fix.

Looks great so far! :-)

[VXorado]

Looks great Jerry, can't wait to see it after the 1" body lift and bigger meats. :thumbup:




Couple things, those spring spacers are $20-30 on amazon, I got the 1.5's to go along with my OME 912 springs because the 2" spacers were too much with the 912's.


I'll challenge that, do you have a link of a 2" poly spacer for $20-30? ;)

Jerry and I bought our spacers from Bob's garage off Ebay/amazon. Best price I could find was around $60 for 2" poly spacers.

Foot in mouth if I overpaid 2-3x. :yeso:

[LittleBeast]

These were what I was referencing sorry I meant $40-$50 :-)

1" spacer $44 free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GH5LZA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

1.5" spacer $40 free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GH1LWM?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

[VXorado]

These were what I was referencing sorry I meant $40-$50 :-)

1" spacer $44 free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GH5LZA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

1.5" spacer $40 free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GH1LWM?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

lol it's all good. I looked back at the thread and realized Jerry didn't mention the $70 was specifically for a 2" spacer. Just had to check since I recommended the vendor to him, now I can sleep better knowing we didn't overpay. :laughing:

[arcobarco]

Yeah, with shipping it was arround 70. I guess I could have saved a little more $. I probably rounded up a little but can't exactly remember, and Im not an accountant (hate math kuz its hard).
I'll watch the handling and adjust the front after a little drinving. I do want to make sure I'm not giving everyone the light in the eyes treatment for sure. Thanks for the suggestion.
Exactly the point about saving on the springs. Now I can get the adjustable lower links and make all the other parts happy again.

[LittleBeast]

Also I would suggest lifetime alignment at Firestone after you get things squared away. I paid once years ago and have had MANY alignments done since then each time I change something with the suspension and steering and no additional charge. I have started to feel bad :-) I think it was originally $130 and it is unlimited alignments for the life of the car after that. Oh and that is the only thing I let Firestone touch on the VX, haha :-) but seriously.

[Maddawg]

Is a spring compressor needed to add the spacers??

[LittleBeast]

No

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

X2 on the Firestone lifetime alignment....

[Maddawg]

Seeing as I can't get anybody around here to do my body lift, mainly because they don't know how to price it for a VX, I guess the answer is the spring spacer? I have custom 3" taller springs but I am still rubbing the rear clad with my 33" tires. God knows how Jo gets around with 35"s? I just wonder if 2" spacers will really help. My measurement from the top of the front and rear tire to the clad is exactly the same although it doesn't look it. I don't want it to look like a rodent looking for a hole because my front bars are cranked almost to the limit.

[VX KAT]

X2 on the Firestone lifetime alignment....

x1000.....I've also done this for years. When we moved out here to the stix, no Firestone...so I guess my lifetime warranty just ended. So I made sure I found another place....I can screw up my alignment on just one trip down my dirt road....so now I try to just go on regular intervals.
It was only $70 or so...WAHOO! SOMETHING finally that's a a good bargain!

[LittleBeast]

When you say you are still "rubbing the rear cladding", do you mean the front wheel well rear cladding? Closest to the door? I am very confused as to how you are rubbing the rear tire on anything at all, as I had 33's with minimal lift and never rubbed on the rear wheels. I am now with only 2-3" lift and 35's and not anywhere near rubbing on rear tires. But I now have the adjustable lower links that reposition the rear tire in the center of the rear wheel well to assure no weird rubbing and driveline problems.

[Maddawg]

When you say you are still "rubbing the rear cladding", do you mean the front wheel well rear cladding? Closest to the door?

Its the rear tire hitting the cladding. The top most tread of the tire hits the cladding directly above it. Only happens off-roading.
http://i49.tinypic.com/24mxmhg.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/2nqeec3.jpg

[PK]

Sounds like your bump stops are missing, or have been cut too short.
If the bump stops were good, your wheel would not go that high.

PK

[LittleBeast]

Yes you just need longer bump-stopshttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VXmodifications_002.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11033)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VXmodifications_003.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11034)

[Maddawg]

Sounds like your bump stops are missing, or have been cut too short.
If the bump stops were good, your wheel would not go that high.

PK

Yep, obviously you're not reading the bottom signature in my posts. "No rear bump stops".

Took 'em off as soon as I bought my VX. I don't know how you guys can stand your ride's ride with those freakin' bump stops. I may have to put 'em back on until I can figure out where I'm going with an increase in lift. Ya know: body lift or diff drop/spring spacers.;)

[VX KAT]

Many of us cut the bump stops in half, kind of a compromise...gained about 4" clearance before rear end slams into axle, but still have about 5" of the bump stop to prevent hitting cladding.

Since the OEM stops were only about 1/4" to 1/2" clearance, and some were actually touching....those 4" extra made a tremendous difference in the rear end slamming effect. Didn't make the ride cushy...that's just not possible with this truck!, but reduced that harsh slamming effect.

[Maddawg]

Many of us cut the bump stops in half, kind of a compromise...gained about 4" clearance before rear end slams into axle, but still have about 5" of the bump stop to prevent hitting cladding.

Since the OEM stops were only about 1/4" to 1/2" clearance, and some were actually touching....those 4" extra made a tremendous difference in the rear end slamming effect. Didn't make the ride cushy...that's just not possible with this truck!, but reduced that harsh slamming effect.

Yes, I did that originally (cut them in half). But after the 3" lift I didn't see the point of using them at all because they still were contacting the axle and with the lift there was no chance of bottoming my shocks. I'm not against a bump stop but there are alternative bump stops out there. I'm referring to hydraulic bump stops as an option. They're expensive and would need some brackets welded to accept them, but so it goes with off-roading. Get out the wallet, lol.

[Maddawg]

Just reinstalled my OEM sawed-off bump stops. Before they were sawed-off I had an 1/8" clearance with the rear axle. Now that they're sawed-off the clearance is 2.5".
But seeing as my springs are 3" taller the clearance should be 4 5/8" because I had cut off 1.5" from the stop. My springs sacked out 2 1/8"?????????????????

[arcobarco]

If that is all you got in lift then it wasn't a 3" lift. As you already seem to have calculated. 3" should measure 3" after installation not a fraction of 3". I also am looking at the body lift, but like VXorado I prefer to find out how to do a project and then do it myself, so I will be installing the 1" body lift. That should give me the clearance I want before I go matching the size of tires up to my VX. The body lift does make a difference, but as stated and discussed many times in previous posts the tire and rim make or break the entire set up. Some combinations don't rub and others do. I have not invested to much time in this subject because I am not to that point yet, but I will be researching that when the 1" lift is complete.
Right now I have P265/70R16 Geolander tires, and with the offset they stick out a little less than your tires appear to. I saw the other pictures you posted showing your day wheeling and the tires appear to be a snug fit. I would question the 3"lift because it looks like I have the same amount of room or more after my lift than you ended up with, and I didn't go for 3" only 2". I wish I would have taken measurements before and after but I didn't. I did however notice that my bump stop was just about resting on the rear axle. now I have tons of room before it will contact the axle. I think I will crawl under and measure to see if I have 2" and let you know if that will be of any help.
Good luck in figuring out what to do next.

[Maddawg]

Thanks, I would like to know what sort of measurements you find. Also if you could, measure your installed spring height.

[arcobarco]

I'll get under there and measure. It will be tomorrow since we just receive about a foot and a half of snow over the last 24 hours. I have to dig out the drive way, but before that I have to find a parking lot and go crazy with my VX :bgwb:

[Maddawg]

I'll get under there and measure. It will be tomorrow since we just receive about a foot and a half of snow over the last 24 hours. I have to dig out the drive way, but before that I have to find a parking lot and go crazy with my VX :bgwb:

Thanks, when its convienent for you. I sure would appreciate it. :grino::grino:

[arcobarco]

OK I finally got to crawl under the VX and get the pic's. My driveway is not exactly flat or level. That being said I think that the difference from one side to the other is due to the tilt of my drive way. either way if you split the difference then I have gained 2 inches of lift from the spacershttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/2012-11-15_19_06_44.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23053)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/2012-11-15_19_05_04.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23052)

[Maddawg]

OK I finally got to crawl under the VX and get the pic's. My driveway is not exactly flat or level. That being said I think that the difference from one side to the other is due to the tilt of my drive way. either way if you split the difference then I have gained 2 inches of lift from the spacershttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/2012-11-15_19_06_44.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23053)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/2012-11-15_19_05_04.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23052)

It was actually the INSTALLED height of the coil spring that I needed.

[arcobarco]

Uh oh. Well I can get that as well, but the spring sits in the spacer a little more than the spring coil width. I will see if I can get a good picture tomorrow when the sun is up and I have better light.

[Maddawg]

Uh oh. Well I can get that as well, but the spring sits in the spacer a little more than the spring coil width. I will see if I can get a good picture tomorrow when the sun is up and I have better light.

Just need a measurement, picture is good too though. :bgwo:

[Maddawg]

Its really pretty easy to get the measurement from the very back of the car. I got these measurements from the right side.
http://i46.tinypic.com/aewggx.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/mwyy6g.jpg

[arcobarco]

It looks like I have almost 1 foot with the spacer, so take 2" off of that. I checked my stepdaughters VX and she has a 1" spacer and is 1" shorter than I am for the same measurement.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/2012-11-17_16_12_40.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23057)

[arcobarco]

from your picture you appper to only have 10" lift. you need to get the spacer. I don't know why you dont have at least 12" that is a 2" lift and for a 3" lift you would have 13". sounds like you have a non lift lift. I'd go to the place it was purchased and ask for my money back. I thought from you pic's that your VX looked a little low for 3". I still need to get bigger tires to fill up my empty space and am not in a hurry till I finish getting the Body lift finished. That will give me plenty of room for the size of tire you are running. I happen to have 265/70/16's right now but could easily go bigger. I just want to wait till It's at the height I am happy with. I have thouhgt about the diff drop like VXorado and I really like the look of his VX. I dont think I want to go as high as his VX is.

[VXorado]

I have thouhgt about the diff drop like VXorado and I really like the look of his VX. I dont think I want to go as high as his VX is.

Hey Jerry,

You have three VXes now, you might as well slap 35s on one of them. :p :yesgray:

[Maddawg]

It looks like I have almost 1 foot with the spacer, so take 2" off of that. I checked my stepdaughters VX and she has a 1" spacer and is 1" shorter than I am for the same measurement.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/2012-11-17_16_12_40.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23057)

Thanks for your help!! Its really appreciated.
Little Beast has some 2" spacers, I'm checking to see how much he wants for them. That should give me a total spring height of 12.5" same as the OME 912's.

[arcobarco]

That should put you where you want to be and take care of the tire rub.
VXorado has the spacers on his rig but before he had the OME springs and did'nt like the way that they kept the VX suspesion from flexing. I would agree on principal and that is why I went that way also. I wnat a flexy drive train when I'm off road.

And yes the family is looking into one of the 3 VX's having much larger tires. Mine of course. I only have a few colors to go before I have tem all. :dan_ban:

[Maddawg]

You're living proof that you can't have too many VX's. I'd buy another for spare parts but I don't have any parking spaces left, lol.

[VX KAT]

That should put you where you want to be and take care of the tire rub.
VXorado has the spacers on his rig but before he had the OME springs and did'nt like the way that they kept the VX suspesion from flexing. I would agree on principal and that is why I went that way also. I wnat a flexy drive train when I'm off road.

And yes the family is looking into one of the 3 VX's having much larger tires. Mine of course. I only have a few colors to go before I have tem all. :dan_ban:

Wow, 3 VXs$$$$ now.....all kinds of mod$....all kinds of tip$....all kinds of discussion$.....all kinds of pic$.....all kinds of help from this forum.......:thumbup:
You're goin' need wwwaaaayyyyy more space for pics and PMs! You get a ton more space for both if you're a site supporter, you may need that....:thumbup:

[arcobarco]

the 3rd one is my step daughters. It has a new rebuilt engine and I helped her pick it up Friday from the shop.
This one was purcased from crager34 It is the 2000 Kaiser w/175,000.
She is excited to be driving her own VX instead of borrowing her moms.
And YES I now can spend more $ because she will need some help with things, but Darryn took good care of the VX it does need some work but show me one that dosn't, that is other than yours. :)

[arcobarco]

Maddawg,
Make sure you keep the existing spring spacer that is already on your VX and put the new 2" spacer in with the OEM or you will loose the small amount of spacing you get with it in. you, may not want it so you could just leave it out. When you get it in post pic's I would like to see the difference they make.