To lift, or not to lift...

I've been watching this thread with huge interest, mainly because ChrisW's initial questions reflect my own, very closely.

There are some excellent and very constructive replies here.that do help me too; I have some crabby looking springs on my Jimny one of which feels significantly weaker so I'm looking at replacing the springs.
I already elected for Monroe shocks based on the experiences of other users, so will probably look for standard springs to go with them, but as yet I'm still a little undecided - one part of me is arguing that if I'm replacing all these suspension components why not include a (2") lift at the same time? However the other part of me is arguing that I'm mostly going to be on the road with the car so why bother!
A dilemma of my own making.

The other confusion for me is the unequal values on the rear springs to compensate for the (apparent) "lean" that Suzuki perceive the Jimny to have from the combined weight of fuel tank and driver in RHD cars.
There seems to be a confusing array of spring choices - granted most of the choices are to do with height. But how critical is this lean issue actually?
I'm sure someone on the forums mentioned to try using 2 x (RHD) rear springs. Has anyone actually done this, and what was the result?

From what I have read recently the steering damper mod is a must so I will be embodying that on the car at some stage.

OlaGB wrote: Great info!
Do you know if the more known shocks we use for lift has longer travel than stock , so it gives this maximum travel?

Thanks Ola. The only research that I have previously done of the more "standard" dampers was with Bilstein. There are Bilstein dampers that have a compressed length less than the 312 and extended length greater than the 455. I’m guessing that it shouldn’t be too difficult to find others. Keeping the travel in context, the front is 143mm (5 5/8 inch for us Americans) and a little less in the rear. That isn’t overly extreme.

As it stands now, of the members replying to this thread, you, Lambert and Furo have Trailmaster which is a quality kit. Chris may end up with one too. I’m not sure you could do much to improve what you have. If so, it wouldn’t be much. The dampers in the comfort kit (I’m attaching a Trailmaster file) have a compressed length of 275. I would suggest that you avoid bumpstop extensions which rob you of travel (but confirm you’re hard on bumpstop without bottoming out the damper). Also to Busta’s point, if you are looking for flex, I would suggest that, in spite of numerous disadvantages, you stay with rubber bushes. The poly bushes do have advantages but flex isn’t one of them.

Zukebob, it's specifically the castor correction bushes I was referring to. The ones that have a big fat bit of metal where most of the squidgy stuff should be.

Yeah.... still a little undecided. But can anyone confirm if you need to get new trailing arms for a 2 inch lift or not. They only seam to do them for 3 inch lift. Do you just install these ones, or are they really not needed?

Brake cables, I will do the rear disc conversion before hand and replace the brake lines with braided.

I am leaning towards going for the 2 inch trail masters, as the reviews on comfort and the reduction of the jolt from poor roads are really good.

I got my car with 65K on it, the suspension worked and passed MOT with no issue. I knew it was tired and changed it using standard road springs with uprated dampers. It was like a new car on and off road.

I think a lot of the impact that a small lift gives when fitted, is no different.

You've taken tired original components and changed them for fully functioning new components. The "lift" is pretty secondary...... the impact of new suspension on a tired old chassis is quite remarkable.

sniper

With a 2" Lift, castor correction is not "needed" but some forum members have reported a much improved drive, when it has been fitted.

I think jackonlyjack runs 3" arms with a 2" lift, he says it drives great.

Lots of people have said good things about that trailmaster kit.

sniper