If you're looking to get more surface clearance, picking the right suzuki samurai suspension lift kit is basically the particular first step toward building an actual off-road rig. Let's be honest, the particular Samurai is a legendary little device, but in its stock form, this looks a bit just like a golf basket on skinny wheels. It's got the "giant killer" popularity for the reason—it's lighting, nimble, and offers a wheelbase that makes Jeeps jealous—but those factory suspension systems are usually tired, saggy, and slimmer than a pancake simply by now.
Whenever you start looking into a suzuki samurai suspension lift kit , you'll quickly realize a few mil different ways to go about it. A person can spend the couple hundred dollars or a couple thousand. You may go for a modest two-inch bundle or a massive five-inch transformation. But just before you just click "buy" on the particular cheapest thing you find, you have in order to think about exactly what you're actually going to do with the truck. Are you just trying to clear 29-inch wheels for some light trek riding, or are you looking to build a rock crawler that can state over boulders?
Why You Actually Require a Lift
The Samurai will be tiny. That's the superpower. But that will small size comes with a lack of clearance under the pumpkins (the differentials). If you want to match bigger tires—which could be the only way in order to actually raise your own axles off the particular ground—you need area in the wheel wells. A strong suzuki samurai suspension lift kit gives you that space while also replacing parts that are likely thirty years old.
Many of these Zuks are still running the authentic leaf springs. When yours appears to be it's frowning, those suspension systems are shot. Changing them doesn't simply give you height; it gives you your ride quality back again. Well, as much "ride quality" because a short-wheelbase leaf-sprung truck can have got. It's never going to ride like a Cadillac, however it shouldn't feel such as you're falling lower a flight of stairs every time you hit the pothole.
Evaluating Your Options
There are the few main ways to get that lift, every has its very own group of pros and cons.
The Standard Spring-Under Lift
This is the most common kind of suzuki samurai suspension lift kit . This keeps the leaf springs underneath the particular axle, just such as the factory designed. Usually, these kits come with brand-new, arched leaf suspension springs, longer shocks, plus maybe some extended shackles.
The beauty associated with a spring-under kit is its simplicity. It's mostly the bolt-on affair. You aren't cutting or welding much, plus the geometry stays relatively sane. When you go along with a brandname like Old Man Emu, you're getting a kit that's famous for being the "plush" option. It's the modest lift, generally around 2 in order to 2. 5 ins, however it transforms the way the Zuk handles.
The particular Spring-Over Axle (SPOA) Conversion
If you want to go big, this is actually the route. A Spring-Over suzuki samurai suspension lift kit moves the leaf springs from beneath the axle to the particular top of it. Since the axle housing itself is a few inches thick, just moving the particular springs to the particular top gives you about 4. five to 5 inches of lift immediately using your stock springs.
This looks awesome and gives you tons of room for 31-inch as well as 33-inch auto tires. But—and it's a big "but"—it's a lot more function. You'll deal along with "axle wrap" (where the axle tries to twist the springs under torque), and your steering geometry will become totally out of hit. You'll require a "high-steer" kit to fix the drag link position, or you'll have got bump-steer so poor it'll shake your own teeth out.
Shackle Lifts (The Budget Move)
I'll mention these because they're just about everywhere, but be cautious. Longer shackles are usually the cheapest method to get a little bit of a suzuki samurai suspension lift kit feel. Somebody the math: for each two inches of shackle length a person add, you only get one inch of actual lift. If you put massive six-inch shackles upon, your Zuk will look like this has fangs hanging off the fender, and it'll handle like a shopping cart with a damaged wheel. A bit of shackle lift is fine, yet don't rely on it for your whole build.
Exactly what Should Be in the Box?
When you're shopping for a suzuki samurai suspension lift kit , don't simply consider the price tag. Look at the component list. A "complete" kit ought to really include:
- New Leaf Springs: Look for types with a good reputation for not loose after six months.
- Shocks: This is how people cheap out, and they regret it. Too stiff, as well as the Samurai bounces in the future. You want valving specifically for a lighting vehicle.
- Bushings: Polyurethane is usual, yet some people prefer rubber for the quieter ride.
- Extended Brake Lines: If you're raising more than 2 inches, your stock rubber brake lines will be expanded tight like electric guitar strings when the suspension drops. That's a recipe for a bad time.
- U-Bolts: Don't reuse your aged ones. They stretch when torqued and are often rusted to the level of being harmful.
The "Hidden" Costs of Raising
Here's the particular thing nobody shows you when you first begin looking in a suzuki samurai suspension lift kit : the lift is simply the beginning.
Once you put that kit on and toss some 31-inch mud-terrains on there, your little 1. 3L engine is going to struggle. It'll feel like you're trying to generate through molasses. You'll likely need in order to look at move case gears (like the 4. sixteen: 1 or 6. 5: 1 sets) to get your power back.
Also, your own driveshafts might start vibrating. If you lift the body far from the axles, the particular angle of the particular driveshaft gets higher. You might need "driveshaft spacers" to make sure the splines have enough engagement so they don't put out when you're flexing on the trail. It's all linked. You change one particular thing, and three other things need attention.
Installation Tips for the Weekend Mechanic
So, you've got your suzuki samurai suspension lift kit sitting in the particular garage. If you're doing this yourself, here's a bit of advice through someone who's already been there.
Initial, start soaking every single single bolt in PB Blaster or even Liquid Wrench about three days before you intend to turn a wrench. These mounting bolts have been living in the mud plus rain for many years. They will will certainly end up being stuck. A torch is also the handy friend to have nearby for these stubborn shackle bolts.
Second, don't tighten everything down as the Zuk is definitely still up on jack stands. Obtain the suspension systems on, obtain the bolts finger-tight, put the auto tires back on, plus let the truck lay on its own weight. Then torque everything straight down. If you tighten up the leaf originate bushings while the particular suspension is hanging, the rubber can be "pre-loaded" as soon as you drop this, and they'll tear or squeak incessantly.
Finding the Sweet Spot
All in all, the "best" suzuki samurai suspension lift kit is the structure fits your reality. If this particular is your daily driver and you just want it in order to look cool and handle forest support roads, a 2-inch spring-under kit is hard to beat. This keeps the center of gravity low, keeps the steering simple, and doesn't break the lender.
But when you're creating a devoted weekend toy plus you want in order to the actual big Jeeps through the rough stuff, choose the 4-inch or 5-inch sets. You should be prepared in order to spend the extra time and money on the supporting mods like steering, gearing, and brakes.
The Samurai is one of the most rewarding vehicles to work on because it's therefore simple. There's simply no complicated electronics or even weird hydraulic techniques to fight with. It's just nuts, mounting bolts, and steel. As soon as you get that will suzuki samurai suspension lift kit installed, you'll realize why people are usually so obsessed with these things. It goes from the cute little commuter to some rugged mountain goat that may go almost anyplace. Just take your time, choose quality parts, and don't forget to check your u-bolts after the first fifty miles!