American Body Lift Qs

nstacey · Post by **nstacey** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:19 pm

I'm wanting to do a body lift on the Suzuki. Mainly because my Old Man Emu suspension lift hasn't solved the problem caused by fitting 29.5" tyres where the factorys are 27", the wheelarch is cutting into the RHR tyre at full articulation. Also this fitment should allow me to refit the front bumper without cutting a huge chunk out of it to allow for the tow hook and make it easier to fit a rear hook.. So what ive found is [url]http://www.rocky-road.com/kicksus.html from rocky road in the US. 2" BL for $139US and would also need the steering extension apparently at $39US.

Also, have enquired as to shipping and the total for the kit would be about $310NZ. I think this is pretty reasonable considering it is taylor made for this model. Was quoted $600+GST to have a BL fabricated and fitted by G Guy's in Wellington. Having read a couple of guides on the net, am confident I could fit this with my old man's help.

My Question is would I definitely have no problem when it comes to certifying it? I take it the "high impact resistant and UV stable DuPont material" is legal in NZ, Also given this is an everything you need kit is the cost reasonable? Sorry if these sound like stupid questions, just want to be sure before I place an order.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:37 pm

anything more than 50mm and it needs certing apparantly, if its "made" for the vehicle then the better it is if it needs certifying, eg blocks of plywood wouldn't pass. consider where all the hoses and lines are on it and if these are long enough?, where is the airbag sensor in the 3 dr?, haven't seen any seriously modded GV's over here yet but the best info should be from the US or Aussie sites.

check out the http://www.lvvta.org.nz, might be worth chatting to a certifier as well eg Ken McAdam is local

4wdnuts · Post by **4wdnuts** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:49 pm

im not sure if this is true but i remember reading on here somewhere that you had to drill into the body to access the bolts that hold the body onto the chassis?

WACKO · Post by **WACKO** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:52 pm

i would look for some more info on the airbag sensors. you dont want them going off when removing the bumpers. that aside you should be able to get the things for the bodylift locally for cheaper than $100. have you had a look at your body mounts? if you can remove a bolt entirly, then take it in to a place like EDL (thats where i got mine from) or fastening supplies steel and tube, and ask them for some high tensile bolts that are 2 inches longer. maybe get nyloc nuts also. then you just have to find the lift blocks. im not sure on this part. plastics places maybe? brake lines you should be able to get from repco or somwhere. the bolts cost me bout $30.

then you just need a weekend arvo, and your done.

see how it is before you get the steering damper. you may get taxed if you import the us kit....

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:07 pm

If it can be done that easy then get Stinky (Marty) to do the blocks for you, give him a call on 384 4141, the airbag sensor in my 2000 5dr is on the driver front bumper chassis, there is a hefty crush tube in front of that and the yucky plastic bits get clipped on to that...

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:29 pm

just did a 40mm body lift on my 413 in a couple of days.....
im in kapiti if you wana come and get ideas etc
it cost me next to nothing,but that was getting some big favours too :wink:

would cost you but not to much

nstacey · Post by **nstacey** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:17 am

Cheers for the help here guys. I'm certainly put off the kit now. Will look into sourcing some blocks etc after the terawhiti trip