Offroad-Express

My m8 has a 60 serries surf (solid front) and im keen for him to get it modded up so he can come out with me and some other m8s but he doesnt want to spend too much money on it. With experience in lowering leaf sprung cars with blocks we got to thinking why not go up in the same way? Havnt heard of many ppl doing it, im sure there's a reason. Would it be legal? You can go down 2inches with blocks and not need cert...
What would be the downsides to this? Obviously on the positive side it easy and you could do a 2inch lift for less than $100

Cheers Pete

Ignoring the cert side of things, it is easy as I had blocks in the back of a surf I used to own. I used 2inch alloy blocks and got some longer u bolts easy.

Wind up the torsion bars and your away, the hand brake cables rub on the springs at the back so it doesnt work properly.

Would probably need a cert though.

its solid axel in the front too, how would it go with that?
Is anybody sure on the cert side of things? Idont see why you could go down but not up legally

I have always needed a cert for using lowering blocks

Must be a reson behind not many people lifting their surfs like this, be interested to find out why.

why don't you a SOA conversion (spring over axle) i.e make some new perches for your springs on top of the axles

Would've thought that the springs would have to be on top of the axles already, otherwise using blocks would lower it

surfs are already sprung over dude..

ruf_zuki wrote:surfs are already sprung over dude..

new springs then i reckon

the idea is cheap so yea if it was SUA then SOA conversion would be out of the question any way. I was under the mipression you could lower 2inches with blocks without cert, have never failed a warrent cos of it. Sounds like a good cheap plan at the mo. needs a warrent soon so if it failed could just take them out and look at other options.

Do you need a cert for extended shackles? Thought that as long as you used the factory, unmodified mounts, you didn't need one?
Just might be another option if you know someone that can make a set up

DaveM wrote:Do you need a cert for extended shackles? Thought that as long as you used the factory, unmodified mounts, you didn't need one?
Just might be another option if you know someone that can make a set up

yep...legally ur not allowed to go UP OR DOWN without cert as it effects handling or some bullshit like that extended shackles you need cert bodylift u need cert. the only way to get around it would be buy lifted springs so it doesn't look so obvious and take it to a hory place for wof REDZUKI on here failed wof because of his extended shackles...they weren't even very big .....best thing for you get some flat bar and make some extended shackles and everytime you have to go for a warrent wack the old shackles back in my 0.002c worth

Definately don't need a cert for most lifts, as long as the springs are direct replacements, springs are self retaining, springs are not heated or cut, etc etc.

Although shackles I suspect would be classed as modified mounts, so would need a cert.

Same goes for lowering, if you maintain 100mm clearance, have unmodified bumpstops, maintain suspension travel etc, you don't need a cert.

my understanding is that it depends on the wof tester guy. some people have a better understanding of certain mods so are more leanient. i also thought that any mods technicly needed to be certed if your following the law to the letter. ive never had any probs as long as things are bolt in replacements.
but back to the question this thread started with...
longer shackels. just do it! if the budget extends far enough get the springs reset aswell. but then he'll prob need to start looking into longer shocks... then bigger tyres... then eng to turn them... then this and that.... its a never ending battle!

haha yea well the plan was to lift woth long shocks for about a grand then wheels.but y not do the lift and shocks for about 500 and keep standard springs??? he still has to sell his old mini to get some money so will see what happens. anyone want a mini? is a minta, orange clubman with mags, flares and camber adjustemnt thingys.

cheers Pete

if u put blocks under the front springs u will have a problem with clearance for the c arm unles of course u have crossover steering.

Best cheap way to lift a leaf sprung vehicle, I reckon, is to get some new springs for the front, make some extended shackles for the back & get some longer shocks if required.

Cheers
Clint

Wouldnt axle wrap be amplified if you are moving the axle further away from the spring?? ie more leverage to bend the springs unless the lifting block was extremely long

lilpigzuk wrote:Wouldnt axle wrap be amplified if you are moving the axle further away from the spring?? ie more leverage to bend the springs unless the lifting block was extremely long

yeah that thought had occured to me as well i remember wopass mentioning he made his perches quite long on his spring over to try and avoid this

do the bolcks mate and see how she goes if it goes well well all be doing it haha if nt then we wont

my 2c

Lots of people do it as a cheap lift. zigen who used to be on here (who STOLE wackos tyres) had them. But man, they look ugly with those huge U bolts. At least with shackles, if you're shocks alow, you will probably end up with more flex.

Thats my 2c anyway