When did LIFT KITS become popular?

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 19:44
ThreadID: 31680 Views:2852 Replies:9 FollowUps:12
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I read, although without any impending worry, at this stage, about the much talked about legislation soon to be introduced, to curb the overall lift height that a 4 x 4 will be allowed to have.

Can someone please explain to me, when these kits become very commonplace.

During the Second World War, we saw Land Rovers & Jeeps, doing their stuff, all over the world, in standard guise. I understand, that they would have got stuck lots, and manpower was available, to correct the situation.

I also am very aware of the benefits of lift kits, as I don't have one, and I bottom out occasionally.

I am not trying to stir the pot. I just want to know when the kits were available BIG TIME, here in Australia. I do not remember much being available for us during the early 70's, whilst on the Station, but, we never seemed to need one. We had Toyotas, Nissans & Suzukis, and as you would expect, they didn't spend much time on any roads or tracks. We never had a problem, ever.

Come to think of it, I work right next door to a drilling company, that has had LOTS of 4 x 4's tailor made for them, and I mean LOTS. None seem to be really that much raised, yet these vehicles do more work, than most of the 4 x 4's I see in the city. These guys are told to go to a spot, and drill a hole, and keep supplies running, for all of their rigs.

Could it be that we are maybe a little under the influence of some marketing hype, and are being led to believe that we actually need 100 - 150 mm. of extra height?

Now, after writing that, should I like, leave the country for a week or so?

Cheers

Wolfie

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Reply By: Footloose - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 19:56

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 19:56
4wds have been lifted by some for a long time. I suspect that this was initially done by those who wanted to conquer big rocks :) Getting your gear above the nasties tends to make for less expensive breakdowns...sometimes.
There is quite a difference between the army, the drilling company and the individual owner.
The army. It's broken, send me another. Repeat this until objective is achieved.
The drilling company. Don't worry about the rock, the company will fix any damage.
The individual. Next time I'm going to get over that rock without having to be towed home.
The first two have virtually unlimited resources.
AnswerID: 160119

Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 19:56

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 19:56
I recall fitting extension shackles to the Suzuki's in the late 70's to give them a bit of lift so that we could 31" tyres.

I think that lift kits started coming out in the early 1980's. But this was more for pose value. Then at the beginning of the 90's the manufacturers started lowering the suspesnions giving the 4bies a more comfortable ride and it was on for young and old.

Australia is terribly conservative as far as vehicle regs go. I have seen cars in the USA where you need a ladder to climb in to the drivers seat. In other countries especially the Midle East almost any conversion is possible.

Now the 4 bies are getting lower and lower, becoming more car-like.
AnswerID: 160120

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:40

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:40
yep, it's mainly Australia that's over regulated by these restrictions. I couldn't believe all these regs when I arrived here and still they add more. What's even more amazing is the general acceptance by the population...talk about gotcha by the balls..hahahaha
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 23:01

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 23:01
I think hes more pist that none are available for anything he owns.
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Reply By: roofscooter2 - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:04

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:04
Wolfie, my personal view & it is only that, that it may have started in the good ole' U.S.A. as where so much other hype starts ,the more people started to wander off road mainly for recreation ,ie in paddocks that seemed to have big holes & big rocks & so forth so they started to fiddle with what you are seeing in the accesories shops now, just my view. P.S. & it is a good money spinner,cheers Bob.
AnswerID: 160122

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:16

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:16
Wolfie,

I've seen a bog standard X90 (probably 180-190mm clearance) go where lifted Patrols went, so I tend to agree that some people go overboard.
Having said that, if you have a need (or want) and you have the cash to buy a system that doesn't decrease vehicle safety then why shouldn't we be allowed to purchase it?
Now while we are on the subject who does the best 4" lift for the Patrol....an extra couple of inches and that kamakazee chook that smashed into the side of my rig the other day would have flew right under as opposed to taking out the rear fender arch.

Cheers Trevor.
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Follow Up By: roofscooter2 - Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 20:58

Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 20:58
Trevor,i think i have seen that same x90 somewhere in the scrub. How did i end up with your follow up in my email ,lol,hi mate ,bob.
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Reply By: Axle - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:11

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:11
Hi Wolfie.
It bugs me a bit to, It seems to be about suspension travel more than anything, you see them coming at you up the highway body sitting a mtr above the axles, but thats the thing the axle housings and diffs have bugger all, more clearance, well it looks that way anyhow.

Axle
AnswerID: 160123

Reply By: Exploder - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:37

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:37
About the same time 4WD mags started being published??
AnswerID: 160126

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:46

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 20:46
That, is good!

Cheers

Wolfie
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Reply By: glenno(qld) - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:27

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:27
This country is being ruined by over regulation .
AnswerID: 160146

Follow Up By: Member - Pezza (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:36

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:36
Wholeheartedly with you on that Glenno !

Avagoodn
Pezza

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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 21:02

Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 21:02
And what do you plan to do about it guys?

Mike Harding

mike_harding@fastmail.fm
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Follow Up By: glenno(qld) - Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 at 09:27

Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 at 09:27
Vote Labor .
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Follow Up By: Member - Pezza (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 at 11:33

Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 at 11:33
Sorry Glenno, wholeheartedly DISSagree with you on that one !

Avagoodn
Pezza
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:39

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 22:39
"we saw Land Rovers & Jeeps"

Grab your WW2 jeep or landy, and follow me. but be prepared not to come back home.
AnswerID: 160150

Follow Up By: The Explorer - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 23:31

Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 23:31
Where we going - Wolf Creek?
I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 19:42

Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 19:42
Didn't you break down on the highway not so loing ago? lol
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Reply By: Rock Crawler - Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 10:31

Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 10:31
I wouldn't worry to much about lift regs , there going to check from what height ?

check 20 standard 4bys of the same make and model , you wont get 2 alike
AnswerID: 160196

Follow Up By: Member - David 0- Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 20:36

Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 20:36
No but they won't care about that. The ride height is clearly outlined by the manufacturer and that is what they will go by. It is the same with tyres, they will refer to a set of tables and declare your 4b unroadworthy if it doesn't fit withing the tables
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Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 21:29

Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 21:29
Scorpion (Qld company) have been making lift kits for Subarus since the late 70's.
AnswerID: 160296

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