Advice on lifting an 80 series

With a 3" lift I'd suggest fitting slightly longer shocks matched to the springs. I'd also adjust (extend it) the rear brake bias compensator as well. The roof rack alone won't make a huge difference to the stability but with a bit of gear up there a 3" lift will be noticably more unstable. (you can't have it both ways) I wouldn't put another steel roof rack on again as there is no need with the current design of the new alloy ones.
Cheers Craig..............

Advice on lifting an 80 series

I'd suggest you lift the back end and get your mate to lift the front. That end is heavier.

Ken

Mine is lifyed and has a roof rack and stability is not and issue. I run mine with all the gear in the back ready to go as I don't use it as a daily driver. In this setup I have fitteded some heavier springs as I found over time with the standard 2" type lift they sagged a bit under load. I have now fitted the heavier ones and that make severything sit nice however the ride would be harsh if driven daily unladen and I reckon would lift it another couple of inches.It is all a bit of a trade off really whether it is tyres, lift etc. You need to work out what you do most of and setup for that or have different springs for diffrent loads. At least with and 80 # you can swap the springs over in less than an our using basic tools.

Just don't go too high. Once you go over 2" the girls hate getting in.

Polyairs do a darned good job and you can adjust them for load.

David is right about the girls objecting to increased height - just a 2 inch lift was the source of endless complaint!

Max

Dont forget to allow for castor adjustment, I lifted my 80 series 50mm and the steering was all over the shop until I got the castor adjustment done.
Only cost around $200.
Cheers

hi all, hope all is well in the land of the blessed whom get out and explore this sensational country of ours at every possible chance. i read with vested interest of brother husky01's problem,as i myself am about to lift my standard height 80 3",is there anyone whom could advise me on matching shocks with the 3" springs? also any thougths on converting to part time from constant 4x4 would be welcome

I have lifted my 80 3" and am currently running the old man emu shocks that I had in it with the 2" lift.. they are too short and I know that but money is a bit of a prob so I am saving up for the new shocks..

EFS have some that look pretty good and aren't that expensive per shock.. designed for a 3" llift.. around $125 per shocker I think...

I went with the heavy duty king springs (any aftermarket spring is rated as heavy duty compared to the standars so they would be extra heavy duty) in the rear as I have a drawer system and fridge in the rear...

I went with the standard king springs for the front as I have an alloy bar so that is a bit of a trade off with a steel one as I have a winch in there too..

The car sits nice and level and looks that much better than the 2" lift.. looked really high until the springs settled and is came down a bit more than an inch when the springs settled...

I run 33" tyres and I think the combo is pretty good.. your tyres a little smaller so you will have a bit more clearance to the guard so unless you really want the 3" just go for the 2" lift..

With the 3" lift castor correction will pretty much be needed.. bushes around 2 - 3 hundred bucks..

2" needs no castor correction normally and will only require the wheel alignment to get it running better..

If you are a little unsure about the steering etc with the 2" lift put a return to centre steering damper in and you won't even know the car has been lifted...

Cheers

I fitted heavy duty King springs with Rancho shocks to my 80 series and then the same on my 2 100 series, I have then towed a camping trailer and up to 7 pax on extended tours through Armhemland, Kakadu and the Kimberley with no trouble. The rear springs last about 18 months under these severe conditions, At $300 to replace its not that expensive the whole job was about $1100 to supply and fit in Darwin no other work is needed. Great handling great ride great value.