35' and lift to Patrol GU (short)

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 17:37

ThreadID: 8448 Views:2059 Replies:3 FollowUps:14

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MaD Slavik

Hi all,
I have a 1999 patrol GU with 3.0 TDi. I have the idea to lift it in order to fit 35'.
My terrain is 50% slow on-roads, 50% rocks/sand.
1. What are pro/cons?
2. How much lift should I need for 35'?
3. What are the best kits&prices? I see there are a lot of good feedbacks on Rancho 9000x.
4. Do I need the lower diff gears or I can modify distribution box?

OR maybe to stay with 33' for lower costs?
Do I actually need the lift for 33'?

Thank you a lot!

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Reply By: Member - Eric- Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 18:57

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 18:57

To fit 33' s you need a 2" spring lift . To fit 35" you can get away with a 2 " lift , gut a 4 " will give you max clearance on extream articulation tracks. I have seen 37" tyres on GU and they just fit . I personaly think that ranchos are over rated , The idea of getting under the car to adjust your shocks , just dosnt happen , I fitted a set to a 100 series and found my 80 with nothing special foam cells , handled better on most applications. If you are looking at 35 " remeber you are at the extream of using standard gears, you can get away with it , but it's border line . For a 4 " lift you will have to make sway bar brackets or they will hit your front tail shaft , a caster kit is a must , or it will drive like cr*p, extend your diff breathers and also re position your hand brake cable and longer brake lines . I was told that i didn't need all this , but guess what , they were way wrong . If you want a back yard yob job , they listen to the SOME of the so called experts which tell you to just fit 4" spring and shocks and shel be oright mate .

Hope this helps ,
PS dont use the same diamiter Brake hose or rubber , use a smaller diameter braded, or your brake pedal will be very spungy . Venus Bay

AnswerID: 36891

Follow Up By: MaD Slavik - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 19:49

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 19:49

Thanks Venus,
I will figure out the costs.

Maybe I will stay with 31'' original tires, add a front Air Lock to increase off-road ability and later on start 4'' lift with 35'' tires.

Any advice is welcome!!!

FollowupID: 26680

Follow Up By: Member - Eric- Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:08

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:08

Springs around $400.00
Shocks around $500.00
Brake lines aprox $165.00 Pr
Diff Breathers $10.00
castor kit Aprox $300.00
Sway bar kit $200.00 or take them off

Labour around $500.00 Venus Bay

FollowupID: 26683

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 22:32

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 22:32

Actually Steve Roly fitted 36x12.5x16 (Q78) swampers on his 3.0 with a 3inch TJM lift. no body lift.

FollowupID: 26702

Follow Up By: Member - Eric- Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 07:40

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 07:40

You can do it , but the clearence on the guards is Crap lolVenus Bay

FollowupID: 26730

Follow Up By: Mark - Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 09:53

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 09:53

I have fitted 285/75 R16 Cooper ST's (33") tyres to my 2003 GU 3.0 TD. They have only been on for ~1,500kms but no rubbing at all on full lock or full wheel travel. I haven't noticed any significant change in gearing, thoough doing the maths tells me its gone up 7%.

Cheers

FollowupID: 26738

Follow Up By: DARREN - Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 14:11

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 14:11

Mark, for your info. I have the same car, Coopers (285/75 R16 ST's), have OME suspension on mine and have done 18,000 k's. The tyres did scrub a bit on the inner wheel arch on the rear on a recent trip to Cape York towing a trailer. Only a few times in the odd dip & with big articulation out of one of the creeks. I am not too fussed as it only rubbed a bit of deadening off, but personally I would not be too keen on going any wider that 285's for this reason.

Car was not overloaded nor was drawbar weight excessive.

FollowupID: 26758

Follow Up By: srowlandson - Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 15:32

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 15:32

I had Q78 Swampers on mine, 36.5 10.5 16

They fit will, less scrubbing than the 285 75 16 and the 315 75 16

Mainly due to being narrow

All fit with TJM 50mm Lift (heavy duty)

Steve

FollowupID: 26761

Follow Up By: Mark - Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 17:08

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 at 17:08

Darren - thanks for the info. Is your OME suspension same height or did you get a 50mm lift with it? Also, how is your tyre wear? Mine is too early to tell, but am very pleased with the coopers so far.
Cheers
Mark

FollowupID: 26766

Follow Up By: DARREN - Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 at 09:26

Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 at 09:26

Mark, Yes 50mm lift, not the heaviest springs, I think "heavy duty" rather than "very heavy duty", but the car was not sagging at all with my gear in and the trailer on. Wear seems pretty good i.e. not much so far, I have seen previous comments in forum of others being very happy. They did cop a bit of a hard time up the Cape and there are some stress marks around the edges of some of the lugs and a bit of rock damage, no lugs torn off or anything like that. Mate on the trip also had (smaller) Coopers on his rodeo (he was the one who told me to order them from the nissan dealer with the car - about $550 more to trade in original tyres new), he has had them for a long time and is really happy with them, albeit some lugs pretty damaged (but he does punish them a bit). Whilst they are a bit nosier than BFG All Terrains they are a significantly more aggressive pattern, I would definately buy them again, and the minor very occaisional scrub due to width - say 5 or 6 times for the trip (when the wheel is really way up the arch) and not since, is no real drama.
I think have a couple of happy snaps with the wheels way up the guards to put things into perspective, (if I can find them) I can email them to you if you like.

FollowupID: 26849

Follow Up By: Mark - Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 at 09:56

Thursday, Nov 13, 2003 at 09:56

Darren - thanks for that. I too traded my original tyres when I picked up the Nissan, but the dealer was reluctant to do it and I ended up driving straight from the dealer to tyrepower - cost me $600.
I had BFG 33" TA KOs on my 80 series (just sold it) and was not happy with them (just sold it) I have been running BFGs for over 10 years and this last lot just were not as strong. Had a rock punched straight through the tread and staked a sidewall that should have brushed off. Also had the steel belts start to protrude from the tread area outwards - and I never ran them below 25 psi! Reading around here showed a lot of happy people with the coopers - and so am I so far.
Would like to see the picks of the wheels in the guards. try "mpeacock at bigpond dot net dot au" (stops the web crawlers getting your email).
Thanks

FollowupID: 26853

Reply By: diamond(bendigo) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:11

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:11

gday mad slavic.
i will mention the horible word that some peole get upset about.
engineers report.
one is required in most states if you increase your standard tyre diameter by over 15mm.
cost in victoria is a brake test from a cumputer brake tester.about $20
and about $190 for report.back by popular demand
:-)

AnswerID: 36898

Follow Up By: MaD Slavik - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:16

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:16

i am sorry, I am not in AU.
I live in Kazakhstan, here you can do everything with your 4wd.
or just a small $10 bribe to the police guy in the worst case during annual inspection.

FollowupID: 26684

Follow Up By: diamond(bendigo) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:33

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:33

you lucky bugger.
that might explain the short wheel base bit.
we dont get shortys here.
if it is a swb theres a little bit more involved in big lifts on them things mainly with tail shaft angles.back by popular demand
:-)

FollowupID: 26688

Follow Up By: MaD Slavik - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:42

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 20:42

It is a japanese Super Spirit (even Right Hand Drive), 3 DT, auto.

FollowupID: 26691

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 22:33

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 at 22:33

As Diamond said, you will suffer from tailshaft issues (too steep) on a shorty with more than a 4inch lift. But some suffer more than others.

Also it will affect your gearing LOTS. Your car will be higher geared, meaning you will lose lowdown power..

FollowupID: 26703