Installing a good 80 series landcruiser lift kit is incredibly much a transitional phase for anyone who else buys one of these legendary rigs. Let's be truthful: while the manufacturer suspension was excellent back in the 90s, nearly all 80s you discover today are possibly sagging underneath the fat of years of services or just feel a bit "boaty" on the highway. If you're looking to fit several bigger rubber, obtain better clearance on the tracks, or just stop your tow bar from scratching every speed push, a lift is the way to go.
The particular 80 Series is widely considered one particular of the best off-road platforms ever built, mostly mainly because of that coil-sprung live axle setup front and rear. It gives a person incredible flex ideal from the box. But once you start adding steel bull bars, winches, rear compartments, along with a rooftop camping tent, that stock suspension system just gives up the ghost. That's where an appropriate lift kit is available in to save the particular day.
Deciding Between a 2-Inch and 4-Inch Lift
The very first query everyone asks will be how high they will should go. For your vast majority of 80 Series proprietors, a 2-inch lift is the particular sweet spot. It's the "Goldilocks" of suspension upgrades. A person get enough space to comfortably very clear 33-inch tires (and even 35s with some minor cutting off or the right offset wheels), and it also doesn't completely wreck the car's road manners.
When you remain in the 2-inch mark, a lot more relatively easy. You usually don't have to worry about lengthening your brake lines or messing too much with your driveline perspectives. It's mostly a "bolt-on and go" situation. The vehicle will feel even more planted, you'll possess better vision over traffic, and a person won't need the ladder to obtain the particular driver's seat.
Now, if you're looking at a 4-inch lift or higher, items get a bit more complicated—and expensive. Once you go that high, you're transforming the geometry from the whole suspension program. You'll need counteract caster bushes or drop boxes to keep the steerage from feeling nervous, extended brake ranges so you don't snap them from full flex, and adjustable panhard rods to center the axles. It looks mean as heck, don't get me personally wrong, but it's a lot even more maintenance and can make the vehicle a bit of a handful on the highway.
What's Actually Inside the Box?
When a person go out and purchase an 80 series landcruiser lift kit , you aren't simply buying four springs and some shock. Well, you shouldn't be, anyway. A decent kit is definitely a tuned system where all the particular parts are created to work jointly.
Coil Spring suspensions
The spring suspensions are what actually give you the particular lift. The almost all important thing here isn't just the height; it's the particular springtime rate . In the event that you've got the heavy diesel engine, a steel bar, and a winch beforehand, you need "heavy-duty" front springs. If the back of your 80 is empty, don't buy "500kg continuous load" rear suspension springs, or the car will ride like a brick and bounce you off-road. You've got to match up the springs to how you in fact make use of the car.
Shock Absorbers
While the springs hold the car up, the shocks manage the movement. Cheap shocks will diminish and get soft as soon as you hit a corrugated dust road. If a person spend a little more upon high-quality nitrogen-charged or even monotube shocks, the difference in trip quality is day and night. You want some thing that can saturate up the small bumps but nevertheless has enough damping to stop the car from swaying like a boat when a person take a corner.
Caster Correction
This is the part a lot of people skip, and these people usually regret it. When you lift an 80 Series, the front axle rotates forward. This particular changes the caster angle, which is usually what makes your own steering wheel return to center right after a turn. Without having caster correction (usually in the type of offset plastic or poly bushes in the top arms), the steerage will feel light, twitchy, and plain "off. " Most good kits will consist of these at least suggest them.
Precisely why Quality Matters for Your Landcruiser
It's tempting in order to hop on eBay and find the least expensive 80 series landcruiser lift kit available, but your 80 is a large beast. These wagons can easily consider three tons when loaded up for a trip. Inexpensive components are susceptible to sagging inside a year, or even worse, the shocks can leak plus fail when you're hundreds of mls in the nearest city.
Sticking along with reputable brands—think Dobinsons, Old Man Emu, or Iron Man—means you're getting parts that have been tested in harsh conditions. These companies have done the math on valving plus spring rates so you don't have in order to. Plus, if the shock blows away in the middle of nowhere, you're much more most likely to find a replacement component for a big brand name than some no-name kit you bought online.
Handling the "Death Wobble"
If you've spent any time within 80 Series groups, you've probably noticed of the dreaded "death wobble. " This is that will terrifying vibration that will starts in the particular steering wheel, generally around 50-60 advise, and feels such as the vehicle is going to shake itself in order to pieces. While a lift kit doesn't technically cause it, lifting the particular car can highlight existing issues.
When you install your lift, it's the perfect time to check your own steering damper, track rod ends, plus swivel hub bearings. Most people find that a fresh steering damper—which is frequently included in a comprehensive 80 series landcruiser lift kit —helps settle things down. If you're nevertheless getting shakes following a lift, it's generally a sign that will your bushings are shot or your wheels require a severe balance.
DO-IT-YOURSELF vs. Taking It to a Shop
Can a person install a lift kit yourself? Absolutely. The 80 Series is definitely one of the easiest vehicles to work on mainly because there's so much room under there. In the event that you've got a decent set associated with jack stands, a beefy floor jack, plus some basic hands tools, you can get it required for a Saturday afternoon. Just be careful using the coil springs; they hold the lot of power, so you don't need one popping out there unexpectedly.
That will said, if the particular concept of wrestling along with heavy axles plus rusty bolts noises like a headache, any decent 4WD shop can topple it out for you. The benefit associated with an expert install is definitely that they may also do a proper wheel alignment plus check your caster perspectives immediately on the particular spot. It's satisfaction, especially if a person use the 80 as your everyday driver or for long-distance touring.
Don't Forget the Small Stuff
When you're browsing for an 80 series landcruiser lift kit , keep a good eye out for that "extras" that make a huge difference. For instance, extended sway club links best add-on. When you lift the body aside from the axles, the sway bars end up in a weird angle, which could limit your connection and make the ride feel stiff. Longer links "reset" the sway club to its joyful place.
Furthermore, look at your brake lines. Despite a 2-inch lift, if you're on the market really bending the suspension on a technical path, those stock rubber lines could get extended tight. Switching to braided stainless steel lines that are a good inch or 2 longer is the smart safety shift. They won't swell under pressure, providing you with a firmer pedal, and you won't have to them taking when you're entered up in a rut.
Final Thoughts on Raising Your 80
At the finish of the day, an 80 series landcruiser lift kit has become the greatest money you are able to spend on your rig. It transforms how a car looks, yet more importantly, this transforms how this handles both on and off the pavement. You'll end up taking lines within the trail that a person utilized to avoid, plus the "old girl" will feel just like a much younger, more capable version of herself.
Just remember to be reasonable about what you need. If you're mostly doing beach works and highway driving, a comfortable 2-inch kit with several quality shocks will certainly last perfectly. In the event that you're building a dedicated rock crawler, then yeah, go big—just be prepared to do the extra function to keep this driving straight. Whatever you choose, the particular 80 Series is a platform that rewards quality gear, important the best kit your finances allows plus get available plus enjoy the tracks.