Why have you done a suspension lift?

Sounds a silly question but why install a lift?
Bigger tyres?
Or is there an issue with body to ground clearance?
I've been considering new suspension for my Jimny as it's my daily driver and like the idea of the Monroe shock I've seen (on here) as the are valved for a Jimny. I've started adventuring off road now but not had any real issues to speak of so don't think I "need" a lift but I'm curious why people have done it.


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An increased approach/depart angle and a larger breakover angle. Clearance for larger tyres or just
more room between the arch and tyre if you need it for a aggressive mud tyre. Oh and I like the look.

Not a silly question at all.

I lifted mine for two and the same reasons.

It was dragging it's belly on crests and the axle was always sat on the bit in the middle of the track left by bigger toys...fixed with bigger tyres 235/75/15 and a 2" lift.

It's been quite a while since anything underneath hit anything....oh and custom arches means no clearance issues from tyres.

Another question could be "What mods have you made that with hindsight you'd not have done"

I haven't. I see no reason to lift it for what I do with it. it has never touched the ground with anything other than the tow bar and the tyres and ok my farm tracks are fairly well maintained but are about the average for the lanes round here. Also as my primary road car it handles the road very well for a standard suspension system, not that a set of b6 dampers wouldn't be better for the faster use but as an all round compromise it is very capable.

I haven't lifted mine. I've gained clearance by fitting larger (215/75 r15) tyres and these haven't restricted the movement of the suspension so I haven't seen a need to lift it. I find the standard suspension is a great compromise between road and off-road use, and allows plenty of articulation (more than many lift kits*). Disconnecting the anti-roll bar allows you to make full use of the standard suspension or any lift kit.

There are 3 different types of lift to consider, and you can use any combination of the 3:

Body lift (raising the body relative to the chassis) make room for larger tyres but do not improve ground clearance or articulation. They do not affect suspension and steering geometry.

Spring and shock spacers make room for larger tyres and increase the ground clearance under the chassis but do not improve articulation. These do affect the suspension and steering geometry.

Longer springs and shocks improve articulation (in theory...*) and increase ground clearance under the chassis. However what you gain in articulation you lose in tyre clearance. These do affect the suspension and steering geometry.

*Most lift kits use 'uprated' springs that aren't matched to the weight of a standard Jimny. Unless you are carrying lots of extra weight you are not able to utilise the extra spring travel, so they are still commonly used to increase tyre clearance.

I haven't lifted yet, but it is soon (probably defined by the weather and cold hands as I will do it on my drive outside!). I have got slightly taller tyres (205/75/15), but still rub the radius arms and mounts when playing off-road, and get stuck a little earlier than I would like if I drop one wheel in to a hole in a rut, so the chassis/suspension bottoms out and I end up with 2 wheels spinning. Or over crests I ground as well - this is on a local, tight off-road playground, so probably not too representative of most places.

Nothing extreme - 2" lift to avoid having to extend hoses etc. Looking at the Trailmaster - expensive, but seems to be the best option to retain road manners.

Nick