'98 SFA - Lift

Discuss modifications on your 1979 to late 1998 SFA 4x4 Hilux here.
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oxydog
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Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:46 am
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '98 Hilux SFA 2.8D 4X4 D/C, '06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/C
Real Name: Jarus
Club VHF Licence: J67
Location: Die Ooste
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'98 SFA - Lift

Post by oxydog »

Hi guys,

I would like some advice: Apparently, I don't have to spend R 15 k for a lift kit on my truck - I can achive SIMILAR results by just replacing the shackles with longer ones, as I had my blades re-rolled some time ago and added helper blades all round. I already have 4 ProComp shocks (for the 4" lift kit) which I will then also fit.

Any comments on this will be welcome. Please don't bite my head off - I know it will never be the same as fitting a proper IronMan, ProComp, OME or Dobinsons suspension kit, but I simply don't have that kind of money.

Is there anything else I should be aware of when doing this? Keep in mind that this is just a toy and work horse, I don't intend on driving it long distances (mostly to Rust de Winter and back), or at high speeds (as if the 2.8D even knows what that means - Shhh, you'll hurt its feelings :shh: ).

Thanks
Bees (Toy)
'98 Hilux 2.8D 4X4 D/Cab

• ARB Bullbar
• Safari Snorkel
• GearMax Rear Locker
• Dragon 29 MHz with 2.6m whip
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• 31" BFG KM2's

Hings (Everyday use and long distance travel)
'06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/Cab

• Level-it kit (Front)
• Custom integrated bullbar
• Custom replacement bumper
• Midas driving lights
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• National Luna 80l fridge/freezer
• National Luna Dual Battery System
• LA Sport 70l long range tank
• 2x40W Solar panels with PWM controller
• 31" BFG KM3's
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Mud Dog
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Vehicle: '90 SFA Hilux DC 4X4, Full OME, 110mm lift. Brospeed branch, 50mm ss freeflow exhaust. 30 x 9.5 Discoverer S/T's on Viper mags. L/R tank. (AWOL) '98 LTD 2.4 SFA, dual battery system. Dobinson suspension, LR tanks, 31" BF mud's.
Real Name: Andy
Club VHF Licence: HC103

Re: '98 SFA - Lift

Post by Mud Dog »

Increasing shackle length is normally something that I don't recommend. Bear in mind that you only achieve half the lift of the amount extended - a 2" extension only gives a 1" lift, but a 2" extension will allow for a significant amount of additional sway in the suspension. That means instability, not as important on trails as it is on highway travel, but since you use the vehicle as a "toy" it may not be so significant - just be careful on the open roads to and from your outings.
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oxydog
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Posts: 676
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:46 am
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '98 Hilux SFA 2.8D 4X4 D/C, '06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/C
Real Name: Jarus
Club VHF Licence: J67
Location: Die Ooste
Contact:

Re: '98 SFA - Lift

Post by oxydog »

Thanks Andy, will keep it in mind.
Bees (Toy)
'98 Hilux 2.8D 4X4 D/Cab

• ARB Bullbar
• Safari Snorkel
• GearMax Rear Locker
• Dragon 29 MHz with 2.6m whip
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• 31" BFG KM2's

Hings (Everyday use and long distance travel)
'06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/Cab

• Level-it kit (Front)
• Custom integrated bullbar
• Custom replacement bumper
• Midas driving lights
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• National Luna 80l fridge/freezer
• National Luna Dual Battery System
• LA Sport 70l long range tank
• 2x40W Solar panels with PWM controller
• 31" BFG KM3's
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Big D
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Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 12:42 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: SFA Hilux 2.2 BFi
Real Name: Deon

Re: '98 SFA - Lift

Post by Big D »

The Procomp kit actually only has new leaf pack for the front. The rear uses your old leaf pack, with the addition of a 4 inch spacer (block) that fits between the blades and the axle. Maybe you can use a similar block in front as well?

Use a smaller block, and extended shackles, to achieve a similar lift? By just doing shackles you will only have a max of approx 1 inch lift for the reasons explained above by Andy..

Have you done a body lift? that is also a easy and cheap 1 inch "lift"

On the other hand, seeing that you already have the socks, Ask Mikem what they will charge for the 4 new leaf packs?? Retetioning of the old blades are more of a temporary solution as they will sag again, maybe the helper
'94 lux, 3rz, Dual Tcases, 4.7, Lifted, Locked, 33"
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oxydog
LR 4WD Full Lockers
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Posts: 676
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:46 am
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '98 Hilux SFA 2.8D 4X4 D/C, '06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/C
Real Name: Jarus
Club VHF Licence: J67
Location: Die Ooste
Contact:

Re: '98 SFA - Lift

Post by oxydog »

Thanks Deon, checking it out.
Bees (Toy)
'98 Hilux 2.8D 4X4 D/Cab

• ARB Bullbar
• Safari Snorkel
• GearMax Rear Locker
• Dragon 29 MHz with 2.6m whip
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• 31" BFG KM2's

Hings (Everyday use and long distance travel)
'06 Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 D/Cab

• Level-it kit (Front)
• Custom integrated bullbar
• Custom replacement bumper
• Midas driving lights
• Front Runner bakkie slide
• National Luna 80l fridge/freezer
• National Luna Dual Battery System
• LA Sport 70l long range tank
• 2x40W Solar panels with PWM controller
• 31" BFG KM3's
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