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Lift?
Sept 6, 2002 18:21:06 GMT -5
Post by Numidian on Sept 6, 2002 18:21:06 GMT -5
Is there any way for me to lift my 1998 Montero Sport 4x4 LS...I would like to lift it to fit 35's but I realize that I'd have to do some hacking for that, so 33's might be a better option for me, no matter what I wanna lift my car. I'd like to know what it'd cost for me to do either.
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Lift?
Sept 8, 2002 18:34:41 GMT -5
Post by squam1 on Sept 8, 2002 18:34:41 GMT -5
I just lifted my 1997 LS sport with gsp shackles (rear lift is about 2.5 inches) and a torsion bar crank in the front. I put on rancho shocks as well. You will need to put on longer shocks in the rear if you add these shackles. The stock shocks don't have the length to accomodate any lift. I got the shocks from 4wheelparts.com - the shackles are for 1982-84 toyota truck front springs, but they are just the right size to replace the rear shackles on sports. Trust me, I am not the first to do it and I am definitely not the one that did the research to figure this one out!!! Anyway, GSP shackles, part number 1084. They will know by part number what you want. Shocks - I used rancho rs 5000s cause I didn't want to spend the bucks for 9000s. The last 3 digits of rancho shocks denote the same specs - length, mounts, etc. So instead of RS9126, I got RS5126 and instead of RS9019, I got RS5019. So there are your Rancho shock part numbers. I also got them from 4wheelparts, but they actually don't have a listing for Montero Sports, just monteros!! Go figure. Monteros have different rear mounts than the Montero Sport, so if you buy from them, don't let them talk you into the shocks for a Montero!! If was fairly painless, but there was a lot of rust on the mounting bolts on the shocks, and I actually snapped on of the bolts off with the nut. Not pretty, but we got that sorted out... here's a link for rancho shocks - very helpful!! www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/shocks/here's a link to Yoshi's page on cranking the torsion bars: monterosport.net/page7.htmlanyway, there are other posters on this board and other ms boards that have done the swap as well. There are some other things that need to be modified/persuaded into place, so it's not quite a direct bolt on, but it works well enough!!
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Lift?
Sept 18, 2002 13:38:34 GMT -5
Post by Geoffrey97MS on Sept 18, 2002 13:38:34 GMT -5
I was j/w what all needs to be done after the torsion bars are cranked up and the rear shackles are put on and the shocks as well. I knnow the front end will have to be re-alligned but what else will need to be done. Also how much are the rear shackles that go on the Monty Sport? One more thing, does it ride rougher or the same or what? I have a 97 and am lookinf at lifting it some but I wanna find out some infoi before I do so. I dont offroad alot, but I like the looks of the Monty lifted. Thanks for the info.
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Lift?
Sept 18, 2002 14:55:02 GMT -5
Post by Numidian on Sept 18, 2002 14:55:02 GMT -5
from what I've heard it rides stiffer, but thats from the torsion bars getting cranked, the shackles don't actually effect the ride, because you're still riding on the same leaf springs, I'm only doing it to fit some bigger meats under the fenders though to get further into mud bogs before I'm stuck haha
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Lift?
Sept 18, 2002 15:42:31 GMT -5
Post by squam1 on Sept 18, 2002 15:42:31 GMT -5
I would say that mine rides "firmer" and not so much "stiffer". Not that different you say? I think it is, when I think of stiffer, I think that my kidneys are going to be dislodged or my head bouncing off the headliner...
On the other hand, firmer, to me, means that the suspension makes the truck handle better... It helps to counter-act the tippiness you might feel through curves and such. I dunno, I could just be full of it too!
Nonetheless, my Sport in NO way, shape or form has a harsh ride after cranking the torsion bars and I think you'll be hard pressed to find anyone else that has made this mod complain about the ride... -chris
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Lift?
Sept 18, 2002 21:14:56 GMT -5
Post by Geoffrey97MS on Sept 18, 2002 21:14:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I have a few more questions. first where did you get the shackles for the back leaf springs and how much did they cost? Second, how hard is it to put the shackles on and crank the torsion bars. I have never done anything like this before and not sure if I should start now unless its fairly easy. And how long does it take to do the whole process? Also, after the bars are cranked and the shackles are on,,what all needs to be done besides the front end realligned? Squam, w/the part number you put on for the shocks,, are they for a lifted truck are they for factory height? I mean I know that if you lift a truck you have to get longer shocks,,what I am asking is,,is the product number for the correct size I will need? And finally how big of a tire could I fit under my Monty when its all said and done? Thanks for youre time.
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Lift?
Sept 19, 2002 20:26:02 GMT -5
Post by squam1 on Sept 19, 2002 20:26:02 GMT -5
to answer your first question, I got the shackles from 4wheelparts - pick up any issue of four wheeler magazine or any other wheeling mag for that matter and get their telephone. Trust me, it is much easier to get the specific part by calling - they took at least 2 weeks to get back to me via email... you can also go to 4wheelparts.com and click the link for contact info to get the number. - part number is 1084 - gsp shackles. GSP stands for the brand General Steel Products.
As for putting it all together - hmmm, what kind of tools do you have? We had access to air tools (not necessary) and perhaps most importantly, a bench top grinding wheel. We used the grinding wheel to grind down the rubber and metal bushing on the base of the front shock mount cause it is too wide to fit between the bracket "ears". Look at your shock now and you will see that the shock sits down inbetween the bracket with the bolt going thru one side of the bracket, thru the shock "eye" and back thru the bracket... The rancho shock is too wide to fit down in there straight out of the box, so you have to grind the bushing (and metal sleve inside the bushing) down to fit in there. I would recommend grinding it down enough to give it a little play, so things don't bind up as the suspension cycles up and down...
You will need a good set of sockets, I recommend a breaker bar to fit the sockets to help persuade any stubborn nuts; I would suggest you spray everything with a potent penetrating oil or whatever the stuff is. We had the lower shock mount in the rear snap off as we went to remove the nut. We had to cut off the remaining portion of the stud, drill out a hole thru the spring perch, and run out to the hardware store to get some grade 8 hardware (bolt and nut plus fender whashers to make everything nice and tight). This was on a sunday, so we had to drive all over town to find a hardware store that was open!!! That was NOT fun...
Anyhow, this is not a terribly difficult thing to do, but that may also depend on your mechanical ability. If you have never attempted anything like this, I would try and get a buddy that has at least some wrenching experience to help you out. If nothing else, when something goes wrong - you can lay some blame off yourself and onto him!
Oh, before I forget, have on hand something like a 5 pound mallet/hand held sledge to help get the bolts supplied with the new shackles thru the mitsu bushings. By far the best thing I did to ease the bolts thru was buy a 3/4 inch drill bit at sears and I drilled out the rubber bushings that fit into the frame mount and the spring eye. That, coupled with some white lithium grease, really made things assembly more easily.
Remember, these parts were not intended for the Montero Sport, but have been installed and used by other Sport enthusiasts, so we know they work, they just need some slight modifications to work.
It's all well worth the effort. Hope this clears up some of the questions you may have. If you do this lift, surely you will encounter other things I have not mentioned (like: how will I ever get that top bolt out of the old passenger side shackle without hacking up the exhaust??). I'm sure you will figure that one out on your own...
-chris
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Lift?
Sept 19, 2002 20:47:10 GMT -5
Post by squam1 on Sept 19, 2002 20:47:10 GMT -5
ps - the shocks are LONGER than stock, so they will accommodate a lift. In fact, that is precisely why I chose those part numbers. To be honest, I got the numbers from someone else actually - they were originally for RS9000 Rancho shocks - like I said in the earlier post, the last 3 digits of the rancho part number denote the same mounts on the top and bottom and the same specs like length fully compressed and fully extended. The difference between an RS9019 and RS5019 is that the 9019 is adjustable and the the 5019 isn't. I didn't want to spend the extra money. The lift took me several hours (5+) with my cousin. There is a learning curve as you go, so things get faster. If we hadn't snapped that shock mount, we would have been done in something like 3-4 hours. We weren't rushing either, we didn't want to screw anything up that couldn't be fixed then and there or at least be un-done... If you go with an ARB bumper, you can fit 33x12.5 -15s with no problems from what I've heard. If you have 15x7 wheels you can put a set of 31s on those wheels with no problems either. For the 33s, I think you have to get at least 15x8 wheels. BF Goodrich does make 33x10.5 -15s in both mud terrain and all terrain... something else to consider. check out these sites: www.4x4extremesports.com/go to the "other sports" section and check out those rigs... also: monterosport.net/page12.htmlhttp://co_sport.tripod.com/4x4Sport/ 4x4wire.com/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi?direct=readers_rigs/Mitsubishi4x4wire.com/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi?direct=trailshots/4x4_Trailshots/Mitsubishi_Action_Shotsdid I get everything? I've been typing so much I've lost track... -chris
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Lift?
Sept 19, 2002 22:05:40 GMT -5
Post by Geoffrey97MS on Sept 19, 2002 22:05:40 GMT -5
Dude, Thanks for the massive info. You really helped me out alot. I didnt mean to sound like a total nerd like I dont know anything about cars. I have done some work on my cars but I havent really done anything major like putting on a lift. I do have a good buddy that knows all about lifts, he has put on a few, includinghis own on his Scout. But I will more than likely lifty my Monty b/c I love the way they look lifted.Plus, my Monty right, the front end site lower than the back end and I hate it. But thanks again for all the info,,you really inlightened me on some stuff. Geoffey
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Lift?
Sept 20, 2002 18:49:54 GMT -5
Post by squam1 on Sept 20, 2002 18:49:54 GMT -5
no problem - i forgot to answer how much the shackles were - 40 bucks plus shipping. Not too bad. I think all in all, shocks and shackles were less than 200 bucks total... If you look at what companies sell their 1.5 - 2.5 inch lift for similar trucks (probably a Nissan Pathfinder/Hard body p.u.) - they go for like $500 or $600 if I'm not mistaken...
I didn't think you were sounding nerdy at all, I just have no way of know what your experience in this sort of thing is. I hadn't wrenched on anything since I put together a hot rodded chevy wagon while in college (circa 1992). Haven't even changed my own oil since then... ;D
good luck with the lift. You'll enjoy it! later, Chris
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