Lifted 2 VX in one day.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

X2 on the Firestone lifetime alignment....

[Maddawg]

Seeing as I can't get anybody around here to do my body lift, mainly because they don't know how to price it for a VX, I guess the answer is the spring spacer? I have custom 3" taller springs but I am still rubbing the rear clad with my 33" tires. God knows how Jo gets around with 35"s? I just wonder if 2" spacers will really help. My measurement from the top of the front and rear tire to the clad is exactly the same although it doesn't look it. I don't want it to look like a rodent looking for a hole because my front bars are cranked almost to the limit.

[VX KAT]

X2 on the Firestone lifetime alignment....

x1000.....I've also done this for years. When we moved out here to the stix, no Firestone...so I guess my lifetime warranty just ended. So I made sure I found another place....I can screw up my alignment on just one trip down my dirt road....so now I try to just go on regular intervals.
It was only $70 or so...WAHOO! SOMETHING finally that's a a good bargain!

[LittleBeast]

When you say you are still "rubbing the rear cladding", do you mean the front wheel well rear cladding? Closest to the door? I am very confused as to how you are rubbing the rear tire on anything at all, as I had 33's with minimal lift and never rubbed on the rear wheels. I am now with only 2-3" lift and 35's and not anywhere near rubbing on rear tires. But I now have the adjustable lower links that reposition the rear tire in the center of the rear wheel well to assure no weird rubbing and driveline problems.

[Maddawg]

When you say you are still "rubbing the rear cladding", do you mean the front wheel well rear cladding? Closest to the door?

Its the rear tire hitting the cladding. The top most tread of the tire hits the cladding directly above it. Only happens off-roading.

[PK]

Sounds like your bump stops are missing, or have been cut too short.
If the bump stops were good, your wheel would not go that high.

PK

[LittleBeast]

Yes you just need longer bump-stops

[Maddawg]

Sounds like your bump stops are missing, or have been cut too short.
If the bump stops were good, your wheel would not go that high.

PK

Yep, obviously you're not reading the bottom signature in my posts. "No rear bump stops".

Took 'em off as soon as I bought my VX. I don't know how you guys can stand your ride's ride with those freakin' bump stops. I may have to put 'em back on until I can figure out where I'm going with an increase in lift. Ya know: body lift or diff drop/spring spacers.

[VX KAT]

Many of us cut the bump stops in half, kind of a compromise...gained about 4" clearance before rear end slams into axle, but still have about 5" of the bump stop to prevent hitting cladding.

Since the OEM stops were only about 1/4" to 1/2" clearance, and some were actually touching....those 4" extra made a tremendous difference in the rear end slamming effect. Didn't make the ride cushy...that's just not possible with this truck!, but reduced that harsh slamming effect.

[Maddawg]

Many of us cut the bump stops in half, kind of a compromise...gained about 4" clearance before rear end slams into axle, but still have about 5" of the bump stop to prevent hitting cladding.

Since the OEM stops were only about 1/4" to 1/2" clearance, and some were actually touching....those 4" extra made a tremendous difference in the rear end slamming effect. Didn't make the ride cushy...that's just not possible with this truck!, but reduced that harsh slamming effect.

Yes, I did that originally (cut them in half). But after the 3" lift I didn't see the point of using them at all because they still were contacting the axle and with the lift there was no chance of bottoming my shocks. I'm not against a bump stop but there are alternative bump stops out there. I'm referring to hydraulic bump stops as an option. They're expensive and would need some brackets welded to accept them, but so it goes with off-roading. Get out the wallet, lol.

[Maddawg]

Just reinstalled my OEM sawed-off bump stops. Before they were sawed-off I had an 1/8" clearance with the rear axle. Now that they're sawed-off the clearance is 2.5".
But seeing as my springs are 3" taller the clearance should be 4 5/8" because I had cut off 1.5" from the stop. My springs sacked out 2 1/8"?????????????????

[arcobarco]

If that is all you got in lift then it wasn't a 3" lift. As you already seem to have calculated. 3" should measure 3" after installation not a fraction of 3". I also am looking at the body lift, but like VXorado I prefer to find out how to do a project and then do it myself, so I will be installing the 1" body lift. That should give me the clearance I want before I go matching the size of tires up to my VX. The body lift does make a difference, but as stated and discussed many times in previous posts the tire and rim make or break the entire set up. Some combinations don't rub and others do. I have not invested to much time in this subject because I am not to that point yet, but I will be researching that when the 1" lift is complete.
Right now I have P265/70R16 Geolander tires, and with the offset they stick out a little less than your tires appear to. I saw the other pictures you posted showing your day wheeling and the tires appear to be a snug fit. I would question the 3"lift because it looks like I have the same amount of room or more after my lift than you ended up with, and I didn't go for 3" only 2". I wish I would have taken measurements before and after but I didn't. I did however notice that my bump stop was just about resting on the rear axle. now I have tons of room before it will contact the axle. I think I will crawl under and measure to see if I have 2" and let you know if that will be of any help.
Good luck in figuring out what to do next.

[Maddawg]

Thanks, I would like to know what sort of measurements you find. Also if you could, measure your installed spring height.

[arcobarco]

I'll get under there and measure. It will be tomorrow since we just receive about a foot and a half of snow over the last 24 hours. I have to dig out the drive way, but before that I have to find a parking lot and go crazy with my VX

[Maddawg]

I'll get under there and measure. It will be tomorrow since we just receive about a foot and a half of snow over the last 24 hours. I have to dig out the drive way, but before that I have to find a parking lot and go crazy with my VX

Thanks, when its convienent for you. I sure would appreciate it.