Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s?
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srburnsy
dare2go
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dare2go New Member
Number of posts : 5 Age : 69 Home City : Northern NSW Model and year : 1998 Hiace KZH116 Registration date : 2011-06-25
Subject: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:27 am
Hi, I'm new to the 4x4 Hiace, after I have owned 2wd-versions in the past. Now my questions: is there an option to lift the front a bit, without spending a fortune?? Mine is sitting really low, due to the heavy-duty steel-cross-frame lower than my old 2wd, and there's also not much room between the dampening rubbers and the axle arms (if that's what they're called)...
Another question: what's the largest size tires (15 inch wheels) you have fitted successfully (not rubbing on wheel arches)? This could be another option to get the front off the ground a bit...
Might as well add an image to introduce my rig:
I call her "Sunny Side Up", 98 model 3-liter-turbo Diesel, auto with 111,000 k's
zrylzizou likes this post
srburnsy Hiace Master
Number of posts : 450 Home City : AUS Model and year : 4wd sc Registration date : 2008-06-04
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:41 pm
Welcome mate! Nice and yellow! good to see another 4wder on here!
There's already a fair bit of info about lift's and fitting larger tyres, but i will answer quickly.
Largest tyres with out a lift seem to be 225/70/15 and with some slight modifying some are running 235/75/15. Very easy to lift the front up your self, just wind the torsion bars up about 6-8 full turns and you got your self another 25mm!
Number of posts : 5 Age : 69 Home City : Northern NSW Model and year : 1998 Hiace KZH116 Registration date : 2011-06-25
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:18 am
She used to be a pre-school bus in Japan - hence the colour. The van also has less of the luxury inclusion = less to break! Eg no electric windows, no central locking, etc.
I had read about the torsion bars, but 25-30 mm isn't that much either (compared to the Mitsubishi Delica - but I'm happy she's a Toyota!!) - I hope the tires will give me another inch or so. The current rubbers, 215/70 x15 still have around 15,000 kilometers of road use in them, but not much grip for off-roading, and old tires tend to puncture more easily, so I think about changing all 5 before setting off on the trip; I was hoping to put 225/75 x 15 on the same rims, although 235/75 seem to be more commonly available and cheaper, but might be too wide (and rub on steering parts or suspension)... The size you mention, 225/70, I can't find anywhere listed.
mattyj Been here a while
Number of posts : 118 Age : 42 Home City : Liverpool Sydney Model and year : 92 Toyota Hi-ace 4x4 Super custom non turbo Registration date : 2010-08-05
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:37 am
hey mate looks good
you got hi and low or is it just a hi range box. auto lock hubs etc
what off roading you want to do im into some technical stuff and bush camping as well as beach spent the weekend up at stockton weekend before out putty/singleton weekend before up Norah heads lol busy month lol
srburnsy Hiace Master
Number of posts : 450 Home City : AUS Model and year : 4wd sc Registration date : 2008-06-04
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:48 am
dare2go wrote:
She used to be a pre-school bus in Japan - hence the colour. The van also has less of the luxury inclusion = less to break! Eg no electric windows, no central locking, etc.
I had read about the torsion bars, but 25-30 mm isn't that much either (compared to the Mitsubishi Delica - but I'm happy she's a Toyota!!) - I hope the tires will give me another inch or so. The current rubbers, 215/70 x15 still have around 15,000 kilometers of road use in them, but not much grip for off-roading, and old tires tend to puncture more easily, so I think about changing all 5 before setting off on the trip; I was hoping to put 225/75 x 15 on the same rims, although 235/75 seem to be more commonly available and cheaper, but might be too wide (and rub on steering parts or suspension)... The size you mention, 225/70, I can't find anywhere listed.
Mate the 225/70/15 are readily available, Coopers have em in the ATR's and Nexen AT's just to name a few. If i was in the market for new tyres i'd go for some BFG all terrain's in a 215/75/15 they are about 6mm bigger in diameter than the 225/70/15's and will fit no prob's, they are rated as light truck so have much thicker side walls better for off road and load carrying. Just be aware for insurance purposes in NSW the legal tyre diameter can only be increased from standard by 15mm, so by going any thing bigger that 225/70/15 will void any insurance you have.
srburnsy Hiace Master
Number of posts : 450 Home City : AUS Model and year : 4wd sc Registration date : 2008-06-04
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:55 am
mattyj wrote:
hey mate looks good
you got hi and low or is it just a hi range box. auto lock hubs etc
what off roading you want to do im into some technical stuff and bush camping as well as beach spent the weekend up at stockton weekend before out putty/singleton weekend before up Norah heads lol busy month lol
I reckon the full time 4wd sticker on the side gives it away Matty.
So Matty how's she performing off road? Sound like your getting out there, any pic's? Sorry for the high jack maybe start another thread for the pic's, throw em in the ''off road capability'' thread.
mattyj Been here a while
Number of posts : 118 Age : 42 Home City : Liverpool Sydney Model and year : 92 Toyota Hi-ace 4x4 Super custom non turbo Registration date : 2010-08-05
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:26 am
sorry missed the full time part of the sticker lol
ill up load some pics soon
dare2go New Member
Number of posts : 5 Age : 69 Home City : Northern NSW Model and year : 1998 Hiace KZH116 Registration date : 2011-06-25
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Wed Jun 29, 2011 11:45 am
mattyj wrote:
you got hi and low or is it just a hi range box
hi and low.
Thanks for the tips with the tyres! I confess: all "research" done so far only online - haven't had time to go to a tyre dealer...
Basically want to go bush camping, and maybe as far up as the Gulf Coast. Cape York might be a bit out of question (but also time wise)... Fraser Island will be interesting - see how she'll do there.
srburnsy Hiace Master
Number of posts : 450 Home City : AUS Model and year : 4wd sc Registration date : 2008-06-04
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:14 pm
You have hi and low range transfer box? Are you sure?
dare2go New Member
Number of posts : 5 Age : 69 Home City : Northern NSW Model and year : 1998 Hiace KZH116 Registration date : 2011-06-25
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Thu Jul 07, 2011 11:41 pm
srburnsy wrote:
You have hi and low range transfer box? Are you sure?
Dooh - no, of course not! Mea culpa
trooper New Member
Number of posts : 9 Home City : Vladivostok, RU Registration date : 2010-12-04
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:56 pm
srburnsy wrote:
You have hi and low range transfer box? Are you sure?
It's not possible for Hiace without big changes in transmission.
But you can put LSD in rear axle. My KZH138 was with LSD
And you can make some changes in transmission - change locks in front wheels for manual. Change transfer case (between AT and reductors) to case from Hiace with 3L or 5L engines (they all part time) and mount key in cabin. After this changes you will gotKZH Hiace with part time transmission. it's save fuel
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Sun Dec 16, 2012 10:38 pm
srburnsy wrote:
Welcome mate! Nice and yellow! good to see another 4wder on here!
There's already a fair bit of info about lift's and fitting larger tyres, but i will answer quickly.
Largest tyres with out a lift seem to be 225/70/15 and with some slight modifying some are running 235/75/15. Very easy to lift the front up your self, just wind the torsion bars up about 6-8 full turns and you got your self another 25mm!
This will change the camber as well though, you might find yourself changing your tyres pretty quickly if you change this setting and nothing else, correct me if im wrong. Youll getmore pressure on the outside of the tyre and theyll tear up. I wouldnt recomend it unless you know what your doing.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:56 am
After you wind up the torsion bars the vehicle WILL need a wheel alignment, it doesn't just throw out the camber but also the toe in (or out) and the caster angles change too.
If you take the car to a decent wheel alignment place they'll do it all at once for you, no mess, no fuss.
Jeff C.
Kimbo New Member
Number of posts : 7 Home City : Melbourne Model and year : 1994 3ltr turbo very clean Registration date : 2013-08-07
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:07 am
Hi everyone I am a newbie with some 4x4 experience ( Suzuki Sierra, Prado, Rover Disco, ) a lot of sand work, Little Desert e.t.c. and a bit of the High Country. Just got a 94 constant 4x4 3 litre turbo SC and I have made the bed with storage under and put 235/75R15 AT on her. I will have to make some small mods to the front and all should be ok. Away this weekend at Albury Wodonga and after that I will fit a Kitchen, Solar Power e.t.c. Will post before and after pictures when finished Kimbo
Kimbo New Member
Number of posts : 7 Home City : Melbourne Model and year : 1994 3ltr turbo very clean Registration date : 2013-08-07
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:51 pm
hello everyone after Albury we camped at Gunbower on the Murray just out of Cohuna but not before I made some changes: a new 2.5 inch Exhaust with 1 muffler and 1 hot dog ( very nice ) and a stainless scoop over the air intake ( trick ) the trip was very wet lots of deep ruts under the flooded areas plenty of mud and bouncing around and had to peel my wife from the roof like an angry cat! the sc did it with ease and at no time did it feel like she would not make it through' next day was easier as I was able to dodge the long deep bogs and keep my wife happy next we are off to Little Desert around Dimboola and we will see how she goes in the sand Enjoy your sc's and I will send pics when I have finished my mod's Kimbo
Hiace Hobo Not so new now
Number of posts : 24 Age : 52 Home City : St Austell Model and year : Super Custom Hiace
2.8 auto 4x4 1993 2.8 3L Turbo engine
Camper Yokohama conversion Registration date : 2012-01-13
Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s? Fri Oct 18, 2013 11:06 am
I've just done a post about lifting the front and rear of my Hiace, and the maximum tyre sizes that will fit.. http://hiacehobo.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/toyota-hiace-super-custom-4wd-2.html
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Subject: Re: Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s?
Front Lift on 4x4 Hiace - possible for little $$$s?