Home Made Lifts.

FISH_Stalker · Post by **FISH_Stalker** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:43 pm

Hey fellas, my brother is buying a old Suby like mine (84 wagon) and wants 2 beast it up for shooting, and scrub bashing. he is buyin it for $200 and wants to spend as little as posible. Can you fellas show me some pics and tell me how you made yours (if you made you own)

Cheerrs

bluesteel · Post by **bluesteel** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:58 pm

all ya wanna do is put a block in at every point the body is bolted onto the suspension/drivetrain

make it as strong as possible... and theres no such thing as overkill

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:03 pm

Making your own lifts is possible, but to do it right, ie: using solid alloy blocks as opposed to square tubing, cost about the same, or not much less than a byb kit, the only real advantage is that the cost is gradual, not all at once.

I looked into it myself, and figured I'd buy a byb kit when I was ready/had the spare cash for it, since then 2 kits have basically fallen in my lap.

Just keep an eye out, 2nd hand ones are out there.

Jordan.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:08 pm

The only bits that will require any real fabrication are the extensions on top of the struts, the rear shocks, the steering extension and the engine pitch stabilizer.

Everywhere else just put in a block between the crossmembers and the chassis!

I don't recomend building one though, they're very cheap, just buy one!

xaymaca · Post by **xaymaca** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:13 pm

Engine pitch stabilizer? WTF is that? I don't remember installing anything other than the strut tops for front and rear and the steering extenstion that were fabricated!

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:30 pm

The engine pitch stabalizer is the rod that goes between the firewall and the rear of your engine.

Jordan.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:36 am

Maybe you don't need a new one with a 2" lift?

I don't remember getting one with my Scorpion kit way back when now that I think of it.

Clintsc9 · Post by **Clintsc9** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:54 pm

With a 2" lift it just needs to be unbolted during fitting then bent a bit and put back on. It is a bit of a tight fit but will go.

subanator · Post by **subanator** » Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:30 pm

FISH_Stalker, you need to evaluate a few things before going this way:

- You have the skills to carry out the fabrication involved, like in welding quality, as the strut and steering extensions need good welds.

- Have plenty of time or resource to do it.

- What are the legal aspects where you live like state regs etc for licencing?

- Use high grade bolts to mount up kit.

I made my own kit up after viewing a few different ones. I had the time, materials and equip at work to make this. I used square and rectangular tubing that had round tube sleeves welded inside to bolt through. Its as strong as you need, blocks are just another way of doing it. The strut tower extensions require the correct offset to get the correct camber. Do the maths and it will turn up ok. Set this one up in a jig to get it right to weld. I got someone else to do the steering extension, as a lot risk here if you get it wrong. Mine was welded, but internally sectioned first also.

If you have any doubts in these areas, dont even bother, and just buy a kit new or 2nd hand as suggested.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:08 am

I also made my kit.

Total cost was similar to a BYB kit

I used 2" square aluminium bar, 2" round bar and steel. I also purchased the splined steering extension from Scorpion, and recommend purchasing this at the very least if you make a kit.

The reason I made my kit rather than buy is pretty much because I could. I try not to buy any aftermarket bits for my car that I can make myself.

The engine pitch stabiliser I never touched installing my kit - maybe that is why it was such a bitch...