Factory Lift Questions

[E90400K]

Interested in lift & 32"tires, but concerned about how that affects suspension dynamics, especially in combo with the extra weight of a bigger battery.

I think Slate will adjust spring rates and damping rates accordingly for the 2" lift and heavier battery/tire combo. The battery weight though is a good question.

 

[Driven5]

Interested in lift & 32"tires, but concerned about how that affects suspension dynamics, especially in combo with the extra weight of a bigger battery.

The actual lifted Slates they've shown have been on spacers, and there is no real reason (at least initially) for them to do otherwise for a simple mall-crawler appearance and clearance change to their RWD-only EV... Especially considering the ethos of the company, mission of the product, and limitations they have as a startup.

Slate already has a better CG than equivalent size non-electric crossovers, many of which have long been spacer lifted without issue, and far better than even stock modern body on frame trucks and SUV's. Speaking trucks, many of those have also had the front suspension lifted ('leveled') by altered spring perch height (I.e. Bilstein 5100) with stock front springs without issue as well. Even on a spacer lift, Slate probably has a lower CG than the vast majority of ICE crossovers, SUV's, and trucks... Let alone if they've similarly been mildly lifted on oversize all-terrain tires.

Yes, the lift and the tires will both negatively impact handling and stability. That's an inherent compromise accepted by doing so, regardless of spring rates. So if you're ok with the latter, there's little additional reason to be with the latter... But if you're not, there's also nothing stopping you from putting stock size all-terrains on the standard (non-lifted) suspension either.

If anything, the extra weight of the bigger battery all being located below the floor increases (not decreases) handling and stability.

 

[E90400K]

The Slate configurator shows that the 2" taller suspension is mandatory added equipment when the All-Terrain off-road vehicle tires are selected as a change to the Blank Slate truck. That would indicate the larger ORV tires have a clearance issue within the wheel wells and will rub the fender liners or contact other chassis points at some position(s) of the wheel's range of articulation.

Adding the higher suspension for the larger ORV tires does not seem to be an aesthetic choice in the vein of a "Mall Crawler" look, but rather a proper engineering choice related to safety and durability of the vehicle.

While an owner of the Blank Slate can choose to add or remove or change any of the factory parts once he takes ownership, the Blank Slate will be delivered from the manufacturer following well established SAE engineering protocols to meet Federal safety regulations. I doubt Slate will engineer a cheap trick of adding spring spacers to achieve a Mall Crawler look.

 

[Driven5]

I am not aware of anything in the 'well established SAE engineering protocols to meet federal safety regulations' that prevents properly engineering the suspension geometry and rates to safely function as intended both with and without spacers. Regardless of what anybody's preconceived notions about them might be, these are not mutually exclusive concepts.

Blank Slate suspension:

Slate accessory lift kit:

Can anybody spot the difference?

 

[E90400K]

Up to this day all any of us have seen are Slate prototypes. No one here knows what the final production suspension versions are going to be comprised of.

 

[Adam W]

Can anybody spot the difference?

I literally know nothing about suspensions. Is this the 2" spacer everyone is talking about?

 

[Driven5]

I literally know nothing about suspensions. Is this the 2" spacer everyone is talking about?

That's the one. Good eye.

 

[E90400K]

I literally know nothing about suspensions. Is this the 2" spacer everyone is talking about?

Yes, that is a spacer; whether it is a production spec part or just a machined part used for prototype development of the suspension lift, is the point of the discussion.

No one has indicated what Slate's approach is for the lowered suspension...