Suspension Poll: Lifted, Lowered, or Standard Height?

[E90400K]

Same here - would like off road tires instead of the factory LRR Eco tires that would come with the Slate; although the range will suffer a hit.

I don''t mind the range hit on the Slate as I will get the extended range battery to "equal" my current Ford Mach E standard range battery range (230 miles).

My current Ford Mach E with lift springs and RFT +4 tires are showing about 10% range hit at high speed driving. But in urban driving (5 days a week) there is no range loss at low speeds thanks to regen in heavy traffic.

I'd love to get a Mach E but just can't justify purchase because my 17-year-old rust-bucket pickup truck needs replacement. The rest of my ICEV fleet is too cool to get rid of - LOL. I really do like the Mach E.

The Slate will be a local-only vehicle for me, so range is not super important, so I can deal with a slight range hit swapping in KO2's or KO3's. At this point since there are no details on the lifted suspension regarding either cost or component changes, I've decided to stick with the standard 30" size tires; the KO's are both available in that size. I'll determine if I need a lift for additional ground clearance once the Slate arrives home and I see if it clears most of the terrain in my homestead (lol - love that term). If I need more clearance, I'll then order the 2" suspension. Hopefully it's not some cheesy 2" strut adapter/2" rear spring inserts kit.

 

[Kopsis]

Given that I never plan to take it off road ...

I don't plan to take mine off road either. But in AZ, "road" is a pretty loosely defined term so I'll take every inch of clearance I can reasonably get.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Same here - would like off road tires instead of the factory LRR Eco tires that would come with the Slate; although the range will suffer a hit.

I don''t mind the range hit on the Slate as I will get the extended range battery to "equal" my current Ford Mach E standard range battery range (230 miles).

My current Ford Mach E with lift springs and RFT +4 tires are showing about 10% range hit at high speed driving. But in urban driving (5 days a week) there is no range loss at low speeds thanks to regen in heavy traffic.

I believe that as I had minimal range hit for changing to AT on my Lightning.

 

[DT444T]

I don't plan to take mine off road either. But in AZ, "road" is a pretty loosely defined term so I'll take every inch of clearance I can reasonably get.

Plenty of dirt roads around me, but if your dirt "roads" are anything like the ones in the California high desert you're gonna need it. Although I did get my lowered 300zx though them a time or two...

 

[metroshot]

I believe that as I had minimal range hit for changing to AT on my Lightning.

Yes, but you kept the same wheels and didn't do a lift?

Mine had a lift as well as larger, wider wheels and a plus 4 size up from OEM.

Whenever you change the ride height, wheels, tires - they all affect range.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Yes, but you kept the same wheels and didn't do a lift?

Mine had a lift as well as larger, wider wheels and a plus 4 size up from OEM.

Whenever you change the ride height, wheels, tires - they all affect range.

💯
I purposely kept same height and similar width

 

[KevinRS]

Plenty of dirt roads around me, but if your dirt "roads" are anything like the ones in the California high desert you're gonna need it. Although I did get my lowered 300zx though them a time or two...

There is a whole range of "dirt road"
1 residential roads that just haven't been paved, they are usually graded by the county.
2 private roads that don't get maintained by the county, maybe a resident drags them, maybe not.
3 back roads that get nothing at all, and may be water routes when it rains.

1 and 2 toy usually can get through with anything with standard clearance(not lowered) and the Slate should have zero problem.
3 varies a lot, some are just fine, others are technically jeep trails, depending on when it last rained they may be passable in a normal sedan, to impassible without serious 4wd.

 

[DT444T]

There is a whole range of "dirt road"
1 residential roads that just haven't been paved, they are usually graded by the county.
2 private roads that don't get maintained by the county, maybe a resident drags them, maybe not.
3 back roads that get nothing at all, and may be water routes when it rains.

1 and 2 toy usually can get through with anything with standard clearance(not lowered) and the Slate should have zero problem.
3 varies a lot, some are just fine, others are technically jeep trails, depending on when it last rained they may be passable in a normal sedan, to impassible without serious 4wd.

Why are you explaining dirt roads at me?

 

[KevinRS]

Why are you explaining dirt roads at me?

Maybe because you were saying California high desert dirt roads need clearance?
I am in the California high desert, and plenty of dirt roads within 5 miles of me than need nothing at all. Anything can drive them.

 

[TPL]

Anybody know what the official ground clearance actually is? I wasn't able to find it anywhere.

I generally prefer lower but I also prefer to not go to a lot of trouble changing things, so I expect I'll probably stick with the default. Plus my subdivision has these stupid pseudo-curbs in front of the driveways.

 

[Texascajun]

Lowered. Can anyone tell me if it is factory-installed, or am I supposed to get it done after delivery?

Pros: Its a tiny truck. It will look better low IMO.

Cons: My Model 3 Performance is lowered, and it kinda eats rear tires... my right foot does need to share some of the blame.

 

[kvermeer]

Lowered. Can anyone tell me if it is factory-installed, or am I supposed to get it done after delivery?

Pros: Its a tiny truck. It will look better low IMO.

Cons: My Model 3 Performance is lowered, and it kinda eats rear tires... my right foot does need to share some of the blame.

I think it looks amazing when lowered too. The ground clearance on the base Slate is just under 8", so with a 2" lowering kit it'll still be higher than a stock Model 3. How low can you go?

The good news for your rear tires is that it'll be easy to rotate them front to back, so you can wear out all the tires evenly. Also, 150 kW vs. 400 kW should help with your right foot problem.

From the FAQ:

You can choose how and where your accessories get installed:

• DIY: easily install accessories at home with Slate U, our library of video tutorials and helpful how-to content.
• Before delivery: get select accessories installed at the Slate delivery partner.
• At a service partner: buy accessories after delivery and get them installed at your local Slate service location.

I think (but don't know) that the "delivery partner" is Carvana's Inspection and Reconditioning Centers, and that the "select" accessories will include all of the Professional-level mods like a lowering kit. I think they'll prefer to save on labor and direct ship Beginner-level mods like light covers and colored trims for end user installation.

 

[E90400K]

I think it looks amazing when lowered too. The ground clearance on the base Slate is just under 8", so with a 2" lowering kit it'll still be higher than a stock Model 3. How low can you go?

The good news for your rear tires is that it'll be easy to rotate them front to back, so you can wear out all the tires evenly. Also, 150 kW vs. 400 kW should help with your right foot problem.

From the FAQ:



I think (but don't know) that the "delivery partner" is Carvana's Inspection and Reconditioning Centers, and that the "select" accessories will include all of the Professional-level mods like a lowering kit. I think they'll prefer to save on labor and direct ship Beginner-level mods like light covers and colored trims for end user installation.

Are there such locations as Carvana Inspection and Reconditioning Centers? Their website seems to indicate they use "recommended" local repair facilities, not much different than Slate/Repair Pal.

 

[kvermeer]

Are there such locations as Carvana Inspection and Reconditioning Centers? Their website seems to indicate they use "recommended" local repair facilities, not much different than Slate/Repair Pal.

Yes, Carvana has many IRC megasites, such as this one just down the road from Slate:

https://wibc.com/560174/plainfield-is-getting-200-new-jobs-carvana-operations-are-expanding/

They're similar to but distinct from RepairPal, the former is for pre-delivery installations and the latter is for post-delivery service.

 

[E90400K]

Yes, Carvana has many IRC megasites, such as this one just down the road from Slate:

https://wibc.com/560174/plainfield-is-getting-200-new-jobs-carvana-operations-are-expanding/

They're similar to but distinct from RepairPal, the former is for pre-delivery installations and the latter is for post-delivery service.

Thanks. When I searched, I did find where Carvana bought ADESA in 2025 (IIRC), but it wasn't clear as to the depth of what that meant. What Slate has indicated, Repair Pal sites will be or may be installers for Slate accessories.