Suspension Poll: Lifted, Lowered, or Standard Height?

[cvollers]

Lifting allows you to fit tires that wouldn't otherwise fit. I prefer keeping center of gravity low, so I wouldn't lift unless it's for that reason. Lifted trucks with tires that don't require the lift look goofy to me.

For solid-axle 4x4s lifting the Chassis doesn't necessarily raise clearance because it doesn't move solid axles upward and the differential(s) are usually the limiting factor.

That might be different for the Slate.

The Slate has Independent Suspension in front and De Dion in the rear, so presumably the differential is mounted in a raised position to provide clearance. I doubt the De Dion crossbar is the lowest thing under there.

I haven't seen any details yet about how Slate will do the lift. I'm assuming its a simple hat at the top of the MacPherson strut in front and maybe a longer coil in back...possibly longer shocks in back too. Has anyone seen enough of the MacPherson knuckle they are using to see if there is accommodation for a future drive axle?

 

[AZFox]

I haven't seen any details yet about how Slate will do the lift.

I'm curious about that too.

A pickup truck Leveling Kit (modest lift kit for the front suspension) is an inexpensive strut spacer that looks something like this:

$42-$109

Remove the strut.
Attach the spacer onto the top of it.
Reinstall the strut.
Possibly get an alignment.

Will the Slate have coilover struts in the rear?

FWIW, there are coilover struts that have Ride Height Adjustment designed in as a feature.

DDG AI query:

Briefly describe how a Bilstein 5100 strut can be adjusted to change ride height.​

Response:

The Bilstein 5100 strut can be adjusted to change ride height by using multiple snap ring grooves on the strut body, allowing the spring seat to be positioned at different heights. This adjustment enables a ride height change of up to 2.5 inches, depending on the specific application.​

 

[cvollers]

I'm curious about that too.

A pickup truck Leveling Kit (modest lift kit for the front suspension) is an inexpensive strut spacer that looks something like this:

$42-$109

Remove the strut.
Attach the spacer onto the top of it.
Reinstall the strut.
Possibly get an alignment.

Will the Slate have coilover struts in the rear?

FWIW, there are coilover struts that have Ride Height Adjustment designed in as a feature.

DDG AI query:

Briefly describe how a Bilstein 5100 strut can be adjusted to change ride height.​

Response:

The Bilstein 5100 strut can be adjusted to change ride height by using multiple snap ring grooves on the strut body, allowing the spring seat to be positioned at different heights. This adjustment enables a ride height change of up to 2.5 inches, depending on the specific application.​

I have Bilstein 6112s (with height adjustment snap rings) on the front of my FJ. They are fantastic. Shock Surplus assembled the struts with coil over for me, then I installed them DIY, then I got an alignment. I know the rear of the Slate has coils but I don’t know if they are part of coil over struts or if the dampers are separate from the coil (like my FJ).

 

[AZFox]

Adding clearance for driving over snow could be a good reason for lifting. Not sure how important that is because my snow-driving experience is limited due to living in The Valley Of The Sun.

Being able to see better (because you're seated two or three inches higher) is another reason for lifting. I've owned high cars and low cars -- usually one of each at the same time. Higher is better for seeing what's ahead. Arguably your taller Slate can be seen better, too, although not by much.