How uncool am I? I'm looking at my xB and wondering how I can get it UNlowered!

Here's the deal. I got the xB for a commuter and in a month or so we'll have SNOW (and a LOT of it so I can use my new 42" snowblower ;^) I'm worried about being able to get out through the DEEP snow that will no doubt be between my driveway and the highway, and the plows often don't make it back into the boonies where I live for several hours after the snow stops . . . .

SO, is there a way to raise the body UP so that there's more clearance between it and the pavement?

Oh well, probably not easily . . . I guess that means I might be working from home more often this winter. <sigh>

-Don (uncool in the backwaters of SE Minnesota)

 

I think you have the wrong tool for the job... get yourself a beater 4x4.

 

put the OEM springs back on if you lowered it from its original height. if not then perhaps you can start researching the bus routes in your area. just my $0.02

 

just put the stock ones back on.

 

Duh, it IS stock. I want to make it HIGHER.

 

I never got my boxed lowered. Its low enough. went off a curb and the front end damn near came off. I had to snap it back in place. box looks good without lowering it.

 

since its not lowered.....put some 20" wheels...that'll raise it a bit

 

? Then your title doesn't make any sense. "UN" would refer to returning something back to it's original state... So before you become sarcastic torward someone for giving you advise, you might want to consider your statement/question...

That said, you could try air bags. That might be custom mounted to give slightly larger height and in the summer drop you to a nice height.

 

You're right, of course. That was a BAD choice of subject. What can I do to repent??

Tell me more about the air bags, please. That sounds like a WONNERFUL way to go -- high in the winter and low in the summer!!

My sincere regrets at getting all sarcastic . . . . .

-Don (eating 'umble pie . . . again)

 

try using a larger diameter tire than stock to give you more ground clearance...for example..i run 215/45/17...do google search "tire calculator" to find out tire size dimensions similar in diameter to mine and larger than stock size. Also, if you have the bucks...some coilover kits allow you to go higher than stock as well as lower by just adjusting the pretensioner nut

 

I really want to lower my Box, but one of the main reasons for buying it is to go snowboarding. I go about 2-3 times per week. The snow isn't really deep maybe 2-4 inches on the roads, but when they plow the roads there is build up on the sides of the road, and driving on residential roads is sometimes a problem because they might not plow them for a few days.

 

I believe Moog springs make a line of coils that are a bit longer than stock.

You might need to contact a custom spring shop like this one:

http://www.springworks.com/

..it might be costly.

Keep in mind that running a longer coil (thus a taller ride) than stock will put the struts outside their optimal zone (just like lowering does) and it'll wear 'em out faster...not to mention what the raised ride height will do to your handling (and maybe even make the 'box more prone to tipping over if you catch a wheel on a dry patch of pavement after skidding on an icy section.

My advice? Get a really good set of snow tires (Dunlop Winter Sports turned my old Z24 into a snowmobile...and that car was dropped 2") and blow out the end of your driveway more frequently. I bet it'll turn out all right.

-Trevor

 

airbags would be the easiest way to raise and lower your xB at will.

But it is one of the most expensive suspension setups.

 

I think what I'll most likely do is go for the GOOD tires -- I'm a CHEAP bastard . . . .

Oh yeah, the end of the driveway shouldn't be a problem anymore; I got me a 42" snowblower that hooks on the garden tractor -- the drivway from the garage to the first street will be CLEAN! (the main problem is getting from the street to the highway)

Thanx for all the suggestions . . . .

-Don (doing a short gig in San Jose CA before heading back to WINTER in MN)

 

First let me say that I think it is absolutely unnecessary to lift your xB to avoid the snow. I think it will be just fine at stock height.

However, if you want to lift it, there are ways. You can check with local 4x4 shops and see if they have a spring spacer kit that will work with the xB. These can usually be found to provide between 3/4" and 2" of lift. It shouldn't be much of a problem in the rear, but could produce problems in the front. AT worst in the rear you would have to swap your stock shocks for longer ones.

In the front, as others have mentioned, you could quickly move your strut out of optimum, or even feasible operating range. I would be very cautious about putting spring spacers in the front.

There are other options though. Especially if you know anyone one who is a good fabricator. You could actually have them fabricate steel spacers for the strut themselves. Essentially you would be moving the entire upper mounting point for the strut down the height of the steel spacer. Be careful in going to far though, you can begin to cause excessive wear to the axles.

Your other option, as some have mentioned is going to an air system. Again, you will need to find someone with good fabricating skills to do the installation for you. And it won't be cheap. If you were to go this route, I would choose the FBI rear bag mounts couples with Slam Specialties RS-62 (now called the RE-6) bags. These should lift you pretty well above stock height.

In the front I would go with a custom fabricated set up using Air Lift's (Easy Street's) Universal Strut system. Then your air struts can be fabricated to meet the exact height needs you require. And since you wouldn't be adjusting the suspension very often you can save a TON of money by using a single small compressor and manual paddle valve switches.

If you have any more specific questions, I am sure myself or other here can answer them.

 

That is reassuring!

The part you snipped was scaring me AND my wallet!


I've decided to either get some better snow tires, or (more likely) just ignore the problem and hope it never comes up. If it does, I can always work from home, painful though that is sometimes (MUCH slower connection, even though it's cable) . . . .

-Don

 

just get the TRD plow option

 

I understand the fear of the snow issue. I am going stock springs this winter to see how it does before I drop the box. It really does not ride low on the stock springs, I believe it is an illusion from its squarness and bodykit ;) Good Luck

 

You could just take off the stock lip for the winter. That will give you about 3 or 4 inches.

 

if you or anyone decides to raise the xb send pics. a strut spacer would work up front . a longer spring could work in back in conjunction with longer shocks and some way to make sure the springs dont "pop" out ,.