Modifying 4x4

Leglas

Well-Known Member
Apologies if this is in the wrong section- it’s sort of equipment.

I’ve a 2016 single cab Isuzu 2.5td. It’s great until I get it stuck - it’s currently sitting set fast in a quagmire, and whilst this is my first sinking, I’ve come close and regularly bash the underside, having knocked some electrics out in the past, although I’ve not beached it yet.

It’s got the standard 225mm of ground clearance, and from my initial research, an additional 30mm can be had for £1500 inc fitting from a decent brand, any more and it gets even more pricey.

It doesn’t seem like it’d make much difference - I wonder if anyone on here had any experience / views on it? Swapping for a 110 pickup would be an option as they have another 100mm, but I’m loathe to pay the prices being asked.

For reference, the truck is standard, has off-road tyres and is used off-road to access woodland to transport wood. 70:30 road:off-road
 
If you fitted a lift kit you would have to inform your Insurance company, they may not like it.
Why not get a Tifor winch instead ?
 
I used to carry a tirfor winch, very slow but can be used front or back, and still quicker than waiting for help!
Or, as gixer1 says, use a quad!
 
my 59 plate l200 I've added,
higher profile tyres + 2".
uprated springs and shocks with 2"spring spacer's,if you use these factor in a geometry check as the castor/Camber and tracking will have changed.
parts around £500 did the mods myself but the geometry was£50
 
First of all, I'm not sure if you'll get 325mm of ground clearance from a 110 pickup? Clearance under the diff on beam axle Land Rovers is typically about 8" so damned near what you've got on the Isuzu.

First thoughts are any lift kit will not improve clearance under the diff or to the axle casings, it'll just lift the body that much.

If you have clearance within the wheel wells then you could think about increasing tyre size - a larger diameter tyre will give you more clearance under the diff case/axle.

Another thing to consider is the type of ground you're driving on - maybe change to a wider profile tyre if you have very soft ground & run the tyres at a lower pressure to improve 'flotation'. Alternatively if it's muddy on top but hard underneath then a thinner tyre that cuts in & provides traction might help.
 
Donkey Basher is a faster keyboard warrior than me LoL.
A lift kit, while raising your wheel arches, will not lift your differential. On the tractor rutted tracks I use it is the diff that ploughs its own furrow and eventually grounds.
Larger diameter tyres will get your diff a couple of inches higher, but as said you will need to inform the insurer, get a different speedo reading, and may grind on the inner wheel arches at full lock. Best get a winch, or a friendly local tractor driver.
 
Thanks everyone- a lot I hadn’t realised/considered so much appreciated.
Makes perfect sense about the diff not being lifted, and hadn’t considered the insurance implications.
Increased tyre size does sound a good option (and wider too) but I have a feeling the current ones are rubbing when I turn full lock, even though there appears to be lots of space below the arches.

Range Rover with a tv is also not something I’d considered 😁
 
Thanks everyone- a lot I hadn’t realised/considered so much appreciated.
Makes perfect sense about the diff not being lifted, and hadn’t considered the insurance implications.
Increased tyre size does sound a good option (and wider too) but I have a feeling the current ones are rubbing when I turn full lock, even though there appears to be lots of space below the arches.

Range Rover with a tv is also not something I’d considered 😁
You don’t necessarily need to go wider, a higher profile will give a bit more diff clearance as stated but there’s no need or real benefit to going any wider.
 
Thanks everyone- a lot I hadn’t realised/considered so much appreciated.
Makes perfect sense about the diff not being lifted, and hadn’t considered the insurance implications.
Increased tyre size does sound a good option (and wider too) but I have a feeling the current ones are rubbing when I turn full lock, even though there appears to be lots of space below the arches.

Range Rover with a tv is also not something I’d considered 😁
Isuzu’s also suffer from broken props with the lift kits apparently.
 
I have an isuzu d'max with a pedders kit fitted, done to improve the ride and lift the truck to tow better. The off road performance is not a great deal better, as soon a funds allow I will fit a locking differential in the rear axle, this combined with a good set of tyres will get you most places if your careful and straddle ruts.
 
As others have said, tyres will give you more clearance than a lift kit. Also running them at a low pressure will give you a bigger footprint.
I owned Defenders for years and you really can't beat them off road - low range with diff lock is far superior to any Japanese pick up.
The better ones do have a rear diff lock, my 2007 Ranger did and you had to press a button to release it once back in 2WD. With standard Michelin A/T tyres it was impressive where it would go off road. My present 2015 Isuzu doesn't and is lacking when off road.
Pick ups tend to be too high geared as well, great for road driving but not good off road.
 
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