I have heard that there could be a problem when doing that. I has a 16" spare and all my wheels are 16" but I have added the lift with 55/70/R16 tires and I have not yet had to use the spare tire yet. So I couldn't really say.

 

if you do have to put on a spare, just be sure that you do not use 4wd. Since you have open diffs it should not be an issue in 2wd.

 

what about if you GV was the 4WH mode no 2WD

 

I'd guess that either the spare is the same diameter, but not width, as the stock 17" tires, or that you are instructed not to use Lock when the spare is in use. Presumably the open front and rear differentials would do ok with different diameter tires. It might even be ok in Lock, given that the difference most likely is made up in the differential of the axle with the spare.

 

I would not have thought that the RR GV lift gave that much clearance. I was figuring it only gave a few inches. Has anyone actually measured real world lift from lowest point before an after?

 

You gotta have the same size tires with the 4wd GV (and any 4WD vehicle that I know of). Even when not in Lock, the l/r has limited slip. With different size tires, you are constantly in a slip situation as far as the differentials are concerned. The Lock mode just forces the front/rear split to 50/50.

 

BLH:

Would not clearance only be increased by size in tire as that is the only way to increase actual clearance between ground and lowest part of the vehicle?
Using the RR kit here are some stats:
225 70 16 28.4” (stock tire)
245 75 16 30.5”
265 75 16 31.6” (not recommended, but can see pick at Suzuki Grand Vitara lift)

225 65 17 28.5” (stock tire)
245 70 17 30.5”
265 70 17 31.6” (again not recommended)

One can nominally gain a safe two inch increase in height from tires which should be cut in half and increase overall ground clearance by an inch. End result is about 9" of clearance.

 

Spanky-

I agree with your numbers, and I am seriously thinking of just going to larger 17" tires and forgetting about the lift kit as 9" of ground clearance should be enough.

blh

 

BLH: realize you won't be able to go to larger tires without the lift (without the lift the larger tires will probably rub). I was providing the tire sizes as options with the lift. If you do the lift, you should be able to get clearance for 30.5" tires.

 

BLH:

Would not clearance only be increased by size in tire as that is the only way to increase actual clearance between ground and lowest part of the vehicle?

That assumes that the center of the tires is the lowest part of the vehicle. This is true for vehicles with solid axles. The GV has Constant Velocity joints. With all the disadvantages in terms of ruggedness, the CV joint setup allows the middle of the vehicle to be significantly higher than the center of the tires. A lift kit will drop the tires 2.25 inches, which in effect raises the middle of the vehicle by that amount. So, the lowest part of the GV is right next to the tires, so it is easier to drive around the low point.

 

Spanky--

Yes, I do realize your figures are with the lift kit. I do not need the 2 1/4" of lift provided with the kit. This is why I am looking at other alternatives such as spring spacers and slightly larger tires. blh

 

I think for the price of the RRO lift you cant really go wrong. Even if all you want is a better looking GV lol.

 

Aussie in need

Anyone out there that can advice us where we can get a suspension lift for our 2006 Grand Vitara.. please for all the techno heads out there, pls clarify the advantage of suspension lifts vs. spacers...ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS....

 

In the US, Rocky Road:
Suzuki Grand Vitara lift
The kit has front strut spacer, coil spacer and another set of shocks. Metatrox has a good write up on them.

Not sure of other places, but you can get them in Europe, Australia, and Japan.

 

Anyone out there that can advice us where we can get a suspension lift for our 2006 Grand Vitara.. please for all the techno heads out there, pls clarify the advantage of suspension lifts vs. spacers...ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS....

King springs do a suspension lift for the 2006 model. I've had mine lifted and it gave about 1.5 inches.