Help me decide... Lift? Tires?

[Lord Helmet]

Hi, all. I put this thread in Tech because it has a little of both tires & suspension. Mods, feel free to move it if necessary.

I have all new front suspension (springs/struts) and wheel bearing/hubs waiting to go on the front of the Saab 97x and I just recently had a buddy of mine replace the rear airbags. I need to put new tires on this thing and I am contemplating doing a small lift while I have it apart. I was thinking maybe 2"?? What kit would be recommended that is reasonably priced? I will not be wheeling this vehicle with the exception occasional mountain trail to go shooting. I also want to be able to maintain most of the original driving characteristics of the truck.

What about the rear? Can I use a spacer or something so I can keep the airbags?

In addition, If I lift it say, 2", what size tire can I fit under it? It currently sits on 255/55R18's and I'd like to be able to use the stock wheels. Would I also need to run spacers to fit a larger tire on the Saab?

I know this is probably a lot to ask since no one has really lifted these trucks and they are kind of rare. Any help is greatly appreciated.

EDIT: This guy lifted his and I have sent him a PM to see if he's still not the board. http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249648

 

[The_Roadie]

You can lift the rear for free simply by adjusting the height sensors. Been discussed in terms of lowering them, but you can also raise it. Pics available in those other threads in case you don't see the obvious way to adjust them when you look behind the rear tire in the wheelwell.

Tires need to be under 30.5" diameter so as to not hit the upper ball joint mount. Larger diameter need spacers to move them outwards. The Liftmeister sells them.

Front strut spacers in three different thicknesses are sold by SuspensionMAXX, if you need or want one thinner than Markmc's offerings.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Do it....that Saab looks sweet!

Roadie---ever seen those fender flares in that link? Are they like yours or think they are production?

 

[The_Roadie]

They are indeed like mine - FlexiFlares. Just come in a coil and you have to screw them to the sheet metal.

 

[Lord Helmet]

You can lift the rear for free simply by adjusting the height sensors. Been discussed in terms of lowering them, but you can also raise it. Pics available in those other threads in case you don't see the obvious way to adjust them when you look behind the rear tire in the wheelwell.

Tires need to be under 30.5" diameter so as to not hit the upper ball joint mount. Larger diameter need spacers to move them outwards. The Liftmeister sells them.

Front strut spacers in three different thicknesses are sold by SuspensionMAXX, if you need or want one thinner than Markmc's offerings.

Thanks for this!

How concerned do I need to be about the tire width on the stock wheels? They are 18" so it should be harder to find tires I would imagine.

With respect to the strut spacers, do I need (or want) inside our outside the coil? Like I said, I'm not going to be doing any real wheeling in it.

 

[The_Roadie]

How concerned do I need to be about the tire width on the stock wheels? They are 18" so it should be harder to find tires I would imagine.

See what you can find, is all I can advise. I went from 17" rims DOWN to 16" and some offroaders go down to 15", all in order to get MORE sidewall for rim safety and traction when we air down for the trails. All tires will have a rim width spec. (min/max) Just make sure you choose one whose min matches the OEM rim width.

With respect to the strut spacers, do I need (or want) inside our outside the coil? Like I said, I'm not going to be doing any real wheeling in it.

Inside the coil if you want 2" effective lift. The only safe thickness for outside the coil spacers is 1/2" (even though some criminals on Ebay sell them up to 2" tall) and 1/2" spacers will only give you 3/4" lift.

 

[fletch09]

in the summer i run 265/65/18 firestone destination AT's (31.5 or 31.6 diam)
w/ mark's new style 3" lift and 1.5" spacers on OEM rims. on my 09 trailblazer
no rubbing or cutting.( but close)