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 Lowering A Hilux - Alternatives needed.  

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serrb
  • serrb
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  • From: Gold Coast
Post #1 post 7th September 2004 - 11:15 PM
I just purchased a new hilux single cab utility.
I'm 18, and have decided for comprehensive insurance.
However, the insurance companies I have spoken to have said the maximum amount I can lower it without voiding my insurance is 1.5" (4cm) which ultimately isn't worth it.

I'm posting this in desperation for others to provide any recommendations of possible alternatives to lowering my ride without voiding this insurance.

Someone told me I can get shock absorbers and lower it that way? Airbags is another option, but I don't have that kinda money lying around.

Is there a way to lower your car a bit without actually lowering it, if you know what I mean.

All help greatly appreciated.
Xoxo, lol.


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:: 2004 SINGLE CAB HILUX "PZE57" ::
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hi_lux
Post #2

shock absorbers dont lower your car. Airbags are illegal in QLD.

The only way to legally and safely lower it is to wind down the torsion bar in the fonr, which can be down in about 5-10mins. and either get lowering blocks for the back (dodgy) or get you leaf springs reset (better). You can also flip the rear springs but im pretty sure thats illegal aswell. Make sure to replace all the shocks with smaller ones aswell.

boozt
Post #3

QUOTE (serrb @ Sep 8 2004, 05:15 PM)
Is there a way to lower your car a bit without actually lowering it, if you know what I mean.


Not really blink.gif

Arent they saying that height outright? So it wouldnt matter how you went about it. Or do it and just dont list it, but thats running a little bit of a risk

MuchDa-Bogan
Post #4

as soon as u do a ute up ur a defect on 4 wheels... theses days they are cracking down on utes more than any thin else... as soon as u put wheels on it u are a cop target.... not worth doin a ute up these days unless u have money and points to cop it go on low society or some thing and read their stories...

serrb
Post #5

QUOTE (boozt @ Sep 8 2004, 05:20 PM)
QUOTE (serrb @ Sep 8 2004, 05:15 PM)
Is there a way to lower your car a bit without actually lowering it, if you know what I mean.


Not really blink.gif

Arent they saying that height outright? So it wouldnt matter how you went about it. Or do it and just dont list it, but thats running a little bit of a risk

Lowering it properly behind their back runs to great a risk. They'll just see the springs and refuse to pay up.

That's why I need find a subtle way to go about it, which still has the effect.

70XIN
Post #6

Adjustable coilovers or airbags/hydraulics are your best bet...both of which will cost more than $2k and $4k respectively wink.gif
LAID courier
Post #7

man i got a spacecab courier and comprehensive insurance and i dont think it changes anything, im still covered, i got like 5 inches of lief spring and one inch lowering blocks.
if you want it lowered to go a springs place and ask them to reset them
itll cost round 220 bux for them to do it, but if u take them out and then take them to the shop its cheaper,
but dont get the springs set to the height u want it sitting cos if u get defected u gota fork out another 220 to get em reset standard, but with blocks u can just take them out, get around 2 inch with reset springs, that shud bring it back to legal. blocks r like 80 bux i think wacko.gif
good luk

Sir Holden
Post #8

QUOTE (boozt @ Sep 8 2004, 05:20 PM)
QUOTE (serrb @ Sep 8 2004, 05:15 PM)
Is there a way to lower your car a bit without actually lowering it, if you know what I mean.


Not really blink.gif

Arent they saying that height outright? So it wouldnt matter how you went about it. Or do it and just dont list it, but thats running a little bit of a risk

If you don't list it with the insurance company, and you are involved in a crash, the policy can be void because you have modified your car without them knowing. There is some special clause about that.

LAID courier
Post #9

to make it look lower without lowering it, just get bigger mags that fill the gaurds, a rollpan, that will make the ass look a little bit lowerish, or just fill yur tub with sand bags hahaha
but yeh, thats the only way u can make it look lower, without lowering it or a bodykit, but that hasnt really been donw too much on trucks.

serrb
Post #10

QUOTE (trucknoath @ Sep 8 2004, 06:11 PM)
man i got a spacecab courier and comprehensive insurance and i dont think it changes anything, im still covered, i got like 5 inches of lief spring and one inch lowering blocks.
if you want it lowered to go a springs place and ask them to reset them
itll cost round 220 bux for them to do it, but if u take them out and then take them to the shop its cheaper,
but dont get the springs set to the height u want it sitting cos if u get defected u gota fork out another 220 to get em reset standard, but with blocks u can just take them out, get around 2 inch with reset springs, that shud bring it back to legal. blocks r like 80 bux i think wacko.gif
good luk

What insurance company are you with...

Through what most of the insurance companies told me, I have a feeling even your insurance may be void as a result of you lowering your ride.

I know Suncorp will let you lower it as much as you like, however, they only allow 1 modification.. which ultimately means lower it, or mags.

Just cars will let you do whatever you want.. but insurance at $2600 a year isn't really worth it!

Hmmm..


The leaf spring and lowering blocks sound good, but would the inspectors from the insurance company be able to identify that you've done it when looking at the springs? dunno.gif

MIT20
Post #11

what about lowering blocks.. i put these in a rodeo once... dunno.gif

modlogic
Post #12

QUOTE (70XIN @ Sep 8 2004, 05:45 PM)
Adjustable coilovers or airbags/hydraulics are your best bet...both of which will cost more than $2k and $4k respectively wink.gif

As Hilux use torsion bar front/leaf spring rear, coilovers are useless, airbags??? Show me the $$$$.....

The Mexican
Post #13

For the front you wind down the torsion bars. For the rear you can either get your springs reset with lowering blocks. Or pull your springs out, get a 4 link installed and run coil overs. Airbags are not illegal, it is the modification to of your chassis rails that is illegal.

Cheers
Ben

king of the concrete jungle
Post #14

HR lowering blocks are what you need if you go that route and you can pick them up at Autobarn for $50

Barely Legal Customs
Post #15

torsion bars wind down at the front which is easily undone

as far as the rear is concerned.... get the leaf springs reset enough to be legal still and then put lowering blocks in...

However, im not 100% sure but i think lowering blocks are illegal... i've heard of people being denied RWC's because they have lowering blocks in their cars...

this aint a problem... you can have lowering blocks in/out in about 15 minutes on a hoist

thanks

nik

serrb
Post #16

QUOTE (king of the concrete jungle @ Sep 9 2004, 12:32 PM)
HR lowering blocks are what you need if you go that route and you can pick them up at Autobarn for $50

Say I do go about getting lowering blocks, anyone know if this will void the 1.5" maximum enforced by my insurance company?

Barely Legal Customs
Post #17

QUOTE (serrb @ Sep 9 2004, 02:15 PM)
Say I do go about getting lowering blocks, anyone know if this will void the 1.5" maximum enforced by my insurance company?

you can get different sizes

just be sure to also buy the correct size 'U' bolts for ya lowering blocks

you dont want them too long or they will hang down too low and too short you wont be able to do them up enough

good luck with it all mate thumbsup.gif

Sir Holden
Post #18

QUOTE (Barely Legal Customs @ Sep 9 2004, 01:54 PM)
However, im not 100% sure but i think lowering blocks are illegal... i've heard of people being denied RWC's because they have lowering blocks in their cars...

user posted image

^^^ Taken from Vehicle Modifications Guide.
easty1
Post #19

wind your torsions down and get low profile bump stops, then get ur leafs reset and lowering blocks for the back, if u get wheels make sure they are load rated to 800kg otherwise u will get ass raped for them.


its not worth lowering it if u only do it a bit, so DUMP THE BITCH ON ITS GUTS haha
R34-GTR
Post #20

Jeeze people... AIRBAG's are NOT ILLEGAL!!!... It is only modifications to the chassis rails which make them illegal and these days you just bolt them into place without even touching the chassis rails...

However, i believe in queensland C-notches, drop spindles and 4 links suspension are illegal... Boo!! dry.gif

But as everyone else has said, Wind down the torsion bars but firstly get them re-indexed for more travel and you can get the even lower... And then take your rear leaf springs to a suspension place and egt them reset to the height you want... And for more lowering you can use cast aluminium lowering blocks and shortend bump stops...

Hope this helps...

hi_lux
Post #21

QUOTE (R34-GTR @ Sep 9 2004, 04:50 PM)
Jeeze people... AIRBAG's are NOT ILLEGAL!!!... It is only modifications to the chassis rails which make them illegal and these days you just bolt them into place without even touching the chassis rails...

However, i believe in queensland C-notches, drop spindles and 4 links suspension are illegal... Boo!! dry.gif

But as everyone else has said, Wind down the torsion bars but firstly get them re-indexed for more travel and you can get the even lower... And then take your rear leaf springs to a suspension place and egt them reset to the height you want... And for more lowering you can use cast aluminium lowering blocks and shortend bump stops...

Hope this helps...

ok champ if airbags arent illegal how can they possibly comply to the part that states.

"Any modifcation to the suspension must not alter the suspension travel by more tyhan 1/3".

^^Answer, airbags do alter it by more than 1/3 and therefore are illegal, do some fucking research.

serrb
Post #22

QUOTE (Barely Legal Customs @ Sep 9 2004, 02:31 PM)
you can get different sizes

just be sure to also buy the correct size 'U' bolts for ya lowering blocks

you dont want them too long or they will hang down too low and too short you wont be able to do them up enough

good luck with it all mate thumbsup.gif

Thanks chief.
I'll look into it.

serrb
Post #23

Thanks for all the comments guys.
I think I'm getting that little step closer to figuring a way of doing this without jeopradising my insurance. smile.gif

suspendedliscence
Post #24

Jeeze people... AIRBAG's are NOT ILLEGAL!!!... It is only modifications to the chassis rails which make them illegal and these days you just bolt them into place without even touching the chassis rails...

?????????????????????.man do some research. bags are illegal(unless vehicle is factory fitted) or unless approved by the D.O.T. you must apply in writing with a legitimate reason for use to gain approval. don't believe everything you read on here people!
serrb
Post #25

Oh, just in case nobody who replied to this thread noticed... I wasn't asking if airbags are legal or not. I want to know how people can lower their lux's without voiding their comprehensive insurance.

I take it barely anybody actually read my original post. rolleyes.gif

CMI-83
Post #26

Hey serrb,

Mate, dont lower your lux unless you dont give a stuff about insurance or losing your license. I had my ute pretty much stock (as in first pic on http://cmi-83.boostcruising.com) and got done by defects down to probation license, then lost one more point. thought f@Q! em , slammed the ute, put some 18"s on and i've driven straight through 4 rbt's, 2 random pullovers and even had a cop on a bike nod in approval at me ute on the highway back from the coast. still got 5mnths left to go on good behaviour with 0 points and im doin better than ever. onlyi thing is, i have 3rd party which doesnt really matter about bein illegal.

(btw, i wound the front down about 4-5", had the rear springs pressed/reset and put in 2" lowering blocks)

Chris.

Norway
Post #27

QUOTE (MuchDa-Bogan @ Sep 8 2004, 05:27 PM)
as soon as u do a ute up ur a defect on 4 wheels... theses days they are cracking down on utes more than any thin else... as soon as u put wheels on it u are a cop target.... not worth doin a ute up these days unless u have money and points to cop it go on low society or some thing and read their stories...

I havent been defected, i got pulled over the other day 96 in 60 zone and the cop had a good look allround the car and he didnt defect me, its got 18s and it is pretty low at the front,got 3 inch lowering blocks at the back and 2 inch drop spindles at the front and I have wound down the torsion bars down from 108mm to 80mm..

king of the concrete jungle
Post #28

I wouldn't know if it will cause you issues with your insurance compnay serrb, however I know the HR Holden ones that you buy from Autobarn that go straight on Hi Lux's are made from steele. I have bought three sets now for a friend that has three near current trayback 2wd Hi Lux's for his business and he just puts them on and winds the torsion bar down to the height he wants. He also runs 16" and 17" rims.

hi_lux
Post #29

DO it right, just get drop spindles in the front and lowering blocks for the back $350 for the lot from burning customs.

The Mexican
Post #30

QUOTE (hi_lux @ Sep 18 2004, 02:04 PM)
DO it right, just get drop spindles in the front and lowering blocks for the back $350 for the lot from burning customs.

Drop spindels are illegal too.

If you want it legal just reset the leaf springs, put 2 inch lowering blocks in and wind down the front torsion bars.

Cheers
Ben

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