suspension swap for a little lift?

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TURTCEL
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My tercel:: 1985 4WD SR5 Wagon, Brown (TURTCEL)
Location: Everett, WA

Re: suspension swap for a little lift?

Post by TURTCEL »

There are plenty of postings on lifts for these Tercs on the website. Check out Barto's lift and others' ideas. Beware though, adding a lift is not all it is cracked up to be...there are consequences to lifting these vehicles. The CV shafts will be your main concern.

Peace
1985 Tercel 4wd SR5 Wagon, WEBER Carb, Brown (TURTCEL)
1988 Corolla DLX All-Trac Wagon, 4 speed AT, Silver (Wife's new car)
1993 Ford Escort Wagon LX, 5 Speed, Smurf Blue (Smurfette)...selling
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dlb
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Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: suspension swap for a little lift?

Post by dlb »

abracadaver, check the FAQ in the general section for the gist of the most popular lifts forum members have done.
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Petros
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My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: suspension swap for a little lift?

Post by Petros »

Ground clearance is one of the most limiting factor on these cars in deep snow, so you are correct in considering ground clearance as an issue.

There are lots of threads on this topic, you can go look them up. the rear can be lifted 2 or 3" without too much trouble, but the front one is the one that will be troublesome if you go more than an inch or inch and a half.

Also, get some winter tires that are taller (studded tires would be nice to for winter driving, though they severely affect fuel economy), that will give you a bit more clearance.

And lastly, some large plastic or aluminum skid plates under the engine and trans area will allow to slide over deep snow with much less drag, but if you are not careful it will make it easier to high center as well since you will be able to slide into much deeper snow than you would without it.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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