Lift Kits?

[pgreaves]

I have a 2018 PHEV and would like to add a lift kit to get a bit more clearance. I am thinking of lifting about 1.6" and going to 225-60R18 all terrain tires to get about another 2 inches. Searching Amazon turns up a number of lift kits consisting primarily of strut and spring spacers. Many options are polyurethane, but all metal is also an option. Does anyone have experience with these and have any stories to tell? Is the metal (aluminum) option worth the extra $40 or so? I talked with one mechanic with experience in such things and he thought the polyurethane would probably be fine for this vehicle... be he hasn't done an Outlander before.

This is the kit I am leaning toward at the moment:
https://www.amazon.com/DEALPAREX-Leveling-Lift-Compatible-Mitsubishi/dp/B0D8476WHS/ref=sr_1_9
For some reason Amazon thinks it is not compatible with my vehicle, but I suspect that is because Amazon has not accurately tracked that the PHEV will also work and has the same (or very similar) suspension. Am I wrong about this? The only kit I see that does indicate "compatible" is less lift (1.2") but otherwise looks to be the same basic design concept.

Thanks for any insights!

-Paul

 

[pgreaves]

Thought I'd update my post for future reference.

The seller of the kit did verify that it would work with the PHEV, so I ordered it and got it installed by a shop that works on lifted vehicles. They said the install went well with the exception of the camber bolts included with the kit, as one broke on install. They questioned the quality of the metal, so used the old camber bolts but slotted the struts so they would work. They said that this is what they normally do anyway, so not a big deal at all. The two rectangular things included are sway bar extenders for the front, and they worked well. (The rear differs in design, and doesn't need anything added.) In the end he said the right front CV axle was just contacting the subframe at full droop but wasn't concerned about it. But it makes me think that this is probably about as high as you'd want to lift this vehicle using this kind of kit, at least without some other modification of some sort. Alignment went well and is actually a bit better than when I took it in.

I also had put 225-60 R18 Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT tires on it, and between the two it adds about 2" of clearance. So far I really like the result, and everything handles and seems fine. I'll update if anything else seems relevant, including if the tire change affects mileage. Either way though, the utility of the vehicle should be greatly enhanced for marginal roads without significantly affecting handling or performance.

Next step will be to add a little protection for the underside, particularly for that battery coolant hose. Wouldn't want that to be snagged by something on the road!

 

[Fancy McDancy]

Thought I'd update my post for future reference.

The seller of the kit did verify that it would work with the PHEV, so I ordered it and got it installed by a shop that works on lifted vehicles. They said the install went well with the exception of the camber bolts included with the kit, as one broke on install. They questioned the quality of the metal, so used the old camber bolts but slotted the struts so they would work. They said that this is what they normally do anyway, so not a big deal at all. The two rectangular things included are sway bar extenders for the front, and they worked well. (The rear differs in design, and doesn't need anything added.) In the end he said the right front CV axle was just contacting the subframe at full droop but wasn't concerned about it. But it makes me think that this is probably about as high as you'd want to lift this vehicle using this kind of kit, at least without some other modification of some sort. Alignment went well and is actually a bit better than when I took it in.

I also had put 225-60 R18 Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT tires on it, and between the two it adds about 2" of clearance. So far I really like the result, and everything handles and seems fine. I'll update if anything else seems relevant, including if the tire change affects mileage. Either way though, the utility of the vehicle should be greatly enhanced for marginal roads without significantly affecting handling or performance.

Next step will be to add a little protection for the underside, particularly for that battery coolant hose. Wouldn't want that to be snagged by something on the road!

Have you noticed that no one else has replied to your posts? Could this be because, like me, they can’t think why on earth you’ve done this and don’t care anyway?

 

[HeliNurse]

I have to admit I would like a bit more clearance driving on the tracks here on KI but these kits are illegal in South Australia and I've had to make do with a small increase in tire diameter.

 

[Fancy McDancy]

I have to admit I would like a bit more clearance driving on the tracks here on KI but these kits are illegal in South Australia and I've had to make do with a small increase in tire diameter.

Very sensible and, it would seem, much the cheaper option. The lift kit used by pgreaves is £155 UK - $200 US or $317 AUS. Plus of course the labour to fit the thing, which appears to be no more than a few bits of rubber and some sub-standard bolts. Weird, the choices some people make.

 

[ryanyoder]

Have you noticed that no one else has replied to your posts? Could this be because, like me, they can’t think why on earth you’ve done this and don’t care anyway?

Not very nice. Forums are for sharing information and lifting or lowering a car or truck is a very common mod.

 

[Fancy McDancy]

Not very nice. Forums are for sharing information and lifting or lowering a car or truck is a very common mod.

Two things: a) I don't need your opinion on what forums are for and b) just because something is common doesn't make it good, useful, interesting, sensible, attractive, cost-beneficial or (in South Australia) legal.

I suspect your use of the term "truck" means you're from the USA. Again, two things: a) the Mitsubushi Outlander is not a truck, it's an SUV. Are you sure you're on the right forum? And b) the USA is currently busy making an absolute mess of its own country and the rest of the world so I for one would struggle to respect your opinion on anything.

 

[ryanyoder]

Two things: a) I don't need your opinion on what forums are for and b) just because something is common doesn't make it good, useful, interesting, sensible, attractive, cost-beneficial or (in South Australia) legal.

I suspect your use of the term "truck" means you're from the USA. Again, two things: a) the Mitsubushi Outlander is not a truck, it's an SUV. Are you sure you're on the right forum? And b) the USA is currently busy making an absolute mess of its own country and the rest of the world so I for one would struggle to respect your opinion on anything.

Lol.