Ground clearance

[AdamPierce]

We have a 2021 hd8 and I’m looking to get a little more ground clearance and I’m not sure what all of the options are. Puck? Bracket? Looking for a little lift to make room for 28’’ / 29’’ in tires. Like I said, I don’t need much. It’s a ranch buggy that occasionally makes it to the trails. Any recommendations? 

[RossO]

I would think the easiest lift would be the bracket lift.  That'll give you around 2-3in of lift.  I did the pucks in the springs, but if you don't have a safe way to compress the springs on the shocks that is uber dangerous.

If you are only wanting the lift to clear 28-29in tires, I don't think you need a lift for that tire size... pretty sure I've heard of others on this forum going to 30's without a lift by just adjusting their shocks to the tightest setting.

[Andystoy19]

Have a look in the builds section where you can see what some of the options actually give you. You can start by cranking your springs to max and that is free. Good luck with your choice.🙂

[AdamPierce]

Is a spacer necessary in the rear when using a puck or bracket? 

[RossO]

No.  The only reason people do the spacer is to make the rear tires track with the front tires.  From the factory a defender rear wheel base is about 2in narrower that the front wheel base.

[ArcticHD8XTCab]

On 2/27/2022 at 5:03 PM, AdamPierce said:

We have a 2021 hd8 and I’m looking to get a little more ground clearance and I’m not sure what all of the options are. Puck? Bracket? Looking for a little lift to make room for 28’’ / 29’’ in tires. Like I said, I don’t need much. It’s a ranch buggy that occasionally makes it to the trails. Any recommendations? 

I am running 30" Systems 3s and no need to lift the machine. I have the fronts on the softest pre load, and rears 2 clicks firmer. I used a 1" spacer on the rears so they track with the fronts. 

[DWebb68]

I definitely wasn't aware that the front and rear axles were offset on these rigs. 

 

[zalman]

On 3/3/2022 at 11:02 AM, DWebb68 said:

I definitely wasn't aware that the front and rear axles were offset on these rigs. 

 

Yessir. 3" difference front to back on my 2018 HD10 XT Cab. Front being a full 3" wider overall.

[CHEVYTECHTX]

Can I ask what the wheel and tire specs are?

Thanks 

[Wapsi_Bottoms]

On 2/27/2022 at 4:03 PM, AdamPierce said:

We have a 2021 hd8 and I’m looking to get a little more ground clearance and I’m not sure what all of the options are. Puck? Bracket? Looking for a little lift to make room for 28’’ / 29’’ in tires. Like I said, I don’t need much. It’s a ranch buggy that occasionally makes it to the trails. Any recommendations? 

What did you ever end up doing?  I just tried putting 30” BFG KM3’s on my 2018 HD8 today only to find out they would rub really bad when turning since my machine doesn’t have the 2” forward offset A arms… So it was either order those from Super ATV for $450 and then have to get the ball joints out of my existing arms and pressed into the news ones or just settle for 28’s…

[Andystoy19]

Did you crank your shock adjuster up to the maximum height, its free and may help you with the rub issue?🙂

[Wapsi_Bottoms]

3 hours ago, Andystoy19 said:

Did you crank your shock adjuster up to the maximum height, its free and may help you with the rub issue?🙂

Yes I did that a while back to gain some clearance.  👌🏻

[SpikeT369]

I went with 28" Maxxis Carnivores on my 2019 XT HD8 mostly for the weight, they are very close to the factory Bighorn 2.0's weight.  I looked at 30" but was afraid of the rub (I've seen a lot of posts that they fit fine and some posts that they rub) so in lieu of the 30" I squared up with the 28"s and added the bracket lift... almost 5" of lift.  I did use the 1.5" spacers on the back to line up the front/back tracking.

Edited June 22, 2023 by SpikeT369