Is possible to "Lower the front axel"

[NNMan]

Lower the front axel? on my Nav or any other independant suspensioned 4x4?

I mean lower it from the axel to give more lift?

"Edit I ment Nav not Mav!"

 

[Terranosaurus]

I've seen it done with a pajero, they used spacer blocks to lower the front cross member including the diff and a spacer between the top ball joint and the hub carrier, was on a monster truck type - not that big though. The issue we have with the T2/Mav is that the lower wishbone attaches to the inner wing not the cross member so this won't work for us, though something similar might be possible. I have been thinking about this myself.

 

[NNMan]

I think its is what artic trucks do plus supension and body lift, Id love somthing like 37" tyres, but then gearing is an issue.
would it be better or worse than a live axel conversion?

 

[Terranosaurus]

I think its is what artic trucks do plus supension and body lift, Id love somthing like 37" tyres, but then gearing is an issue.
would it be better or worse than a live axel conversion?

In what way?

 

[NNMan]

of getting more lift in the front?

 

[Terranosaurus]

Live axle is going to be a lot of work but once done any ride height is acheivable. Theres no reason the independent front end can't be made to work, it works ok all round on hummers. I need to have a proper look at it and sort out getting the relevant bits machine up. Theres 2 cross members to lower and the mounts for the bottom wishbone, plus a spacer for the top ball joint. Might be worth going to coil overs too, I think the torsion bars are far too hard for off road work, although larger offset wheels and bigger whel/tyres will effectively soften the springing by providing more leverage so there may be no need. Something for me to draft up over xmas and get machined in the new year.

I also want to change front diffs but thats another story.

 

[NNMan]

I also want to change front diffs but thats another story.

for gearing?

bigger offset does help the torrsions but now I have to cut the body even for 33" tyres

 

[Terranosaurus]

I also want to change front diffs but thats another story.

for gearing?

And LSD is the plan.

 

[NNMan]

I see.

 

[terra]

Some info that might help you here:

http://www.purenissan.com

and here:

http://www.macquarie4x4.com.au/IMAGES/WEB GALLERY/Nissan Navara D40 Calmini Install/index.html

http://www.macquarie4x4.com.au/NAVARA FILES/project_navara.html

For the TerranoII a company called Spencerlowracing in the U.S used to make offset donuts for lowering the front diff. If you look at the front diff mounts they are 3 donuts. Essentially The mod was 3 nylon/tivar disks with the centre hole offset as much as possible to lower the diff down to 'just' above the crossmember. These replace the original rubber mounts. You gained about 17mm with this simple mod, not much but it all helps I spose. Simple enough to knock some up on a lathe.