I decided to replicate the 2" body lift I made for my own truck and offer them to people. This avoids all the problems associated with doing a suspension lift on the Sambar(excessive positive camber and rear cv joint failures). It includes everything needed to lift your Sambar 2". Comes with OEM style zinc plated flange bolts and nuts. Brackets are laser cut stainless steel. Kit is bolt on except for the steering column which must be modified. Kit does include the parts to modify the steering shaft and requires some cutting and welding. Professional welding is recommended since this is a steering part. Instructions are also included. $200 shipped to the US. Canada add another $20 US. I also have a filler strip available to go above the engine cover. These cost me a bit more to get fabricated so I'm offering it separate for $75 with out paint.
Not sure on tire size. On my truck I run 26" tires but have a 2" suspension lift along with the body lift. I also trimmed the front fender openings.
That would be the way I would go if I hadn't already gone with the suspension lift. There would be no camber issues and I suspect 23" tires would fit fine.
After just having a cv joint failure in the rear on the left hand side, I too would suggest the body lift over any sort of suspension lift kit, unless you plan to do what banzair did, and fabricate a true lift kit, a body lift is your safest option. I even took the rear part of the commonly purchased sambar lift kit and chopped down the rear spacer and it still didn't stop the cv from blowing apart.
How can I go about getting one? I just picked up a 90 Sambar for $300 and have to do a couple small things but I wanna get a 2 inch lift on it! I’m gonna use it for hunting and driving in really bad weather and originally wanted a suspension for better clearance but seems like your body kit is the best way to go?
A body lift kit allows the suspension to remain stock. Unless you have quizzes bit of knowledge on how suspensions work, and fabricate things yourself, you will end up with the suspension moving around. Everybody mentions the issues with over extending the CV joints to outside their ideal range and breaking them, or tearing the boots. But there are a bunch of other problems folks don’t know to look for. The tie rod ends end up stressed, and the steering geometry is also messed up, and can result in tool and bounce steer, making the steering unpredictable. At low speed it isn’t a problem, but if you are doing any driving on the road, it can get really weird to drive.
So stick to a body lift and call it a day? Lol and does anyone know the best place to get one? I saw banzair was making one. Just looking to run a 23-24 inch atv tire with a 12 inch wheel. I believe a 12x7 with a 4+3 is ideal someone correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks!
My Hijet is a unibody, with that frame and cab integrated, or I would have gone with a body lift, over the suspension lift I did.
Are the Sambar vans different? I grabbed up a 93 Sambar Dias van today. I’d like to do 2-4” lift. Obviously that height would be a combo. I wouldn’t go over 2” with a suspension....or a body lift. I'm thinking they are in some way different than the Sambar pick up because I’m just not really finding much info. thank you guys in advance, trying to sponge up as much knowledge as o can here....
Dom, Welcome! Talk to, banzairx7! It looks, and sounds to me, that he'll make, and set you up with a kit, that will work for you! His workmanship, knowledge, and willingness to help, is second to none! Good Luck! Take pics, and keep us posted! Limestone
Feel free to contact me as we do lift kits, etc for mini trucks. My number is on my website at goldstarparts.com. We build a body lift and a suspension lift for the Sambar and are not sure of the differences but we can determine the differences through a few calls and emails. Here for contact info: michminitrucks.com
Gonna shoot you an email tonight... Wanting both..2” suspension...2” body. Need as much space as possible, sand gets deep here in SE NC
Hey, I have a 94, new to me and have been looking for just such a solution. How can I go about ordering your kit and filler strip (looks nice)
Hi there, I am a new owner (1990 Sambar kv3 van) and the previous owner threw some after market springs in to stiffen/lower the ride a bit. I am considering getting these installed instead of getting the stock springs back in as he said it handled a lot better around corners. So I suppose 1. are you still selling these kits, and 2. what are the opinions on lower springs on these things.
Curious where you found the longer fuel filler hose. I used a rad hose and have since found that is not compatible with fuel and will leak over time, so I will be looking to replace that soon.
This is what I use, Gates 24715 Fuel Hose- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A3GTCA/ BTW I've been able to drop the price of the kits down to $180. Found some cheaper sources for a few of the parts I was using.
banz, I think those kits, that you've whipped up are pretty cool! Simply because, your engineering, and installation, are proven! Nice job! Lime
Thanks for that! BTW, if you look that up on Rock auto it is $18.60 Canadian, not sure the US cost but it is probably a lot less.
I was getting them from rock auto. The shipping cost from rock auto makes them a tiny bit cheaper from amazon for me.
This is a very interesting and timely thread. I just won at auction in Japan a 1995 Sambar and am planning a lift as you describe. I have a mechanic friend who has done a similar lift on his and was planning to hire him to do mine. Is this kit available and what is your lead time? I won't even have the truck for 60-90 days at best, but planning is fun. Thanks. David
Hey David, I bought my 94 from Japan in February but Covid delayed getting it for a while. I didn't want to do the suspension lift and have to deal with all the issues. I bought one of these kits, it was easy and works great. I still cut the fenders a bit and put 23" tires. I am wrapping up some other improvements but it's a great truck and this lift kit was perfect. Good luck with your new Subi
I just sold the last one from my latest batch a few days ago. I've got another run in process and will have them ready again 2-3 weeks.
Thanks for the review and status on production. Will you post here when they are done? Related question, perhaps a stupid question. What is the stock tire and rim size (in inches please). Are you guys using bigger rims, and if so do you need spacers to accommodate lug patterns, or are there larger stock rims from some other vehicles that will bolt up? TIA for any information.