Any ideas for new Superlift?

[El Cid]

Yes, 4xGuard has been working very closely with Superlift on the upgrading of their current designs for the 4" lift-kit. I'm not sure how much I can share about the process involved, except to say that I was quite fortunate to spend several days with Superlift's owner, chief engineer, and amazing top mechanic, painstakingly going over their kit with a "wish-list" of alterations based on our experience of using and selling it and competing kits. We then put those plans into action in their shop, modifying their existing kit on the fly as we redesigned and installed components on my XK.

I don't say that to brag, but to point out that I am totally biased. I think the improvements that have been made are extremely positive. But I'm also one of the key voices arguing for those improvements, so of course I feel that way.

Still, I think folks are going to like what they see when it is all said and done. The key change, as you might imagine, is in the design of the rear. I've been testing the revised version of the rear on my XK for over a year now, and it has been great. (In fact, the new one will be slightly better than mine, since using mine has helped us tweak things a bit.) There will also be a few alterations to make maintenance easier, as well as changes to make installation easier. Some of these changes may be invisible to most folks, but they meant a lot to us.

This summer -- in a few weeks, actually -- we should be test-fitting the last redesigned components. After that, all the design changes and what-not will be complete and the kit should be ready for market. When folks can buy it, of course, is up to Superlift. 4xGuard has ZERO control in that regard, though we've obviously been encouraging them to get it out sooner rather than later.

I don't think I can get into many details beyond that.

I will say, regarding the Rusty's kit, that I personally find it disconcerting that their website is misleading about the design and inclusions of the kit, and that the key change they made of mimicking the BDS rear appears to have the same straight-arm design flaw that the former BDS kit had. The new Superlift rear will not have that same issue.

Matt, unless something has changed that I wasn't told about, the new Superlift will have the same front strut set-up as the old kit (in principle, though some of the parts might be tweaked), which is more than adequate. Is there some specific reason you're wanting something else?

[Matt]

Hey Mike, thanks for the update! That's really refreshing to hear.

As far as the front is concerned, using a large spacer on top of the stock strut is adequate and is common for most "basic" suspension lifts for other vehicles. I personally (as well as most people in the truck market) like to upgrade our shocks/struts when we install suspension lifts. Most lift companies (including superlift for some of the other vehicles) have the option of an upgraded strut, usually made by Bilstein, that eliminates the need for the spacer.

For example, straight from superlifts website for the GM 2007+ 1500 4x4 pickups:

Superlift’s other lift method replaces the factory strut bodies with lifetime-warranted premium gas struts. These new struts have the same features as our 2.5½ struts (discussed on previous page).

I think it's a bit redundant that I'd have to purchase new OEM spec struts and install a spacer on those. It's a much cleaner setup to just install a longer strut (which is very common) and it also allows us to have matching front/rear dampers.

[El Cid]

Matt,

Superlift used to offer just such an upgrade. I don't know if they will do so again or not. If you want to go that route at this point you're only out the cost of those front spacers (which are negligible), as the OEM struts are utilized -- so I really don't see a problem.

For what it is worth, I'm well aware of the desire to get what you're talking about, but at the same time my experience tells me that there's little practical need for it. It's mostly "beef as bling," if you know what I mean. There isn't anything wrong with that necessarily -- I can't tell you some of the useless-but-badass stuff I had on my CJ7 -- but it isn't going to be important for most folks. My Commander, as a test vehicle for 4xG and for SL, is put through some hard labor both off-road (often hitting the hardest spots on the hardest trails) and on-road (trailer-pulling, long-haul driving), and I'm running the OEM fronts and the basic Superride rears, with no disconnects or what-not. Works great.

[Matt]

I wouldn't say it's any more unnecessary than extended shocks for the rear. Superlift could do away with the Super-ride rears and just provide shock extensions with the kit to accomplish the same thing.

A lot of people upgrade the OEM struts to get a bit firmer ride and a better damping ratio for offroading. Superlift provides longer struts in other kits, as well as most lift manufacturers. I've been lifting and offroading vehicles for a long time and I would definitely say that upgraded struts/shocks are not just a "bling" item.

Now if they would be ungodly expensive due to low demand, then I understand. But being that its pretty much a standard & affordable offering for almost every other kit on the market.... it would be nice if we had the same option; let the consumer decide how they want their vehicle to ride (some like the stock struts, a lot dont)

[Matt]

Regardless, I appreciate the work you're doing with them. I think an improved kit is long overdue and will probably sell like hot cakes in coming years since there's really no competition in this market, and more and more people are starting to think about lifting their XKs/WKs.

[El Cid]

I know Superlift hopes that you're right that there will be increased sales with the new kit; these things cost money, which doesn't grow on trees!

As for your points about the struts, I think you're misunderstanding me. I did not say that such an upgrade is exclusively bling; I said that for "most folks" it is when it gets down to it. If you're not one of the folks, if you really do need them, then that's great -- but just know that you're quite in the minority. I don't work for Superlift (can't emphasize that enough), so I don't know for sure why they don't offer that upgrade right now for this particular kit, but my guess is that it just didn't make business sense. To offer it would require having thousands of dollars in upgraded shocks sitting in the warehouse, and my experience would tell me that they sell very slowly. Since, as I said, the only "extra" cost to the customer who wants to upgrade the front (in terms of kit parts) is pretty minimal, I'm guessing they just don't see the whole thing as making business sense.

Again, though, I don't really know what's going through their mind on those kinds of things. Their engineering I'm well-acquainted with, their finances I'm not. 4xGuard's recommendation was to have that sort of "super duty" option for this new kit, but I have no knowledge at all in whether they will do it. My guess is they will not, but it is pure speculation. I am pretty sure that some of our other "wish list" upgrades aren't happening for financial reasons (which is fine). Can't get everything!

[Matt]

Yeah i can definitely see the demand being an issue for the shocks. Manufacturing and development shouldn't be an issue, they're pretty much boiler plate. Minimum order quantities and parts sitting on the shelves are where the benefit/cost will likely come in.

Most people that lift their vehicles (any vehicle) don't take it offroad and the whole setup then is basically for looks...so I understand that im one of the minority. lol hell im one of those from the start just for wanting to lift my Commander!