suspension lift

[cracked peppers]

I'm not a Cayenne owner.... yet. I started looking at them in 2008, and soon realized that in 5-10 years the values would be low enough for people to not only buy them but also modify them for off-road. I'm waiting on the "right" Gen 2 Cayenne S that has been well maintained, probably in another 2-3 years.

My question is, has anyone tried or thought about lifting for better clearance and larger tires? I've read through all of the pages here and haven't found anything. I know this goes against "approved tire sizes" and such, but I'm not looking to travel at 150mph. Vehicle will be used as daily driver with occasional road and mountain trips.

This is going to be a challenge - I know, but I'm set on it and not wanting to entertain another vehicle. The market doesn't support the concept, so I haven't found anyone offering any products other than lowering springs and coil-overs. I guess my vehicle will not have air suspension, as that would require programming difficulties of its own.

Other mods that are being looked at = Spare Wheel Carrier( to a certain degree as the full Porsche version will not work for a larger tire), 2nd battery added in cargo area, custom roof rack with lights, and winch that can be carried and mounted to tow lugs when needed.

Any positive thoughts or direction would be greatly appeciated. Many vehicles without axles have been lifted, so I'm hoping to start some good discussion on the Cayenne's possibilities as well as identify (and overcome) the difficulties.

Edited September 7, 2011 by cracked peppers

[SA321]

you building a monster truck? i can understand thick profile tires on 18-19'' but putting something in excess of 22'' is not going to help with off-road capabilities. as is it has 270mm ground clearance which is higher than escalade if I remember correctly

[cracked peppers]

you building a monster truck? i can understand thick profile tires on 18-19'' but putting something in excess of 22'' is not going to help with off-road capabilities. as is it has 270mm ground clearance which is higher than escalade if I remember correctly

Well, I wasn't thinking Bigfoot but that would be pretty funny.

I'm looking at the 18" wheel, and a stock 255/55-18 is only 29". What would make me feel more comfortable is a 275/65 which is 32.1", or 285/65 which is 32.6".

Here's a post from another forum from a couple of months ago that hints on some of the challenges with the suspension:

"imagine all the ride heights, (loading, special low, low, standard, off road and special off road)... you would put a link on and make it 1" shorter than current.. the car would think its riding 1" lower and therefore raise itself that 1" (making your car 1" higher in each setting) if you put a link on that was 1" longer than it would assume it was riding high due to something and "auto level" at a height 1" lower than usual in all the heights..

problem arises when you run out of travel, but technically at max height, it still has tons of travel because its made to be offroad in this level...should be fine.. and technically you can ride in low1 so should have travel there as well... low 2 and loading however i think might be the max and i personally feel the ride quality would suffer as well.

i guess we'll only know when someone tries it.. links are readily available online for 300$ or so.. its basically the proper ends with a bolt in the middle and nuts.... use loctite so they dont slip."

[cracked peppers]

Thought I'd post some info from the Toureg side. I have done much research there yet, but it looks there my be some guys trying.

I'm not a fan of cycling the suspension for lift as it does reduce down travel, but it looks like they have tried 35mm spacer blocks and 265/65-17 tires. Another pic showing air bag.

[cracked peppers]

Someone from another post mentioned that the height can be locked. Any truth to it, or will it shut off after automatic lowering speed is acheived?

"Yes, you can lock it..just press the ride height button up and HOLD it for ~10 seconds and you will see a height regulation has been turned off notice..so it should hold it."