How does 1" spacer give 2" lift?

[phillipeino]

Does anyone have a technical explanation on how a 1" spacer gives 2" of lift? Only explanation I've read was because of the "geometry of the suspension". Any have any more detail?

(Co-workers don't believe that this is possible)

 

[JacksonRally]

2:1 Motion Ratio

 

[zopperman]

Because suspension geometry and science.

 

[JacksonRally]

The shock is mounted half way up the lca. If it were at the ball joint it would be about 1:1 where 1'' will = 1'' lift. Half way up 2:1, 1'' = 2'' lift

 

[ddnww]

So theoretically, what would one get with bilstein 5100 at highest setting, fj coils, and half inch body lift.

 

[morphious]

So theoretically, what would one get with bilstein 5100 at highest setting, fj coils, and half inch body lift.

I got around 4+" from this but do not have a body lift.

 

[ebg18t]

2:1 Motion Ratio

Yep, Pretty basic. 2:1 system.

 

[phillipeino]

We know it's a 2:1 system but we were looking for explanation on how it's a 2:1 system. I think we figured it out. A 1" thick Spacer installed on top of the strut will push the lower control arm down 1" where the bottom of the strut meets the lower control arm. Let's just call this point the center. If you look at the attached drawing, the further out you go on the control arm the more lift you will gain.

The drawing is as if you're looking at the front of the car. The solid parallel lines are the control arms. The dotted lines underneath them are the control arms new position after installing a spacer.

 

[zopperman]

The shock is mounted half way up the lca. If it were at the ball joint it would be about 1:1 where 1'' will = 1'' lift. Half way up 2:1, 1'' = 2'' lift

This is what it is

We know it's a 2:1 system but we were looking for explanation on how it's a 2:1 system. I think we figured it out. A 1" thick Spacer installed on top of the strut will push the lower control arm down 1" where the bottom of the strut meets the lower control arm. Let's just call this point the center. If you look at the attached drawing, the further out you go on the control arm the more lift you will gain.

The drawing is as if you're looking at the front of the car. The solid parallel lines are the control arms. The dotted lines underneath them are the control arms new position after installing a spacer.

So it's mounted halfway up the LCA so it pushes the LBJ down 2x... make.. think about opening a door closer to the hinge if that makes sense

 

[ebg18t]

We know it's a 2:1 system but we were looking for explanation on how it's a 2:1 system. I think we figured it out. A 1" thick Spacer installed on top of the strut will push the lower control arm down 1" where the bottom of the strut meets the lower control arm. Let's just call this point the center. If you look at the attached drawing, the further out you go on the control arm the more lift you will gain.

When you look where the shock/spring assembly is positioned with consideration to upper and lower control arm pivot points (body side) vs the outer control arm points (wheel side).

It is clearly evident that a little lift on the spring/shock assembly with be multiplied as you go out the axis towards the wheel end of the assembly.

If you want you can measure the axis vs mounting positions and do the math.

 

[SSt4r]

Try this easy visual:
Lay a 2 X 4 in your driveway (or on the floor) flat (0" lift).
take a 1" block & put in under the center holding one end on the ground. Measure the other end and find a 2" space (1" spacer gives 2" lift).
Now picture the end held to ground as pivot point of control arm and other end is the wheel.

 

[roadster-nh]

Love this topic. So... does this only apply to spacers or to other things "inside" the coil over, like adjustments on the 5100 shocks or different spring lengths?