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To Lift.....or not to lift?

31K views 88 replies 26 participants last post by  Pick88  
#1 ·
Hello all..

well, i was thinking i wouldn't lift and would try out my HD coils and adjust shocks..but now I'm wondering why I shouldn't go ahead. I'm on rolling pastureland with high grass, birms, etc and I also duck hunt in flooded fields..so I'm thinking I should do the lift at the same time. I also anticipate carrying people back there on a rumble seat and also lots of firewood at times.

What reasons would there be NOT to lift other than $$ and higher off ground? Do i jeapordize my 3 y warranty? Will the lift noticeably affect my rigs handling if I stay with tires in the 26-27" range?
Will it be more prone to rollovers with heavy load? I'd like to hear opinions...thanks.
 
#2 ·
Following.....got the same thoughts.

For now, no lift. Got old people to get in/out, including myself. Like the lower height....but....to me 28s on the mule just look right. Going to give it time. At first I said no, but I'm starting to wonder. I may do the highlifter arched arms...just need more feedback, and see machines with that setup.

I had the HD springs put on day one, and the shocks are in the highest/strongest setting. Ride is smooth....but....has a bounce to it at times that I down like. Acts like the shocks aren't doing the job they are suppose to. Anyone on the thread have any thoughts on that I'd appreciate some feedback.
 
#3 ·
I always suggest the highlifter lift. As long as you have a decent dealer you won't have any issues with warranty work. You'll raise the center of gravity which will make it feel a little more tippy but not bad by any means. Just just need to keep in mind it's a mule not a 1000 rzr. The hd springs should take most of that slop away. Another option would be the highlifter rear arched arms. You can safely run 28s with just the rear arms and no modifications needed to the front. Adding the arched arms and 28s will get you a few inches of ground clearance over stock
 
#6 ·
I hated the handling of the machine with lift and spacers. Tried stiffening the shocks and that didn’t help. I didn’t like being on a side hill before the lift. I never thought anything about it possibly being the stock tires but it was.

The stiffer sidewall tires made all the difference in the world. ITP Blackwaters are awesome tires IMO.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Thanks for this bit of insight/info. I want a slightly higher ride, but I don't need 4", which is about what Highlifter results in to my understanding. I'm not a fan of the body roll from factory, and I assume increasing height will only make it worse.

I believe I read somewhere that the HD springs will increase the lift by 1-2" (This may not be accurate). Much more than that, and I will have to remove an entire bunk to fit it in my toy hauler.

I think the modification order for me will be HD Springs 1st, Blackwater tires 2nd, and (if necessary) Highlifter 3rd.

I'm all for other's input/opinions, as I certainly don't consider myself to be an expert.
 
#7 ·
Do you guys think the price difference between GR and Highlifter is justified? I've ready that the GR version ends up being about a 3" lift vs the 4" from Highlifter. I actually think I'd prefer the 3" height but I don't know if this is really the case. Thoughts?
 
#9 ·
Lmao I wouldn't buy a damn thing from GR not because of the products but because of the owner. Lifts are for the most part the same. Highlifter is cheaper and gets you the same results. I got about 3.5 inches out of the highlifter kit. They offer a lifetime warranty and have a quality product.

But hey if you want to waste money then yeah go with GR
 
#18 ·
HD springs DO NOT provide any lift. Not sure why this keeps going around but it's false information. The HD springs sitting on a flat table next to the regular springs are actually 1 inch shorter. Which results to a 1 inch decrease in ground clearance.

Just throwing that out there that HD springs do not add lift at all
 
#21 ·
Defenestrator, not your fault at all. I've heard it in multiple places. About half the posts I've seen you gain an inch and the other half say you loose about an inch. Due to the fact that the HD springs are actually shorter by 1 inch sitting side by side I would say you loose an inch of clearance with them installed.

Jcummins, what were your factory springs settings at? Is there a chance they were originally cranked all the way down with the standard springs and with the HD springs you set it at a stiffer setting? If this is the case then yes you may have picked up a bit of grind clearance.
 
#29 ·
Based upon Kawasaki's specs for spring rate posted here: https://www.kawasaki.com/Accessories/Item/KAF820BHFL/999940514

The HD springs would compress roughly 1/2" less than the standard springs in an unloaded Mule Pro, so assuming they're the same length starting out would be 1/2" taller.
Add 1,000 lbs to the rear and they would compress roughly 1" less that the standard springs.
 
#36 ·
My plans are to add the arched arms front and back and maybe go to a 28 or see what I can fit. I've seen a couple on FB and they looked really sharp. They kind of have that factory "stuffed" look. The rear arms were always to close too the body any ways.

Im trying to avoid a lift at all costs. Im not ready to go with 30"+ wheels and tires, which is what you have to run for it to look good IMO, until I see some clutch kits and performance parts for these things.
 
#37 ·
On the HD Springs it is possible for a spring that measures shorter with no load to carry a load higher in the air, when loaded. That is the point of a HD spring. Need to measure them with equal load to know the true story.

With that said, I would not buy HD spring banking on getting any kind of lift out of them... BUT... I think these machines handle A LOT better with them and they should have come like that from factory. 4 grown men on factory springs is pretty squishy and will kill you ground clearance. I carry feed, tools, hunting gear, etc all the time and the HD springs are a must.
 
#38 ·
Beware of something I am currently going through with Kawasaki and the Dealer.

I had my Kawasaki Dealer install a 4” Lift plus the heavy shocks. While driving down a Ranch Road the whole back end dropped out from under me.

The frame that the Lift attaches to is bent and the shocks came completely out of the fittings.

Kawasaki is refusing to cover under their warranty as is the Kawasaki Dealer. I’ve talked to Kawasaki Customer Service and they are saying Lift is an after market part addressed in their manual and they will not replace any damaged parts they have determined to be caused by the Lift Kit.

When I asked them if their Dealer should have told me that by installing the Lift I was voiding the warranty....their response was I should take that up with the Dealer. They also said they weren’t voiding the warranty....just won’t provide for the repair of any item they’ve determined to be caused by an after market modification.

Maybe I don’t have a good dealer but they aren’t accepting any fault either. Took it to two(2) dealers and they both say the shock should not have unscrewed itself from the fitting.

I don’t find the stock Kawasaki Pro FX capable of handling the specified loads or even close to the specified without a heavily sagging rear-end or ground clearance issues.

At this point I have asked the Dealer to make the repairs so I can sell the unit while I look for something that will meet my needs of carrying a 500lb. Load on ranch Roads and Hills without dragging bottom on bumps and potholes.

If you google this issue you will find a similar failure in 2016 discussed in this forum (bent frame, shock failure)
 
#40 · (Edited)
If that is HIGHLIFTER or SUPERATV or GR MANUFACTURING lift it is installed wrong.

The first three pics looks like the catvos rear shock relocation bracket. Looks like a poor lift design to me

I would go after the dealer if its not the the catvos .The lift was installed wrong.
The last picture is how the lift should look when it is installed the correct way.
 

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#42 ·
Your welcome.Man that sucks.
What lift do you have?
 
#46 ·
That is a GR MANUFACTURING lift and it was installed wrong.Go over to highlifter and look at their install instructions the same as GR MANUFACTURING.
 
#48 · (Edited)
Here are some pics from Jmarco89 highlifter lift kit install.He had a GR lift and said it was the same as the highlifter.
 

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