Greetings,
Travesty or not, I am in the process of setting up a '79 XJ6 SIII for a cross
country charity rally through about 400KM of some of
Australia's harshest desert terrain. I plan to increase the
ride height of the old dear by 20MM above standard with some
new springs (and, I expect to require new shock absorbers, and
will be definitely fitting larger diameter tyres - maybe 70 or
75 series). Has anyone experience with increasing the ride
height, particularly with reference to the IRS and also front
geometry that I should consider? I am worried about steering
and camber adjustment range, and potentially damage to the rear
drive line. Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks!

Glen

 

Cant help on jacking the car up. Re the tyres:

70 series tyres are standard for the model, so that isnt an issue.

I run 75 series tyres on the rear of my XJ. Just normal road use, no issues. The higher profiles on the front really made a quite a bit of difference to handling and were ditched(sluggish, poor turn in) , but for the type of event you are tackling not a big deal I guess.

 

Thanks! Yes - expected the on-road handling to be less than stellar, but given it's 80% desert, the extra compliance, clearance and ability to deflate in the fluffy (or muddy) stuff will be a happy compromise I expect. Lovell make springs 20MM over standard, and mine has been lowered at least that much for circuit racing (and the engine lowered as well) so I will be fighting for clearance. And installing some bash plates!

 

Welcome to the forum Glen, I have added you to the Qld roll call thread.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...4/#post1379867

When you get a moment please post an intro in the new members area for a warm welcome.

New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

V12 springs will rise a I6 car!!! In front only.
The rear a bit more complex.


Carl

 

Yes some plates would be good. I used to do similar stuff in VWs when dinosaurs roamed the earth. We had to build a large T shaped plate to protect crankcase, pushrod tubes and heads from flying "stuff".

You are really working the full inverted pike with half twist degree of difficulty using a lowered Jag as starting point for an off road car. Not easily daunted are you ? :-)

Please post some pics when you are set up, this will be classic! or is it epic these days?

 

I was thinking same! Just curious.....

 

Steve:


Indeed, a VW based Dune buggy derelict rests in my drive.
Shop built way back in the EMPI style.


And, a triangular skid plate in corrugated metal. Cleverly,
the pointed end is attached via an ordinary hardware
store hinge!!!


Carl

 

Very creative :-)