XV-01 ride height

[AJB123]

I bought myself an XV-01 a while back, but then got distracted taking the engine out of my 1:1 old car and replacing valves, piston rings, etc, so haven't got round to building it yet! Finally that's all done, the engine is back in, it's back on the road, and the engine hasn't exploded yet, so the XV-01 is getting near the top of my list of fun things to do!

I'd read here someone recommending raising the potential ride height by using longer shock ends, with a spacer in the shock to keep the max droop acceptable. Is that a good idea, or is the stock shock length a better bet? I don't really want to build it up and then change my mind, just because silicone oil is so messy once you're rebuilding things!! But as I understand it the standard build has lots of wasted upwards movement available, and this change sounds like it'd convert some of that into extra droop and/or extra ride height if/when wanted.

If I used the longer ends, I'm not quite clear if it would still bottom out by the chassis touching the ground, or if it'd then be stressing the suspension on max compression?

I don't particularly need huge ride height (although I don't know what I do need - this will be my first non-buggy build other than a Honda City Turbo WR-02C), but if the longer ends would give more droop and potentially more ground clearance, whilst still letting me remove the spring spacers to drop it and get a lower or more stock ride height if that's what I wanted, then is there any reason not to?

Thanks in advance!

ps any other tips for XV-01 builds also very much appreciated!

 

 

[gizard]

Have a look here:

 

[gizard]

I will be building my second XV-01 Rally long damper spec soon so will need to refer to that thread again myself!  

[Nicadraus]

There are many XV-01 builds in "The Builds" section of this forum. A lot of tips and guides on building the XV-01 in different ways and set ups. Don't forget to add shims and aluminum spacers to the counter gear.

 

[AJB123]

On 6/24/2022 at 2:08 AM, Nicadraus said:

There are many XV-01 builds in "The Builds" section of this forum. A lot of tips and guides on building the XV-01 in different ways and set ups. Don't forget to add shims and aluminum spacers to the counter gear.

Thanks - yes, I've already bought shims for that. I'm planning to use the stock plastic spacer, but to shim it carefully and to put shims between the pin and the plastic spacer. To my mind that should do the trick. I've also bought the fibre reinforced J parts to hopefully keep the suspension arms in place.

Most of the build threads I've found are either stock, or buying different shocks etc. At this point I want to use the kit shocks, but I've only read in one place about using the longer ends with spacers to increase droop and potential ride height.

I was thinking there would be no disadvantage as long as the chassis still bottomed out before the suspension, but having read a few threads I'm not wondering if the extra droop might actually end up with rolling it on tarmac. I'd never thought before that limited droop could actually act a bit like a stabiliser bar, effectively stiffening it up against roll once it's rolled enough that it reaches max droop on the inside wheels.

I still can't decide which way to build the kit shocks!!!

[Nicadraus]

21 hours ago, AJB123 said:

Thanks - yes, I've already bought shims for that. I'm planning to use the stock plastic spacer, but to shim it carefully and to put shims between the pin and the plastic spacer. To my mind that should do the trick. I've also bought the fibre reinforced J parts to hopefully keep the suspension arms in place.

Most of the build threads I've found are either stock, or buying different shocks etc. At this point I want to use the kit shocks, but I've only read in one place about using the longer ends with spacers to increase droop and potential ride height.

I was thinking there would be no disadvantage as long as the chassis still bottomed out before the suspension, but having read a few threads I'm not wondering if the extra droop might actually end up with rolling it on tarmac. I'd never thought before that limited droop could actually act a bit like a stabiliser bar, effectively stiffening it up against roll once it's rolled enough that it reaches max droop on the inside wheels.

I still can't decide which way to build the kit shocks!!!

The nice thing about the XV-01 chassis is its natural body roll. I use mine on dirt rally and tarmac without changing the ride height and the car perform the way I want it. I like the realistic body roll but it doesn't flip the car over even on high speed tight turns or when I drift it.

You can use longer shaft ball ends to extend 3-5mm. That should give you the extra droop you want. You can experiment on different settings to see which suits your driving style. What works for me or others may not be suitable for you. So setting up and testing will be beneficial in making your final decision.

Anyway, here's my build thread I'd like to share that may be in any help to your build.

 

[AJB123]

10 hours ago, Nicadraus said:

I like the realistic body roll but it doesn't flip the car over even on high speed tight turns or when I drift it.

You can use longer shaft ball ends to extend 3-5mm. That should give you the extra droop you want. You can experiment on different settings to see which suits your driving style. What works for me or others may not be suitable for you. So setting up and testing will be beneficial in making your final decision.

Anyway, here's my build thread I'd like to share that may be in any help to your build.

I'd seen your build thread before - it looks amazing! Thanks for recording and sharing it all.

Realistic roll without flipping is exactly what I'm aiming for. And yes, absolutely, what's right for one person may not be ideal for someone else, and setting up, testing, and modifying is the best way to go. It's just that if I can get the right call up front about putting spacers in the shock (to use with longer ends), or not (with shorter ends), then that'll save a lot of mess and some wasted oil!