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Nose lift kit for temporary clearance? (Driveway dip)

1058 Views 16 Replies 12 Participants Last post by ezlife45, 4 mo ago

rhase

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

3

Hello! I have a cat coming very soon (she shipped thursday) and while my awd SXT has no trouble with my steep driveway, the new cat is longer and lower in the front. The sxt splitter has about 3-4" extra space at the worst part of the angle on one side, 2" on the other.

Road surface Asphalt Wood Grass Tar

Car Land vehicle Wheel Tire Vehicle

Wheel Tire Automotive tire Tread Road surface

As I rent I cannot regrade it, though I am going to attempt to work out a deal with the landlord. I'd rather not move.

Ramps every time seem obnoxious. It's too short to cut an angle (only about a foot longer than the challenger). I am considering inch thick rubber matts like what worked for another member with a dip as well.

Airbags would work but I am worried about destroying the handling with air suspension, though I love the idea of adjustable ride height to eliminate any clearance issues I may face.

So I am left wondering: is there any way to install a separate nose lift system like Porsches and Corvettes have? That raise the front by an inch or so at the push of a button then drop it back with another once you've cleared the obstacle?

All thoughts appreciated.

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Reaperhwk

· #2 · 5 mo ago

I'd make a plywood/2x4 setup maybe that you can drag out of the garage that would grade that ramp?

Also, maybe look for some large rubber ramps that you can lay down?

THose are 2 quick things that popped into my head.

Reactions: 3

Reaperhwk

· #3 · 5 mo ago

Or something like this:
Amazon.com: 72" x 15"3" 10,000_LB_ALUMINUM_CAR_TRUCK SKID_ FORKLIFT_ RAMPS TRAILER Hook 2 ramps : Automotive

That one is rated at 10000 lbs so it definitely won't flex or break. You just need to find a way to make sure it don't slide, maybe drill into the concrete and make anchor points.

Reactions: 1

Blickie

· #4 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

rhase said:
Hello! I have a cat coming very soon (she shipped thursday) and while my awd SXT has no trouble with my steep driveway, the new cat is longer and lower in the front. The sxt splitter has about 3-4" extra space at the worst part of the angle on one side, 2" on the other. View attachment 611055
View attachment 611054
View attachment 611053

As I rent I cannot regrade it, though I am going to attempt to work out a deal with the landlord. I'd rather not move.

Ramps every time seem obnoxious. It's too short to cut an angle (only about a foot longer than the challenger). I am considering inch thick rubber matts like what worked for another member with a dip as well.

Airbags would work but I am worried about destroying the handling with air suspension, though I love the idea of adjustable ride height to eliminate any clearance issues I may face.

So I am left wondering: is there any way to install a separate nose lift system like Porsches and Corvettes have? That raise the front by an inch or so at the push of a button then drop it back with another once you've cleared the obstacle?

All thoughts appreciated.

A pair of 2" x 12" lengths of wood...

You can support the centers with 4x4s...

Reactions: 1

MJS73

· #5 · 5 mo ago

Hydraulic lift for the front end?

Reactions: 1

Big Swede

· #6 · 5 mo ago

Does it do the same if you back in?

akras

· #7 · 5 mo ago

You might be able to just enter it at an angle. That's what I do. If SXT can take it straight, stock HC probably should be able to go at an angle.

Reactions: 1

rhase

Discussion Starter · #8 · 5 mo ago

Big Swede said:
Does it do the same if you back in?

I do back in. The struggle is that the garage at the base is also flat, so it has to drive out the same angle in reverse.

rhase

Discussion Starter · #9 · 5 mo ago

akras said:
You might be able to just enter it at an angle. That's what I do. If SXT can take it straight, stock HC probably should be able to go at an angle.

The driveway is almost the exact length of the car and the garage doors are about as wide as the car (about a foot wider) and the interior is as small as it can get, with very little wiggle room for anything but hitting it near perfectly straight, making taking angles very challenging. Further, all the spaces are usually taken, so it's not a reliably available option even if I do figure out the perfect path to crank the nose around. Basically, this driveway/garage was designed by satan. Or a cyclist. Same thing really.

Was hoping to find solutions that allow me to back in straight.

rhase

Discussion Starter · #10 · 5 mo ago

MJS73 said:
Hydraulic lift for the front end?

Do they make these for challengers? I'm not sure what the mechanics are for that feature on vettes/porsches.

Sarna March

· #11 · 5 mo ago

Could you make something relatively light that you could just toss in the trunk that is a small, elevated (by an inch or two) bit in the middle with a slope on either side, so you could drive the car up to The Critical Spot, then place the temporary ramps, drive a foot or so forward to just get you over the potential problem spot, then move them back into the trunk?

Someone, somewhere probably makes hydros for the car, but it would require removing some important components, wouldn't it?

Does backing in as you do eliminate the problem in one spot but still allow it in another spot?

Reactions: 1

DudeBoosted

· #12 · 5 mo ago

The rubber Matt(S) idea likely be your safest and easiest way to gain the clearance you need.

Reactions: 1

rhase

Discussion Starter · #13 · 5 mo ago

Sarna March said:
Could you make something relatively light that you could just toss in the trunk that is a small, elevated (by an inch or two) bit in the middle with a slope on either side, so you could drive the car up to The Critical Spot, then place the temporary ramps, drive a foot or so forward to just get you over the potential problem spot, then move them back into the trunk?

Someone, somewhere probably makes hydros for the car, but it would require removing some important components, wouldn't it?

Does backing in as you do eliminate the problem in one spot but still allow it in another spot?

If I drive in the problem spot is at the bottom before the car levels out. If I back in it's at the top. Backing in the nose doesn't drop when you brake, so it's the better option IMO. Easier to exit the garage at a slow even pace than pull in). Maybe a little lift from a board under the tires at one critical point is all it will take.

For the first day I bring her home (unfortunately gonna be dead of winter....) I am having a tow truck friend with me with his ramps and expertise to get her in safely. I am also leaving the banana on, because well. This is its purpose after all haha. It'll come off once I know I can get her in and out without scraping. I'm really hoping that by backing up slowly it'll clear without issue. If it goes in without scraping it should also come out without scraping. Fingers crossed I won't need to modify anything at all!

audocat

· #14 · 5 mo ago

I've seen people use a heavy metal plate for this situation, like a curb to driveway transition. Eight or twelve inches wide X width of car. Won't slide or hurt anything, and too heavy to steal! Find an old cutting edge from dozer or scraper cheap.

Reactions: 1

HemiMetal

· #15 · 5 mo ago

Rent a room to Dom Toretto. Become BFF's.

Sorry, just injecting a little levity. Hope you find a solution

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Reactions: 2

WizzaVTX

· #16 · 5 mo ago

https://curbramp.us/

Reactions: 2

ezlife45

· #17 · 4 mo ago

What about splitter protectors? ZLAddons used to sell metal gizmos that go under the splitter. They may still offer them.

Reactions: 1

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