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i googled and searched here but couldn't really find anything, but i want to lift my car a little, i want some extra clearance for going off road (not crazy, just so i can go a little farther than pavement) i was thinking an inch, maybe 2 if it wouldn't look too weird. i want it to be fairly cheap, maybe just aftermarket springs; are there any cars that have 1-2 inch taller springs but that are the same diameter that i could stick on? i really don't know much about suspension and especially about car lifts so go ahead and make fun of me , also, if i were to lift it, what size of tires would fit the suggested lift?(may also add a small spacer which would likely alter the wheel space)... any suggestions or comments would be appreciated, thanks guys!
oh, and also another issue came to mind... would i need a rear camber kit to keep the car align-able ?

BTW- I'm Jacob, I just signed up!

 
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Um. Don't drive a civic if you wanna clear off road obstacles?

If you REALLY wanted to pursue this, you'd have to go all custom with it..

 
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well its all i have with no real option of getting anything else, and i don't to make it a truck, just a little more clearance... if its going to be a huge project i don't plan on pursuing it, just hoping for something fairly simple.

 
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It's not going to be simple, or cheap

Get an ATV

 
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what kind of off-road conditions? I've been able to take my lowered civic on a non-paved road to get to a hiking trail no problem. Sure, I had to soften up my suspension (I have adjustable dampering) to make it more comfortable, but that's about it.

 
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really? if i'm not mistaken its only a spring change to lower it, no? if that's the case why can't a taller spring be added, given the chance i could find some.

 
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Well, I like to hunt coyote and camp so sometimes its a problem, plus if i space the wheels a little with some decent tires i think it would be a fun car and unique.

I don't want to go out and get a jeep or something for a few reasons: don't have the money to pay for one, nor the money to afford the bad gas mileage.

 
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You also have to take into account how far the strut piston can travel. When I took apart my OEM struts to put new springs on, I don't recall them being able to travel any further. Putting a taller spring on would only give you a hella stiffer ride and hinder the ability for your strut to travel downward due to the lack of space between spring coils.

the road was a quarter mile of this, coupled with hella uneven road surfaces.. didn't have any problems other than it being a REALLY bumpy ride with my suspension set as stiff as it was. People had looks of "is this guy freakin serious?" when I turned onto the dirt road.

 
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yeah that road is quite mild, I'd take my car on that without hesitation... but beyond just more capability i would just enjoy it... i don't know much about the strut piston, i only figured there would be space of that for a couple inches because when you lift the car on a jack it extends a fair amount before actually lifting, although that might be less than i perceived or a bigger problem than i assumed, I'm just speculating and hoping :P

 
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if u raise ur car higher than stock, it will top out (like bottoming out, but the opposite).

ur car's suspension (A arms, rods...etc) are designed for a specific height. going lower is ok but going higher isnt as forgiving.

 
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hmm, so there really isn't much/any room to go up?

 
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if not suspension, whats the biggest tires i could comfortably fit? (stock wheels) i would also probably add 1/4" wheel spacers if that effects it much...

 
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i remember seeing a four wheel drive 7th generation civic but it was from over sea's either europe or japan i don't remember but it was definitely alot higher off the ground . your best bet is bigger beefy tires you can swap on when you go camping or whatever then put the stock tires back on when your done otherwise go buy a beater truck like a 93 toyota t100 or something along those lines you can find them dirt cheap.

 
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If i were to put the biggest ruggedy-est tires that would fit on my car, how bad would that be for my mileage if i were to just leave them on and not drive harshly on accel?

 
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An inch or two isn't going to hurt. It's no different than putting a lift on a Jeep or a truck etc., you don't swap out a-arms and all that jazz when doing that unless your going huge.

To adress the OPs question: Yes, you probably can lift your Civic. However, you are going to be the only person in the world who has, lol. The only way I can see this happening is if you were to buy a set if universal coil spacers. These will most likely make your car ride like *** because they aren't application specific but if your dead set on it it's worth the $40.

Here's a link to some universal coil spacers:
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Gasket-1287.../dp/B000BWCFIM

 
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My drivers side front is sagging, that would more than likely be the spring correct? or what would it be? if i were to use the same stuff and just space it then i would want to fix that sag...

 
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you can always do what this guy did in the picture posted in this thread
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...size-best.html

But I doubt it's gonna be cheap, or you would even make it that high

Either way, like they said, get a old truck or a 4runner to go camping in

Otherwise, you're looking at all new suspension, struts, springs, shocks, tires, and a big mess

 
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lol, i'm not trying to make a monster truck, just an inch or two plus largest tires, not even blatantly noticeable.

 
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woops! double post - see the one below...

 
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yeah i was thinkin more like a hundred bucks, i know a guy that owns a junk yard so i was hoping maybe interchangeable springs, are there any that would even let me ride stock? since mine are sagging, Driver-Front most especially.

 
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heh!
http://www.stylinsolutions.com/ec/Product.aspx?ID=3485
or you can ask suncore industries to make you one, but they are expensive.
http://www.suncoreindustries.com/?gc...FQ8E5QodrXkIjA

 
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The shocks have a limited travel (when you lift the car, the moment the wheel leaves the ground is the maximum shock travel. However, the springs will deflect and you will have than that.
You can try to:
1) use longer springs - they will have a high probability of coil bind (meaning all the coils will hit one another before the shocks or the bumpstops get to their minimum travel - in other words, will be like you hit ground in a bike without suspension). You get clearance, but you could destroy the car. Do not do this.
2) use stiffer springs with same length as stock - this will lift the car without causing the issues listed in 1. But they will cost.
3) Use the air lift kits is the best in my opinion, but again pricey.
4) Find another car springs that might fit.
Unfortunately, i believe you will have more luck in a off-road or rally forum than here... Do not think we have any rally freak around here... sorry.

 
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xRiCeBoYx-this is off topic, but was tone of black did you use to paint your gas cap lid?

 
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how would i find out if another car had the same or similar springs as mine? from the way it sounds i probably wont lift the car, I'm not trying to break the thing, but if i could get springs that are a little stiffer or even the same as stock i might be able to grab them from my junk yard friend (who doesn't have any from a 7th gen) as i mentioned above, my drivers-front is sagging and as far as i know that would be the spring, so I'd like to at least get something close to stock.

 
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It's actually overlayed with black & blue carbon/kevlar

 
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call eibach or QA1 springs, they might know what could work for you. We don't know

 
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ok i'll do that! so does anyone know what's the biggest tire i could fit on stock height? (stock 15 inch wheels)

 
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My '89 hatch sat lower than that and I've taken it on way worse roads in Tenn, with 3 of us in it. Should be fine with stiffer suspension.

 
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That little parking area was a lot more mild than the 1/8 mile road to that parking area. Probably should have specified that.

 
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I believe that fully adjustable coilovers can be raised 1". Not sure which brands though. Basically you would need taller springs and shocks.