OK gang, so I got into thinking that there HAS to be a way to lift an E. Believe it or not, I'm not even thinking about doing this myself, but I have heard so many of you who want to. This brought out the work side of me (Federal Investigator by trade). I researched Honda models and found that the Euro-spec HR-V is somewhat similar mechanical wise to the CR-V, and therefore perhaps the E. I found a European company that makes lift and lowering kits for the HR-V. I contacted them and asked about the same for an E. I MAKE NO PROMISES, GUARANTEES, OR ANYTHING IF YOU DECIDE TO USE THIS COMPANY!!! I simply did the legwork for anyone interested. Here is our correspondance:

first e-mail:

Hello! i saw a file about your suspension kit for the Euro-spec
Honda HR-V. I am in America and wondered if this system:
1) raises or lowers the vehicle
2) can be used on a US spec Honda Element

Any insight you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Response:

Scott,

Thanks for your inquiry into LEDA suspension. LEDA has forwarded your note here as we are the master distributor in North America for LEDA suspension. We do have units for your car and it can be used to raise OR lower your car depending on what you want. Please contact us at the number below so we may answer any questions you may have.

Thanks for your interest in LEDA suspension!

Karl
Racer's Edge
865-675-8285
865-675-8249 (Fax)
www.Racersedge-inc.com


My response:

Karl:

Thanks for the response. Just so we're clear, you have a suspension kit that will RAISE the the U.S. spec Honda Element? I just want to make sure because there are LOTS of E owners who may be interested in this, and I don't want to get their hopes up prematurely.

Thanks!

Scott


Their response:

We can make them so they raise the vehicle as much as you want (up to a
reasonable limit).

Karl
Racer's Edge
865-675-8285
865-675-8249 (Fax)
www.Racersedge-inc.com

The higher you climb...
The better you see
The better you see...
The more you understand.
The more you understand...
The better you will feel.
So keep a cool tool... and don't let your meat loaf!

Good going on the leg work there. I personally feel that if your going to buy a truck to lower it, then you should be driving a car instead.

Also have new oem install for fogs on my www. do it yourself mods

In the meantime... Enjoy life beyond your doors. :idea:

This may be a dumb question, but since I've never lifted a vehicle before, what all should I buy to lift my E up, I've been looking at the Leda suspension systems, but I'm not sure what else I need to get... any help would be great. Thanks.

While working in Brattleboro Vermont a couple of years ago I saw a bumper sticker, "Low riders are for those that can't get it up!"

My brother-in-law works at "Off Road Warehouse" in San Diego. I don't see any lift kits on their website for the E. I called them and asked if they make suspension lift kits for the Honda Element, and they said "No, not yet".

http://www.offroadwarehouse.com/
http://shop.offroadwarehouse.com/index.php?cat=130

I was attracted to this thread because I'm always carrying a ton of photography equipment in the back of my E and the thing always looks like it's squatting just a tad bit in the back. But a lift kit is probably a lot more than I need! I'd be interested in a way to stiffen it up just a little in the back. Are there inexpensive spring stiffeners available?

I know good bit about suspension work, but I have more experience with truck-based SUVs (Adding shackles to rear leafs on solid axle trucks and the like) and I know the Element uses a strut system in the front and some sort of strange multi-link in the back. To be honest, I know almost nothing about multi-links, but they all use coil springs. And with that, I say you would need stiffer springs to reduce the sagging effect.

Be advised though that when you lift a vehicle up, it's going to drive a LOT differently. Also, those stiff springs are going to make it ride like a truck. Honda spent a lot of time making that suspension work properly. Be sure you have good anti-sway bars underneath!

time to revisit this topic for those of us interested in a slight lift. i just put in a call to karl and left a message. the HRV price on their site is like $1500 for the complete kit which sounds a bit pricey.

btw, a slight lift of 1 to 2 inches, if done with high quality parts, generally should not effect the ride that much (unless the unique honda design would result in that).

http://www.hondasuv.com/mdx/viewtopic.php?t=20

A UK or Austrailian company will have little incentive to build suspension parts for the Element, which is not sold in either country.

Note that the current Civic, CRV and Element (and possibly the HRV) share the same type of suspension, Pre 2001 Civic is different, as is the 1st generation CRV. The spring stiffness for the Element may be different, and the front shock towers probably are longer to allow of the larger tires.

There are plenty of aftermarket suspension parts for the Civic, though they are more oriented to lowering than raising.

paulj