rise ride hight for the winter?

[austria3]

I know it is a bit strange to talk about the winter while it is that hot outside ( a least here in Austria)

I bougth the new issue of the German car magazine "Motor Klassik" today in which I found an article about the 911 4x4 and 959 prototypes which Porsche used in 1984 and 1986 to win the Paris-Dakar Ralley. While watching the pictures of the 911 4x4 prototype

I thought this would be the perfect car for the winter for me. Because we got so much snow during the last winter that my car was forced to stay in the garage more than 6 month. I know that Porsche offered 4wd up from the 964 modell but the ride high is much too low.

So my question is:

Can I rise the ride hight of a 78' SC to get a ground clearence of a Mercedes G wagon?

and can I put the 4 wheel drive of a 964 C4 in a 78' SC ?
I know this would require a lot of modifications because the suspension and all is totally different, and I don't want to modify my SC, I am more thinking about a new project car.

Thanks

[svandamme]

http://offroadracing.com.au/sorra/buildups/build_porsche!.htm

[KobaltBlau]

You'd be better of starting with a 964C4. Be prepared for some major suspension fabrication!

[Grady Clay]

I agree with Andy. The 4WD chassis is dramatically different from your SC. The “tunnel” to the front differential is the obvious (but not only) difference. Start with a 4WD car. What is your availability of a good C4?

Talk to Porsche A.G. about what you want. I’ll bet you can find some old rallye/safari parts from them. If they are just sitting around, you will get them for a song. If nothing else, you can find out what to do. If you get the wrong person they will tell you to buy a Cayenne. SOFT suspension with long travel is the critical issue.

Good luck,
Grady
gradyclay@hotmail.com

[svandamme]

getting old specialty parts for a song??? from Porsche???

[austria3]

@ svandamme: thanks for the link but this car looks more like a buggy with a self made tube frame, porsche engine and a plastic 911 body. I mean it looks great and would be interesting to drive but I won't be allowed to drive it on Austrians rodes legally.
I am not sure but I thought the safari cars where only modified Carerras without 4 wheel drive, but it would be interesting to know how the rised the ridehigh at these cars.

@ Grady Clay: also the whole frame in the front is different because of the 4 wheele drive and the different pick up points of the suspension. And I guess a lot more.


the reason why I want to do it in a 78' SC is Money. Here in Austria a car has to be older than 25 years to get the classic car status and to get 50% reducion on the insurence.

Thanks

[svandamme]

stefan,

did you follow the link for the buggy?

it is actually a normal 911, only the backend is tubes , to support the engine

the rest of the car is standard, you can see how they made custom trailing arms , which is required if you wanna rise the height dramatically

[stlrj]

On the 78 Safari, the factory also lowered the spindles on the front struts for the added height and to keep the front end geometry with the same roll center as stock as well as minimizing the introduction of excessive positive camber.

Looking forward to seeing your results.

Cheers,

Joe Garcia
74 w/ 86 3.2
Redwood PCA since 1976

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by stlrj
On the 78 Safari, the factory also lowered the spindles on the front struts for the added height and to keep the front end geometry with the same roll center as stock as well as minimizing the introduction of excessive positive camber.

That was 2wd though. even the pre-959 dakar cars had a totally different front suspension. with a 911 front suspension, there's no place to put the drive axle through.

I think a high 2wd 911 based on an SC is semi-reasonable, but a high 4wd 911 based on an SC would require tons of work. Could be done, sure, but tons of work.