Looking forward into winter. Yes, I realize there's a good 6 to 8 months before any real snow will show up here but I'm just trying to be prepared.

I'm looking for suggestions on what could be done to lift my 8 1-1.5 inches higher than stock for the winter. I've poked around a bit, but obviously that it not a common thing to do.

Why do I want to commit this blasphemy? Because I live in southern Alberta and travel into BC at random. If you know anything about the area we defiantly get a good amount of snow for a month or 2 in the winter. As everyone is probably well aware, the 8 doesn't exactly ride high (4.7 inches I believe?). This is also my only vehicle, if I can't drive it I can't go anywhere.

Lifting it up would just make me feel a little better and reduce my chances of getting stuck when the big snow fall hits. Winter tires will also be put on. This is something I'd like to be able to put on in the winter and then put the stock back on in the spring. Any suggestions?

 

no real suggestions other than to keep it at the stock height and get some taller winter tires. With taller tires you can raise the height a little without touching the suspension.

How much snow do you usually see at one time? How fast are your roads cleared?

I drove my lowered 8 throughout the CT winter last year and had no problems. I just don't know how much snow you are going to get.

 

Well this past winter was kind of a freak one. We got 3 feet overnight on top of the foot or so we already had. Tied in with the drifts it looked like you were driving into Mordor at some points.

Usually its no more than 2 feet. However, my city is notorious for not plowing the streets. They waited a week after that 3 foot dump before plowing hoping that it would have melted away...

Hopefully this year if it snows like it did last winter they'll be more on top of the whole plowing thing. So I guess I'll be looking for some taller winter tires!

 

I'm so glad I don't get alot of snow here and with me moving to Arizona, no snow to worry about.

My car sitting just barely over 2" off the ground wouldn't make it where you live.

 

Get a Daily driver, seriously thats the best thing.

 

You can find a used of legacy for cheaper than it would be to find something to lift your 8.

 

+1. It would also keep your 8 off the road during those harsh conditions so as to not introduce more rockchips / salt buildup

 

That does seem like the logical thing to do. However, I'd then have to deal with insuring that new vehicle and with rates going up 30-40% it would become quite costly to have both cars insured.

I also share a house with 2 others and we only have a 2 spot driveway. So me having two vehicles there is pretty much out of the question... though, not totally unconsidered.

 

Insurance rates go down when you have more cars than drivers, you will be logging less miles in each car since it will be split, so that may help, and its an old legacy, it can't be much to insure.