[orekart]

...My only question is what the "optional socket" is in the installation instructions.

It's a thin-walled socket ground down on the O.D. to fit into the I.D. of some bolt access holes that are comically only-just too small for a standard socket. I made mine with a sacrificial socket rotating on a power drill chuck against the surface direction (not opposite rotation where surfaces move alike) of a bench grinder abrasive stone, measuring occasionally with a calipers.

The MPP Lift Kit includes some substitute bolts that have a bolt head size for which a standard socket does fit into the access holes.

 

[MountainPass]

Thanks for this offer, unfortunately it apparently takes several posts to be allowed DMs. I'm getting the kit installed by a mostly-Subaru shop that was very into the idea.

My only question is what the "optional socket" is in the installation instructions. Mine is a dual motor model, so I'm assuming something to do with the driveshaft clearance mentioned at the end?

It is a ground/machined 13mm socket that lets you unbolt the damper from the upper suspension assembly, rather than removing the entire assembly. It saves time but is not necessary.

 

[Alpenglow]

Thanks for the info!

A local Subaru-focused shop installed the lift kit today in their first Tesla experience. 4 hours, all of which went smoothly except for more time than expected fixing the clearance for the front drive shafts. All good things to say about the kit and car.

Rides great! I think there might be slightly more wind noise, mostly from the more exposed stuff in the front wheel well. Getting alignment checked tomorrow.

I think some more full-coverage wheel well covers in the front might pair nicely against heavy snow buildup and such. I'm not a fan of the little tubes and things that are now very visible (but no more unprotected than before) with a clearer view above the wheels. There's even one view-through square hole in the front right wheel well that almost looks like an inspection point and goes pretty far in.

 

[aanderson81]

I've noticed that EV Tuning has 3 air suspension upgrades available now for the Model 3. I was wondering what the difference between "Stage 3" "Stage 4" and "Stage 5" is in regards to these kits. I dont have much experience with air suspension so most of the specs are greek for me.

As for why I am thinking about going with Air Suspension, I do some light towing with my 3, mostly a dump cart for dump runs and a small popup camper and the car tows this without issue, except for the clearance. The 3 is a hair too low given the way the hitch is mounted and I find it scraping against speed bumps and such and would appreciate being able to raise the ride a bit when towing. Not really looking to lower it too much but having a couple of presets would not be looked down on as a feature, but isnt a requirement. Mostly looking to raise it a hair and auto leveling would be nice. I'd love to hear some thoughts / feedback on this.

Thanks

https://evtuning.com/collections/types?q=Aftermarket Suspension

 

[Rick Steinwand]

Any one specifically bag their Model 3 primarily to increase ground clearance in the winter?

Spent 30 minutes shoveling today and really could have used another inch of clearance, preferably two, to avoid getting stuck. This is the first time I've had to shovel.

The problem is I'm in ND so no installers here would have installed one on a Tesla. I suspect a lot of you California guys have one for the opposite reason, to lower it.

 

[TBarretH]

I've been curious about this too but haven't found any model 3 air suspensions that talk about being able to go above standard ride height, they all talk about going from standard to slammed. I want one that can go from standard to plus 2 inches so that I can raise it up to get to trail heads and stuff when needed without sacrificing mileage on road trips and around town.

 

[JWardell]

Looks like Tesla may be adding air suspension to the 3 (and Y?) soon:
https://electrek.co/2020/02/10/tesla-leaks-air-suspension-model-3/

Also, came here to post this guy:

 

[Rick Steinwand]

Looks like Tesla may be adding air suspension to the 3 (and Y?) soon:
https://electrek.co/2020/02/10/tesla-leaks-air-suspension-model-3/

Also, came here to post this guy:

Sadly, Elon says otherwise.

 

[JWardell]

Sadly, Elon says otherwise.

Except for the clearly labeled Air Suspension pins on the VCfront module. Unpopulated yes, but that means it was planned and could always be added back. Sounds like an after-the-fact business decision for differentiation.

 

[JWardell]

Awesome:

 

[garsh]

Ok, here we go. A serious off-road kit for the Model 3.

Company website: https://delta4x4.com/

 

[MountainPass]

Ok, here we go. A serious off-road kit for the Model 3.

Company website: https://delta4x4.com/

Sept 2019 - Delta 4x4 buys our lift kit

Feb 2020 - Officially our first part to be knocked off

 

[Atraf]

Here is @MountainPass lift kit in action, combined with tall Toyo tires... on a Model Y

 

[Jake C.]

I'm playing with the idea of doing something similar to the Model 3. Would like to get @MountainPass lift kit and would like to use an A/T tire (26" A/T tires are hard to come by probably for good reason).

Anyone successfully attempt this? @Mad Hungarian

BF Goodrich KO2 A/T was what I was hoping would fit but the smallest is a 255/55R18 which is a 29" diameter tire...
- I think the wheel well would fit a 29" tire but I'm not sure about tire clearance when turning front tires
- Also steering knuckle/ upper control arm would definitely hit (unless a 15-25mm spacer would give clearance needed).

Option #2 is the same tire i1 Tesla used the Toyo Open Country A/T III which is offered in a 225/55R18 which is a 27.7" diameter tire.
-i1 Tesla used a 255/55R19 which is a 30" tire on Model Y which I'm assuming has larger wheel wells)
- The 225/55 (8.9") is also a narrower tire than the 235/45 (9.3") that come stock on Tesla 18's so maybe that would clear knuckle/control arm?

Currently have Michelin Primacy MXM4 all seasons for the summer and Michelin Latitude X-ice XI2 for the winter.

Thoughts? RIP range

 

[orekart]

I'm playing with the idea of doing something similar to the Model 3....
Thoughts? RIP range

So... this?

Summer 280Wh/mi
Winter 318Wh/mi

Disgusting power consumption? Yep.

Regrets? None. Would recommend a Model Y though now that it is for sale.

 

[Atraf]

I'm playing with the idea of doing something similar to the Model 3. Would like to get @MountainPass lift kit and would like to use an A/T tire (26" A/T tires are hard to come by probably for good reason).

Anyone successfully attempt this? @Mad Hungarian

BF Goodrich KO2 A/T was what I was hoping would fit but the smallest is a 255/55R18 which is a 29" diameter tire...
- I think the wheel well would fit a 29" tire but I'm not sure about tire clearance when turning front tires
- Also steering knuckle/ upper control arm would definitely hit (unless a 15-25mm spacer would give clearance needed).

Option #2 is the same tire i1 Tesla used the Toyo Open Country A/T III which is offered in a 225/55R18 which is a 27.7" diameter tire.
-i1 Tesla used a 255/55R19 which is a 30" tire on Model Y which I'm assuming has larger wheel wells)
- The 225/55 (8.9") is also a narrower tire than the 235/45 (9.3") that come stock on Tesla 18's so maybe that would clear knuckle/control arm?

Currently have Michelin Primacy MXM4 all seasons for the summer and Michelin Latitude X-ice XI2 for the winter.

Thoughts? RIP range

You and me both, while I'm not a big fan of dodging the front upper knuckle with spacers (hate them, plus that would probably cause rubbing against wheel well) nor by narrow tire (on slick dry roads car already lacks grip with stock 235 tires in my experience). If you figure out anyway to get i1's model Y's setup on your Model 3... please do share! I'd love to be able to go on trails similar to the one shown in that video but with our ground clearance its not really feasible

So... this? View attachment 35109

Is this a 17" wheel with 215/55R17 tire??

Specs please!
Tire/rim make, model, size (stock studs?)
Any aftermarket parts other than MPP's lift kit?
Any further modification? sanded front upper knuckle?

What is your driving experience like? grip/comfort? (in any tested condition, ex: dry asphalt/dirt roads/gravel/wet asphalt/mud/snow roads/sand etc)
before/after clearance? (center wheel>body, floor > lowest point in car's body?)

Summer 280Wh/mi
Winter 318Wh/mi

Disgusting power consumption? Yep.

Regrets? None. Would recommend a Model Y though now that it is for sale.

Thats:
Summer range: 267.8miles
Winter range: 235.8 miles

I wouldn't call it disgusting, its a tradeoff, which can definitely make sense depending on situation.

 

[orekart]

Is this a 17" wheel with 215/55R17 tire??

Specs please!
Tire/rim make, model, size (stock studs?)
Any aftermarket parts other than MPP's lift kit?
Any further modification? sanded front upper knuckle?

What is your driving experience like? grip/comfort? (in any tested condition, ex: dry asphalt/dirt roads/gravel/wet asphalt/mud/snow roads/sand etc)
before/after clearance? (center wheel>body, floor > lowest point in car's body?)

No, they are Yoko Geo A/T G015's in 215/60R17. Spec is 27.7in overall. Mounted on:
BRAID Tarmac Wheel Fullrace A 17X7 Offset +25 Bore 64.1 PCD 5X114.3 Lug M14-Cone

MPP production run 1.75in spacer lift kit.

Wheel weights are tricky to position because clearances are so tight on the rears. In the fronts the control arms are very close and I could recommend getting no closer than that.

Handling is ****e in the corners, as you would expect. I'd got stuck several times each month in snow and in mud with a stock aero wheel setup, and also aero with the lift kit though less frequent. Lifted and with A/T on 17's simply does not get stuck, though you do hit the control arms and scrape a bit going over medians. It's still a commuter car not some damned off-road machine.

IIRC read this thread from the start I have posted before. I'm happy for the Model Y owners doing awesome things, it just wasn't an option for me then. Cybertruck or Bollinger B1 look pretty sweet for the future.

 

[Atraf]

@orekart

Oh man I was pretty close, you might be the only person in the world with 17" wheel on Model 3, thank you for the specs! I love your build!
Both 215 tire and 7 width wheel is crazy narrow, I find stock 235 on 8.5 borderline insufficient in terms of traction, I suppose the trade is simple, you either go narrow and dodge the upper knuckle or you get as close to it from below (from what I gather 255/45R18 on 9 width would do that, with MPP lift and rear camber arms). Your approach probably gives superior mud/snow traction, thus you might actually have the most capable off-road Model 3.
Hey if you ever feel like filming your car passing through mud and/or snow .. I'd definitely watch!

There's an update to that i1 Model Y build, posted by MPP:


Loving it and super jelly we can't pull the same build on our Model 3.
I believe he went for 255/60R19 (31" diameter), which has 6" sidewall, in theory he could have went with 255/65R18 for 6.5" sidewall or 255/70R17 for 7" sidewall, but I'm unsure if Model Y's brakes are the same as Model 3 so maybe 17" is impossible, I have seen a video by Unplugged performance where they put the Model 3 aero 18" on a Model Y.

 

[Mad Hungarian]

@orekart

Oh man I was pretty close, you might be the only person in the world with 17" wheel on Model 3, thank you for the specs! I love your build!
Both 215 tire and 7 width wheel is crazy narrow, I find stock 235 on 8.5 borderline insufficient in terms of traction, I suppose the trade is simple, you either go narrow and dodge the upper knuckle or you get as close to it from below (from what I gather 255/45R18 on 9 width would do that, with MPP lift and rear camber arms). Your approach probably gives superior mud/snow traction, thus you might actually have the most capable off-road Model 3.
Hey if you ever feel like filming your car passing through mud and/or snow .. I'd definitely watch!

There's an update to that i1 Model Y build, posted by MPP:


Loving it and super jelly we can't pull the same build on our Model 3.
I believe he went for 255/60R19 (31" diameter), which has 6" sidewall, in theory he could have went with 255/65R18 for 6.5" sidewall or 255/70R17 for 7" sidewall, but I'm unsure if Model Y's brakes are the same as Model 3 so maybe 17" is impossible, I have seen a video by Unplugged performance where they put the Model 3 aero 18" on a Model Y.

The standard brakes are 100% identical, and the Performance brakes are almost identical with the sole difference being a solid rotor with a thicker hat that avoids the stepped-hub nonsense we have to deal with on Performance Model 3. Since i1's car is a Performance there is absolutely no way to fit anything smaller than an 18" diameter wheel on it.

 

[JWardell]

@orekart

Oh man I was pretty close, you might be the only person in the world with 17" wheel on Model 3, thank you for the specs! I love your build!
Both 215 tire and 7 width wheel is crazy narrow, I find stock 235 on 8.5 borderline insufficient in terms of traction, I suppose the trade is simple, you either go narrow and dodge the upper knuckle or you get as close to it from below (from what I gather 255/45R18 on 9 width would do that, with MPP lift and rear camber arms). Your approach probably gives superior mud/snow traction, thus you might actually have the most capable off-road Model 3.
Hey if you ever feel like filming your car passing through mud and/or snow .. I'd definitely watch!

There's an update to that i1 Model Y build, posted by MPP:


Loving it and super jelly we can't pull the same build on our Model 3.
I believe he went for 255/60R19 (31" diameter), which has 6" sidewall, in theory he could have went with 255/65R18 for 6.5" sidewall or 255/70R17 for 7" sidewall, but I'm unsure if Model Y's brakes are the same as Model 3 so maybe 17" is impossible, I have seen a video by Unplugged performance where they put the Model 3 aero 18" on a Model Y.

I have to say, personally I want a Model Y lowered to make it more of a sporty hatchback...

But seeing i1Tesla's perfectly raised Y with high profile wheels made me realize it looks so much better and more naturally like an SUV with a bit more height!

In other words, Tesla picked something in the middle which when they should have offered both. Loving that @MountainPass offers both options, and I hope they see a big payoff for that!