I've been thinking about doing something a bit different to my HHR as opposed to making it a bit more street as most others do.

I was thinking about putting some bigger tires and adding a bit of a lift.

I was wondering if anyone has done this in the past or any recommendations that you might have for a more rugged, outdoors type look.

 

I off road mine in stock form. It's a fwd 4 cylinder, put bigger tires on it and a lift, and it might not be able to move.

 

I've seen some pics of the new Mini Countryman outfitted with a bit more rugged appearance and I think it looks really good.

I haven't seen any HHR's like this so I'm thinking it wouldn't be too bad.

 

Submit your car to the folks at Powerblock, Xtreme 4X4

http://www.searchandrestoretv.com/

I had contacted them about the HHR in particular because it was modeled after a 49 Suburban but lacks 4 wheel drive. They seemed interested, but said they couldn't touch my truck with Amsoil graphics because Royal Purple is a big sponsor of theirs.
Give it a shot

 

I was thinking about lifting rather than lowering, I thought I was the only wacko out here.
Lifting the rear is easy.
I was thinking that for the front, 2in longer struts might pick the front to the same hight as the rear.
But how to go about getting longer struts that would fit? That is the ??

 

Alot of the new trucks use strut type front suspensions, so they make spacers to lift them. They look kind of like hockey pucks.

The big concern to look out for would be the CV joint angle as well as excess wear.

 

raise it 3-4 inches, 15" rims (Steel). Maybe a 235-70 tires...

 

I have the highest profile tires that I can fit without hitting the strut tower. It looks better (to me) with the bigger tires onit, I was thinking of replacing the complete strut with one that was 2 in higher from the strut tower to the bottom, that way I could add a higher profile tire without hitting the tower.

 

As far as power goes< I don't know about you guys with auto's but the 5-speed on my 2.2 is so undergeared that a bigger tire might make it feel like a real 5-speed not a 4 with granny-low

 

cant put taller tires on these cars...unless....its lifted quite a bit and/ or...fenders cut to allow largr tires on pos offset rims...but,, I would not trust the hub bearings to hold up with that much off center load o them. Brakes probably wouldnt like the bigger/heavier tires also...