Sonic Mods in The Caribbean

[VISonic]

Sonic in Da Virgin Islands

Good afternoon all,

Just bought a 2014 chevy sonic LS auto. Down here in St. Thomas we have challenging conditions. Def gonna be looking for suspension, rim, and tire advice.

I'll be getting some sweet sonic on the island pics soon. Palm trees white sand and Blue waters.

 

[thechill_mix]

Congrats and welcome

 

[VISonic]

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[rsSteve]

I am very much looking forward to any pictures you post. :banana:

 

[VISonic]

Thanks! I am very lucky to live in paradise!

 

[VISonic]

Good Evening Everyone,

Just to give a little background I bought a 2014 sonic LT hatch automatic on the island on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I've had it for about a month now, still under 1000 miles.

Basically I need a few ideas of things to help increase the longevity of my ride down here on unforgiving terrain. For Example my driveway is about a 25 degree angle and at the end is a large asphalt hump that if I am not super careful I will scrape some undercarriage on. Add that to the insane potholes random floods and random stretches of dirt road and you get a pretty unforgiving place for any car.

The reason for buying this car was to build credit etc.. and now I really want it to perform well down here. I am thinking of rally style mods. Perhaps bigger tires and rally rims. I definitely will need a roof rack for paddle boards, windsurfers, and kite boards.

I am thinking it might be good to have some more protection for the undercarriage and perhaps a beefed up suspension, maybe even a lift. I apologize if some of these questions have been answered but I'd like to get an idea of a concept for this car. I will preface this that I am a boat guy, I do outboard engines and sailboat rigging. I have no experience modding a car or even installing parts. I am a complete noob! :sadbanana:

So any advice or ideas would be immensely appreciated trying my best to keep all the warranties valid (we actually have a chevy dealer down here lol).

Thanks!

 

[Blue hedgehog]

I'm not sure how much extra hight your looking for but there is a thread about what size tires will fit, and what spacers may be needed for clearance.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for.../5963-official-wheel-tire-fitment-thread.html

You may be the first member to want to raise the sonic. Most members who modify the suspension are looking to lower it. Maybe someone knows where to get rally suspension parts. A quick google search came up with 1 rally sonic but that was a heavily modded AWD version so I doubt parts would be bolt on options. If no one else comes up with more suggestions, I remember seeing rubber blocks that can be inserted into coil springs to help sagging springs. Maybe you can find ones that fit the sonics front springs. Though I think that will make the ride harsh. For the rear maybe check into air shocks? Or see if there is a complete air bag set up. Raise it when you need it, lower it when you want it.

 

[RMinNJ]

Maybe the new Chevy Trax has some parts that will fit?

 

[cndctrdj]

The stock early model year Sonics came with an underbelly tray. You can get those from Gm to protect some parts under the car.
Also get some tires that are better on and off road.

The spring spacers are great idea to give another inch of ground clearence. But they do stiffen up the ride.

A few companies sell roof racks. I would search around a bit on here to see who has the best ones.

Good luck and let us know how it goes

 

[biz_kid1]

Congrats!