What limits gearlift height?
 

Hello, first post here.

I am working on an amphibious vehicle project with retractable suspension. I have an idea in mind for a double-wishbone suspension, but with the wheel spindle significantly lower than the lower wishbone arm, maybe 12" lower. I am looking for examples of someone else having done this before, and can't find anything (usually a bad sign). The closest I can find is the gearlift ATV suspension lifts, which relocate the spindle 4-6" downward, maybe 1" lower than the lower wishbone arm. I wonder why that's the lowest they took it. Is it just because they want the gearbox to fit inside the wheel hub? Or is there no practical reason to lift an ATV any higher? Or is there some engineering crux that prevents lowering the spindle any further?

I'd think you'd have some trouble steering it...right? How would you get tie-rod ends on the spindle...perhaps a pic or sketch of your idea would help...