Thread: Defender 90 TD5 2003 Suspension raise 2"

Originally Posted by Blade74

Hey Jon,
What model koni 80 would suit the springs?

Also does the steering/castor angle just need adjusting or do I need to buy something then adjust? Eg adjustable pan hard rods

I will get the new front radius arms and hunt down Judy for a new prop shaft.

This project might be a little bigger than first thought.

I might see if defender bits will send koni shocks to Aus...

To raise properly is always bigger than people first think!

I think there are only 2 models of 80 Series that will fit a Defender, standard height and for a 40-60mm lift. You want the longer ones.

When you replace the standard radius arms with castor corrected ones (+3 or +6 degree ones - If the car is always empty, I might err towards the +6's), this will fix the castor / steering geometry issues that are generated by lifting. You will also need some new bushes to go in the new radius arm. GENUINE rubber (not el-cheapo), or SuperPro - choice is yours.

The propshaft needs replacing so that it doesnt bind in the yokes when you go off-road. Tip re prop-shaft maintenance, dont forget to grease the double cardon joint! It has an almost invisible grease point and is not a standard grease nipple like on the UJs, meaning you'll probably need to get a needle adapter for your grease gun - cheap enough off ebay.

You wont need an adjustable panhard rod.

Mention Bailey Morris to Juddy re propshaft.

Jon

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

If my memory is failing me and the 90 & 110 rear springs are the same diameter then the KLRR-05 are the ones to get.

hth
Jon

Nothing wrong with your memory Jon...

90's have significantly smaller diameter coils at the back compared to a 110. They are also shorter and the diameter of the steel in the coil is less as well.

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Nothing wrong with your memory Jon...

90's have significantly smaller diameter coils at the back compared to a 110. They are also shorter and the diameter of the steel in the coil is less as well.

Cheers,

Lou

Thanks Lou, I thought so, but wasn't 100% sure.

KRRS-02 or KRRR-02 for the rear then. Cant confirm which one really, its a bit of suck it and see when they are on the vehicle and also depends on what goes on the front and if a bar/winch/steel rope etc is hung over the front end.

Obviously the aim is to get the car level, or ever so slightly raised at the back when empty.

hth
J

Do some research on the brand of prop shaft you get, one UK company has been selling shafts not rated for on-road use, some members have reported critical problems with them and they fob it off as being used outside design intention, do a forum search for Bailey Morris.
After reading of failures and grief over getting replacements, I bought a pair of Tom Woods shafts from the USA.

Thanks for all the comments guys.
Since Paddock spares can't deliver I am now reconsidering what to do.
I called wholesale suspension here in Sydney and the guy on the phone was very helpful.
He rung Koni Australia and also king springs to confirm things for the 2" raise.

Koni came back and said you had to use the Raid series and they only bring in the standard height heavy tracks after having lots of issues in the past with springs falling out on defenders and other issues.

He gave me a height off a previous raise of a 90 with the springs and wanted me to measure my current height so we could work out what raise that may equate to.

I'm now starting to think I may just keep the car standard height to eliminate all the mods and possible issues.
Don't know if I'll do enough hard core 4wding to need the lift.

I may just buy the heavy tracks in standard height for now with the original springs and then think about if the upgrade to king spring standard height is worth the upgrade.

Decisions decisions...

So I got told that the last car raised was 550mm from the centre of the wheel to the bottom of flared guard.

I measured mine and this is what I got.

Front Right and Rear Right 505mm
Front Left and Rear Left 500mm

I looked at the springs and it appears the rear diameter is approximately 150mm and the front I couldn't measure easily as the shock is in the way but id say approx. 155mm.

The springs are as follows so I might look up a spring colour conversion table.
FR - Green and Blue
FL - Yellow and Blue
BR - Green, Yellow and Red
BL - Green, Yellow and White

The height off the ground to bottom edge of guard is as follows:
FR - 883mm
FL - 875mm
BR - 889mm
BL - 880mm.

I haven't checked my tire pressures yet to see if that is adding any variation.

So I will ponder the two alternatives of raising it or not and if I don't then Koni Heavy track standard heights.

Is it worth changing to King Spring Standard height(non HD springs)? Will I notice a big difference?

Blade, did you ever go ahead with the Koni Raids?

I am in a similar predicament with a Puma 110, wanting to fit:
Front Coils - King # KRFR-03 (+30mm)
Rear Coils - King # KLRR-05 (+30mm)
Front Shock - KONI # 90-5374 SP1 (0 to +50mm lift)
Rear Shock - KONI # 90-5375 SP1 (0 to +40mm lift)

Apparently its quite a common combination, but I can't quite square it with the fact that the shock travel seem to be shorter than stock?

Originally Posted by redline

Blade, did you ever go ahead with the Koni Raids?

I am in a similar predicament with a Puma 110, wanting to fit:
Front Coils - King # KRFR-03 (+30mm)
Rear Coils - King # KLRR-05 (+30mm)
Front Shock - KONI # 90-5374 SP1 (0 to +50mm lift)
Rear Shock - KONI # 90-5375 SP1 (0 to +40mm lift)

Apparently its quite a common combination, but I can't quite square it with the fact that the shock travel seem to be shorter than stock?

Id be very interested in anyone that has done this. Its the exact same combination I wanted to use but I too was put off by the published Koni Lengths.