Lift difference

[Mick-Kelly]

Ok probably a silly question buts whats the difference between a spring lift and a body lift.
cheers
Mick

[BlackAdder]

Not 100% sure because I've never been through it, but I would assume that the Body Lift was where they put spacers between the Chassis and the Body, whereas a Spring Lift, was simply a re-setting of the springs, with possibly larger shocks and maybe air bags.

[shaunp]

Thats correct. Most people just fit bigger springs which lifts the whole car. The problem is the lowest part of a car is the diff centres the only way to lift these is fit larger dia wheels. In some cases you can trim the body to fit the wheels under but some times you have to lift the body to get clearance. Lifting the body will also change entery and departure angles as well without effecting the suspension geometry as you can only lift with spings so far before all the bitts are too short and the caster is stuffed.

[Larns]

Almost got it in one.
As Adder said the body lift is where the body is raised of the chassie(not 100% as to why any-one would want to do this as it has no real extra off road capibility).
An the spring lift is where either longer springs(coil) or extended spring shackles(leaf) are used to raise the entire car higher off the front an rear diff. This give greater clearance for off roading(apparently, but I still think your 4WD is only as high as you lowest point ie.both diffs.). But this can also have a very advers affect on the drivability of the veh. As the higher you raise your 4WD the higher the center of balance is, resulting in it having a higher tipover angle, ultimatly reducing it's versitility off-road(and on the road!). So inless you plan on widening the track width with off-set rims an spacers your best bet would be to just buy larger rims and tyres, which will have a very similar effect, and won't look so silly.

[Mick-Kelly]

Cheers
Im trying to find out whats involved in achieving the fittment of 245 tyres. I may have to do a suspension lift aswell as trim the guards. What i had noticed however is that body lifts a compariably cheaper especially considering theres nothing wrong with my current springs and shocks.
cheers
Mick

[one_iota]

No point in a body lift without bigger wheels and a chassis lift.

Becuase you will catch on the chassis or the diff before you touch the body.

A body lift will let you put larger wheels to a point.

Then you might need to trim the wheel arches to fit the wheels without rubbing. A thread some where else.

A chassis lift with springs and shocksgives the biggest bang for bucks.

How far do you want to go without getting stuck?

[bigbugga]

You will fit 245 tyres easy.

Its the profile that makes it a bit harder.

I have 245/70's on my disco and with my 2 inch spring lift could now fit 75 or 80 profiles.

Maybe even bigger, havnt looked much further into it yet.

[Mick-Kelly]

BB, am i right in asuming you got the 245/70's under the stock disco. If so are you still using the 16 inch rims.
cheers
Mick

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by bigbugga
with my 2 inch spring lift

Not stock mick, 2 inch spring lift.

[blitz]

the biggest profile tyre you can fit under a disco with a 2" spring lift is 265/70/16, I had them under mine and they worked fine but as bigger is better, when I needed to replace them I then fitted 265/75/16 BF Goodrich TA's under her and promptly bent up the rear guards, they are about 3/8, 1/2 inch to big in diameter to fit cleanly.

Blitz

[bigbugga]

Originally posted by Mick-Kelly
BB, am i right in asuming you got the 245/70's under the stock disco. If so are you still using the 16 inch rims.
cheers
Mick

My Disco was stock standard when I bought it,

I had new springs and shocks put in which gave me a two inch lift and more clearence for the tyres

I didnt go for a bigger profile because I didnt want to cut the body up at all, and also didnt go to wide so that the rubber would fit up into the wheel arch area.
As shown below

http://www.aulro.com/albums/album10/17aug08.jpg

To go for a wider tyre would mean some rubbing
Same problem if I went for a bigger profile one.

I am happy with what I have now.

[mickus]

Hey BB what springs and shocks have ya got in your Disco and who fitted em? I'm based in Perth and am looking at doing something similar to my '96 TDi.
thanks
mick

[KEV0044]

...

[bigbugga]

Originally posted by mickus
Hey BB what springs and shocks have ya got in your Disco and who fitted em? I'm based in Perth and am looking at doing something similar to my '96 TDi.
thanks
mick

Tuff dog foam cell shocks
Tuff dog springs

Opposite lock Bunbury ask for Peter or Todd.
Nice guys and Peter has a great Defender which was in 4wd monthly a while ago too.

[RichardK]

Mick,
If you are based in Perth and Bunbury is too far, get in touch with Kevin at Rovertech 93505633 and tell him I recommended you (He'll probably double the price and give you 50% discount!) I'm using Kings at the rear and Konis all round which lift me about 40mm and use BFG 245x75s for general running around on the RR, never have been a problem. Kevin will give you a good price on both.
Hope this assists

[mickus]

Thanks fellas, will check 'em both out.

[Owen]

One of the biggest mistakes people make with the spring lift to fit bigger tyres is they forget that full compression is still the same physical point and thus the bigger tyre can destroy the guard (or the other way around) when extreme articulation fully compresses the axle against the bump stops. Thus the Body lift then comes in the raise the guard away from the tyre at the same fulle compressed position. If your springs and shocks are in good nick and you want a taller tyre, The body lift if done properly is a very sensible option

[Mick-Kelly]

Cheers
Im thinking of going the body lift first because the suspension is otherwise fine. Has anyone had this done and if so where and how much (97 tdi disco). I would however follow this with a spring package down the track when the current lot wears out. I have also heard that a body lift does strange things to the already stubby transfer lever.
Cheers
Mick
P.S. im assuming ill have to lift the front and rear bars to compensate aswell.