Lifting your Puma LandRover. What happened?

[NT5224]

Hi folks

A post motivated by curiousity more than anything.

As we all know, later Ford engined LandRovers were difficult to lift because of angles on the driveline. About ten years ago a lot of people were trying to lift them and there was much discussion.

Some were saying the standard configuration would take two inches of lift without any driveline issues. Others claimed even more.

The accepted fix seemed to be introduction of a double cardan joint to resolve the odd angles and stresses, particularly for lifts over 2 inches.

I guess with the increased value of LandRovers fewer people are lifting today, but I’m wondering 10 years on how those various lifts and their fixes have travelled?

Has anybody driven an unmodified lifted Puma ten years without driveline issues? And how have double Cardan joint fixes worked out in the long term?

Like many I believe Land Rovers are fully capable stock, but am interested to know of LR owners long term experiences of lifting…

Cheers

Alan

[Baytown]

I’ve double Cardin joints from Gwyn Lewis UK, and have ARB BP51 suspension with a 2 inch lift in my 2012 Defender and have for 5 years or so. I’ve no issues what so ever. I keep my maintenance up and ensure the DC shaft is well lubricated.
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[scarry]

The Puma my son had was lifted about 40MM,left stock,no issues.
Well it had issues,but nothing related to the lift or suspension.

Had about 140,000Km when it was sold.

[MLD]

for 8 years i ran a 4" lift in the front. Used a Tom Woods double carden shaft. Went through a few because it was cheaper to buy new than have it rebuilt by a local driveline specialist. The centre bearing flogs out because mechanics overlook greasing it when doing the UJs. At the time is was $120 for a new centre bearing + 3 UJs + labour. No adverse behaviours from the driveline with that shaft. Now i run a Gwyn Lewis 2020 double carden at a modest 2" lift. Likewise no adverse behaviours from that shaft at 2" in the past 2 years.

[Blknight.aus]

really roughly for all the coilers....

2 inches of lift wont affect much BUT... you might notice a change in the steering effort and return. Discos with donut drive want to look at swapping the rear to a UJ.

over 2 inches and if you dont already have the DC or your front propshaft modded with the wide angle UJs and flanged you'll need that and its time to start thinking about cranked hockey sticks, changing the rear shock mounts and extending brake lines, extending the sway bar mounts and long travel shocks. Youre now in the realm of having to engineer your lift.

over 4 inches and its all of the above and moving the perch for the rear a frame with longer propshaft slides and rear radius arms. On some of the discos the rear 5 point link mounts may want moving as well.

IF you're going higher than that, Im going to guess you're building a comp truck... The world is your oyster here

[Robmacca]

Just curious here, but what sort of issues are experienced when u lift them too high? Vibrations - anything else? If it is vibrations, then at what sort of speeds and do u feel the vibrations?
Do u feel it through your feet/floor or through the steering wheel?

I'm about to renew my Puma's suspension and currently installed some coils that lifted the Bumpstop clearance by 30mm over what it was (98mm previously). So far I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary and now looking at new coils/shocks for the rear.

The Front prop shaft is the standard one as far as I know (came with the vehicle when I bought it). @Blknight.aus mentioned about a "wide angle UJs". Is this Wide angle UJ on the Front of the Front Propshaft or up at the TC end? How would one know if one was installed by the previous owner?


thanks in advance

[MLD]

Just curious here, but what sort of issues are experienced when u lift them too high? Vibrations - anything else? If it is vibrations, then at what sort of speeds and do u feel the vibrations?
Do u feel it through your feet/floor or through the steering wheel?

I'm about to renew my Puma's suspension and currently installed some coils that lifted the Bumpstop clearance by 30mm over what it was (98mm previously). So far I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary and now looking at new coils/shocks for the rear.

The Front prop shaft is the standard one as far as I know (came with the vehicle when I bought it). @Blknight.aus mentioned about a "wide angle UJs". Is this Wide angle UJ on the Front of the Front Propshaft or up at the TC end? How would one know if one was installed by the previous owner?


LR spec for 110 - bump stop clearance - front 72mm +/- 15mm; rear 130mm +/- 15mm
LR spec for 130 - bump stop clearance - front 97mm +/-15mm; rear 152mm +/-15mm

as you can see, a 130 sits about 1" taller than a 110 and uses the same running gear. Based on your figures and assuming the front, you are only 15mm over the upper range from 130 spec. When i quoted my lift above, i was quoting based on 130 measurements.

you will likely experience vibrations around the 70-90kph range. Whenever my UJs are on the way out, i get them about 80kph. For mine, its a grumble under my feet most noticeable on overrun.

the wide angle is at the transfer end. the diff end is largely inline with the pinion.

[Robmacca]

LR spec for 110 - bump stop clearance - front 72mm +/- 15mm; rear 130mm +/- 15mm
LR spec for 130 - bump stop clearance - front 97mm +/-15mm; rear 152mm +/-15mm

as you can see, a 130 sits about 1" taller than a 110 and uses the same running gear. Based on your figures and assuming the front, you are only 15mm over the upper range from 130 spec. When i quoted my lift above, i was quoting based on 130 measurements.

you will likely experience vibrations around the 70-90kph range. Whenever my UJs are on the way out, i get them about 80kph. For mine, its a grumble under my feet most noticeable on overrun.

the wide angle is at the transfer end. the diff end is largely inline with the pinion.

These Wide angle UJ's - what LR model are they off or are they a custom made UJ?

So far I haven't experienced any vibrations underfoot or heard/felt through the driveline and I've tried various speeds and overruns down a hill with my foot off the fast pedal and nothing yet...

[MLD]

These Wide angle UJ's - what LR model are they off or are they a custom made UJ?

So far I haven't experienced any vibrations underfoot or heard/felt through the driveline and I've tried various speeds and overruns down a hill with my foot off the fast pedal and nothing yet...

in that case. Bat on and only turn your mind to it if it presents as a problem. As i said you are only 15mm above a 130 so its not a big lift