Defender ride heights

[jik22]

Would anyone with a Defender be kind enough to measure centre of the wheel studs to wheelarch height on the front and back for me please, and let me know if their's is stock, or what the lift is? I'm trying to work out what height mine is, so I can work out what to order spring wise...thought it was stock, but want to be sure. One place measured a 50mm lift they'd just done, and it wasn't 50mm more than mine...

[dmdigital]

Try this thread: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=35943&highlight=defender+height

[Landy110]

Hi,
The measurement is different for every wheel, I believe this is because they have longer springs in the left to counter the camber on the road. Having said that mine also has a side fuel tank of pretty heavy guage steel on the right (currently empty) so it might exagerate the difference.
OK, from the centre of the drive flange to the edge of the wheel arch flair.

Front Left 495mm Front Right 480mm
Rear Left 530mm Rear Right 520mm

Mine has standard springs. You can usually tell, they are black.

Bear in mind that mine is a 110 wagon that doesn't normally carry much weight but has done about 200k kms so the springs will be a little bit sagged.

Hope this helps.
steve.

[jik22]

Try this thread: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=35943&highlight=defender+height


Perfect, thanks. Now I'm more confused though.

Mine is 480 (RHS)/510 (LHS) at the front with a steel bar but no winch, and 520 (RHS)/540 (LHS) at the rear, with not much in and 1/2 tank of fuel.

So not only do I really now not have a clue what's in it, I don't know why there is so much differnce either...it probably parked very slightly uphill, but nothign noticeable left to right. :confused:

And I still don't what to buy height wise!! :(

Could it be it has sagged but originally lifted springs in, and taken more of a hammering on the RHS? Seems a big differences unless the slightly unlevel ground could cause such a difference....

[jik22]

Front Left 495mm Front Right 480mm
Rear Left 530mm Rear Right 520mm

Mine has standard springs. You can usually tell, they are black.

Bear in mind that mine is a 110 wagon that doesn't normally carry much weight but has done about 200k kms so the springs will be a little bit sagged.

Hope this helps.


That is the same config as mine (except for the side tank) and matches up quite well...mine has done 226k...so that's a great help, thanks. Wonder if it will level up with new springs??

OK, all I'd like to see now is a 2" lift measured, as that's what I'd have liked (Based on people saying 2" is the sensible option) to see if they are 50mm above mine, or if 2" doesn't mean 2"!! :D

[Blknight.aus]

cheapo lifted springs dont make the distance, and typically the left side will fail before the right, I dont know why but have some educated guesses.

the difference between left and right side shouldnt be that much anyway on a dead level bit of ground laterally across the vehicle there should be no more than 10mm of hieght difference on the datum points of the chassis. (left side should be a few mm higher.)

and when loaded nominally the datum points should all be at the same height...

All landrovers have a data plate or sheet in the users book that tells you the actual height of the vehicle when stock and empty (1/3 of a tank of fuel)

measure this height from the highest point of the vehicle (usually the rear roof not the rack unless its specified on the plate) put a spirit level on the back of the roof to make sure its laterally level and so long as that height is on spec then you just measure off the distance from the top of the axle to the bottom of the bump stop.

go to a suspension shop and tell them (assuming your going spring lift) youd like a set of springs and shocks that will make that gap XX inches bigger. i wouldnt aim for more than 2 as much past that requires some other things to be done as well...

[jik22]

go to a suspension shop and tell them (assuming your going spring lift) youd like a set of springs and shocks that will make that gap XX inches bigger. i wouldnt aim for more than 2 as much past that requires some other things to be done as well...

Thanks for the info...I spoke to several shops (Admittedly none LR specialists, but certainly suspension specialists) but none could give me stock or lifted ride heights, and a couple wouldn't even guarantee a 2" lift kit wouldn't lift it 2"...hence all the questions on here over the past few weeks.

The only Defender I have for comparison is the BiL's V8 county, and neither of us know what suspenstion that runs either, so that doesn't help.

I think if mine is stock, and if a 1" or 2" lift would genuinely lift it that amount and level it out a bit, I'd be more than happy.

I don't do anything exterme, don't want to kill the on-road handling, but didn't want to replace springs and dampers (Because something is shagged the way it rols and corners) without making an effort to fit something I'd be happy with and not swap 12 months later...

What I need is all you guys with Defenders to live closer so I could ride ina few vehicles with various states of suspension mods. :)

[spudboy]

jeff - try calling these guys:

http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/54.html

I haven't used them, but every other spring thread seems to mention them and how good they are. If you don't like the springs you can even swap them within 30 days (or something like that).

Cheers
David

[Bushie]

Just measured mine 1998 Defender

LF = 465mm
RF = 465mm
LR = 525mm
RR = 520mm

Overall height at rear = 2020mm (I believe nominal is 2070mm)

Currently has ARB bar and hi mount winch so the front is down somewhat.


Martyn

[Blknight.aus]

Thanks for the info...I spoke to several shops (Admittedly none LR specialists, but certainly suspension specialists) but none could give me stock or lifted ride heights, and a couple wouldn't even guarantee a 2" lift kit wouldn't lift it 2"...hence all the questions on here over the past few weeks.

The only Defender I have for comparison is the BiL's V8 county, and neither of us know what suspenstion that runs either, so that doesn't help.

I think if mine is stock, and if a 1" or 2" lift would genuinely lift it that amount and level it out a bit, I'd be more than happy.

I don't do anything exterme, don't want to kill the on-road handling, but didn't want to replace springs and dampers (Because something is shagged the way it rols and corners) without making an effort to fit something I'd be happy with and not swap 12 months later...

What I need is all you guys with Defenders to live closer so I could ride ina few vehicles with various states of suspension mods. :)

If your going to have a shop do it just tell them what you want...

measure the height of the roof and compare it to the height data plate (big red is 2090mm to the top of the roof with a 1/3rd of a tank, the height data plate says thats where it should be.

If I wanted a genuine 2 inch lift Id simply take it into the shop and say "this point on the roof is ment to be 2090mm off of the ground as it is now (id make sure that it had the load in it that I would expect it to carry) I want you to setup the suspension so that it is 2140mm off of the ground. Thank you, here is my credit card, call me when your done.

to the best of my knowlodge, ALL landrovers (including the freeloader) have somewhere in their owners handbook if not on the back of the visor a bit that says your vehicles dimensions are. usually in the hand book it will be near the back where the off road approach departure and slope preformance specs are.

[DirtyDawg]

Jeff with 2" KIngs HD springs all around I have 560mm on the front and 590mm on the rear from centre hub to bottom of flare lip centre

[abaddonxi]

Not quite what you're after, but have you seen this page?

http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/springinfo.html#OEM

Cheers
Simon

[LoveMyV8County]

Thanks for the info...I spoke to several shops (Admittedly none LR specialists, but certainly suspension specialists) but none could give me stock or lifted ride heights, and a couple wouldn't even guarantee a 2" lift kit wouldn't lift it 2"...hence all the questions on here over the past few weeks.

The only Defender I have for comparison is the BiL's V8 county, and neither of us know what suspenstion that runs either, so that doesn't help.

I think if mine is stock, and if a 1" or 2" lift would genuinely lift it that amount and level it out a bit, I'd be more than happy.

I don't do anything exterme, don't want to kill the on-road handling, but didn't want to replace springs and dampers (Because something is shagged the way it rols and corners) without making an effort to fit something I'd be happy with and not swap 12 months later...

What I need is all you guys with Defenders to live closer so I could ride ina few vehicles with various states of suspension mods. :)

When my County needed new coils and self-leveller I ended up putting in coil-replacement air suspension at the rear through Central 4WD in Welshpool (Pete). I still need to put in longer travel shockies so can't go up too far yet but the roll and cornering were absolutely transformed. Within reason ride height can be set by pumping up the air bags.

http://www.airbagman.com.au/Light%20Vehicle/bayboy.html

I have been very impressed with them.

[weeds]

RR 520
RF 505
LF 510
LR 497

I have a bull bar fitted with side bars
Massive big heavy roof rack
Solar panel
Draw system which includes fridge, recovery gear, spares, tools
Poly airs fitted @ 5psi

[Sandtoyz]

OK... let me just dig out some paperwork from the drawer....
On my 1999 Defender TD5, I replaced my factory springs and shocks in 2005,
with Tough Dog shocks and +50mm coils all round.
My fender has a steel bullbar, aftermarket 127L fuel tank, Rear Wheel carrier, side steps.

All measurements taken from the lip of the wheel arch, to the bottom of the wheel rim (as per their fitting instructions)
This was after 6 years of use and abuse.

BEFORE,
Front Left - 685mm Front Right - 690mm
Rear Left - 740mm Rear Right - 750mm

AFTER,
Front Left - 740mm Front Right - 750mm
Rear Left - 770mm Rear Right - 750mm

Front height was much improved, and this was obvious from looking at the bump stop to diff tube clearance.
Rear didn't lift as much, but the springs are firmer, and ride better with a load in the back.

Hope this might help...
I'll see if I can locate some pics too...

[Sandtoyz]

and some pics...

BEFORE
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/284.jpg

AFTER
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/285.jpg

Notice height under front Guard.
(Don't notice how clean it is!!!)
Camera was in same location (same height etc.) on bricks I think...

[jik22]

and some pics...

Notice height under front Guard.
(Don't notice how clean it is!!!)
Camera was in same location (same height etc.) on bricks I think...

Thanks for that, much appreciated - I was worried it might look too high with +50mm, but yours looks the same as mine in the before, and still looks good after.

[jik22]

Jeff with 2" KIngs HD springs all around I have 560mm on the front and 590mm on the rear from centre hub to bottom of flare lip centre


Cheers, that was the exact setup I was considering.

[Landy110]

My 4wd club "Canobolas 4WDC" recently had as guests a couple of blokes from the RTA, one was on the A.D.R. (Aust Design Rules) advisory board and the subject of the night was suspension and tyre modifications.
In a nut shell:- If you want to increase the hight of your vehicle you can do so by a body lift and/or a suspension lift. The maximum legal lift will be 50mm over standard.Anything more will be illegal.
As for tyres, the maximum tyre size will be 35 inches no matter what the vehicle is.

So if you are going for a suspension lift don't go over 50mm / 2 inches.

I don't know if these regulations have been enforced yet, they were looking at having them applied at the end of last year. If they are not yet in force then anyone who has bigger lift needs to get it engineered and listed on your rego before they are enforced because you would then be allowed to keep it as is. But 35in is still the max tyre size no matter what !!
Steve.

[Sandtoyz]

And just for comparison,
The springs old and new...

FRONT
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/273.jpg

REAR
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/274.jpg

So you could try and argue that the springs are the same height (close to)?!!?
- and so its now back to its original height....
- Don't mean to get off topic :angel: