Thread: just got my first rangie

Originally Posted by roverv8

Do you drive a D1 or a RRC,
having owned several of both & now a D2, the pre 89-90 RRC with a 2inch lift flexed better than either of the Disco's, which meant the wheels were on the ground more
the newer they got, the more crap was added to the suspension setup to eliminate body roll, which effects the flex

Also is your CDL working properly??

D1
CDL works as expected thanks for the reply.
"I can go places on highway tyres and standard suspension that other rigs on muddies can't get to." was the original comment that brought this alternative discussion up.

Thats why i disagreed. Sure put 2 inches of lift and its a different vehicle.
Put better rubber down and its a better vehicle again.
But stock suspension and highway tyres are not what i would want offroad.
Sure one could just avoid every bump on the road and not need anything as suggested earlier with the "IM A BETTER DRIVER" sort of replies.

It all comes down to what you are trying to compare and where you're heading.
I started playing in a Maverick(Patrol) and then a Disco2 after training in Navara's.
I bought the RRC as a daily driver/back up play toy for when the disco was broken.
I sold the Disco2 when it broke a timing chain for the 3rd time.
I'm now own a Defender that is used for touring rather than rock hopping.
The RRC is my daily driver and now has the old D2 standard rear springs(see below).

Tha Mavrick was more than up to the task.
The stock suspension and A/T's worked well but removing the rear sway bar helped a lot with the flex to maintain tyre to track contact.
From the factory it had a LSD as did the Land Cruisers of the same vintage.
My opinion is my RRC which happens to be the same vintage would be slightly more capable with the factory open diffs and vicious centre diff.
As has been said the "A"'frame rear suspension with level rider for weight allows for softer springs to be used giving greater flex.
I used my RRC on road tyres when the Disco was off the road and I had trips I had promised to lead.

The Disco2 did a lot of off road playing and touring.
The factory springs had saged to the point they bottomed out on every track.
I changed to OME 2" heavy duty springs and larger tyres to increase Diff/ground clearance.
This was really good for caring weight when on trips away but lost out in the flex department.
I ended up fitting a Trutrac to the rear and this helped.
The off road rock hopping abbility was compromised by changing the springs.
It still remained vary capable and would go to where torsion bar IFS rigs could not.

The Defender I have done more touring in than rock hopping in.
It has more ground clearance ex factory than most of it contempries.
It still has open diffs where compeditors need Diff locks from factory to make thier rigs off road ready.
It would be slightly more capable then the RRC but is 20 years younger, still has the "A" frame but no level rider.

As I see it, most people fit 2"'lift because the think this is needed.
Most of the time they comprise their off road abbility for carrying wieght or the "look at me factor".
The best modification for tracks is bigger tyres, for ground clearance and the 3 angles.
I still believe springs and bodies should only be lifted to allow for fitting bigger rubber only.
Look under a range of 4x4's for the low points.
Land Rover diffs line up so if they clear at the front the rear will too.
The Mavrick/patrol/80 Cruiser diff centres are off set and this is one more thing to place right around rocks.
From factory I hear of next to no issues of broken drive train related parts of any bread of 4X4.
Add spring lifts to IFS rigs and watch the CV angles and associated repairs.
Add larger tyres and you increase loads, CV's on Japenese inspired, axles on Landies.
Most 80 serries Toyota's get thier LSD's tightned up as they wear with age.

Apples to apples for stock 1990 produced 4X4 I'd prefer a RRC, then a coiled patrol, 3rd a cruiser, then jackaroos' etc. although many where a little under powered, then the leaf sprung stuff.

Originally Posted by alien

As I see it, most people fit 2"'lift because the think this is needed.
Most of the time they comprise their off road abbility for carrying wieght or the "look at me factor".

In a lot of cases they are needed.
Firstly, the people that put in 2 inch lifts often have a lot of weighty accessories fitted. Winches, bullbars, second batteries, etc. They say they fitted a 2 inch lift, yet it only lifted it from where is was sitting and not what standard ride height would be.

Secondly, most Land Rover made vehicles do not sit around the centre of their axle travel. That is, the axle can travel a lot further down than up. This means that when off road the axle hits the bumps stops too often and is not making the most of the available wheel travel. So look at your bump stops. If they are very shiny from the axle hitting them too often, you probably have too soft a springs in and the wrong ride height. It it looks like your bump stops never get touched by the axles, you probably have too heavier springs and too high a ride height. The ideal is somewhere between these two situations.

Originally Posted by staplehead01

Hi just joined this forum. ..this is my 1993 range rover vogue se, it has been converted to a 300tdi, i am looking at lift kits not too sure what to get yet

I too just got my first RR...3 months ago now..91 , diff locks , long range tanks ,rebuilt 3.9,total front end rebuild , new tyres, tint ,stereo , boss kit, dual batteries and new exhaust from custom exhausts Osborne park Perth..Rosita is pure beast and after all i spent, all i do is drive her , and after owning most brands of 4WD's on the market at some stage , nothing comes close to my 91 Classic...I truly look forward to every day behind that wheel.She may be old but turns the heads and eats sand like nothing i have ever seen...So enjoy my friend , there is no going back now...Thanks for the rant..
Trev Hammer . Perth

Yep, I miss my Rangies
A couple my Dad & I had, all gone now
he just bought a real tidy 93 RRC a couple months back, and told me I can have his 89 RRC with a 4.2 stroker to do up.
Time is the issue, woking on my house and all......
But it will back next after the D2, then my son will probably claim it off me!!

Originally Posted by staplehead01

Hi just joined this forum. ..this is my 1993 range rover vogue se, it has been converted to a 300tdi, i am looking at lift kits not too sure what to get yet

Staplehead, this looks like a stunning example of a classic Rangie, why butcher it by lifting it on fat tyres?

As most have said, it will go most places other lifted trucks will go anyway.

Why not buck the trend, be proud that you don't need stupidly big tyres. It wont just save you money on rubber, but also on all the other driveline components down the track too.

Keep it classic I say! Enjoy.

Cheers

I really Enjoy a good debate :
Learning to listen for a change and enjoying it thank you.
I recon as long as we enjoy what we do here in Tasmania/ Australia we can all agree on one thing.

Our Country is best seen from a 4x4 Window on any Track at any time.

God Bless Australia and 4x4`s :-)

But keeping a reasonably soft spring rate and 2 inch lift is a winning combo off road. My d2 is certainly more capable that way than when it was new.

Cheers