Thread: Wanted Springs for 4" lift on a Defender

Nigel you might have to do what I did. 2" lift springs
& 2" spacers it works well. But springs may work better.
I had no proboblems, just make sure your shocks are
long enough
Jeff
ps. [still have that spare]
but no truck !!!!!!!!!

Nigel,
A mate of mine works at QT services in England. I have e mailed him for his advice on Defender lifts.

Try Les Richmond in Melb

Originally Posted by DirtyDawg

I have phoned around local suspension specialist and they all say there not made...BS I think..
Can some one give me make and model number for such TIA

Mate,

Mine is 50mm over standard. At low engine rpm the front propellor shaft still "pulses" a bit. If you go 4" I suspect the cardan joint will crap themselves very quickly.

Originally Posted by DirtyDawg

I have phoned around local suspension specialist and they all say there not made...BS I think..
Can some one give me make and model number for such TIA

Dude.... Why?

WA spring works in guildford/ bayswater will custom make what u want
Brad

Originally Posted by Bradtot

WA spring works in guildford/ bayswater will custom make what u want
Brad

I'd be very surprised if they(or others) can do what he wants to the 'fender.

Springs are limited by strength (wont go into it too much, CBF)

Basically for a given spring rate & length several factors are required.

Wire diameter, Number of coils being the obvious.

The wire diameter and pitch of the coils is critical to prevent them sagging or failing under the mass of the vehicle...

Too light on the wire they'll collapse
Too heavy and well, they wont flex and it'll ride like a.... Toyota

Now for a 4" lift I'd want a slightly higher than std rate to suit, this is to compensate for increased COG and load.

Remember the space between the diff and the chassis is finite, at 4" lift the coil seats are X" apart.
We're going to stick some coiled steel in there....
Thin enough to allow for the right rate and still support the load...

The following was NOT calculated out.... I can do that if you'd like BUT its just and EXAMPLE.....

So lets say that we need 5/8" wire....

And lets say to get 280lbs we need 11 coils at 1" pitch...

At free height its sitting fine....

When it compresses though, the coils close up and 0.625" x 11 (plus 2 'dead' coils each end) + 0.750"

equals 7.625" of 'stacked up' metal which has to go somewhere... This is the design issue with the defender spring lenghts.... Not enough room for the light wire over such a short length.

In Lara....

With 50mm extended bumpstops and the lightest wire I could use I still get damn close to coil bind with a 3 1/2" lift....

And I'm using some custom grade steel in my coils that most spring companies cannot get hold of at the moment...

Dawg, mate....

You've got 3-3 1/2" of lift in there already mate.....
That last bit isn't worth it....

Your talking less than 12mm under the chassis.....

U want lift, fit bigger tyres.....

Cheers Gents



Mine is 50mm over standard. At low engine rpm the front propellor shaft still "pulses" a bit. If you go 4" I suspect the cardan joint will crap themselves very quickly.
Running a double Cardan on the front

Mike, At the present state the 35"s will be a tight fit, I need more lift then the 38-50mm Kings are doing..thanks for your advice though I have taken it on board

Cheers for that Brad and Andy
And Belly I havent forgot..Just a time thing at the moment