Thread: Suspension lift, 110: what's yours?

Hi Robert

I did this last year on my Defender. I used Konis with King Springs. I opted for the +2' standard rate springs which seem to work quite well so far. The rear was noticably stiffer than the originals at first, and I was beginning to think that they were not going to be a good choice. However, after a bit of use and with some gear in the back, they seem to be OK now. If you run the rear of your Defender empty most of the time, then the Kings (even the standard rate ones I use) might be a bit too stiff.

The fronts are about perfect for me. The originals were far too soft, but the Kings replacements seem spot on with an ARB steel bullbar. I suspect they may still be OK if I add a winch in the future and hopefully do without upgrading the fronts to the heavy duty springs. Only time will tell though.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Forgot to add, with the Kings +2" springs I was able to fit 255/85 BFG M/Ts on Disco 16x7 rims without any modifications. Just a small adjustment to the steering stops. :wink:

Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Does KING do leaf ? I think Lovells do coils but not sure about them either.

My SWB has started leaning to the left at the back so I have a feeling I've cracked a leaf. Haven't stood on my head yet to have a look. Figure it's a good time to update the load capabilities, thinking heavy load and maybe 1" lift from STD road springs. Normally has 80~100kg of stuff in there all the time so shouldn't be too rough. Heaviest I'd guess its been is 250kg with a load of firewood.

Suggestions ? :?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Does KING do leaf ? [/b][/quote]

Yes, but they seem to have a limited choice. There's a pdf catalogue here which might be of some use.


Paul [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

IMO I would thinking differently about going 1" in the front and 2'' in the back...

Generally, counties / defenders sit high in the back end any way, and doing this would only make this worse...

Dave [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

I've used King springs on my Defenders but found them to be too rough. Ok if you want to carry heavy loads but the stiffer they are the less articulation you get and they tend to lift wheels off the ground. For example the 50mm lift from a King Spring comes almost entirely from a heavier coil. Line one up with an original Land Rover coil and they are hardly any higher. As a consequence driving around empty IMHO they are too rough on the ride.

I have used 50mm longer Rangie Spares County springs designed to be used with the Boge ride leveller. These are fairly light and very compliant, too much so on their own and will not take much weight but ride very well. I have fitted 130 inner coils to these so I now get a good ride empty with a real 50mm lift but the inner coils take care of any extra weight when needed. Also articulates much better than with stiffer heavier coils.

Regards, Barry.

50 mm lovells medium springs with bilstein shocks. great setup but a bit harsh if empty. (i always carry my recovery gear so not an issue.) with the extra weight upgraded shocks to stiffer rate

Hi Jay
Take your bus around to a spring manufacturer,not a reseller and have a chat.My Bro has had his 2a wagon's springs reset.He got plus 2" from his standard springs which were very soft and wallowy,I once went along a beach with him an nearly got seasick!!. Apparently the ride is much better and all the roll around corners is much better.
I think he said he paid around $180 for the fronts and around $300 on the rears.He did all the dirty work himself,ie removing and refitting.The springmaker disassembled the springs,re-shaped and hardened and re-assembled.The price included new poly bushes.
The springmaker can replace broken leaves.For around the same price or even a bit cheaper than new you can have "custom set" leafies.
Its important to take the vehicle to the springmaker before removing the leafs,they measure and mark what adjustments they want to make at the present ride height.
Andrew