Thread: Defender ride heights

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

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

Cheers
Simon

Originally Posted by jik22

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.

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

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...

and some pics...

BEFORE


AFTER


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

Originally Posted by Sandtoyz

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.

Originally Posted by 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

Cheers, that was the exact setup I was considering.

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.