Thread: Defender ride heights

Try this thread: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread...efender+height

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.

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Try this thread: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread...efender+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.

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....

Originally Posted by Stephen Price

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"!!

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...

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

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.

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

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