Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Suspension help please

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Murrumba Downs
    Posts
    163
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Suspension help please

    Hi everyone

    I am looking into lifting my Freelander 2 and I have a few questions about how to best go about it.

    There are others who have successfully lifted by about 25mm using spacers on top of the struts. But I have decided not to go this way as I do not want to play with the geometry. There is one company that is willing to help by using all existing components and just installing a stiffer spring that will give me the lift I am after (I am only looking for around that 25mm). This will just provide that little bit extra to stop me scraping so much.

    Measuring from the wheel arch to the centres gives me roughly 90mm of travel between resting and fully extended.

    My question is will this be beneficial in terms of towing. I only have a camper trailer 750 ATM. Or would I be sacrificing too much in the way of handling and make the ride too harsh.

    Any input would be appreciated

    Thanks James

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Kiwiland
    Posts
    7,246
    Total Downloaded
    0
    The geometry change is by ride height. So no matter how you change the ride height, you still get the same geometry change.

    Stiffer springs will completely ruin the ride. I'd look to longer springs at the same spring-rate.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Murrumba Downs
    Posts
    163
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Sorry when I said geometry I meant changing the angles outside of what they come from factory. So not changing the fully compressed to fully extended length. Just making the car sit a bit higher within those limits

    Would a longer spring with same spring rate require changing shocks as well to a longer shock

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Kiwiland
    Posts
    7,246
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by RIN03 View Post
    Sorry when I said geometry I meant changing the angles outside of what they come from factory. So not changing the fully compressed to fully extended length. Just making the car sit a bit higher within those limits

    Would a longer spring with same spring rate require changing shocks as well to a longer shock
    Gotcha, yes that makes perfect sense.

    A longer spring won't *need* a longer shock. But if a longer shock was available it would work with one.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Murrumba Downs
    Posts
    163
    Total Downloaded
    0
    So I go a longer spring at same spring rate?

    And this will give me my desired height still limited by the standard shocks without the feeling of bouncing all over the road and still have no ill affects on a fully loaded car with trailer going camping.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Murrumba Downs
    Posts
    163
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Sorry about all the questions but I know absolutely nothing about suspension and nothing is available this is all custom made stuff

    Ps would a longer spring cause the shocks to fully extend and bang more often. And does this do damage on the few times it might happen ie a pothole in the sand where the wheel drops out

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Murrumba Downs
    Posts
    163
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Does anyone else have any suggestions or advise?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Gold Coast, QLD
    Posts
    3,570
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Hey James,

    Do you know currently the static position and the amount of extension you have from this position to fully extend the shock?

    I understand you have approx 90mm of travel so need to find out how much of that is in compression and the rest is extension.

    Also be interested to know if the vehicle is utilising the full travel available from the strut or not already compressing the springs to their limit in order to work out what your best option may be.

    Unfortunately I do not know anything about the FL2 suspension so can't comment further.
    I rule!!!

    2.4" of Pure FURY!!!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Illawarra
    Posts
    2,508
    Total Downloaded
    0
    If you fit a longer shock, it will travel down more but as the fully compressed body is now longer you will either need to fit longer bump stops or raise the shock mounts.
    I don't know how the spacers work, but if they lower the shock and spring by 25mm you will have the same travel in both directions, just need to still check where and how they stop the shocks from compressing to much.
    In my defender I fitted longer shocks with a 2in lift and raised the mounting points so still have the travel up to standard bump stops and more down travel.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    mandurah
    Posts
    1,477
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by RIN03 View Post
    Hi everyone

    I am looking into lifting my Freelander 2 and I have a few questions about how to best go about it.

    There are others who have successfully lifted by about 25mm using spacers on top of the struts. But I have decided not to go this way as I do not want to play with the geometry. There is one company that is willing to help by using all existing components and just installing a stiffer spring that will give me the lift I am after (I am only looking for around that 25mm). This will just provide that little bit extra to stop me scraping so much.

    Measuring from the wheel arch to the centres gives me roughly 90mm of travel between resting and fully extended.

    My question is will this be beneficial in terms of towing. I only have a camper trailer 750 ATM. Or would I be sacrificing too much in the way of handling and make the ride too harsh.

    Any input would be appreciated

    Thanks James
    Any change to the ride height is going to change the geometry. A common lift will be from using a higher spring rate,( read stiffer ) which is probably good if you are intending to tow. A soft long travel suspension is not going to be a good match for towing duties, unless you have some way of stiffening it up for heavier loads.
    I would simulate your intended lift by jacking the vehicle, and checking the suspension and drivetrain for excessive angles. Better to be satisfied with little bites of change, and not alter the character of the vehicle too much. What you will probably suffer from is a lack of options, as the Freelander won't have too much aftermarket product in Oz. Why not check out what is available from the Uk ?
    D4 2.7litre

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!