Why do a 2" lift ?

I know some will think this is a daft question, but.

After talking to someone recently, about lifting a discovery, and talking about the pro's and con's, I wonder why so many people actually do it, the view is that the main reason for lifting is to allow bigger wheels, to then give a greater ground clearance on the Diffs, but putting 235/85/15 over the standard 235/70/15 means the wheels are 3" higher, and 1.5" lift on the diff, and by doing some resonable driving, it isn't needed.

Since lifting put straign on other parts of the vehicle, and can make them brake more, I just wondered why so many people do it.

Please don't take this in anyway saying anything bad about putting lift kits on, I think they look great, just for my own personnel help.

The information that I got told was from someone who has had lift kits for a long time, so again not someone who doesn't like them, and I have no reason to think the advice is incorrect, and just made me wonder why.

better approach and departure angles I believe, thinking about doing it to mine after a first visit to CORE 4x4 today!

i have both my trucks lifted by 2", i did it to fit bigger tyres. iv had no damage to other parts. the disco has been lifted for 2 year still on the original uj's not had to change a bush, all is good

JIMZ said:

better approach and departure angles I believe, thinking about doing it to mine after a first visit to CORE 4x4 today!

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:welcome2:

I can understand the angles been better, but i'm looking at putting a winch bumper on, which would that do the same.

I did look into doing a 2" lift last year just after getting my disco because it came with 235/85/16, but was catching now and again on the arches (cuts already been done, catching on the roof of the arch with load in), and as the suspension was old and needed replacing, but then rang my insurance 'Lancaster' and they wanted my excess to go upto by £50, and the policy was going to go up £200, about 20-25%, which for what I was going to use it for, found it hard to justify, so just went with standard hight.

im with lancaster and my ins went up by £50 with all me mods

300tdistu said:

im with lancaster and my ins went up by £50 with all me mods

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in newport mine went up 900 quid with my mods (but a ford focus made them):doh:

If you go with specialist 4x4 insurance companies, your premium shouldn't go up at all. In fact, some even make it so that modifications are a requirement for you to be eligible for cover!

I use Adrian Flux.

300tdistu said:

im with lancaster and my ins went up by £50 with all me mods

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Sounds about right, tbh, I'm getting a bit sick of them, looking at doing 4x4 reponce, and wanted to check with them about that, they want confirmation of what I would be doing, and not general, when looking at the website, it is general.

Also they want to charge £20 admin, when ever you want to change the policy a little, at the same time as asking about the lift, I asked if there would be a charge for flaired arches, ..... no increase just the £20 admin .

4 year protected no claims, and 40, so not as if I'm a new, driver !, don't get them sometimes, I think they just pluck a figure out of the air.

going to look around again in June when it's due.

RichM said:

If you go with specialist 4x4 insurance companies, your premium shouldn't go up at all. In fact, some even make it so that modifications are a requirement for you to be eligible for cover!

I use Adrian Flux.

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I'm going to look at Adrian Flux next time, as they are listed as not increasing the premium for the 4x4 reponse, and a few people I know seem to think they are ok

So I guess nobody has any for view ?

panther-uk said:

I'm going to look at Adrian Flux next time, as they are listed as not increasing the premium for the 4x4 reponse, and a few people I know seem to think they are ok

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Adrian Flux offer a discount to 4x4 Responders.

panther-uk said:

So I guess nobody has any for view ?

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a lift will give you the extra height needed for tyre clearance and approach and departure angles. A winch bumper will help with approach angles only.

TBH most fit the lift for the looks, same as snorkels etc. but there are some who need it. If you fit a 2" lift and 235/85 tyres you are increasing your ground clearance by around 3.5" and your diff clearance by 1.5". doesnt sound a lot but can make a difference when needed. My old disco ran on 265/75 tyres and no lift, if im honest both for the looks and for the extra clearance (bit chavvy i know )

in most situations a lift isnt needed if you are just doing the odd green lane or dirt track but those who do p&p or trials will find it comes in handy.

each to their own imo

Thanks all for your response and help, it's been very useful.

panther-uk said:

Thanks all for your response and help, it's been very useful.

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What did you decide on in the end?
I've been stuck between lifting or just having HD standard height.

Some P&P days, road driving and towing (if ever i get my towbar).
Unfortunately my decision needs to be brought forward thanks to a sheered shock and dislocated spring?

I've only been stuck a few times in the Disco and its always been down to grounding out on the sliders / steering guard.



People that have lifted claim its well worth doing and those that havent have horror stories about lifts. Looking forward to finding out what you did and how its performed over the past few months.

I'm fitting 265/75/16's to my 2000 td5 which will give me over an inch extra clearance without lifting the suspension. The main reason for lifting (which doesnt lift the diff and so increase clearance) is to fit bigger tyres/wheels. Going much bigger than 265/75/16 will probably require changes in gearing.

If I had the money I'd lift 2", but I'm going to try her with just the bigger tyres. I'm just taking her greenlaning so that should be sufficient for the mo..

Discodad said:

What did you decide on in the end?
I've been stuck between lifting or just having HD standard height.

Some P&P days, road driving and towing (if ever i get my towbar).
Unfortunately my decision needs to be brought forward thanks to a sheered shock and dislocated spring?

I've only been stuck a few times in the Disco and its always been down to grounding out on the sliders / steering guard.

People that have lifted claim its well worth doing and those that havent have horror stories about lifts. Looking forward to finding out what you did and how its performed over the past few months.

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Hi Nick another repair.
stick a second hand one on and get to Newbourne on sunday, Mat has got a couple as he has just changed his set up. Brian has a couple also.
I lifted my 90 a couple of years back only by about inch and half fitted and dislocation cones and extended bump stops, and not had any problems, before i done it i had springs come out a couple of times when off road.
A guy in a disco at Newbourne a while ago snapped both his rear shocks and they were new ones.

wickford90 said:

Hi Nick another repair.
stick a second hand one on and get to Newbourne on sunday

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Prob, my best choice. But not enough time before sunday. Its my daughters birthday party tomorrow and then we are out for a well deserved evening.

Once its sorted, I'll try and get out for an evenings laning.
Have fun on Sunday

Nick, I got this one Terrafirma 2" lift all terrain package

Not from Devon though as I found it a little cheaper somewhere else. M&M were doing it all for about £250 delivered including 2x new turret rings as the bolts WILL snap.

Might want to get some dislocation cones too lol!

wickford90 said:

A guy in a disco at Newbourne a while ago snapped both his rear shocks and they were new ones.

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I spoke to him the next driving day, he did not claim under the warranty....

He just welded the rod of the shock back on to the top mounting cup think its still going...

Te he we all been thro alternators, wheel bearings, shocks, now it looks like JU's are going as well, lol.

But hey thats off roading.

Think the only way you will know Nick is to bite the bullet, if you keep reading you come to one answer......its 50/50 to wether other things wear or not, I think if just depends on the amount of use/abuse things get...

My reasons you know for lifting but here it is... I want more clearance under diffs - lifting means bigger tyres can be fitted, also it lifts front and rear for better entry and departure angles, it lifts the belly up (not mine the Landys)as well so you dont ground out so much in the middle, also helps keep the body out of water (2" deeper, lol), oh yeah and you can see into cars better, and my mummy moans its hard to get in and out of