Have I got a lift?

New to me Defender 90 (1996) with 750 wheels and tyres. It looks and feels as though it might have had a suspension lift in the past. No markings on the springs or shocks that I can see.

If there is any kind soul with a 90 on 750s who would be willing to pop outside and measure the vertical distance from the wheelarch eyebrow lip to the top of the tyre, I would be massively grateful. Mine measure 11 cm and 14 cm front and rear. Also, the top of the rear tyre is level with the top of the spring mount on the chassis. My last 90 was on 235/85/16s (same diameter as 750 I believe) and I don't remember seeing so much of the chassis under the rear wheelarch. The old truck seemed easier to hop in and out of, but of course I was 15 years younger then!

Thanks for any advice.

Photos to illustrate:

You'd be better asking for the distance from the chassis to the axle as tyres can vary massively in dimension regardless of their supposed tyre size. I don't own a tratter anymore so I can't help

Fair point, thanks.

Ok, rough measurements taken just now:

Rear - axle to bump stop 135 mm, axle to chassis 195 mm
Front - axle to bump stop 100 mm, axle to chassis 160 mm

Axle measurement is taken from the welded plate which faces the bump stop.

Any help welcome, thanks.

Feeling a bit stupid here . The simplest way is to measure the overall height of the truck. Measurement from the ground to the top of the van back is ... 80". Exactly as per specifications. No lift, it's my imagination. Thanks for the responses.

The picture looks normal to me. Just a personal opinion but I hate body lifts on any vehicle with a vengence. You gain nothing in terms of ground clearance just a little more axle articulation which is often never used. Land rovers are what they are and extremely capable when left alone. I've seen many a motor ruined by lifting. Handling goes to crap and centre of gravity on an already potentially top heavy motor goes even higher. If you want better ground clearance then fit portal axles or buy a Unimog. I'll get off my soap[box now.

I'd agree with that, in the main. One genuine reason to lift the suspension is if you want to fit much larger wheels (33" or bigger), but then you run the risk of the Tonka-toy look, which not everyone likes. I'm happy with things being standard, by and large. Land Rover had a long time to get things right.

I would say your landy is on some reasonably new springs,there are plenty of older landys around on saggy old springs you may have seen.

tottot said:

I would say your landy is on some reasonably new springs,there are plenty of older landys around on saggy old springs you may have seen.

Click to expand...

The comparison (in my head) is with my old Ninety, and that may well have had saggy suspenders. Agreed, height is as per spec, so springs must be reasonably good.

Looks normal to me, I have the same tyres on newish springs - see profile picky.