Quick suspension Question - advice please!

Hi guys, I'm toying with the idea of a 2" lift on my 110 csw. I plan on taking it overland in the future and remeber a tip from somebody about keeping things as close to standard as you can, because it'll be easier to get genuine parts when you're out in the sticks, than getin your fancy custom made super dooper parts replaced.

DO I get a decent 2" lift kit, with new springs and new dampers, which would give me the full benefit of the estra 2" travel and ground clearance,

If need be, I could take a spare spring and damper with me. This is the expensice option

or do I use the genuine original springs and just add a fabricated 2" steel spacer. This way, I wont get the full benefit of the 2" lift, but if the spring breaks, its easier to find a spare. I'd have to use a new longer damper i presume,a as this cant be "extended" like the spring can. This is cheaper, but I'd rather do the right thing, not the cheapest thing.

WHat do you think guys

fit HD springs and shocks or Police spec helper springs. and leave it std.

firstly you need to be aware that your front and rear springs are not the same size on a 110, and the dampers/shocks are different front and rear too

on that basis taking spares would take a lot of room

i would be inclined to ask if you need a lift for overlanding

you can gain extra hight with a spacer if you want to retain standard shocks/dampers you will need shock drop mounts (widely available from all good and bad parts places

redhand said:

fit HD springs and shocks or Police spec helper springs. and leave it std.

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I'm with Redhand. I fitted the helper springs (a second set of springs inside the originals) to my current 110. It gives the same soft ride as before but with the carrying ability of hd springs. I'd fitted HD springs to my previous 110. Although they did the job and did it well the ride was unbelievably harsh whether running heavily laden or empty.

take it helper spring would help with front end sag caused by a winch and bumper? Wheres the best place to buy helper springs? they arent made by britpart are they?!?!

I read Land rover owner international the other day. There was a guy in there, planning to fit air suspension to his 130, a la range rovers and disco's. Is that not just asking for trouble?

Mike_B said:

There was a guy in there, planning to fit air suspension to his 130, a la range rovers and disco's. Is that not just asking for trouble?

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can't think of anything worse !

Mike_B said:

take it helper spring would help with front end sag caused by a winch and bumper? No. Helper springs go on the rear and prevent the sag caused by all the extra gear carried. I'm not sure exactly what springs I have on the front of my ex-electricity board 110 but I have a superwinch prop driven winch and my front springs aren't sagging at all.

Wheres the best place to buy helper springs? they arent made by britpart are they?!?! Mine are made by Bearmach. They have been on for nearly 18 months and have made all the difference and have yet to show signs of sagging. My landy is pretty much always laden too. It generally weighs in at about 2 1/2 tons. Landrover do genuine ones if you wish to stick with originals.

I read Land rover owner international the other day. There was a guy in there, planning to fit air suspension to his 130, a la range rovers and disco's. Is that not just asking for trouble?

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Answers in red


I'd keep well clear of doing that. Most D2 owners are trying to get shot of their air springs. You can get air bag helpers that go inside the springs on a 110. I was worried about them popping so decided to stear clear of them.

Air Lift Adjustable Air Helper Springs - Def 110 130 - pair

here's the thread I put up when I was deciding what to do.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/any-recommendations-heavy-duty-110-springs-77452.html

If fitting the helper springs hadn't completely sorted the ride problem on mine out the next step would have been to have added some remote resevoir shocks too.

and here's a couple of pics boydy put up for me to have a look at his mates 110 with helper springs fitted.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f16/oi-ratty-79470.html

Remember this, a body lift only gives you extra underbely clearance the gap under the axle remains the same.Larger diameter tyres are a better bet. Lifting the vehicle also has other isues such as higher center of gravity (more likley to tip on a side slope or on a tight bend at speed} also harder to get in if getting on a bit.

Cheers for the help guys. Air helpers it is I think.