Suspension raise?

james6546 · Feb 21, 2014

I know this has been done before so don't shout at me please...!

I wanted to do a poll, but don't think I can.

Should I or shouldn't I raise the suspension on my 90?

The rear shocks are antique britpart and so don't really do anything. My summer job is to replace all round suspension, bushes and the steering damper.

I plan on getting the terrafirma medium duty springs and shocks, but they come in +2" or standard.

So...I have read a lot of posts and I have:
pros:
- looks cooler
- can fit bigger tyres to raise the diff clearance
- deeper wading height
- better angle of ascent and descent for offroading
- easier to work under

and negatives
- worse handling (this is a big negative for me as I like throwing it around corners)
- to do a proper job you need quite a few components
- harder to get in and out of (which my girlfriend will moan about a lot)
- can make components wear out quicker
- won't fit in multi-story carparks

I really can't decide. I make my mind up about not raising it, but then see a raised one and think it looks great!

LRD90tdi · Feb 21, 2014

If you don't plan on fitting bigger wheels keep it at the original height as save money and, more importantly, grief from her in doors!!

Tom

james6546 · Feb 21, 2014

LRD90tdi said:
If you don't plan on fitting bigger wheels keep it at the original height as save money and, more importantly, grief from her in doors!!

Tom

TBH I do quite like the dark grey freestyle alloys so probably wouldn't change the wheels yet.

I am getting enough grief for taking the step off!

CJ2a · Feb 21, 2014

fit the lift keep the alloys and when you want bigger tyres just fit them to the freestyle alloys and keep the steps everyone wins then and the gf can have a hop up step problem solved once again

james6546 · Feb 21, 2014

CJ2a said:
fit the lift keep the alloys and when you want bigger tyres just fit them to the freestyle alloys and keep the steps everyone wins then and the gf can have a hop up step problem solved once again

How much will a 2" lift affect the handling? As I drive it the same as I drive my car at the moment!

GINGE · Feb 21, 2014

james6546 said:
How much will a 2" lift affect the handling? As I drive it the same as I drive my car at the moment!

Your right this has been done a couple of times before.

The lift won't really effect the handling, when you take the anti roll bar off to make the lift kit work you will notice it.

james6546 · Feb 21, 2014

GINGE said:
Your right this has been done a couple of times before.

The lift won't really effect the handling, when you take the anti roll bar off to make the lift kit work you will notice it.

I kind of wanted peoples opinions more than the mechanical stuff which was why I started a new post.

Im currently still thinking I want to keep it standard height. Raced an Astra van back from Uttoxeter today around the lanes and won. Dont want to mess up how it handles by raising the centre of gravity...

CJ2a · Feb 22, 2014

its a tratter it has the aero dynamics of a brick you should not be driving it like a race car its a tratter it drives like a tratter is designed to go anywhere not fast

jai_landrover · Feb 22, 2014

The Astra driver can't have been trying!

Paul D · Feb 22, 2014

What about stiffened standard height springs? They raise it slightly inasmuch as they don't sag, but give some stiffness to the ride and improve it on-road, but slightly detrimental offroad unless you remove the arb's.

As you like how it rides I'd stick with standard height and probably standard Landrover, shocks too! A lot of aftermarket shocks are sorted for compromise, and might not suit .. you _know_ standards work how you like them!

If you can get over to Doncaster I have a set of HD standard height springs (off my Discovery) that you can 'borrow' and see if you like the ride. If you want to keep 'em they'd need a bit of a re-paint .. but I wouldn't mind if you just returned them to buy new ones either ..

dieselreek · Feb 22, 2014

only posers lift there vehicles it is capable as standard :behindsofa:

GINGE · Feb 22, 2014

CJ2a said:
its a tratter it has the aero dynamics of a brick you should not be driving it like a race car its a tratter it drives like a tratter is designed to go anywhere not fast

Agreed. A defender is a 2 ton killing machine in the wrong hands.

I feel the OP needs a corsa with some LED rear lights and a badly painted an fitted spoiler. :doh:

jai_landrover said:
The Astra driver can't have been trying!

Wot he sed^^^

james6546 · Feb 23, 2014

GINGE said:
Agreed. A defender is a 2 ton killing machine in the wrong hands.

I feel the OP needs a corsa with some LED rear lights and a badly painted an fitted spoiler. :doh:

Wot he sed^^^

Ouch!

Nah, I am no boy racer, just like throwing it around corners a bit...

Was thinking a spoiler might look good on it though

james6546 · Feb 23, 2014

Paul D said:
What about stiffened standard height springs? They raise it slightly inasmuch as they don't sag, but give some stiffness to the ride and improve it on-road, but slightly detrimental offroad unless you remove the arb's.

As you like how it rides I'd stick with standard height and probably standard Landrover, shocks too! A lot of aftermarket shocks are sorted for compromise, and might not suit .. you _know_ standards work how you like them!

If you can get over to Doncaster I have a set of HD standard height springs (off my Discovery) that you can 'borrow' and see if you like the ride. If you want to keep 'em they'd need a bit of a re-paint .. but I wouldn't mind if you just returned them to buy new ones either ..

Thanks Paul but I think HD springs might be a bit harsh of a ride for me, that was why I was kind of thinking of the medium duty stuff, as I am planning on having a winch and a roof mounted tent on it at some point.

Has anyone had and experience with terrafirma springs and shocks?

james6546 · Feb 23, 2014

So I have the current vote as:

2 leave it as it is
1 raise it
2 don't drive it like a knob

Paul D · Feb 23, 2014

james6546 said:
Thanks Paul but I think HD springs might be a bit harsh of a ride for me, that was why I was kind of thinking of the medium duty stuff, as I am planning on having a winch and a roof mounted tent on it at some point.

No worries, offer stands if you want to try them anyway. Doubt I'll be getting rid ..

Suspension raise?

james6546

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LRD90tdi

New Member

james6546

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CJ2a

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james6546

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GINGE

Greenlane liker, bobble hat hater

james6546

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CJ2a

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jai_landrover

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Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

dieselreek

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GINGE

Greenlane liker, bobble hat hater

james6546

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james6546

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james6546

Well-Known Member

Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

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