Disco 2 40mm lift with SLS and ACE

Why? As on my Wales and lakes trips this year my D1 at standard height on the same 245/75/16’s had issues with the departure angle on occasions, the D2 has a massive arse and I’m suffering from some sag at the front, if I’m swapping springs and shocks anyway and if I’m going to do a lift at some point it may as well be now.

So my question is only has anyone had any issues once it’s been lifted? From spending a night searching I’ve seen one report of prop joint issues but little else, there must be many that have been fine? If I’m doing it it’ll be with hoses and extended sensor wires etc.

If it’s guaranteed to make the car a pain in the arse then I won’t bother however I would like to.

Have a good read of this thread, especially the posts by @300bhp/ton, a well known and knowledgeable off-roader:-
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/lifting-a-d2-properly.300573/#post-3749057
Added to which, a stock D2 on SLS already has the ability to increase the suspension height by about 40mm just by operating a switch on the dashboard.

I had already read that thanks, I can’t see any real horror stories from people that are running lifted D2’s and I’d imagine there are plenty of them out there. I have the luxury of it being a toy which I mostly use for laning weekends and the odd holiday. Any threads I can find seem to say that ACE responds fine and presumably it would retain the cars stability, looking for reasons not to do it which I can’t currently see much of.

AdamD1 said:

I had already read that thanks, I can’t see any real horror stories from people that are running lifted D2’s and I’d imagine there are plenty of them out there. I have the luxury of it being a toy which I mostly use for laning weekends and the odd holiday. Any threads I can find seem to say that ACE responds fine and presumably it would retain the cars stability, looking for reasons not to do it which I can’t currently see much of.

Click to expand...

I'm not a lift expert, but I can say that there's no real need to change to steel coiled springs to lift a D2, other than maybe on the front since that end isn't variable. The air spring self levelling system can be lifted by the use of lift blocks and extension plates for the ride height sensors. This will also retain the ability to use the extra 40mm lift using the ORM switch.
I would say that under the circumstances of then being able to lift up to 80mm from stock longer replacement flexible brake hoses would probably be a reasonable idea.
ACE, the Active Cornering Enhancement is a totally separate system from the SLS, and although my D2 isn't fitted with it, you might be advised to make a careful check that any other pipework which might exist between the chassis and axles are able to accommodate the additional lift. The hydraulic anti-roll rams are mounted on the chassis rather than the axles I believe.
Personally, I'm no great fan of lifting the D2, but mine is primarily a daily road-going vehicle. As you say that yours will be mainly a "playtime vehicle", then it's up to you, but be prepared for some unforeseen strange behaviour in its handling characteristics, particularly at higher speeds on a road surface.
Another D2 problem which you've sort of eluded to is the rear end overhang, much exaserpated by the "plough" tow hitch. You could either remove it, or if a towing ability is still required you could consider a different model of tow bar.
Many off-road users have modified the front and rear bumpers in an effort to improve the approach and exit angles.

I would like to swap for some steel bumpers at some point, have seen an especially nice non winch one on eBay, not a bargain at £400 but nice! My rear bumper is damaged so that will get replaced at some point regardless and the plow is on the list of things to remove definitely.

Completely in two minds about it, it needs new springs at the front at very least.

I’ll just replace with all new standard front springs and shocks and do the air bags and rear shocks too I think. She’s probably complicated enough without buggering about with it. This will be one hell of a bill!!!