how high to go lift wise

hi im considering getting a +2 kit this week but been looking around on ebay and seen these
LAND ROVER +2" LIFT SPRING SPACERS DEFENDER 90 110 on eBay (end time 21-Oct-10 00:16:02 BST)


eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 CRANKED TRAILING ARMS +4IN LIFT on eBay (end time 24-Sep-10 00:21:56 BST)

so now the question is like it says in his discription
you can have a +4 kit
obvious you need his correction arms and brake lines props etc

but do you recon it will be safe
A: pass an mot ?
B: be ok to use on an every day basis
just thinking into it as wouldnt mind a nice lift just interested in opinions as havent fully desided yet thanks

It'll pass an MOT as long as everything is done properly - they check springs are properly located, bushes are in good condition, shocks aren't leaking, etc.
What's your reason for wanting to lift it? What do you plan to do with it "on a daily basis"?

on a daily basis i just go to and from work its the weekends where the fun starts i genaraly go green laning but from time to time get asked to move a few cars about and would like it both ways looks aswell as the better hight for crossing rivers and fords etc

You've got a wading kit already then? They must be some deep old rivers you're crossing if you need 4" of lift to get across!

the wading kit ie axle breathers and pipes yes up under the bonnet and im trying to find a snorkal that goes in on top of the wing vent seen a few cars with them on but havent seen any on sites selling them and for the fords and rivers etc its probs going to help stop water getting in etc

How deep do you want to go, cos it will start to float at some point.
"help stop water getting in" Your driving a bloody Land rover.
It will get in, cos it's like driving a sieve.
Put your speedo's on. lol

saxokid18 said:

its probs going to help stop water getting in etc

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If you manage that can you let me know please pal, mine leaks in the bloody rain:doh::doh::doh::doh:.

cant see why it wouldn't pass an mot if done properly but it will most likely change the handling with a raised centre of gravity.

if you are considering a 4" lift why are you looking at 2" spacers as an alternative option? 4" would need to be done properly and more than likely expensively so why not go for best of both and fit a proper 2" lift ie. not spacers or ****part

Have you thought about some bigger tyres. It will lift it and with minimal compramise.

A lift kit improves ground clearance and may help in deep water.It also reduces capability on sideslopes and under low branches.May not improve the road handling either.

a 2 inch kit can be done for around 300 quid (most of the time)
a 4 inch kit costs anything up to and over 1000

your choice

Turboman said:

A lift kit improves ground clearance and may help in deep water.

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how does a lift kit improve ground clearance???
the axles are still the same distance off the ground, the only way to improve ground clearance is bigger tyres or portal axles

gegs88 said:

how does a lift kit improve ground clearance???
the axles are still the same distance off the ground, the only way to improve ground clearance is bigger tyres or portal axles

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so a lift kit doesnt raise the ground clearance of the front, middle and rear of the vehicle then? :doh: it gives better clearance for overhang, keeps engine and electricals further away from damage/water.

tyres will give better diff clearance but there is also advantages to suspension lifts (although in honesty about 95% on here will only do it cos they like the looks and not cos they need it )

Turboman said:

A lift kit improves ground clearance and may help in deep water.It also reduces capability on sideslopes and under low branches.May not improve the road handling either.

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incorrect... a lift kit kit does nothing to improve ground clearance..

the only way to get more ground clearance under yr diffs is by fitting larger tyres..

never had issues with my lift kit on side slopes..

mine handles like most landies do on the road.....badly...it aint a sports car..

low branches!!!!!! fcuk them:doh:

Lift kit was the worst up grade i made as it handles like a boat anyway so lifting it makes it feel dangerous in my opinion, At about 65 and you need to swerve you will struggle to swerve it just wallowes. if you really want to lift it go for a 1" - 1 1/2" lift this should be better. like some1 said go for bigger wheels more street cred and handles better.

sible88 said:

Lift kit was the worst up grade i made as it handles like a boat anyway so lifting it makes it feel dangerous in my opinion, At about 65 and you need to swerve you will struggle to swerve it just wallowes. if you really want to lift it go for a 1" - 1 1/2" lift this should be better. like some1 said go for bigger wheels more street cred and handles better.

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its not actually a 2 inch lift, most are 50mm, which isnt very much in the grand scheme of things. IMO its the larger wheels that make it handle worse and not a small lift

gegs88 said:

how does a lift kit improve ground clearance???
the axles are still the same distance off the ground, the only way to improve ground clearance is bigger tyres or portal axles

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You are right, but if you were to have, for example a 2" lift, that would increase the height of obstacles you could clear by 2", because all you would need to do is roll your tire up to the obstacle and drive over, whereas without a lift you would probably hit the obstacle with your bumper first. However, I would not get a lift for a defender, they already have enough clearance for most things, and a lift would make it handle even more like a tumble dryer. If you REALLY had to get a lift, I would never, ever go over 2", in fact, I would probs limit myself to around 1.5"

V8_Disco said:

its not actually a 2 inch lift, most are 50mm, which isnt very much in the grand scheme of things. IMO its the larger wheels that make it handle worse and not a small lift

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That 0.8mm makes all the difference!!!

saxokid18 said:

on a daily basis i just go to and from work its the weekends where the fun starts i genaraly go green laning but from time to time get asked to move a few cars about and would like it both ways looks aswell as the better hight for crossing rivers and fords etc

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You don't need to lift it for green lanes, moving cars, crossing rivers or fords. If you just want to lift it for looks, then that's fine.

Suspension lift increases approach, departure and breakover angles which in certain situations, is really useful and can be the difference between getting through, or getting stuck. I've been on plenty of rocky descents where the towbar struck pre-lift, and once it was lifted, the towbar got a much easier life. Similar applies for front and middle.

wiltshire landyman said:

incorrect... a lift kit kit does nothing to improve ground clearance..

the only way to get more ground clearance under yr diffs is by fitting larger tyres..

never had issues with my lift kit on side slopes..

mine handles like most landies do on the road.....badly...it aint a sports car..

low branches!!!!!! fcuk them:doh:

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OK So technically it only increases the ground clearance of the body but pedantry passes the time.Valid bout the tyres tho.I drove across Salisbury Plain last month and am surprised you can find a sideslope.Tbh there are hardly any trees here!Still like toknow what the punch challenges are?