Non-sport springs on a sport...

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Lee1983

Member
Posts
36
Location
Birmingham
Hi,just looking for a quick bit of advice, if I have a Freelander sport which I believe was lower by 30-40mm from factory, and I got non-sport springs, will this raise my truck by this amount, or is it not really worth it? Just thinking if I fit these springs with a 2" lift kit and 235/75R16 tyres then effectively I will be getting almost 6" of lift! Is this true or am I pi$$ing in the wind! Thanks
 
Sport shocks are shorter than the standard shocks and stiffer too. It would be easier to find the complete assemblies to fit and do the 50mm lift while the struts are off.

I wonder if 255/60/18 tyres would fit? That's what I had on my D3.
 
Sport shocks are shorter than the standard shocks and stiffer too. It would be easier to find the complete assemblies to fit and do the 50mm lift while the struts are off.

I wonder if 255/60/18 tyres would fit? That's what I had on my D3.

Do you think it's worth changing them or would you keep the shorter and stiffer shocks and springs and just fit a lift kit? I've heard people say that the handling and ride is a lot better on the stiffer suspension at the sacrifice of the lift? I have bought some 16x7" modulars ready for off road use but not bought the tyres yet, would you go 235/70 or 235/75 if the offset of mods are ET35, hopefully won't need spacers if I do the lift. Any thoughts or advice mate as I know you know your stuff...

Also depends on the Model Year of your Sport as 2006MY (6Axxxxxx) at end of VIN didn't have the lower springs

Mine is a 2005 with chassis number 5Axxxxxx so I think it does have the shorter and stiffer suspension.
 
Do you think it's worth changing them or would you keep the shorter and stiffer shocks and springs and just fit a lift kit? I've heard people say that the handling and ride is a lot better on the stiffer suspension at the sacrifice of the lift? I have bought some 16x7" modulars ready for off road use but not bought the tyres yet, would you go 235/70 or 235/75 if the offset of mods are ET35, hopefully won't need spacers if I do the lift. Any thoughts or advice mate as I know you know your stuff...



Mine is a 2005 with chassis number 5Axxxxxx so I think it does have the shorter and stiffer suspension.
I would probably just add a lift kit as the stiffer suspension will help with road manors.
 
It depends what you want from it. If it's looks, mostly road and a bit of play I'd be inclined to lift the sport stuff and see how you get on. If you want to build it for off road mainly you'd be better off with full height suspension and a lift on top.
 
It depends what you want from it. If it's looks, mostly road and a bit of play I'd be inclined to lift the sport stuff and see how you get on. If you want to build it for off road mainly you'd be better off with full height suspension and a lift on top.

Thanks for the advice mate, sorry to change the question but i know you have already fitted modulars to your truck. I have the same ones, 16x7 ET35, will the 235/70 tyres fit under my arches without a lift and spacers or will I need to lift it first. Just deciding which way round to do things...

Thanks for reading this mate
 
Thanks for the advice mate, sorry to change the question but i know you have already fitted modulars to your truck. I have the same ones, 16x7 ET35, will the 235/70 tyres fit under my arches without a lift and spacers or will I need to lift it first. Just deciding which way round to do things...

Thanks for reading this mate

They should go on without a lift. You may need to trim a bit off the front and rear edges of the arches. It's the spring cup that dictates the size not the lift
 
They should go on without a lift. You may need to trim a bit off the front and rear edges of the arches. It's the spring cup that dictates the size not the lift

Thanks again for your reply, I'm going to order the 235/70s I think then, is this the same as you had? We're your modulars ET35 offset? When you say trim a bit off the front and rear edges of the arches, do you mean the inner arch liners or the actual outer plastic trims around the arch on the wings? Don't really want to start making the outside of the truck look a mess but don't mind trimming the inner bits and pieces. Thanks again for all your advice, really appreciate it.
 
Thanks again for your reply, I'm going to order the 235/70s I think then, is this the same as you had? We're your modulars ET35 offset? When you say trim a bit off the front and rear edges of the arches, do you mean the inner arch liners or the actual outer plastic trims around the arch on the wings? Don't really want to start making the outside of the truck look a mess but don't mind trimming the inner bits and pieces. Thanks again for all your advice, really appreciate it.
It's minimal trimming of the front and rear of the front outer plastic arches. If you do a careful job you don't notice. So don't use an axe There's a lip in the back of the arch that you may need to hammer flat. Can't remember what the offset was now tbh it was ages ago. I had 235/70/16 Bfg and 225/75/16 kumhos at different times
 
It's minimal trimming of the front and rear of the front outer plastic arches. If you do a careful job you don't notice. So don't use an axe There's a lip in the back of the arch that you may need to hammer flat. Can't remember what the offset was now tbh it was ages ago. I had 235/70/16 Bfg and 225/75/16 kumhos at different times

Thanks for all your advice, I went for the 235/70s in the end. I have trial fitted them and they look great. I have been reading that I may need different wheel. It's for the steel wheels, is this true and if so where do you get these from? Is it just a search on eBay or are there recommended ones to use? Thanks again
 
Do you mean wheel nuts? I originally had steels on mine so just used them. I believe the alloy bolt face is the same so I'd try them before rushing out to buy new. Just make sure they tighten on the rim and not the end of the stud as the rim is thinner
 
Thanks for all your advice, I went for the 235/70s in the end. I have trial fitted them and they look great. I have been reading that I may need different wheel. It's for the steel wheels, is this true and if so where do you get these from? Is it just a search on eBay or are there recommended ones to use? Thanks again
Did you need wheel spacers to clear the strut?
 
I have in the past and it did look kind of lower, I have looked at the springs and they have orange and white markings on the front and pink and white markings on the rear. I have just posted pictures on the freelander Facebook page
 
This might help.
02 td4, 3 door, 140k miles, on 225/60/R16 3/4 worn tyres and as far as I know bog standard.
Measurement from centre of wheel hub to edge of arch at the middle. Ie straight up.
Front 46.5cm
Rear 46.5cm
Both measurements give or take a few mm. Also measured sill clearance to the lowest point but near the wheel beyond the plastic strip and found front is 27cm and rear 28.5cm.
I would expect the weight of the engine to compress the tyres a little more but was surprised to find a 1.5cm difference.
 
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Did you need wheel spacers to clear the strut?

Hi mate, fitted the wheels properly today at work, all clear on lock-to-lock and not heard any rubbing or catching so far. They are noisy though! No need for spacers with the ET35 offset on the modulars. Just a lift to do now and it will be ready for some action. Looks the part now though...

 
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