Td5 and lifting it up!

Chris Walters · Feb 14, 2018

Still new to all the defender things, I’ve got a td5 90 and want to get it lifted. I use it to go shooting etc not off road days and that sort of thing, but a bit of extra clearance wouldn’t hurt, plus I like the look! I’ve got 285/75-16 tyres on there if it makes any difference.
What’s the easiest way to lift it? Seen people selling spacers that go under the springs, or do I need a kit with shocks and springs?
Also is there a link to a site where it explains more about how lifting it works with regard to having to adjust castor etc and all the terms explained?? Or a video on YouTube??
Would prefer to find out why things need changing and effects it has rather than just be told to fit this and that.
Cheers in advance

ogb · Feb 14, 2018

You could have a word with this chap: https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk. One of the more knowledgeable guys in the areas you've mentioned.

mikescuba · Feb 14, 2018

I appreciate everyone has there own taste and requirements from there vehicle. I have a 110 standard height which I also use to go off into the forest shooting and it has crossed the Sahara by me once and several times by the previous owner. Never had a problem with height and in a 90 you will have even less of a problem. I have known several people who had a lift but returned to standard height as too many problems and less stability and comfort on the road. Don't know where you go shooting or what sort of a problem you have encountered that requires a lift?
If your going for a lift it I would go for a complete spring and shock upgrade rather than spacers. I would imagine you would loose axle articulation with just spacers.
I would also keep your old ones as you may need them again.
Just my view. You might be better off buying another gun instead.

ogb · Feb 14, 2018

...and it isn't just the shocks/springs combo either. You'll probably need to consider cranked trailing arms, bigger bump stops and maybe even castor-corrected arms as well. It all adds up to a fair wedge and you might not get a good/worthwhile result. I'd certainly heed Mikescuba's advice and not throw anything away so you can revert to "stock" if necessary. I, too, have done a bit of offroading in Morocco without a lift kit and never found myself embarrassed by my belly dragging on the ground or anything else. But... I don't know how deep the ruts are where you intend to go....

bluedog333 · Feb 15, 2018

And just to clarify, lift kit won’t get you any extra clearance - axles,diffs etc will all still be the same height from the ground!
Granted, approach and departure angles would increase, but you probably don’t need that for shooting.
And yes, I am being slightly pedantic

Chris Walters · Feb 15, 2018

There’s a local off road club that I might join as well, they’ve got a range of courses from what they call Freelander friendly to full expedition courses. Going to have a look at the weekend and see how many they say I’ll be ok on as standard.
As for Shooting, I’m liking the idea of another gun (even tho I picked up a new sx4 last week! And the cabinet is now a bit tight!)
Think it’s more the look than anything else, if I decide to do I’ll go +2” and get a proper kit of shocks and springs rather than spacers tho.

ogb · Feb 16, 2018

Chris Walters said:
Think it’s more the look than anything else

Ah! So any arguments about the technical implications are wasted, then. It's how it looks, not how it performs?

Chris Walters · Feb 16, 2018

Not really, I did put on the original post the ground clearance wouldn’t hurt but I like the look!
Also put I wanted to know about the whys and what’s of lifting one and what effect it had. Want to understand what’s going on underneath.
No point lifting it if it’s going make it a nightmare on the road!!
Still hoping to find a decent article explaining it BEFORE I do anything anyway!

ogb · Feb 16, 2018

bluedog333 said:
And just to clarify, lift kit won’t get you any extra clearance - axles,diffs etc will all still be the same height from the ground!
Granted, approach and departure angles would increase, but you probably don’t need that for shooting.
And yes, I am being slightly pedantic

Yep - I wasn't very clear on that...I was thinking more of how high above the ground the OP wanted his shooting platform! A few extra inches can make all the difference. Or so I'm told....

neilly · Feb 16, 2018

ogb said:
Ah! So any arguments about the technical implications are wasted, then. It's how it looks, not how it performs?

ogb said:
Yep - I wasn't very clear on that...I was thinking more of how high above the ground the OP wanted his shooting platform! A few extra inches can make all the difference. Or so I'm told....

I do not think the OP ever said he was going to ignore any tech issues, seems you are being very aggressive towards his response. Not having a good day?

Cheers

ogb · Feb 16, 2018

Oh dear....I'll get me coat!

Td5 and lifting it up!

Chris Walters

Member

ogb

Active Member

mikescuba

Well-Known Member

ogb

Active Member

bluedog333

Well-Known Member

Chris Walters

Member

ogb

Active Member

Chris Walters

Member

ogb

Active Member

neilly

Well-Known Member

ogb

Active Member

Similar threads