300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
First off, probably ignore most of the replies thus far in this thread. They are utter nonsense and frankly unhelpful.
Modding a Series Land Rover is pretty easy, but depends on what you want to achieve and how much money you want to spend. Also if you want to do the work yourself or not.
Firstly, what wheels and tyres do you have now? Fitting bigger tyres will give you lift and may be sufficient.
7.50 x 16 was the standard tyre for a 109, which is about 31-32" tall depending on brand. A 235/85R16 is a similar height but a bit fatter. These are good tyre sizes for a Land Rover and will likely give you more than enough clearance on stock suspension for most things. Although a 109 is at more risk of becoming beached, due to the longer wheel base and poorer breakover angle.
A 265/75R16 is also a similar height and should fit straight on, but will require different rims (wider). And you should be able to fit a 285/75R16 which is slightly taller and fatter, again with different rims. But you may find these rub slightly and might need the body trimming/massaging out of the way. A 255/85R16 should also fit and slightly better, but less choice of tyres. These are taller again, but not as wide.
A 31.10.50R15 on 15" rims is also a direct fit. And you can probably fit a 33.10.50R15 or R16 without mods. A 35.10.50R15 is probably the max size but will likely rub without some mods.
The wide tyres may also end up sticking out of the wheel arches, not sure if this is a legal issue where you are, but would be in the UK. So you may need some wheel arch spats (Defender style).
Bigger tyres will blunt performance and a standard 109 engine may struggle if you go too big. Also the axles and gearbox are not the strongest, so bigger tyres will run the risk of breaking these off road too.
You can fit wheel spacers, but if you are changing rims, it may be an option to get a different offset rim. Nothing wrong with spacers however.
As for the suspension, a refresh will help it off road and stock there is very little travel at the front. Stiffer springs may give you lift, but will generally ride badly and perform worse off road.
Switching to military/One Ton style spring hangers/shackles will give you a small lift easily, although it does change the pinion angle and may cause issues, but you would more than likely get away with it. And it is very common.
There are suspension kits:
http://www.heystee-automotive.com/parts/springs/sprgkits.htm
http://www.parabolicsprings.com/parabolicsprings.html
http://rockymountainspares.co.uk/product-category/suspension/
Although there is less choice for the 109 vs the 88 model.
With some thought you might be able to use springs from another vehicle to achieve a lift.
If you want to go big, then you could look at a spring over axle (SOA) conversion. Where you relocate the spring above the rear axle, rather than below for approx a 4" lift. Quite a few running setups like this, but you'll need to kit Google to find more info. There are some pitfalls and some R&D/engineering you'll have to overcome and solve. But is an option if you are serious.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Depends, but you can certainly fit larger tyres before this is an issue and get more steering than a stock setup too.
For all the reasons you go on to list later
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
I haven’t listed anything that claims they shouldn’t be as you phrased “tricking out” a Series over a Defender. What exactly are you claiming you can or can’t do to one or the other that means it isn’t worthwhile to a 109?????For all the reasons you go on to list later
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Chopz
Member
Yep bad quality after market part
Busted swivel balls,a bad batch of replacements from Britpart I believe
Busted swivel balls,a bad batch of replacements from Britpart I believe
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Yet plenty of people run spacers no problem. I think you are trying to prove a point by 2+2 = 5
TheMegaMan
Well-Known Member
I reckon he's got about 4.1.Yet plenty of people run spacers no problem. I think you are trying to prove a point by 2+2 = 5
It's pretty obvious that if you move the wheels outwards, the vertical force on the axle due to the vehicle weight, is acting further from the supported points (the springs), so it's acting as a lever on the bolts and swivel housing. While this might not be significant enough to damage a 'good' component, if the components are of questionable quality or have defects, the extra forces applied due to the longer lever may well stress them to failure point.
So I guess you choose whether you want reliability, or really need the extra track width.
