Orishaoko1 · Apr 7, 2019

I have a 1988 Land Rover Santana IV (defender body series 3 frame it's a bit of a hybrid) that I want to lift 1" or 2" but as much as I look for, can't find a kit or instructions on how to do it. Do any of you guys have deal with this in the past or know how to do it?

tottot · Apr 7, 2019

If your old springs are well worn just fitting new ones will give you a one inch lift. Nice truck by the way.

Litch · Apr 7, 2019

This isn't really the correct section as your Santana does not use coil springs so I should think is more relevant to the Series section.

I would say that your options are restricted to new springs (are yours worn?) or increasing the length of the rear shackles (although quick & easy this option alone does alter the steering geometry slightly).
If your springs are not worn how about getting them re-shaped?
Other than that you can do as LR did to the Series 1-Tonne & MOD chassis which was to extend the chassis front spring mountings on the F& R springs as well, this along with the longer shackles has the advantage of keeping the steering geometry the same but can cause propshaft issues (when LR did this they cut a small section out of the crossmember to prevent the prop clashing).

dag019 · Apr 8, 2019

It depends why/where you are looking for the lift to be, between tyre and body or between ground and diff? From the photo (very nice btw) it looks like you are running 205 sized tyres. Which although land rover standard for a SWB are very very small. The LWB used 7.50's as standard which is roughly equivalent to a 235/85 in modern metric. Swapping to a set of 7.50's will probably give you at least an extra inch under the diff and will not cause any problems with the standard suspension setup (if it is the same as a series 3). I run 7.50's on my swb series 3 with no problems, although as stated above, replacing the springs for new (standard) also gave me a lift as the old ones has settled and sagged.

Orishaoko1 · Apr 8, 2019

dag019 said:
It depends why/where you are looking for the lift to be, between tyre and body or between ground and diff? From the photo (very nice btw) it looks like you are running 205 sized tyres. Which although land rover standard for a SWB are very very small. The LWB used 7.50's as standard which is roughly equivalent to a 235/85 in modern metric. Swapping to a set of 7.50's will probably give you at least an extra inch under the diff and will not cause any problems with the standard suspension setup (if it is the same as a series 3). I run 7.50's on my swb series 3 with no problems, although as stated above, replacing the springs for new (standard) also gave me a lift as the old ones has settled and sagged.

Man thanks for the tip and you do have a keen eye for detail. I bought the car about 2 weeks ago and didn't check the tires and just after you replied to the post I went to see it on the car and it was just like you said 205/16. I will definitely will go up on the tires. Thanks

tacr2man · Apr 8, 2019

Dont forget to reset your lock stops to stop fouling on side of springs

dag019 · Apr 8, 2019

Orishaoko1 said:
Man thanks for the tip and you do have a keen eye for detail. I bought the car about 2 weeks ago and didn't check the tires and just after you replied to the post I went to see it on the car and it was just like you said 205/16. I will definitely will go up on the tires. Thanks

If you do my preference would be for 7.50's but there is less choice in this size. I run Michelin xzl's on my series 3 and have no complaints. Can upload some pics if you want.

lynall · Apr 9, 2019

Rear looks fine, front looks like it has sagged.
Extended shackle plates are the cheap easy way to give a lift on a leaf sprung vehicle.

Orishaoko1 · Apr 9, 2019

dag019 said:
If you do my preference would be for 7.50's but there is less choice in this size. I run Michelin xzl's on my series 3 and have no complaints. Can upload some pics if you want.

Today I parked next to a series 2 and it was taller than mine and just as you said, this guy had the 7.5" by 16 tires and looked about 1" taller with bone stock suspension

dag019 · Apr 9, 2019

Orishaoko1 said:
Today I parked next to a series 2 and it was taller than mine and just as you said, this guy had the 7.5" by 16 tires and looked about 1" taller with

They look like the old style Goodyear wranglers or a copy of. Decent tyres but far more Road biased than what you have fitted. But it goes to show how just how much larger they are over the 205’s. If that is what you are looking for I would keep the suspension stock and just find a set of suitable 7.50’s. Stock suspension keeps everything easy and doesn’t lead to other problems like a lift could.

tottot · Apr 9, 2019

Close but no cigar,it's a series 3. The plastic grill is the main give away.
Does your truck have power steering?

Orishaoko1 · Apr 9, 2019

dag019 said:
They look like the old style Goodyear wranglers or a copy of. Decent tyres but far more Road biased than what you have fitted. But it goes to show how just how much larger they are over the 205’s. If that is what you are looking for I would keep the suspension stock and just find a set of suitable 7.50’s. Stock suspension keeps everything easy and doesn’t lead to other problems like a lift could.

Thanks a lot for all the tips I appreciated the help

Orishaoko1 · Apr 9, 2019

tottot said:
Close but no cigar,it's a series 3. The plastic grill is the main give away.
Does your truck have power steering?

Yes this Santana came with power steering and the Santana LT85 5 speed gearbox ( heard it is indestructible by some)

Orishaoko1 · Apr 9, 2019

dag019 said:
They look like the old style Goodyear wranglers or a copy of. Decent tyres but far more Road biased than what you have fitted. But it goes to show how just how much larger they are over the 205’s. If that is what you are looking for I would keep the suspension stock and just find a set of suitable 7.50’s. Stock suspension keeps everything easy and doesn’t lead to other problems like a lift could.

Do you have any pics of your series Rover?

dag019 · Apr 9, 2019

Orishaoko1 said:
Do you have any pics of your series Rover?

Not as many as I thought I did that are actually going to be useful for you!
This one is before I replaced the suspension springs so it is riding low as has the old sagging springs on but is fitted with 7.50 Michelin xzl's:

This one is after the suspension change when it was used as wedding car for my sister:

When it is light tomorrow I can take some more if you wanted anything specific.

tottot · Apr 9, 2019

Santana were ahead of the game with some features on their version of the Land Rover. One piece screen and 5 speed box were two I recon. And yes the lt85 is known for its strength.

Orishaoko1 · Apr 9, 2019

dag019 said:
Not as many as I thought I did that are actually going to be useful for you!
This one is before I replaced the suspension springs so it is riding low as has the old sagging springs on but is fitted with 7.50 Michelin xzl's:
View attachment 174934

This one is after the suspension change when it was used as wedding car for my sister:
View attachment 174935

When it is light tomorrow I can take some more if you wanted anything specific.

That rover is a beauty. And I can see the difference on the pick wow.

Orishaoko1 · Apr 9, 2019

tottot said:
Santana were ahead of the game with some features on their version of the Land Rover. One piece screen and 5 speed box were two I recon. And yes the lt85 is known for its strength.

I

tottot said:
Santana were ahead of the game with some features on their version of the Land Rover. One piece screen and 5 speed box were two I recon. And yes the lt85 is known for its strength.

As a defunct company (Santana) is quite hard to find more info about them but as I was looking at the parts manuals many of their parts actually cross reference with the series 3 and the land rover 90.

dag019 · Apr 10, 2019

Orishaoko1 said:
That rover is a beauty. And I can see the difference on the pick wow.

It doesn't usually look like the second picture, but it is amazing what a bit of spit and polish can do.

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