Lift kits lift the CHASSIS and body, but do nothing for axle clearances, and it's usually the axles which hit stuff first.
Bigger diameter tyres lift EVERYTHING including the axle, WITHOUT affecting any suspension angles or bushes or bugger-all. An inch or two extra on the tyres diameters can make all the difference, BUT remember all your gearing will be HIGHER.
Seems to me like your idea is pretty good.
And, you can revert to normal just by fitting your other set of wheels.
CharlesY
I've just started the ground up rebuild of a 90 (prepare for many stupid questions!), well I've spent the weekend stripping the old one - its a 1980 and has 170k on the clock.
Going back to the 1st post I was thinking of lifting mine. I'm going to replace all items listed in the failures column anyway as theres no point in doing half a job while its all stripped down (been there done that). Post re-build my intention is to do greenlaning but probably quite a lot of road work as well (maybe 50/50). I'm rebuilding the engine to get a bit more power out of it and will upgrade the brakes while I'm at it.
If I replace all the items listed in the new bits required section of the 1st post will handling be acceptable on road or would it be better to stick to the original height? I do like the idea of a lift and if it is achievable by changing trailing arms etc I might be tempted but I don't want to significantly compromise road handling.
Thanks,
Jon
Apologies for it being a bit rambling!
Going back to the 1st post I was thinking of lifting mine. I'm going to replace all items listed in the failures column anyway as theres no point in doing half a job while its all stripped down (been there done that). Post re-build my intention is to do greenlaning but probably quite a lot of road work as well (maybe 50/50). I'm rebuilding the engine to get a bit more power out of it and will upgrade the brakes while I'm at it.
If I replace all the items listed in the new bits required section of the 1st post will handling be acceptable on road or would it be better to stick to the original height? I do like the idea of a lift and if it is achievable by changing trailing arms etc I might be tempted but I don't want to significantly compromise road handling.
Thanks,
Jon
Apologies for it being a bit rambling!
jimbot90
New Member
ye jus gerron wi it.
Beast o Bodmin
Banned
burn it
V8_Disco
New Member
defenders were never renowned for great road handling, a 2 inch lift will make no difference
just do it
Ryder
Having a senior moment
Hang on a sec... people on this thread appear to be choosing between a lift kit and bigger tyres. however the only advantage to a lift kit.... is that it allows you to fit bigger tyres!
There really is no other reason to lift the motor. You are not helping clearance because the lift has no overall effect on the axles and therefore diffs.
We lift the motor to fit bigger tyres... so either you are going to fit bigger tyres or you are doing it for looks only.
There really is no other reason to lift the motor. You are not helping clearance because the lift has no overall effect on the axles and therefore diffs.
We lift the motor to fit bigger tyres... so either you are going to fit bigger tyres or you are doing it for looks only.
nick2303
Well-Known Member
A suspension or a body lift will improve yr aproach angle surely....
it's not only a case of lifting for bigger wheels..
i'm happy with my wheels (245/75 16 a/t's) but its the approch angles i suffer with..
even a 33" tyre is only 2.4" greater in diameter than mine are.. 1.2" radius so axle just over an inch higher.. woo hoo? big deal..
are lass sez an inch makes all the difference but off road i cant see it makin that big a difference really..
but i could be wrong an no doubt i will be told i am..
it's not only a case of lifting for bigger wheels..
i'm happy with my wheels (245/75 16 a/t's) but its the approch angles i suffer with..
even a 33" tyre is only 2.4" greater in diameter than mine are.. 1.2" radius so axle just over an inch higher.. woo hoo? big deal..
are lass sez an inch makes all the difference but off road i cant see it makin that big a difference really..
but i could be wrong an no doubt i will be told i am..
wiltshire landyman
I’m back
yes you are wrong..
an inch is an inch and can be the difference between being grounded on yr diffs or not..
the ONLY WAY to gain diff clearance is with larger tyres. there is NO other way of acheving this
but the lift does improve ya break over angles.
wiltshire landyman
I’m back
correct but not yr diff clearance,ya could put a 10" lift on it the diffs would still be in the same position
nobodys doubting that. but there are advantages to a body lift or suspension lift even if yer dont change yer tirescorrect but not yr diff clearance,ya could put a 10" lift on it the diffs would still be in the same position
wiltshire landyman
I’m back
yep i got a 2" suspension lift and a 4" body lift and 36" tyres dont think i can do much more
Trewey
Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.
Yes there is - portal axles.
wiltshire landyman
I’m back
yeh but were talking about existing diff setup not replacing axles:boink:
