Mud-club
Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: flash42 on July 22, 2008, 10:54:14
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just wondering what sought of lift you can get from fitting a set of heavy duty springs to a defender 90.
cheers
flash
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just wondering what sought of lift you can get from fitting a set of heavy duty springs to a defender 90.
Heavy duty springs is a bit vague.
There are kits that will lift the suspension by 2 or 3 inchs. These will include long travel shock absorbers as well.
If you fit the police spec HD springs (which have an LR part number) then the lift will be about 1 to 1 1/2 inchs depending upon engine and weight you carry. IIRC you may also need rear spring 'packers' to level things up afterwards.
Whatever way you do you will need to either lowered top shock mounts and fit longer travel shocks as these will limit travel....particularly droop.
HTH
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As above, heavy duty is a very vague statement.
The red/white springs are a classic, but rare example in being softer and longer than standard 90 springs. They are only realy HD on a RRC with the self leveling unit fitted and working.
Some HD springs are made significantly shorter than standard to maintain the same ride height as before and others are both stiffer and longer than standard so will give a lot of lift in some applications if the vehicles weight isn't increased. There are litterally dozens of different HD springs to chose from, or if you like headachs then custom wound springs makes the choice infinate. to add another layer of complication, not all springs for LRs are linier, many are progressive, which makes comparing them and the resultant lift more difficult.
If you want a simple answer, just go to one of the reputable suppliers, tell them who much lift you want and roughly what the vehicle will weight and they will select the appropriate springs for your application. The ammount of accesories and cargo your vehicle carries will have a significant effect on the resulting lift.
I would despute the need to change dampers/mounts. To get full travel out of the suspension then these may well need to be changed, however just changing the springs will not render the vehicle incapable off road. My first RRC got a 2" lift with HD springs and never changed the mounts or fitted longer dampers. With some sensible driving it could still get most places at a pay and play. MY second RRC got off roaded for a while with lift springs and otherwise standard uspension before deciding on just which dampers to go for.
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I would despute the need to change dampers/mounts.
I take your point :)
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And don't forget that just a change of springs like for like will give you a "lift" due to the old ones being tired.
I fitted new stock springs to a Disco and measured to the top of the wheel arch, before and after. A full one inch higher all round :D