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Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1023

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green

Height - Effect of Tyre Size / Lowering Springs?

Well, I know what my first mod is going to have to be... something to get the soft top lower!

So a question for the more knowledgeable:-

My previous 90 was a SW and was just a little too high to clear my garage door (overhead electric kind) - I solved this by parking it outside or when I wanted to get it into the garage, using two, full, 20 gallon water containers, placed in the rear load area, to load the suspension enough to drop it and clear the doors.

Yesterday I went to park the soft top in the garage and it also doesn't clear and it took three 20 gallon containers and Jr Fox sitting in the back to get it low enough to just clear the open door. It seems higher than the SW and I'm not sure if that is because of the Safety Devices hood cage or a combination of things.

The SW was on stock Sawtooths with whatever tyres came as standard.

The Soft Top is on the Dual Finish alloys with Goodyear Wrangler T/R 235/85R16. Does anyone know whether these would be effecting the ride height? Are they stock or larger? The speedo is off but not by a lot; therefore, I'm guessing that this is close to a stock set up (if not stock!).

My plan has always been to replace the Dual Finish with Wolf Wheels to get back to a more classic look but I don't want to throw the rolling radius off too much; however, that could help me lower the vehicle a little.

The quickest solution is to put some comfort lowering springs on but I'm not even sure 1" lower would be enough.

Any advice, comments and ideas welcome.

Click image to enlarge

21st Jun 2017 8:41am

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey

The tyres are a standard size and, as near as makes no odds, the same height as the ones on your previous SW (which are also a standard offering).

Fitting Wolf wheels won't make any difference as they're still 16 inch rims. It's the tyres you fit to them that can change, although whether you go for either of the typical 7.50's or 235.85, they're all the same height.

The main reason that your soft top is higher is just because it's a lot lighter than a SW, although the soft top frame might be slightly taller than a hardtop. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

21st Jun 2017 9:29am

mk1collector

Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

It's probably a bit higher because you've lost the weight of the roof and side panels with glass. If you don't need it for any serious off roading then a little lowering won't make a big difference, maybe 1 or 2 inch. Over time the springs will settle a little too.

Edit: beaten to it Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html

21st Jun 2017 9:32am

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1023

Thanks guys, those were my assumption as well and Darren, cheers for confirming the stock rim/tyre setup.

I've dropped Coil Springs and email and hopefully I can get a set of springs on it rapidly; having a team of Umpa Lumpas jump in the back each time I want to get in or out of the garage isn't ideal.

Click image to enlarge

21st Jun 2017 9:38am

Profyaffle

Member Since: 03 Oct 2016
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 526

Or you could change your garage door

I changed mine from an up and over electric to a roller door, lots more room and supposedly more secure. 1993 200Tdi Defender 90

21st Jun 2017 9:50am

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1023

Coil Springs are a 5-week lead time.

Alive are expecting their next batch of 'Comfort Lowering' in 5-weeks.

So two dead-ends there.

I know Urban Truck offer them but, being picky, they are red... ugh. Like putting diamonds on a hammer.

21st Jun 2017 10:30am

L90Andy

Member Since: 29 May 2014
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Posts: 716

Sounds like you're making progress on a solution, but another one could be have a set of spare wheels with smaller diameter tyres on (205x80r16 - SWB basic standard size) which will gain you back ~35mm clearance - just swap them over and it should go in easier.
FYI, the above reasons for the soft top being higher are all valid, but not mentioned yet is the soft top frame is higher than a hard top as its a constant curve at the top to keep the rain from pooling.
BTW, I'm going through the same issue and am changing my up and over garage door to swing out barn style doors... Instagram: l90andy

2006 Land Rover 90 TD5 CSW Silver Edition

My 1984 Ninety: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56071.html - SOLD!
My 2015 Defender: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39625.html - SOLD!

21st Jun 2017 10:40am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

I would change the door.

Mods to the vehicle will alter the essential character too much.

You could always remove the soft top and sticks to put it away, but it is a bit of a hassle on the later models.

(I had a problem once in my 80" when I took a load of concrete rubble to the local tip and found, after unloading, that I no longer fitted under the barrier at the entrance/exit, to the great delight of the other tip users. Fortunately on an 80" it takes very little time indeed to remove the ragtop and drop the sticks.)

21st Jun 2017 10:50am

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1023

Cheers Andy.

The garage is relatively new and is a double garage (two separate doors), so changing them isn't on the cards.

UT do have the springs in stock, so I could go that route; however, although they call them "progressive", after chatting with them, they definitely won't make the ride more comfortable and probably border on the performance side. As the CD player was skipping on the standard set up, I'm not aiming to make the ride harsher.

Does anyone know of any other company who sell 'lowering springs' with a comfort bias?

21st Jun 2017 10:52am

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7873

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

Might be of interest?

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic53769.html?highlight=springs

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic49065.html www.coilsprings.co.uk

However be aware lowering/comfort springs may effect ability to tow or carry heavy loads? James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers

21st Jun 2017 11:12am

gabe3105

Member Since: 25 May 2015
Location: Grimsby
Posts: 237

If you have deep pockets, air suspension could be fitted which will give you an "access height" at the touch of a button. I think its circa £3-4k though!

21st Jun 2017 11:21am

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1023

Cheers James.

The first link are to the Extreme 4x4 springs, which are an option.

Your second link is to Coil Springs, who are the idea solution but as per my comment above, having spoken with them, they have a 5-week lead time.

I've made a few more phone calls and at the moment, the UT ones are looking like the best option.

21st Jun 2017 11:23am

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

Another solution, even if only temporary, would be another 20l water container. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

21st Jun 2017 11:57am

Mr Fox

Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1023

I used to have a massive fish tank, so I have another 20 gallon container - it is definitely the short term solution. I may end up with arms like Popeye but it is doable

21st Jun 2017 12:48pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

How about a pond liner in the back, then fill from hosepipe until it will fit in the garage!

21st Jun 2017 12:58pm

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